Father, we come to you as toddlers to their Daddy, our hearts prostrate before you and our arms extended up awaiting your embrace. Father, You know that we are sinners, we are ashamed of hurting you. Jesus said to Sister Faustina, "The greater the sinner, the greater the right to My Mercy." Trusting in these words, we implore you to hear our prayers, strengthen our love for you, our trust and our devotion.
We bring before you all who since birth we have seen or heard, who have seen or heard us, those we love, ought to love and those who we have difficulties with. We bring to you all who know you, don't know you well and most importantly those who refuse you. We ask that you collect us all and bring us to Your beloved son's sacred heart, unite us in love for Your Glory and Praise.
We ask this through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, ever virgin, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly pray for the conversion of mankind, especially sinners and unbelievers,
- for the protection, guidance and intentions of Holy Father, the Pope,
- for the sanctity and growth of Holy Mother, the Church
- for all Priests and Religious
- for our own Parishes and Priests
- for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
- for the sick, the suffering and the dying
- for all who are abused, neglected or abandoned, especially children and the elderly
- for an end to abortion, cloning and research that is unpleasing to God
- for our families and friends, especially those who are far from God
- for peace in all nations and in all hearts
- for the protection and guidance of our President
- for the conversion and safety of our country
- for the intentions of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- for our own personal intentions
- for all those who we have promised to pray for
Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.
Eternal Father, I offer you the most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my own home and within my family.
Amen.
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences whereby He is offended. And through the infinite merits of Hos Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.
O glorious Saint Joseph, thou who, on the word of the angel speaking to thee in the night, didst put fear aside to take thy Virgin Bride into thy home, show thyself today the advocate and protector of priests.
Guardian of the Infant Christ, defend them against every attack of the enemy, preserve them from the dangers that surround them at every side. Forget not Herod's threats against the Child, the anguish of the flight into Egypt by night, and the hardships of thy exile.
Stand by the accused; stretch out thy hand to those who have fallen; comfort the fearful; forsake not the weak; and visit the lonely. Let all priests know that in thee God hath given them a model of faith in the night, of obedience in adversity, of chastity in tenderness, and of hope in uncertainty.
Thou art the terror of demons and the healer of those wounded in spiritual combat. Come, then, to the defense of every priest in need; overcome evil with good. Where there are curses, put blessings, where harm hath been done, do thou good. Let there be joy for priests of the Church, and peace for all under thy gracious protection.
Amen
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over the earth
Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war. May The Lady of All Nations, who once was Mary, be our advocate.
Amen
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Truly present in the Holy Eucharist,
I consecrate my body and soul
to be entirely one with Your Heart,
being sacrificed at every instant,
on the alters of the world,
giving praise to the Father
and pleading for the coming of His Kingdom,
Please receive this humble offering of myself.
Use me as You will for the glory of the Father
And the salvation of souls.
Most Holy Mother of God,
Never let me be separated from your Divine Son.
Please defend and protect me as Your special child.
Amen
O Almighty Eternal God our Father, look upon the face of Your Son, and for love of Him Who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on your priests.
Remember O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.
O Jesus, Our Eternal High Priest, I pray:
- for Your faithful and fervent Priests;
- for Your unfaithful and tepid Priests;
- for Your Priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
- for Your tempted Priests;
- for Your young Priests;
- for Your dying Priests;
- for the souls of Your Priests in Purgatory.
But above all, I commend to You:
- the Priests dearest to me;
- the Priest who baptized me;
- the Priests who absolved me from my sins;
- the Priests at whose Masses I assist;
- the Priests who taught and instructed me about You and Your Holy Scriptures;
- the Priests who helped and encouraged me to accept You as my Lord and Savior;
- and all the Priests whom You sent to touch my life and those of my loved ones.
Let Us Pray For:
- The Holy Father: fill him with Your grace, Lord;
- Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops: give them your gifts, Lord;
- Diocesan Priests: never leave them, Lord;
- Priests in seminary work: give them Your wisdom, Lord;
- Priests in hospital work: give them constancy, Lord;
- Priests who are ill: heal them, Lord;
- Priests in danger: deliver them, Lord;
- Priests who are weak: strengthen them, Lord;
- Priests who are poor: relieve them, Lord;
- Priests who are zealous: help them, Lord;
- Priests who want to love You: enkindle their hearts, Lord;
- Priests who are sad: console them, Lord;
- Priests who are worried: give them peace, Lord;
- Priests who are old: sustain them, Lord;
- Priests who are young: impel them for your glory, Lord;
- Priests who are alone: accompany them, Lord;
- Missionary priests: protect them, Lord;
- Priests who are preachers: enlighten them, Lord;
- Priests who direct souls: instruct them, Lord;
- Parish priests: make them perfect, Lord;
- Priests and religious who have died: bring them to Glory, Lord;
- All the Church, militant and suffering: Lord, have mercy.
