A Prayer for Trinity Sunday

Collect for Trinity Sunday from the Anglican Use Book of Hours.


Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us Thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech Thee that Thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see Thee in Thy one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Pentecost

Send Your Spirit
Father of light,
from whom every good gift comes,
send Your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind,
and by the flame of Your wisdom
open the horizons of our minds.
Loosen our tongues to sing Your praise
in words beyond the power of speech,
for without Your Spirit
man could never raise his voice in words of peace
or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Some prayers to pray before reading the Holy Scriptures

From our Orthodox brethren:

Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

From The Catechism, or Christian Doctrine, by Way of Question and Answer

O Lord, through Thy great mercy, teach me all that is necessary for knowing Thee, for loving Thee, and for doing Thy holy will. Amen.

The collect for the Second Sunday of Advent from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Long Live Pope Benedict XVI!

On April 11th, the Knights of Columbus began a novena for Pope Benedict XVI* in honor of the fifth anniversary of his election. While the novena officially ended on April 19th, I'd like to suggest that we take it up again and make it a perpetual novena.

Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

Lord, Source of eternal life and truth,

give to Your shepherd, Benedict,

a spirit of courage and right judgment,

a spirit of knowledge and love.

By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care,

may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ,

build Your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V. Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.

V. May Your hand be upon Your holy servant,

R. and upon Your son, whom You have anointed.

Our Father...

Hail, Mary...

Glory Be...






*PDF warning.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

I like this picture of Joseph: he doesn't look cherubic!

Ad te beate, Ioseph

by Pope Saint Leo XIII

To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.

Most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of his life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven. Amen.

The Collect from the Mass of Saint Joseph the Worker

God our Father,

Creator and Ruler of the universe,

in every age You call man

to develop and use his gifts for the good of others.

With Saint Joseph as our example and guide,

help us to do the work You have asked

and come to the rewards you have promised.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer to Saint Joseph by Pope Pius IX

Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God; to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch Saint Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity.