MOTHER — Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Meaning: the main prayer of the devotion. It asks for Mary’s motherly protection, especially for those who wear the Holy Scapular, and the grace to praise her forever in heaven.
O most holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, ornament and glory of Carmel, thou who watchest with special care over those who wear thy sacred scapular, watch over us also and cover us with the mantle of thy motherly protection. Strengthen our weakness with thy power and dispel with thy light the darkness of our hearts. Increase in us faith, hope and charity; adorn our souls with every virtue, so that they may become ever more pleasing to thy divine Son. Assist us during life, console us with thy loving presence at the hour of death, and present us to the Most Holy Trinity as thy children and faithful servants, that we may praise thee forever in heaven. Amen.
(Pray 3 Hail Marys)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Consecration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Meaning: total self-giving to Mary, Mother of Carmel. The one who prays consecrates his or her life to her, asking that the scapular draw her motherly gaze and keep us faithful to Jesus.
O Mary, Mother and Beauty of Carmel, I consecrate my life to thee today and forever, as a small tribute of gratitude for all the graces I have received from God through thy intercession.
Thou watchest with special love over those who devoutly wear thy scapular: I beg thee to support my weakness with thy virtues, to enlighten the darkness of my mind with thy wisdom, and to rekindle in me faith, hope and charity, so that each day I may grow in the love of God and in devotion to thee.
May the scapular draw upon me thy motherly gaze and thy protection in the struggles of each day, and may I always be faithful to thy Son Jesus and to thee, avoiding all sin and imitating thy virtues. I wish to offer to God, through thy hands, all the good I do with the help of thy grace; may thy goodness obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins and constant faithfulness to the Lord.
O most loving Mother, may thy love one day obtain for me to exchange thy scapular for the eternal wedding garment, and to live with thee and the saints of Carmel in the happiness of the Kingdom of thy Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
How to pray: for 9 days, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the preparatory prayer and the prayer of the day, and at the end 3 Hail Marys and the invocation.
Preparatory prayer
O eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Prostrate in Thy adorable presence, I implore mercy through the merits of Thy beloved Daughter, sovereign Mother and most holy Spouse, the exalted Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, motherly protector of all who are in need, in life, in death and in purgatory.
Prayer to Our Lady
Exalted Queen and tender Mother of Carmel, refuge of all mortals! Here at thy feet is a poor soul who trusts in thee. Look upon me graciously, hear me kindly and grant me the favor I come to ask of thee in this novena. If this request should not be good for me, I trust that thy goodness will welcome my intention and grant me some other, more beneficial grace, and so my trust in thee will be crowned by thee.
Grant that we may find in this thy badge a safeguard against all evils and a fountain of blessings from thy motherly Heart; and now obtain for me the particular favor I ask of thee in this novena (state the favor desired).
(Pray 3 Hail Marys)
Closing (every day)
Blessed by all be the Mother of God, holy Virgin of Carmel!
Scapular Prayer
Meaning: a short prayer for those who wear the Holy Scapular, asking for the grace to die devoutly in the grace of God and attain eternal life.
Help me, O dear Mother, that, wearing thy Holy Scapular with devotion, I may merit the happiness of dying devoutly with it, in the grace of God, and so attain eternal life. Amen.
Aspirations to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us! O Mary, Mother of Carmel, cover us with thy mantle! Our Lady of Mount Carmel, protect our families!
SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA (Novena)
Meaning: Padre Pio, the friar of the stigmata, is one of the most beloved saints of the 20th century. The novena is especially recommended from September 14 to 22 (his memorial is September 23), but it can be prayed at any time.
The 9 days (each day has a saying and a prayer)
Day 1 — Accepting sufferings: “Get used to the sufferings Jesus sends you. The Lord, who suffers with you in your affliction, will come to console you, pouring many graces into your soul.” — Beloved Saint Pio, who bore in your body the signs of the Passion of Our Lord, pray for us.
Day 2 — Resisting temptation: “Courage! Do not fear the attacks of the Devil. It is a good sign if the Enemy shouts around you — it shows that he is not inside you.” — Saint Pio, who knew how to resist the temptations of the evil one, pray for us.
Day 3 — Love for Our Lady: “May Mary be the star that lights your path and shows you the safe way to the heavenly Father.” — Most virtuous Saint Pio, who loved the heavenly Mother so much, intercede for us with the Holy Virgin.