For all Priests:
- Give them Your wisdom, Lord.
- Give them virtues.
- Give them patience and charity.
- Give them obedience and kindness.
- Give them a burning zeal for souls.
- Give them an intense love for the Eucharist.
- Give them loyalty to the Pope and their Bishops.
- Give them respect for their dignity.
- Give them a great love for Mary.
- Give them rectitude for justice.
- Give them the gift of counsel.
- Give them strength in their labors.
- Give them peace in their sufferings.
- Give them humility and generosity.
- Let them be the light of souls.
- Let them be the salt of the earth.
- Let them practice sacrifice and self denial.
- Let them enkindle hearts with the love of Mary.
- Let them be other Christs.
- Let them be holy in body and soul.
- May they be men of prayer.
- May faith shine forth in them.
- May they be faithful to their priestly vocation.
- May their hands know only how to bless.
- May they burn with love for You and for Mary.
- May all their steps be for the glory of God.
- May the Holy Spirit possess them, and give them His gifts and fruits in abundance.
Let us pray, O God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, You are the soul and the life of the Church. Hear the prayers we offer for priests. We ask this through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, their protector and guide.
Amen.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
OPENING PRAYERS (OPTIONAL)
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (three times, Diary 84).
THE OUR FATHER
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
THE HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
THE APOSTLE'S CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
BEFORE EACH DECADE
On the "Our Father" bead before each decade: "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the those of the whole world."
First decade: Eternal Father, we bring to You the souls of priests and religious. Immerse them in Your unfathomable mercy that they will be clean, healed, free and holy. Keep them in the embrace of Your merciful love and truth.
Second decade: Eternal Father, we bring to You the souls of priests and religious who are struggling with themselves and others. Immerse them in Your unfathomable mercy that they will be clean, healed, free and holy. Renew them in their identity, mission and relationship.
Third decade: Eternal Father, we bring to You the souls of cardinals and bishops, the clergy in leadership of the Church, who have weighty responsibility. Immerse them in Your unfathomable mercy that they will be clean, healed, free, and holy. May the Sanctifier grant them wisdom and courage.
Fourth decade: Eternal Father, we bring to You the souls of clergy who have grown lukewarm, discouraged, or duplicitous. Immerse them in Your unfathomable mercy that they will be clean, healed free, and holy. May the power of the Cross transfigure and raise them up.
Fifth decade: Eternal Father, we bring to You the souls of priests who wholeheartedly strive to fulfill their vocation to radiate the love of the heart of Jesus. Immerse them in Your unfathomable mercy that they will be clean, healed, free, and holy. Keep them safe from the enemies of the priesthood and Church.
PRAYERS FOR THE DECADES (ON HAIL MARY BEADS)
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
DOXOLOGY
After 5 decades, the concluding doxology (three times): "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
CLOSING PRAYER
Eternal Father, in whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself.
O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy, to Your compassion, O God; and it is with a mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: fill us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our lives and at the hour of death. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation's enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your final coming - that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: Through His merciful Heart as through an open gate we pass through to heaven.
First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
For Victims of Priest Abuse
Matthew 26:38: "Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.' "
Prayer Petition Eternal Father, Your Son agonized in Gethsemane when the weight of all sin pressed upon His Innocence causing Him to sweat blood. He endured the terror of human suffering, the tyranny of injustice and the horror of all sin to redeem sinners. He revealed His mercy by suffering His Passion. We beg You to heal and bless the victims of priestly abuse who have shared a portion of Christ's Passion. We ask You to restore what was unjustly taken from the victims and their loved ones. We implore You to open the floodgates of mercy on all victims for renewal of their scarred memory, broken hearts, dishonored bodies, and inconsolable spirits. In your loving grace, restore their lives. We entrust all victims of clergy abuse to our Sorrowful Mother who held her crucified Son.
Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
For Priests Who Hurt Others
Matthew 27:24-26: "So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this righteous man's blood; see to it yourselves.' And all the people answered, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified."
Prayer Petition Eternal Father, the righteous blood of Your Son was not spared. For sinners, He suffered unto death. We bring before You the priests who have hurt others by all forms of abuse. All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), but when a priest falls into sin and hurts a person entrusted to him, some goodness dies in the entire Body of Christ. Although the transgressions of some priests may be horrific and people cry out for vengeance, we entrust them to Your fatherly providence for only You can judge the heart of man. We trust that your mercy and justice intertwine. We entrust fallen priests to the heart of our Sorrowful Mother.
Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
For Falsely Accused Priests
Matthew 27:27-30: "Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head."
