Devout Prayers after the Litany of the Saints

WHICH MAY BE SAID AFTER THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS, ACCORDING TO THE DIVERSITY OF TIMES AND OCCASIONS.

A Prayer for God's Holy Church.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast revealed thy glory to all nations in Christ, preserve the works of thy mercy, that thy Church, spread throughout the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of thy name: through Christ our Lord.

For the Chief Bishop.

O GOD, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, mercifully regard thy servant N., whom thou hast placed as chief Pastor over thy Church: grant, we beseech thee, that both by word and example he may edify all those who are under his charge, that, together with the flock committed to his care, he may arrive at life everlasting: through our Lord, etc.

For all Degrees of the Church.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed; hear we beseech thee, our humble supplications for all degrees thereof; that by the assistance of thy grace, they may faithfully serve thee: through, etc.

A Prayer in any Necessity.

O GOD, our refuge and strength, the fountain of all goodness, mercifully hear the fervent prayers of thy Church, and grant that what we ask with faith, we may effectually obtain: through, etc.

Against the Persecutors of the Church.

RECEIVE, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy Church, and mercifully appease thy wrath against us; that all adversities and errors being removed, we may serve thee in secure liberty: through, etc.

A Prayer for the President of the United States.

WE pray thee, O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States; that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

A Prayer for the Afflicted.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Comforter of the sorrowful, and the support of those who are afflicted; give ear to the prayers of such as call on thee in their tribulation; that finding thy mercy present with them in their necessities, their mourning may be turned into joy: through, etc.

For Heretics and Schismatics.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who savest all, and wouldst not that any should perish: favorably look down upon those souls which are seduced by the deceit of Satan; that, all heretical impiety being removed, the hearts of such as err may repent, and return to the unity of thy truth: through, etc.

For the Unfaithful Jews.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who repellest not from thy mercy even the perfidious Jews: hear the prayer, which we offer for the blindness of that people; that the light of thy truth, Christ our Lord, being known to them, they may be delivered from their darkness: through, etc.

For Pagans.

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who desirest not the death, but the life of sinners: mercifully accept our prayers, and delivering pagans from the worship of idols, unite them to thy Church, to the praise and honor of thy glorious name: through, etc.

In time of War.

O GOD, who puttest an end to wars, and, by the power of thy protection, vanquishest the opposers of such as trust in thee, help thy servants, who earnestly crave thy mercy; that the evil designs of our enemies being defeated, we may praise thee with incessant gratitude: through, etc.

In time of Famine and Pestilence.

GRANT us, we beseech thee, O Lord, the effect of our prayer, and mercifully turn away from thy servants all pestilence and famine: that the hearts of men may know that such scourges proceed from thy indignation, and cease by thy mercy: through, etc.

A Prayer for Rain.

O GOD, in whom we live, and move, and have our being, grant us, we beseech thee, competent rain; that partaking of thy temporal blessings, we may the more confidently desire those which are eternal: through, etc.

For Fair Weather.

HEAR our supplications, O Lord, and vouchsafe to thy servants the blessing of fair weather; that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may find relief in thy clemency: through, etc.

In any Tribulation.

O ALMIGHTY God, despise not thy people who call upon thee in their afflictions; but for the glory of thy name forgive them their sins, and deliver them from all sorrow: through, etc.

For Remission of Sins.

O GOD, who rejectest none, but art pacified by penance even towards the greatest offenders, mercifully regard the prayers of thy servants, that through thy mercy we may obtain the pardon of our sins, and be enabled to fulfill thy commandments: through, etc.

Against Temptations.

O GOD, who justifiest the wicked that repent, and desirest not the death of a sinner; we humbly beseech thy Majesty to defend thy servants with thy heavenly Grace, who trust in thy mercy, and preserve them by thy continual protection, that they may persevere in thy service, and by no temptations be ever separated from thee: through, etc.

For such as are on a Journey.

Ant. In the way of peace and prosperity may the Lord, the almighty and merciful, direct our steps. And may the Angel Raphael accompany us on the way, that we may return to our home in peace, safety, and joy.