Day 4 — The guardian angel: Most chaste Saint Pio, who loved so much the holy guardian angel and taught others to love him, intercede with God for us.
Day 5 — The souls in purgatory: Saint Pio, who had the greatest devotion to the souls in purgatory, for whom you offered yourself as an expiatory victim, ask the Lord to fill us with compassion for these souls.
Day 6 — The sick: Most obedient Saint Pio, who loved the sick so dearly because you saw Jesus in them, pray to God that all the sick may experience healing.
Day 7 — The conversion of unbelievers: Blessed Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray to God that those who do not believe may receive a great and true faith and be converted; that those with little faith may improve their Christian life; and that the just may persevere on the way of salvation.
Day 8 — Meeting you in Paradise: With your fatherly protection, may we at the hour of death find you at the gates of Paradise awaiting our arrival.
Day 9 — Faithfulness to the Church: “Always hold fast to the Holy Catholic Church, for she alone can give true peace, because she alone possesses Jesus in the Sacrament.” — Humble Saint Pio, pray to God to send laborers into His holy work, and holy priests.
Final prayers (every day)
O my Jesus, who said, “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you,” I knock, I seek and I ask for the grace of (mention your intention). (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in Thee.
O my Jesus, who said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” in Thy name I ask for the grace of (mention your intention). (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in Thee.
O my Jesus, who said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away,” relying on the infallibility of Thy words, I ask for the grace of (mention your intention). (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in Thee.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us poor sinners and grant us the graces we ask of Thee, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy tender Mother and ours. Saint Joseph, foster father of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. (Pray the Hail, Holy Queen)
SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA — Prayers
“Stay with me, Lord” (after Communion and at night)
Meaning: Padre Pio’s most famous prayer, which he prayed after Communion and at night — a deep plea to remain in the presence of Jesus, acknowledging one’s own weakness and need for God.
Stay with me, Lord, for I need Thy presence so as not to forget Thee; Thou knowest how easily I abandon Thee.
Stay with me, Lord, for I am weak and need Thy strength so that I may not fall so often; for Thou art my light, and without Thee I am in darkness; for Thou art my life, and without Thee my fervor fades.
Stay, that Thou mayest make known to me Thy will, that I may hear Thy voice and follow Thee; for I desire to love Thee very much and to be always in Thy company.
Stay with me, Lord, if Thou wishest me to be faithful to Thee. Stay with me, Lord, for, poor as my soul is, it wishes to be for Thee a place of consolation and a nest of love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close… that is, life passes; death, judgment and eternity draw near, and I must renew my strength so as not to stop along the way, and for that I need Thee.
It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows — and how much I need Thee, my Jesus, in this night of exile.
Stay with me, Jesus, for in this night of life and its dangers, I need Thee.
Grant that, like Thy disciples, I may recognize Thee in the breaking of the bread; that is, that Eucharistic Communion may be the light that scatters the darkness, the strength that sustains me and the only joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, for at the hour of my death I want to remain united to Thee — if not by Communion, at least by grace and by love.
Stay with me, Jesus; I do not ask for divine consolations, because I do not deserve them, but for the gift of Thy presence — this I do ask of Thee.
Stay with me, Lord; it is Thee alone I seek — Thy love, Thy grace, Thy will, Thy heart, Thy Spirit — because I love Thee and ask no other reward but to love Thee more. With a firm and practical love, to love Thee with all my heart on earth, so as to go on loving Thee perfectly for all eternity. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Sacrament (visit to Jesus)
Meaning: the prayer Padre Pio said when visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament — adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and total self-giving.
Lord Jesus Christ, who for love of us dwellest night and day in this Sacrament, waiting for, calling and welcoming all who come to visit Thee, I believe that Thou art truly present in this tabernacle. I adore Thee from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast given me, especially for having given me Mary, Thy holy Mother, as my advocate, and for having called me to visit Thee in this church.
a) in thanksgiving for this magnificent gift; b) in amends for all the insults Thy enemies offer Thee in this Sacrament; c) by this visit I wish to adore Thee in every corner of the earth.
