Important Daily Invocation to the Holy Ghost
Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. 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 Ghost, grant us in the same Holy Ghost to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany to the Precious Blood
Litany of the Precious Blood
[Source: pp. 348-352, Devotion to the Precious Blood by Rev. M. F. Walz, C.Pp.S.
Imprimatur 6 July 1925. Reprinnted by Refuge of Sinners Publishing Inc]
(For private devotion).
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Jesus, Son of the Living God, Cleanse us, O Precious Blood!
Precious Blood of my Redeemer,
Precious Blood, formed by the Holy Ghost
in the womb of the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Covenant of the new and eternal testament,
Price of our redemption,
Memorial of the Sacred Passion,
Fountain of divine grace,
Fountain of the living waters,
Voice ever pleading for mercy,
Pledge of our eternal salvation,
Sweet Holocaust of love,
Sacrifice of Eternal Justice,
Chalice of benediction,
Purification of our souls,
Source of peace and reconciliation,
Treasure of infinite merits,
Deliverance from all evil,
Balm for our wounds,
Comfort of the weak,
Remedy of the afflicted,
Justification of the sinner,
Hope of all Christians,
Joy of the just,
Refreshment for the souls in Purgatory,
Terror of demons,
Admiration of the Angels,
Consolation of the Patriarchs,
Desire of the Prophets,
Strength of the Apostles,
Confidence of the Martyrs,
Sanctification of the Confessors,
Purity of the Virgins,
Happiness of the Saints,
Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus,
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
From all evil, Deliver us, O Precious Blood!
From all injustice,
From all vanity and pride,
From all covetousness and envy,
From all intemperance and impurity,
From all anger and hatred,
From all indifference and sloth,
From all wars and contentions,
From drought, floods, and famine,
From sickness and pestilence,
From lightning and tempests,
From the scourge of earthquake,
From a sudden and unprovided death,
From the snares of the devil,
From eternal damnation,
By the seven effusions of Thy Precious Blood,
By the Blood of the Circumcision,
By the Bloody Sweat in the Garden of Olives,
By the Blood of the Flagellation,
By the Blood of the Crowning with Thorns,
By the Blood which marked the way to Calvary,
By the Blood of the Crucifixion,
By the Blood of Thy Heart pierced with a lance,
By the Blood which mystically flows in the Sacrifice of the Mass,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, by Thy Blood,
R. And hast made us a kingdom to our God.
Prayer
Almighty and Eternal God! Who hast given us Thine only Son
to be the Redeemer of the world, and Who hast deigned to receive
His Blood in expiation for our sins, give us, we beseech Thee,
the grace to worship as we should this Precious Blood, the price of our
salvation, so that being protected by its virtue on earth against the evils
of the present life, we may hereafter enjoy its blessed fruit throughout
eternity in Heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ejaculations for a Happy Death
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give Thee my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.
[Source: the 1910 Raccolta;300 days TQ, 100 days indulgence, Pope Pius VII, April 28, 1807 ].
Prayers for those in their Agony
Indulgence of 300 Days, once a day.
Eternal Father, by the love which Thou bearest to St. Joseph, chosen by Thee from among all men to represent Thee on earth, have pity on us and on poor souls in their agony. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be prayers.
Eternal and divine Son, by the love which Thou bearest to St. Joseph, thy most faithful guardina on earth, have pity on us and on all poor souls in their agony. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be prayers.
Eternal Father and divine Spirit, by the love Thou bearest to St. Joseph, who with so great solicitude watched over most holy Mary the Spouse of thy predilection, have pity on us and on all poor souls in their agony. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be prayers.
To Release 5 Holy Souls on Fridays and 33 Holy Souls on Good Friday
Prayer to the Glorious Cross
I adore Thee O Glorious Cross which was adorned with the Heart and
the Body of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, stained and covered with His Precious Blood. I adore Thee O Holy Cross out of love for He Who is my Saviour and my God.
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Pope St. Pius IX declared that reciting this prayer 5 times on Friday will free 5 souls from Purgatory, and 33 souls by reciting it on Good Friday. This prayer should be recited before a crucifix with a contrite heart, and praying a few moments for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Prayers in any Plague or Time of Calamity
Help us, O God of our salvaion, and for the glory of Thy Name deliver us: be merciful to our sins for Thy Name's sake.