O GOD, who madest the sons of Israel to walk with dry feet through the midst of the sea, and who didst open to the three Magi, by the guiding of a star, the way that led to thee; grant to us, we beseech thee, a prosperous journey, and a time of tranquillity, that, attended by thy holy angel, we may happily arrive at that place whither we are journeying, and finally at the haven of eternal salvation.

A Prayer for the Sick.

O ALMIGHTY and eternal God, the perpetual salvation of them that believe, hear us for thy sick servants, for whom we humbly crave the help of thy mercy, that their health being restored to them, they may render thanks to thee in thy Church: through, etc.

A Prayer for the Living.

EXTEND unto thy faithful, O Lord, the right hand of thy heavenly succor, that they may seek thee with all their hearts, and obtain of thy mercy whatever is necessary to their condition: through, etc.

A Prayer for our Friends.

O GOD, who hast poured the gift of charity, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, into the hearts of the faithful: grant to thy servants (here name those you pray for), for whom we implore thy mercy, health of mind and body; that loving thee with all their strength, they may accomplish those things which are pleasing to thee: through, etc.

For our Enemies.

O GOD, the lover of peace and preserver of charity, give peace and true charity to all our enemies, grant them remission of their sins, and deliver us from their deceits: through, etc.

Against wicked Thoughts.

O ALMIGHTY and most gracious God, mercifully regard our prayers, and deliver our hearts from the temptations of evil thoughts; that our souls may be made worthy habitations for the Holy Ghost: through, etc.

For Charity.

O GOD, who makest all things beneficial to them that love thee, infuse into our hearts an inviolable love of thy charity: that such desires as we conceive by thy holy inspiration may by no temptation be ever changed: through, etc.

For Patience.

O GOD, who by the humility of thy only-begotten Son hast confounded the pride of the old enemy: grant, we beseech thee, that we may often call to mind what he meekly suffered for us, and by his example patiently endure all adversities: through, etc.

For the holy Catholic Church.

DEFEND, O Lord, thy servants, we humbly beseech thee, from all dangers of body and soul: and by the prayers of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, of blessed N. and all thy saints, grant us the mercies of peace and safety, that all adversities and errors being removed, thy Church may serve thee in secure liberty: through, etc.

A Prayer for Special Friends.

PRESERVE, O Lord, thy servants, N. N., for whose health, happiness, and prosperity we humbly offer up these our petitions to thy sacred Majesty; beseeching thee to grant them a persevering constancy in the Catholic faith, a safe passage through this life's dangerous pilgrimage; that no worldly, carnal, or diabolical temptation may have the power to separate them from thee, their prime and only good. Give them grace to correspond to that state and condition of life wherein thou hast placed them; direct them in all their ways, defend them against all their enemies, and grant them finally a happy death and departure out of this world, and a speedy passage after death to the fruition of thy eternal felicity.

For a Friend in Tribulation.

VOUCHSAFE, O merciful Creator! to afford the sweetness of thy comforts to thy afflicted servant N., and to remove, according to thy accustomed mercy, the heavy burden of his calamities. Give him, we humbly beseech thee, patience in his sufferings, resignation to thy good pleasure, perseverance in thy service, and a happy translation from this afflicting life to thy eternal felicity.

A Prayer for all those who are engaged in the Employment or Service of Others.

TO thee, O God, I offer myself, with all my labors of this day, and most humbly beg thy blessing to accompany me in all my undertakings, that whatever I do or suffer, may be with the patience of an humble, penitent, and sincere desire of faithfully discharging my duty to thee, whom I desire to serve, in everything belonging to my charge, without loss of time, neglect, omission, or waste of what is committed to me.

I beseech thee likewise to grant me the spirit of obedience, humility, and meekness, that I may cheerfully comply with all lawful commands, without gainsaying, murmuring, or disrespect. May I never offend in word or action, or connive with others in what is evil: may I never give bad example, nor yield to others in whatever is injurious to my superiors, or displeasing to thee: may I live in peace with every one, give no provoking language, make no parties, carry no false or exaggerated stories; and if provocations are offered, may I suppress all passion, be moderate in my answers, and return good for evil.