My Jesus, I love Thee with all my heart. I am sorry for having so often offended Thy infinite goodness in the past. With the help of Thy grace, I resolve never to offend Thee again. In my misery, I consecrate myself entirely to Thee; I renounce my own will and give it wholly to Thee, together with my affections, my desires and all that I have.
From now on, do with me and with all I possess whatever pleases Thee. I ask and desire nothing but Thy holy love, final perseverance and perfect submission to Thy will.
I commend to Thee the souls in purgatory, especially those who were most devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin. I also commend to Thee all poor sinners.
Finally, my Savior, I unite all my affections to those of Thy adorable Heart and offer them to the Eternal Father, asking Him to accept and receive them for love of Thee. Amen.
Prayer to Padre Pio for a grace
Meaning: a short and direct prayer to ask for a grace through the intercession of Padre Pio.
O God, who granted Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin priest, the privilege of sharing in a wonderful way in the Passion of Thy Son, grant me through his intercession the grace of (state your request), which I ardently desire; and above all grant that I may be conformed to the death of Jesus, so as to attain afterwards the glory of the resurrection.
(Pray 3 times: Glory Be)
Padre Pio’s evening prayer
Meaning: the prayer Padre Pio said at night, asking that the heart may find its source in Christ and that we may die to ourselves to live in Him alone.
O Christ, Thy Kingdom is near; let us share in Thy triumph on earth, so that we may later share in Thy heavenly Kingdom.
Grant us to communicate Thy love and to proclaim Thy divine kingship by the example of our lives and by our works.
Take possession of our hearts here on earth, so that they may be Thine for eternity. Do not let us stray from Thy will: may neither life nor death separate us from Thee.
May our heart find its source in Thee, our Savior, so that, filled with Thy love, we may become tireless apostles of Thy Kingdom.
May we die to ourselves each day, to live in Thee alone. Amen.
Aspirations of Padre Pio
Meaning: Padre Pio was a man of unceasing prayer. These short aspirations express his spirituality — trust, love of God, of the guardian angel and of prayer.
1. The best known (to the Sacred Heart):
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in Thee.
2. Of unceasing prayer:
Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes 5:17-18)
3. Of trust:
Trust in the Lord, do good, and you shall possess the land.
4. To the guardian angel:
My holy Guardian Angel, guard me and guide me along the hard paths of life.
5. Of love for Jesus:
My Jesus, I love Thee with all my heart.
6. Padre Pio’s own (a phrase he repeated):
Let us have firm hope of being heard, trusting in the promise of the Divine Master: ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.
FATHER — Saint Joseph
Prayer to Saint Joseph (foster father of Jesus)
Meaning: the classic prayer to Saint Joseph, faithful guardian of the Holy Family. It asks for his protection, that he may deliver the Church from the snares of the enemy and lead us to a holy life and a happy death.
To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our needs, and with confidence we ask for thy protection.
By the love that united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by thy fatherly love for Jesus, we earnestly beg thee: look kindly upon the inheritance that Jesus redeemed with His Most Precious Blood, and come with thy power to our aid!
As once thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from grave danger, so now deliver the holy Church of God from the cunning snares of the enemy. Saint Joseph, loving guardian of the Divine Child, defend the Holy Eucharist in all the tabernacles of the world from the hands of its enemies. Take us all under thy protection! And, following thy example and with thy help, may we lead a holy life and die a happy death, so as to reach eternal blessedness in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph (Pope Francis — Patris Corde)
Meaning: the prayer written by Pope Francis in his apostolic letter “Patris Corde” (With a Father’s Heart) on Saint Joseph. Short, profound and very timely.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph for fathers
Meaning: it asks Saint Joseph to protect and inspire all fathers to raise their children in the faith.
To thee, Saint Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulation; full of confidence, we ask thy protection for all fathers of families.
Thou wast the foster father of Jesus; thou didst love, respect and raise Him with love and dedication. Look upon all the fathers of the world, so that, with love and dedication, they may raise their children in the Christian faith.
Protect all fathers who work hard every day so that their children lack nothing. Protect all fathers… (continue with your intentions)
Saint Joseph, pray for us and for our families. Amen.
NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH (the Father)
How to pray: for 9 days, pray the preparatory prayer, the prayer to the Blessed Virgin and the prayer of the day, and at the end the final prayer. On the last day, pray 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys and 7 Glory Be’s in honor of the joys and sorrows of Saint Joseph.