Prayer Petition Eternal Father, we lift up the priests who have been wrongly accused; who, although innocent, are treated like outcasts and forsaken. Mercifully look upon the priests who suffer false accusations and see their resemblance to Christ who was stripped of everything until He hung on the Cross, a victim of love. We ask Your paternal solicitude for those priests who have been set apart like lepers though they are innocent of the charges against them. Graciously heal the wounds - especially anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, rejection, and fear. Console them by Your loving Presence. We entrust all priests to Mary, our Sorrowful Mother.
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Carries His Cross
For Healing
Matthew 27:31-32: "And when they [the Roman soldiers] had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. As they were marching out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross."
Prayer Petition Eternal Father, as Your beloved Son was one open wound as He carried His Cross to Calvary, the Church today is wounded also by repeated scandal. The Body of Christ experiences the weight of sin and persecution. We have corporately sinned against the greatest commandment of divine love. The Church is in need of the healing power of divine mercy. Graciously bring about a movement of medicinal reparation. Enkindle the hearts of the faithful to seek the healing balm of sacramental life. We know that You will bring the greater good from the Church's immense pain as we humble ourselves. Mercifully cure our sin-sickness; take away our darkness, blindness, deafness, stubbornness, divisions, depression, sloth, vice, and pride. Restore our baptismal innocence that we may glorify You. Through the Eucharist, may the Divine Physician manifest His healing power. We entrust this petition to the heart of Mary, our Sorrowful Mother.
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion of Our Lord
For Forgiveness
"And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head, they put the charge against him, which read, 'This is Jesus the King of the Jews.' "
Prayer Petition Eternal Father, before Your Son Jesus expired on the Cross, He offered the greatest gift, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Help the faithful to offer Christ-like forgiveness from the heart. Aid the Church in applying the healing salve of love to the deep wounds inflicted by scandal and persecution. Heal the anger and frustration of Your people who are mystified by what has happened in the Church, especially through Her leaders. Only by Your grace can we be reconciled to one another and forgive as does Jesus. Thank You for the many good servants who are working to heal those who suffer the pain of abuse. We implore You, O God, to transform the wounded Church into a healed family of sacrificial love. Cleanse Your house of prayer of what is defiled. Through the grace of forgiveness, make us healthy and holy. We entrust this petition to the heart of Mary, our Sorrowful Mother.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, most holy Mother of God, that we made be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
May the Divine assistance remain always with us.
Amen
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the divine power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us (x3)
We place all our trust in thee
Pray for the Holy Father
1 Our Father..., 1 Hail Mary...., 1 Glory Be...
Prayer of John Paul II for Vocations
O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest, I pray that You call many worthy souls to Your holy priesthood. Enlighten the Bishop in the choice of candidates, the Spiritual Director in molding them, and the professors in instructing them. Lead the seminarians daily in Your unerring footsteps; so that they may become priests who are models of purity, possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice; steeped in humility and aflame with love for God and man; apostles of Your glory and sanctifiers of souls.
Lord Jesus, as You once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come follow Me!
Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to your voice. Support our bishops, priests and consecrated people in their apostolic labor.
Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to your service.
Awaken in our community a missionary eagerness. Lord, SEND WORKERS TO YOUR HARVEST and do not allow humanity to be lost for the lack of pastors, missionaries and people dedicated to the cause of the Gospel.
Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say "yes" to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation.
Amen
A Prayer for Vocations through the intercession of St. John Vianney
O God our Father, You promised "I will appoint shepherds for My sheep who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble: an none shall be missing." (Jer. 23:4-5). Hear the prayers of Your flock. Through the intercession of Your beloved priest, Saint John Vianney, we beg You to call to the sacramental priesthood generous men who will desire nothing more than to serve You in imitation of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest.
And after You call them, we pray that You sustain the doubtful, console the discouraged, and strengthen the weak as they start the long and demanding preparation for the priesthood.
Mary, Mother of priests, and example of faithful, humble, and joyful acceptance of God's will, help all those who are called to the priesthood to open their ears and hearts to the gentle call of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Prayer for Seminarians
Lord Jesus, I ask your special blessing on all young men preparing for the priesthood in our seminaries. I pray that they will grow in faith, hope, and charity. May their hearts overflow with your compassion, understanding, and generosity, and may their desire to serve you, inspire others to answer your call. Lord Jesus, give our seminarians the grace to follow you more perfectly. When they are lonely or discouraged, fill them with your peace. Let them be encouraged by the fact they are never alone as they are adopted in prayer by at least five people who never cease to pray for him and who offer at least one Mass per week for him. Jesus meek and humble of heart, make the minds and hearts of our seminarians like yours. Amen.
**The Rosaries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet included herein are used with permission from the book entitled Praying For Priests An Urgent Call for the Salvation of Souls by Kathleen Beckman, L.H.S. the President and Co-founder of the Foundation of Prayer for Priests (www.foundationforpriests.org)