In these and all other duties assist me, O God, and help me to overcome all my usual weakness. May I ever continue under thy protection, and zealously walk in the paths of thy commandments, by avoiding evil, and doing good. To thee I consecrate all my labors, and beg thy blessing to attend me in all I shall do this day and evermore.

For the Master and Mistress of a Family.

O MERCIFUL God, I implore thy grace for my direction and help, in the execution of everything thou hast committed to my charge. Grant me discretion, that I may discover in all things what is best to be done, that I may manage them according to the obligations thou hast laid upon me. Make me faithful in taking care of what, under thee, I have in charge, that nothing may suffer through my neglect, idleness, prodigality, or ill management. Let not passion have any influence on my words or actions, that I may reprove without anger, command without imperiousness, require service without cruelty, have compassion on such failings as proceed rather from weakness than neglect, and show a tenderness towards all under my charge, as knowing that both they and I serve one master in Heaven, who, without respect to persons, will call us all to an equal account.

O Lord, let me never want thy grace to suppress every inclination that leads me from my duty. Let no kind of extravagance, excess, or disorder find encouragement in my house. Make me a zealous observer of good discipline, and watchful against all undue liberties. Suffer me not to be unjust to any one, nor connive at what ought to be reproved. Take from me all immoderate solicitude, and let no excess of worldly care withdraw my heart from the important concern of eternity. May my chief solicitude be, how to regulate all my concerns to thy honor and glory. I crave thy blessing this day and forever, on all I am to do or suffer, and humbly offer myself, and all I possess, in thy glory. Help me, O my God, according to my necessities, now and forever. Amen.

For Parents.

ASSIST me, O heavenly Father, in discharging my duty to my children. Endow me with true Christian wisdom, to discern what to grant, and what to deny. Let neither passion, ill-humor, nor fondness make me yield to them in anything that may be prejudicial to either soul or body. Enable me always to give them good example; to preserve them from bad company, or from hearing or doing what may induce them to commit evil; and whenever they do amiss, prompt me to give them timely correction, more out of love than from passion. Deliver me from all manner of prodigality—intemperance — idleness — vanity—neglect, or ill-management, that may prevent me from providing for their comfortable subsistence in this life, as also from preparing them for happiness hereafter, by being over-solicitous to make them great in this world.

Direct me, O God, in every particular that can contribute to their Christian education, and enable me to remove from them whatever may do them hurt. Deliver me from all indiscreet partialities—from discouraging them—or showing any unreasonable uneasiness, which may force them upon rash methods for the remedy of the trouble they find at home. Be thou a father to them, and supply, by thy goodness, whatever is wanting in me. Preserve them from the corruption of the world, from sin, and all evil, and excite them to all good. Deliver them from the effects of a vain and inconstant mind, and make them thy faithful servants here, that they may come at length to that happiness which Christ has purchased for them. Amen.

For Children under Parents' Care.

O HEAVENLY Father, who commandest us to love, obey, respect, and honor our parents, grant that I may always comply with this thy command, by being ever faithful in the performance of all it enjoins, and in never doing anything contrary thereunto.

May I ever deny myself, in all lawful things, to please my parents; and obey them in whatever they can justly require or expect from me. Let me never contradict them, nor so dispute against their proposals as to make them uneasy. May I always consult them in all that concerns them or myself. May I ever be deaf to those who suggest the despising or neglecting of my parents' advice. May I never afflict them by following bad counsel, wicked company, or any evil ways. May I always study to be their comfort, in recompense for all the care, trouble, and love they have had for me. May I never show impatience at their infirmities, much less mock at any weakness to which they are subject.

Direct me, O my God, in everything relating to my duty, and suffer no change of circumstances to withdraw me from it. May I, in no lawful concern whatever, offend my parents on earth, or displease thee, my Father, who art in Heaven.

A Prayer for Scholars before Study.