Invocation of the Holy Spirit (every day)
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, Lord, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray: O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Preparatory prayer (every day)
My Lord and God, One and Three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I believe that I am now in Thy sovereign presence as I set out to consecrate this novena to Saint Joseph. I adore Thee with all my heart, because Thou art infinitely good and worthy to be loved above all things. I adore Thee with all the intensity of which I am capable, and I repent of the many sins I have committed against Thy Divine Majesty.
In this novena I want to learn the virtues that the glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph practiced so perfectly, and to obtain through his intercession the graces I so greatly need. Lord, who am I to dare to come before Thy presence?
I know how poor my merits are and how many my sins, for which I do not deserve to be heard in my prayers; but what I do not deserve, Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, deserves; what I cannot do, he can. I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore divine clemency, relying not on my weakness but on the power and favor of Saint Joseph. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (every day)
Help me, my Lady, in my prayers, that they may be favorably answered through the intercession and favor of thy holy Spouse. Amen.
Final prayer (every day)
Remember, O most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, sweet protector Saint Joseph, that never was it known that anyone who invoked thy protection and implored thy help was left unconsoled. With great confidence I come before thee and fervently commend myself to thee. Despise not my petition, O foster father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive it. Amen.
Prayer of the 9th day (closing the novena)
Obtain for me also the graces I have asked of thee each day of this novena. I trust that all I have asked of thee I will receive from the love of God through thee. From now on, with divine grace, I will make known the power that the merciful God grants thee. Amen.
(Pray 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys and 7 Glory Be’s, in honor of the joys and sorrows of the glorious Patriarch)
Aspirations to Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph, pray for us! Saint Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, protect our home! Saint Joseph, most loving father, care for our children!
NOVENA TO SAINT RITA OF CASCIA (Patroness)
How to pray: for 9 days, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the daily prayer, state your request, and at the end pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be.
Daily prayer
O powerful and glorious Saint Rita, behold at thy feet a helpless soul who, in need of help, comes to thee with the sweet hope of being heard by thee, who bearest the title of Saint of impossible and desperate cases.
O dear Saint, take up my cause; intercede with God that He may grant me the grace I so greatly need (make your request).
Do not let me leave thy feet without being heard. If there is any obstacle in me that keeps me from obtaining the grace I implore, help me to remove it.
Wrap my request in thy precious merits and present it to thy heavenly Spouse, Jesus, together with thy own prayer. O Saint Rita, I place all my trust in thee. Through thee, I calmly await the grace I ask of thee.
(Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be)
Saint Rita, Advocate of the Impossible, pray for us!
Prayer to Saint Rita of Cascia (impossible causes)
Meaning: the main prayer to Saint Rita, “Saint of the Impossible” and “Advocate of desperate cases” — perfect for asking for a difficult grace with complete trust in her intercession.
O powerful and glorious Saint Rita, behold at thy feet a helpless soul who, in need of help, comes to thee with the sweet hope of being heard by thee, who bearest the title of Saint of Impossible and Desperate Cases.
O dear Saint, take up my cause; intercede with God that He may grant me the grace I so greatly need (make your request).
Do not let me leave thy feet without being heard. If there is any obstacle in me that keeps me from obtaining the grace I implore, help me to remove it.
Wrap my request in thy precious merits and present it to thy heavenly Spouse, Jesus, together with thy own prayer. O Saint Rita, I place all my trust in thee. Through thee, I calmly await the grace I ask of thee.
Presented by thee, who art so dear to the Lord, my prayer will surely be accepted and granted; I will use this favor to improve my life and my habits, and to proclaim, on earth and in Heaven, the divine mercies. Amen.
(Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be)
Saint Rita, Advocate of the Impossible, pray for us!
Prayer to Saint Rita (desperate cases)
Meaning: a shorter, more direct version for moments of anguish and despair.
O powerful Saint Rita of Cascia, called Saint of the Impossible, advocate of desperate cases, helper in the final hour, refuge in sorrow and salvation for those in the depths of sin and despair: with all confidence in thy heavenly patronage, I have recourse to thee in the difficult and unexpected case that painfully weighs on my heart (make your request).
