Pray As A Catholic
Considerations on Prayer from the Council of Trent
When we pray we ask that:
- We may fulfill God’s plan for our life
- We may not yield to our own selfish desires
- Our mistaken prayers not be granted
- Even our good requests be granted only if they are according to God’s will
The benefits of prayer:
- Prayer honors God
- Prayer increases all the virtues
- To devout prayer, God grants more than is asked
Prayer is to the soul what food is to the body. Feed your soul.
Morning Prayers
Morning Offering
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with it the offering of my every thought, word, and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them in the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Prayer of Purity (Recited 3x)
O Mary, Through thine Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy. Keep me this day from mortal sin.
Hail Mary…
Other morning prayers:
- Acts of Faith, Hope & Love
- Prayers to Guardian Angel & St. Joseph
- Other Patron Saints, etc.
Daytime Prayers
Prayer to Obtain Grace of Every Mass
Eternal Father, I humbly offer Thee our poor presence, and that of the whole of humanity, from the beginning to the end of the world at all the Masses that ever have or ever will be prayed. I offer Thee all the pains, sufferings, prayers, sacrifices, joys, and relaxations of our lives, in union with those of our dear Lord Jesus here on earth. May the Most Precious Blood of Christ, all His blood wounds, and agony save us, through the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.
(We should make an effort to attend Mass more than just Sundays.)
The Holy Rosary
Recite the 5-decade Rosary each day. The saints are unanimous in declaring its power before God. If you find a whole Rosary difficult at first, start with just one decade.
Spiritual Reading
Spend 10-15 minutes each day reading from a good spiritual book. Read slowly, and pause occasionally to think about what you have read.
Meditation
Spend an additional 10-15 minutes each day in silent prayer, thinking about Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin or one of the saints. Talk to them and ask for their help to grow in virtue, overcome faults, and to be kinder and more respectful towards others, especially family.
Night Prayers
Examination of Conscience
Go back quickly through the day and see if anything comes to mind for which you should be sorry. Ask God for forgiveness, and resolve to do better the next day. In addition to being sorry for our sins of the past, we should also resolve to amend our behavior for the future.
Prayer for Daily Neglects
Eternal Father, I offer thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus with all its love, all its sufferings, and all its merits:
- 1st to expiate the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be…
- 2nd to purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be…
- 3rd to supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life. Glory be…
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee…
Prayer of Purity
O Mary, Through thine Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy. Keep me this night from mortal sin.
Hail Mary…(x3)