O INCOMPREHENSIBLE Creator, the true fountain of light, and only author of all knowledge; who, out of the treasure of thy wisdom, hast, with wonderful harmony, disposed and ordered all parts of the universe: vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to enlighten my understanding with the rays of thy wisdom, and to expel from it all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, instruct my tongue, and pour on my lips the grace of thy blessing. Give me a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehending, capacity of retaining, and the continual assistance of thy holy grace, that I may apply all my studies to thy honor, and the everlasting salvation of my own soul through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer which may be daily said by a Woman with Child.

O LORD God, Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, who hast made us all out of nothing, and redeemed us by the precious Blood of thy only Son: look down upon thy poor handmaid here prostrate before thee, humbly imploring thy mercy, and begging thy blessing for herself and her child, which thou hast given her to conceive. Preserve, I beseech thee, the work of thy hands, and defend both me and the tender fruit of my womb from all perils and all evils; grant me in due time a happy delivery, and bring my child safe to the font of baptism, that it may be there happily dedicated to thee, to love and serve thee faithfully forever. But, O my God, I have too much reason to fear lest my great and manifold sins should hinder thee from hearing my prayers, and draw down thy judgments on me and mine, instead of thy mercies, which I sue for. And therefore I am sensible the first thing I ought to do is, to repent from the bottom of my heart for all my offences, humbly confessing them, and continually to cry to thee for mercy. I detest, then, all my sins with my whole heart, and desire to lay them down here at thy feet, to be effaced and destroyed forever. I renounce and abhor them with my whole soul, because they are infinitely odious to thee, and wish I could expiate them with tears of blood: I humbly beg thy pardon for them all, and wish with all my heart I had never committed them: I here offer myself to make what satisfaction for them I am able; and most willingly accept of whatever I may have to suffer in child-bearing, and offer it up now beforehand to thee for my sins, firmly resolving by thy grace, never wilfully to offend thee more. Behold here my poor heart, O Lord, and if it is not, at least I desire it should be, that contrite and humble heart which thou never despisest. In this disposition of soul, and with a lively confidence in thy mercies, and in the merits of the death and passion of Jesus Christ thy Son, I renew the petition I made before, and once more beg, for myself, thy grace, protection, and a happy delivery; and for my child, that thou wouldst be pleased to preserve it for baptism, sanctify it for thyself, and make it thine forever, through, etc. Amen.

For a Husband or Wife.

O GOD, who hast ordained the holy state of matrimony, wherein I am engaged, grant me grace to comply with all its obligations, and to perform them in such a manner as is becoming a Christian, not an unbeliever.

Preserve my love undefiled, according to thy divine command, and let the duty of love help to conduct me with comfort through all the obligations and difficulties of my state. Grant me discretion to manage all circumstances for the best, a true love for peace, and such a discreet compliance as to resign my own thoughts and inclinations for preserving it. Inspire me with true humility and patience, that I may submit to and bear with all crosses in the manner thy apostle requires. Furnish me with all other helps, that whatever difficulties may occur, I may persevere with cheerfulness in discharging the duties of my state, and never yield so far to any weakness, ill-humor, or impatience, as to weaken, much less to break the bond which thou hast sanctified, and which cannot be dissolved but by death. May I always be faithful and indefatigable in the discharge of the duties of my state, doing and suffering whatever falls to my lot, with such absolute submission to thy will, that both in peace and trouble, in prosperity and adversity, I may ever remember to resign myself cheerfully, O God, to thy pleasure or permission; and under all difficulties, still labor to work out my salvation.

For Widows.

O GOD, the disposer of all things, who hast been pleased to bring me into this state, grant me the grace to bear all its troubles with patience, and to make use of all its advantages with Christian prudence; to be a widow in deed; to despise all earthly comforts; to place my whole trust in thee, and to improve the opportunity offered for securing to myself a happy eternity.

Teach me, O Lord, to make the best use of the liberty thou hast given me, and as long as I shall abide here in this pilgrimage, give me grace to employ my time in such exercises of piety, charity, and solid devotion, as may secure thy mercy to me, and effectually conduct me to the possession of that happiness which I desire.