Tell me, Saint Rita, wilt thou not help and console me? Wilt thou turn thy merciful gaze away from my poor heart? No, I do not believe it! Thou who art so good and so powerful before the Heart of Jesus, obtain for me the grace I ask of thee. Amen.
Aspirations to Saint Rita
Saint Rita, Advocate of the Impossible, pray for us! Saint Rita of Cascia, intercede for us! Saint Rita, helper in the last hour, come to our aid!
PATRON — Saint Jude Thaddeus
Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddeus (hopeless causes)
Meaning: the classic prayer to Saint Jude, “Patron of desperate cases and of things despaired of” — perfect for impossible causes and desperate situations.
Saint Jude Thaddeus, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the holy Church honors and invokes you everywhere as the patron of desperate cases, of things beyond help.
Intercede for me, who am so miserable; make use, I beg you, of that particular privilege granted to you, to bring prompt and visible help where help is almost impossible.
Come to my aid in this great need, that I may receive the consolations and help of Heaven in all my afflictions, necessities and sufferings, particularly (here state the grace you wish to obtain), and that I may bless God with you and with all the elect for all eternity.
I promise you, blessed Saint Jude Thaddeus, always to remember this great favor and never to cease honoring you as my special and powerful patron, and I will do all I can to spread devotion to you. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddeus
Meaning: a more recent prayer that asks for a grace and also commits us to imitate Saint Jude in following Christ.
Saint Jude Thaddeus, apostle chosen by Christ, I greet and praise you for the faithfulness and love with which you fulfilled your mission. Called and sent by Jesus, you are one of the twelve pillars that uphold the true Church founded by Christ.
Countless people, imitating your example and helped by your prayer, find the way to the Father, open their hearts to their brothers and sisters, and find strength to overcome sin and every evil.
I want to imitate you, committing myself to Christ and His Church through a decided conversion to God and to my neighbor, especially the poorest. And, thus converted, I will take up the mission of living and proclaiming the Gospel as an active member of my community.
I hope, then, to obtain from God the grace I implore, trusting in your powerful intercession.
(Now, in silence, make your request for the grace you seek)
Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us! Amen!
Aspirations to Saint Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us! Saint Jude Thaddeus, patron of impossible causes, intercede for us! Saint Jude Thaddeus, faithful friend of Jesus, help us!
SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA (Divine Mercy Novena)
Meaning: Saint Faustina was the “secretary of Divine Mercy”. Jesus revealed to her that, during this novena, He would grant “every kind of grace”. Each day has its own intention.
Prayer asking for graces (every day)
O Jesus, who made Saint Faustina a great devotee of Your boundless mercy, deign, through her intercession, if it be pleasing to Your most holy will, to grant me the grace (silent petition) that I ask of You. I, a sinner, am not worthy of Your mercy.
Prayer of thanksgiving (every day)
O Jesus, eternal God, I thank You for Your countless graces and blessings. Let every beat of my heart be a new hymn of thanksgiving to You, O God. Let every drop of my blood circulate for You, Lord. May my soul be one hymn of adoration of Your mercy. I love You, God, for Yourself alone. (Diary, 1794)
The 9 days and their intentions
Day 1 — Blessed are those who put their trust in God
Day 2 — Trust as the response to knowing the mystery of God’s mercy
Day 3 — Faith
Day 4 — Hope
Day 5 — Love
Day 6 — Humility
Day 7 — Contrition
Day 8 — Fulfilling the will of God
Day 9 — The vessel of trust
(Themes of the Novena to Saint Faustina for the grace of trust.)
Litany of Saint Faustina
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus Christ, hear us. Jesus Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us. Saint Faustina, living witness of the mercy of the heavenly Father, pray for us. Saint Faustina, humble servant of Jesus, Mercy Incarnate, pray for us. Saint Faustina, confidant of the message of mercy, pray for us. Saint Faustina, faithful secretary of the words of the Merciful Jesus, pray for us. Saint Faustina, sharer in the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord, pray for us. Saint Faustina, guide on the road of the Cross of Jesus, pray for us. Saint Faustina, lover of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, pray for us. Saint Faustina, model of service and sacrifice, pray for us. Saint Faustina, defender of children and young people against evil, pray for us. Saint Faustina, who brings trust to the hearts of the dying, pray for us. Saint Faustina, concerned for the salvation of humanity, pray for us. Saint Faustina, protector of the souls in purgatory, pray for us. Saint Faustina, who implores divine mercy for the whole world, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world, spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, Saint Faustina, that by our lives and our words we may proclaim to the world the message of Mercy.