Psalm 53:
Save me, O Lord, in Thy name; and judge me in Thy strength.
God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth;
For strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought after my soul, and they have not set God before their eyes.
For, behold, God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul.
Turn away evil from me upon my enemies, and scatter them in Thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice unto Thee; and will give praise, O God, to Thy Name, because it is good.
For Thou hast delivered me out of all my trouble, and mine eye hath looked down upon mine enemies.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
V. For the glory of thy name, deliver us.
R. And deal mercifully with our sins for Thy Name’s sake.
Let us pray.
Lord, we beseech Thee, in Thy pity hear the prayers of Thy people; that we who suffer justly for our sins may, for the glory of Thy name, mercifully be delivered. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
We beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
[Source: the 1910 Raccolta; 100 Days T.Q., Pope Pius IX, November 8, 1849].
Prayer for Time of Calamity
Mercy of our God, encompass us, and deliver us from every plague. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Amen.
Eternal Father, sign us with the Blood of the Immaculate Lamb, as Thou didst sign the dwellings of Thy people. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Most Precious Blood of Jesus our Love, cry for mercy for us from Thy Divine Father, and deliver us. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Wounds of my Jesus, mouths of love and mercy, speak for us in pity to the Eternal Father; hide us within yourselves and deliver us. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Eternal Father, Jesus is ours; ours His Blood, ours His infinite merits; to Thee we offer ourselves wholly; then, if Thou lovest Him, and boldest [think] precious this gift we make Thee, Thou oughtest to deliver us: for this we hope with fullest confidence. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
[Source: the 1910 Raccolta; 40 days indulgence, once a day, Pope Gregory XVI, August 21, 1837].
Prayers to Saint Louis IX, King and Confessor
St Louis IX paying homage to the Infant Jesus by offering Him his crown and sword.
Prayers to Saint Louis IX, King and Confessor
Feast Day: August 25
Patron
of the French Monarchy, France, and the Third Order of St. Francis
Birth: 1214
Death: 1270; Canonization:
1297
Prayer to Saint Louis IX
Look upon us from Heaven, O Holy Monarch! And in this eternal happiness you possess, be sensitive to our miseries; unworthy that we are of your help, do not refuse us.
Look favourably on this kingdom which you governed so wisely, and loved so tenderly. If, by the corruption of vices which have been introduced after your reign, the face of France appears disfigured to you, let that itself be a motive for your interest, as her king, in renewing her. If there you see scandals, help us to remove them.
Above all, extend your protection to our august monarch. He is your son, the head of your house, the imitation of your virtues, the vivid image of your heroic and royal qualities: for he is, like you, the Zeal of God; he is, like you, the protector of the True Religion; the restorer of the altars; the exterminator of heresy.
Obtain for him the graces and the understanding which he needs in order to achieve the great designs with which God inspires him. May this spirit of holiness which has directed you in all your ways come to rest upon him, that he animate us, and conduct us all to a blissful eternity. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Litany of Saint Louis
(from the Manual of the Third Order of St. Francis)
Lord, have mercy on us (twice)
Christ, have mercy on us (twice)
Lord,
have mercy on us (twice)
Christ, hear us (twice)
Christ, graciously hear us (twice)
Heavenly Father, Thou who art God, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, Thou who art God, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, Thou who art one God, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us
Holy Mother of God, pray for us
Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us
Saint Louis, admirable prince, pray for us
Saint Louis, lily of purity,
Saint Louis, example of humility,
Saint
Louis, image of virtue,
Saint Louis, prodigy of penance,
Saint Louis, flame of love and of prayer,
Saint Louis, ardent and brilliant lamp,
Saint Louis, vase of Divine election,
Saint Louis, vase of the badge of religion,
Saint Louis, mirror of perfect Christianity,
Saint Louis, devotee of our Seraphic Father Saint Francis,
Saint Louis, contemptuous of the world and its honours,
Saint Louis, full of zeal for the House of God,
Saint Louis, tender father of the poor,
Saint Louis, cure of the sick,
Saint Louis, support of widows and orphans,
Saint Louis, blessed judge of peoples,
Saint Louis, redeemer of captives,
Saint Louis,
preacher of infidels,
Saint Louis, twice victim for the holy places,
Saint Louis, terrible in
combat,
Saint Louis, powerful in iron,
Saint Louis, guardian of France,
Saint Louis, model of kings,
Saint Louis, worthy of the crown of kings on Earth,
Saint Louis, most worthy of the crown of the Saints in Heaven,
Saint Louis, protector of the French armies,
Saint Louis, protector of the seraphic Third Order, pray for us
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, forgive us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins
of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord
V. Pray for us, glorious Saint Louis
R. That we become
worthy of the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray
O God, who hast transferred Thy confessor Saint Louis from an earthly kingdom to the glory of Heaven, make us, by his merits and his intercession, participants of the happiness of the King of kings, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.