May I ever despise the vanities of the world, and make some recompense for my past sins, follies and extravagances. May I now spend as many hours in prayer and good works as I have misspent in vanity, idleness, or dangerous entertainments. May I endeavor by charity to make amends for all that I have sinfully, idly, or prodigally misspent, and thus recover whatever prejudice my soul has suffered through my fault. May I ever study to improve my present circumstances in order to eternal life. May my loss turn to my advantage, and under thy protection, O God, may I find greater comforts than what the world can afford. Assist me, O my God, and let thy grace support me under all my weaknesses.

For those who lead a Single Life.

O BLESSED Redeemer, who, both by thyself and thy apostle, hast recommended a single life as the most proper state to serve thee in, without distraction, assist me by thy holy grace, that I may duly consider the advantages of it and make a right use of them, so as to find the good effect in my soul, for which the apostle gives it the preference to other states.

May I always rejoice under thy blessings, and being at liberty from those engagements which are attended with endless solicitudes, and enslave the minds of men to the earth, may I avail myself of this my privilege in seeking and serving thee with greater freedom of spirit, having thee now for my spouse.

May I not be like one of the foolish virgins, but with the wise wait in readiness for thy coming. May I leave all for thee. May I love thee with my whole heart, desire thee with all my soul, adore thee with all my mind, and serve thee with all my strength: that I may thus become holy both in body and spirit. Support me under all my weaknesses; and defend me against all the snares, both of the devil, of the world, and of my own corruption. Take from me all affection for whatever flatters the senses, and let me admire nothing that is vain and empty. Inspire me with a dread of all that is dangerous, and let the great and prevailing object of my love, affections, and desires, centre in thee alone; that, having finished my life here, in imitation of thee, I may wait on thee forever, in the joys of thy Kingdom. Amen.

For the Rich.

MOST bountiful Lord, I return thee thanks for whatever I possess, and beg thy grace to make good use of whatever plenty, through thy mercy, I enjoy. May I always so govern myself, as to spend nothing in favor of any vicious or sinful inclination. May I be deaf to all expensive demands of vanity, gaming, appetite, and idleness, and put a stop to all those ways by which I have hitherto misspent what thou hast intrusted me with, and thereby often most ungratefully offended thy divine goodness.

I confess my past ingratitude, injustice, and impiety, in the abuse of thy favors and gifts, and earnestly beg pardon of thee, O Lord, for the same, and grace henceforward to do all thou requirest. To feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked, with the overplus of the decent support of myself and of those under me; to lay up for myself a treasure in Heaven, lest, like the rich man in the gospel, I suffer eternally in hell, for having so much indulged my passions, and applied thy favors to the service of idleness, vanity, and sin.

It is through thy great mercy, O my God, that I yet live, when thou mightest have cast me into endless flames. Thou sparest me, that I may make some amends for all the abuses of the goods thou hast so liberally bestowed on me. May I neither hereafter hoard up riches unnecessarily, nor spend them unprofitably. May I only make use of them for promoting thy honor and glory here, the relief of the poor, and for providing such necessaries as thou allowest. May I pay no regard to what the world applauds or censures, but only endeavor to please thee in a just disposal of what thou hast committed to my care, as being not the master but the steward thereof, and accountable to thee, O my God, the giver of whatever I possess. Assist me, herein, O God, and let not riches, nor the evils that they lead to, but thyself alone, be the desire of my heart.

An Oblation

Which may be made to Almighty God every morning and evening.

MOST merciful Lord, and ever living God, behold, I, a wretched and ungrateful sinner, prostrate at thy feet, adore and worship thee, offering up, in all humility, immortal praise and thanksgiving, for all thy blessings, especially for that unspeakable charity which induced thee to send down thy only begotten Son into this vale of tears, for the work of our redemption.

O eternal Lord of Heaven and earth, I praise and magnify thy ever-glorious name, for thy Son's most holy incarnation and nativity; for his poverty, innocent life, and conversation; for his heavenly doctrine and miracles; for his death and passion; his resurrection and ascension.