(Close with: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be)
Saint Faustina’s prayer for a merciful heart
Meaning: one of Saint Faustina’s most beautiful prayers, in which she asks that all her senses (eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and heart) be merciful, reflecting the mercy of God.
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge people by outward appearances, but see the inner beauty of others and be able to help them.
Help me, O Lord, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may be attentive to the needs of my neighbors and not remain indifferent to their pains and tears.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I may never speak ill of my neighbors, but have for each of them a word of comfort and forgiveness.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, never tiring of doing good to others, while I take upon myself the hardest and most toilsome tasks.
Help me, O Lord, that my feet too may be merciful, so that they may hurry tirelessly to help my neighbors, overcoming fatigue and weariness; may my rest be in serving others.
Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful and feel all the sufferings of my neighbor; may my heart refuse no one. May I live sincerely even with those who take advantage of my kindness.
As for me, I will shut myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus, keeping silent about how much I have to suffer.
You Yourself command me to practice three degrees of mercy: first, the act of mercy, of whatever kind; second, the word of mercy — if I cannot by deed, then by word; third, prayer. If I cannot show mercy by deed or by word, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches even where I cannot be physically.
O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things. (Saint Faustina Kowalska)
Prayer through the intercession of Saint Faustina (to obtain a grace)
Meaning: the prayer to ask for a grace through the intercession of Saint Faustina, “Secretary of Divine Mercy”.
O Jesus, who made Saint Faustina a great devotee of Your infinite mercy, grant me through her intercession, if it be in accordance with Your most holy will, the grace (make your request) that I ask of You.
I, a sinner, am not worthy of Your mercy; but look upon the spirit of sacrifice of Saint Sister Faustina and reward her virtues by hearing the petitions I present to You through her with confidence.
(Pray Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be)
Saint Faustina, pray for us.
Saint Faustina’s prayer for the salvation of souls
Meaning: Saint Faustina had an ardent love for souls. This prayer expresses her desire that all souls may know and trust in the mercy of God.
O Christ, give me souls! Let whatever You will happen to me, but in exchange give me souls! I desire the salvation of souls; I desire that souls may know Your mercy. I have nothing left for myself, because I have given everything to souls, so that on the Day of Judgment I will stand before You empty-handed, for I have given everything to souls, and so You will have nothing to judge me for; and on that day we will meet: love and mercy. (Diary, 1426)
Prayer of John Paul II to Saint Faustina
Meaning: the prayer Saint John Paul II said at the canonization of Saint Faustina (30 April 2000), asking that her message of mercy spread throughout the world.
And you, Faustina, God’s gift to our time, gift from the land of Poland to the whole Church, obtain for us the grace to perceive the depth of divine mercy; help us to make it a living experience and to bear witness to it among our brothers and sisters! May your message of light and hope spread throughout the world, bring sinners to conversion, calm rivalries and hatred, and open individuals and nations to the practice of brotherhood.
Today, as we fix our gaze with you on the face of the risen Christ, we make our own your prayer of trusting abandonment and say with firm hope: Jesus, I trust in You!
Aspirations of Saint Faustina (Divine Mercy)
Meaning: the most important aspirations of the Divine Mercy devotion, revealed by Jesus to Saint Faustina — short arrows of trust and reparation.
1. The best known (the most important of all):
Jesus, I trust in You!
2. Of the Passion (from the Chaplet of Mercy):
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
3. Of reparation:
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
4. Of trust:
Merciful Jesus, I trust and hope in You.
5. For the conversion of sinners:
Jesus, have mercy on poor sinners.
6. Of adoration:
O God, may all that is within me bless You, my Creator and Lord!
SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS (Novena of Roses)
Meaning: Saint Thérèse promised to “let fall from heaven a shower of roses” on those who called upon her. The Novena of Roses is the way to ask for a grace through her intercession, trusting in that promise. Her feast is October 1.
How to pray (all 9 days)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I thank Thee for all the favors and all the graces with which Thou didst enrich the soul of Thy servant Thérèse of the Child Jesus during the 24 years she spent on earth.