"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION" (St. Cyprian Explains)
Saint Cyprian is a Doctor of Holy Mother Church. He was Bishop of Hippo. The following is from a sermon on the words of the Our Father prayer, written in 252 A.D. Anti-pope Burgoglio wanted to take away the words "And lead us not into temptation." Saint Cyrpian explains the importance and meaning of these words.
The following excerpt is taken from an explanation on the prayer which Christ taught us, the “Our Father”. Written and preached as a sermon by St. Cyprian, this excerpt deals specifically with the words “And lead us not into temptation.”
“In the next part of the prayer, Our Lord reminds us that it is necessary for us to say: ‘And suffer us not to be led into temptation.’ By these words, we are indoctrinated with the fact that our adversary the devil can do nothing against us unless God gives him permission beforehand. From this it follows that all our fears, our supplications and our devotions should be centred on God, since in all temptations with which the devil assails us, he has no more strength than that precise degree which God permits to him.
“This is a truth which Scripture proves, when we read: ‘Nabuchodonosor, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it.’ And the Lord delivered it into his hands (cf Dan. 1:1-2). Power is given to the devil according to the measure of the sins we have committed, as it is written: ‘Who hath given Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to robbers? Hath not the Lord Himself, against whom we have sinned? And they would not walk in His ways, and they have not harkened to His law. And He hath poured out upon him the indignation of His fury’ (Isa. 42: 24-25). And in the same connection, we read of Solomon, when he was going from sin to sin and withdrawing his obedience from God’s commandments and from the ordinances of the Creator: ‘And the Lord raised up an adversary to Solomon’ (3 Kings 11:14).
“Power is allowed our adversary in his battle against us for a twofold reason: first as a penalty when we sin; and second as an augmentation of our glory when we remain steadfast. We observe this fact in the case of Job, of whom God spoke quite plainly saying: ‘Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand; only put not forth thy hand upon his person’ (Job 1:12). And in His Gospel, during the ordeal of His Passion, our Lord says: ‘Thou wouldst have no power at all over Me were it not given thee from above’ (Jn 19:11).
“However, when we petition that we be spared temptation, we are reminded by such a plea of our frailty and instability. This knowledge prevents anyone from insolently praising himself in the battle with temptation; it keeps him from proudly and arrogantly claiming success as being his due; for it forewarns him against lapsing into the belief that the glory of his trials and sufferings for the faith are his own. The Lord Himself emphasized the need of humility [truthfulness] when He taught us: ‘Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’ (Mt. 26:41). Provided a humble and submissive confession is our first care, and the success of the whole matter is referred to God, then whatever we suppliantly ask, in a spirit of reverential fear and honor towards Him, will be given us out of the abundance of His goodness.”
[Source: pages 71-74, St. Cyprian's Explanation of the Our Father, translated by Fr. W. Patrick Donnelly, S.J., Imprimatur: January 29, 1953, published by Refuge of Sinners Publishing].
The Heroic Act of Charity
The holy souls in Purgatory intercede for us, but cannot help themselves!
The following explanation and prayer (in bold type) is taken from the book, Purgatory Explained (citation at end):
“Thus far we have spoken of the different kinds of good works which we may offer to God as suffrages for the dead. It remains for us to make known an act which comprises all works and means, whereby we can most effectually assist the poor souls; it is the heroic vow, or, as others call it, the Heroic Act of Charity towards the souls in Purgatory.
“This act consists in ceding [giving] to them all our works of satisfaction, that is to say, the satisfactory value of all the works of our life and of all the suffrages which shall be given to us after our death, without reserving anything wherewith to discharge our own debts. We deposit them in the hands of the Blessed Virgin, that she may distribute them, according to her good pleasure, to those souls which she desires to deliver from Purgatory.