I yield thee all possible thanks for the divine mystery of his precious Body and Blood in the venerable Sacrament of the Eucharist, wherewith we are nourished, cleansed, and sanctified, and our souls are made partakers of all heavenly graces and spiritual benedictions.

I give thee most humble and hearty thanks that out of a handful of dust thou wast pleased to make me according to thine own image and likeness, rendering me capable of eternal glory, for the obtaining of which thou didst vouchsafe first to wash me with the laver of baptism, for the remission of that original corruption which was contracted by my first parents; and afterwards to bring me to the profession and practice of the Catholic faith, not ceasing daily to increase the same in me, by the doctrine and instruction of thy Church.

I most humbly thank thee also, that thou hast nourished and clothed me from my cradle, supplying me with all necessaries for the relief and maintenance of my frail body.

I evermore extol and magnify thy holy name, for having, in thy great mercy, hitherto spared, and patiently expected me, till by thy grace I might be awakened from the sleep of sin, and reclaimed from my vanities and wicked courses. For hadst thou dealt with me according to my demerits, my soul (being oppressed with innumerable sins) had long since been plunged into eternal perdition.

In consideration of all these thy mercies and blessings, I most humbly desire that my heart may every day enlarge itself, that it may still render thee a more ample tribute of praise and thanksgiving than it has hitherto paid thee.

O my Lord God, and most merciful Father, never abandon me to myself, but let thy holy fear be ever present in my thoughts, to curb and restrain me within the bonds of obedience to thy law, that I may dread nothing so much in this world, as, by a violation of the least of thy precepts, to offend thee. Let thy holy love temper all the trials and temptations which may befall me in such a manner that none of them may at any time overcome me: for thou knowest that of myself I have not strength to resist them.

I moreover beseech thee, most merciful Father, by the profound humility of thy only Son, Jesus Christ, that thou wouldst preserve me from all pride, self-love, vainglory, obstinacy, and disobedience. Cast out of my heart, I beseech thee, the spirit of gluttony and uncleanness; the spirit of sloth and indevotion; the spirit of malice and envy; the spirit of hatred and disdain; that I may never despise the meanest of thy creatures, nor proudly prefer myself before others; but always seem little in my own eyes; inclining to think the best of others, and judge the worst of myself.

Clothe me, O most holy Father, with the wedding garment of thy beloved Son, the supernatural virtue of heavenly charity, that I may love thee, my Lord God, with my whole heart, my whole soul, and with all my strength, that neither life nor death, prosperity nor adversity, nor anything else, may ever separate me from thy love. Grant that all inordinate affections to the transitory things of this world may daily decrease in me, that thou only mayest be the entertainment and delight of my soul.

O most gracious God, grant thy servant an humble, contrite, and obedient heart; an understanding always employed in honest and pious thoughts; a will tractable, and always inclined to do good; affections calm and moderate; a watchful custody over my senses, that through those windows no sin may enter into my soul; a perfect government of my tongue, that no corrupt or unseemly language may proceed from my lips; may I never slander, nor speak ill of any one, nor busy myself about the faults and imperfections of others, but wholly attend to the amendment of my own life.

O most loving Lord, as long as I am detained in this prison of my body, let this be my comfort, that being free from all distractions, both of the cares and pleasures of this life, I may wholly devote myself to thy service, attending always to thy heavenly doctrine, and the salutary motions of thy holy Spirit. In these sweet exercises let me pass the solitary hours of my tedious pilgrimage with patience, expecting the closing up of my days, and a happy period to this my miserable life.

And, finally, grant, O blessed Redeemer of mankind, my Lord and my God, that when this my earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved (being found free from all pollution of sin, through sincere contrition, and in virtue of the sacraments of thy holy Church), I may be included in the number of those blessed souls, who, through the merits of thy passion and death, are deemed worthy to reign with thee, and to enjoy the glorious presence of the adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: to whom, by all creatures in heaven and earth, be rendered praise and thanksgiving, world without end. Amen.

O Lord, my God! O Lord, my God! possess my soul, possess my soul, for ever and ever. Amen.