By the merits of this most beloved little saint, grant me the grace I ardently ask of Thee (make your request), if it be in accordance with Thy most holy will and for the salvation of my soul.
(Pray 24 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.)
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, pray for us!
Her religious name, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, shows how much she loved the face of Christ — the same devotion that is at the heart of this Mission.
Prayer to Saint Thérèse to obtain a grace (the shower of roses)
Meaning: the best-known prayer to Saint Thérèse, based on her promise to “let fall from heaven a shower of roses” on those who call upon her. Perfect for asking for a grace with trust.
O Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, model of humility, trust and love!
From the heights of heaven, pour down upon us the roses you hold in your arms: the rose of humility, that we may overcome our pride and accept the yoke of the Gospel; the rose of trust, that we may abandon ourselves to God’s will and rest in His Mercy; the rose of love, that, opening our souls without measure to grace, we may fulfill the one purpose for which God created us in His image: to love Him and to make Him loved.
You who spend your heaven doing good on earth, help me in this need and obtain for me from the Lord what I ask of you, if it is for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Amen.
(Pray an Our Father at the end)
Prayer to the Child Jesus (by Saint Thérèse)
Meaning: a prayer of total abandonment and childlike love for Jesus, expressing Saint Thérèse’s “little way”.
O little Child Jesus, my only treasure, I abandon myself to Thy divine whims; I want no other joy than that of making Thee smile.
Grant me Thy graces and Thy childlike virtues, so that on the day of my birth into Heaven the Angels and Saints may recognize me as Thy little spouse. Amen.
Saint Thérèse’s prayer to the Holy Face
Meaning: Saint Thérèse was so devoted to the Holy Face that her religious name was “Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face”. This prayer contemplates the disfigured Face of Jesus in the Passion, the face we contemplate in the devotion of the Holy Face of Tours.
O Jesus, who in Thy bitter Passion didst become “the reproach of men and the man of sorrows”, I adore Thy Divine Face, on which shines the beauty and tenderness of the Godhead, and which has now become for me as the face of a “leper” (Is 53:4).
Yet under those disfigured features I recognize Thy infinite love, and I ardently desire to love Thee and to make Thee loved by all people.
The tears that flowed so abundantly from Thy eyes appear to me as precious pearls, which I long to gather, so that with their infinite worth I may ransom the souls of poor sinners.
O Jesus, Thy Face is the only beauty that delights my heart. I gladly renounce on earth the sweetness of Thy gaze and the ineffable kiss of Thy divine lips, but I beg Thee: imprint Thy divine image on my heart and set me on fire with Thy love, so that one day I may contemplate Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen.
Aspirations to Saint Thérèse
Meaning: in the Novena of Roses, 24 aspirations are prayed (one for each year of her life), each followed by a Glory Be. These are the most beautiful, ready to copy:
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, delight of the Father in Heaven, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, healed by the smile of Mary, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, love in the heart of the Church, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, joy of the Child Jesus, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, smile of God for the world, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, carpet of roses beneath the feet of the Divine Master, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, abandoned to Merciful Love, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, enraptured by love for the Eucharist, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, sister and protector of priests, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, friend of poor sinners, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, sower of roses, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Saint Thérèse, teacher of the way of spiritual childhood, intercede for me. (Glory Be…)
Sayings of Saint Thérèse (to pray every day)
Everything is grace. I love You, Lord! Help me to love You more and more! After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses from Heaven. I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint Thérèse’s prayer to begin the day
Meaning: a humble and simple prayer from the Complete Works of Saint Thérèse (Prayer 10), to offer God all the small actions of the day — the practical heart of the “little way”.
My God, I offer Thee all the actions I shall do today, for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I want to sanctify every beat of my heart, my thoughts and my simplest works by uniting them to His infinite merits, and to make reparation for my faults by casting them into the furnace of His Merciful Love.
O my God! I ask of Thee, for myself and for those dear to me, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy holy will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united in Heaven for all eternity. Amen.
— (Complete Works of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Prayer 10)
The “Little Way” — Saint Thérèse’s humble path
“It is trust, and nothing but trust, that must lead us to Love.” — Saint Thérèse
Some sayings of the little way:
Everything is grace. I never tire of making acts of love. Sometimes, when I am in difficulty, I make an even greater act of love. I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth. After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses from Heaven.