“It is an absolute donation in favor of the souls of all that we can give them; we offer to God in their behalf all the good that we do, of what kind soever, either in thought, words or works, all that we suffer meritoriously during this life, without excepting anything that we may reasonably give them, and adding even those suffrages which we may receive for ourselves after death.
“It must be well understood that the matter of this holy donation is the satisfactory value of our works (see Chap. 9), and in no way the merit which has a corresponding degree of glory in Heaven; for merit is strictly personal, and cannot be transferred to another.
“Formula of the Heroic Act:
‘O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to cooperate in the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory, and to testify my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce in behalf of those holy souls all of the satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death, consigning them entirely into the hands of the most Blessed Virgin, that she may apply them according to her good pleasure to those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to deliver from their sufferings. Deign, O my God, to accept and bless this offering which I make to Thee at this moment. Amen.’
“The Sovereign Pontiffs, Benedict XIII, Pius VI, and Pius IX have approved this heroic act, and have enriched it with indulgences and privileges, of which the principal are the following: 1. To priests who have made this act the indult of a privileged altar every day in the year. 2. The simple faithful can gain a plenary indulgence, applicable to the holy souls in Purgatory only. 3. They may apply to the holy souls all those indulgences which are not otherwise applicable by virtue of concession, and which have been granted up to the present time, or which shall be granted in the future. (Pius IX, Decr. 30 Sept. 1852).
“ ‘I advise all true Christians,’ says Father Mumford, ‘to cede [give] with holy disinterestedness all the fruit of their good works which are at our disposal. I do not believe that they can make a better use of them, since they render them more meritorious and more efficacious, as well for obtaining grace from God as for expiating their own sins and shortening the term of their Purgatory, or even of acquiring an entire exemption therefrom.’
These words express the precious advantages of the Heroic Act; and in order to dissipate all subsequent fear which might arise in the mind, we add three remarks: 1. This act leaves us perfect liberty to pray for those souls in whom we are most interested; the application of these prayers is subject to the disposition of the adorable will of God, which is always infinitely perfect and infinitely loving. 2. It does not oblige under pain of mortal sin, and can at any time be revoked. It may be made without using any particular formula; it suffices to have the intention, and to make it from the heart. Nevertheless it is useful to recite the formula of offering from time to time, in order to stimulate our zeal for the relief of the holy souls by prayer, penance, and good works. 3. The Heroic Act does not subject us to the direful consequences of having to undergo a long Purgatory ourselves; on the contrary, it allows us to rely with more assured confidence on the mercy of God in our regard, as is shown by the example of St. Gertrude.
“Venerable Denis, the Carthusian, relates that the Virgin, St. Gertrude, had made a complete donation of all of her works of satisfaction in favor of the faithful departed, without reserving anything wherewith to discharge the debts which she
herself might have contracted in the sight of God. Being at the point of death, and, like all the saints, considering with much sorrow the number of her sins on the one hand, and, on the other, remembering that she had employed all her works of satisfaction
for the expiation of the sins of others, she was afflicted, lest, having given all to others and reserved nothing for herself, her soul, on its departure from this world, should be condemned to horrible suffering. In the midst of her fears our Lord appeared
to her and consoled her, saying: ‘Be reassured, My daughter, your charity towards the departed will be no detriment to you. Know that the generous donation you have made of all your works to the holy souls has been singularly pleasing to Me; and to give
you a proof thereof, I declare to you that all the pains you would have had to endure in the other life are now remitted; moreover, in recompense for your generous charity, I will so enhance the value of the merits of your works as to give you a great increase
of glory in Heaven.’ ”
[Source, pp. 264-268, Second Part, Chapter 31, Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, by Fr. F. X. Schouppe, S. J., Imprimatur October 11, 1893].
More Prayers in Time of Calamity
Mercy of our God, encompass us, and deliver us from every plague. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Amen.
Eternal Father, sign us with the Blood of the Immaculate Lamb, as Thou didst sign the dwellings of Thy people. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Most Precious Blood of Jesus our Love, cry for mercy for us from Thy Divine Father, and deliver us. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Wounds of my Jesus, mouths of love and mercy, speak for us in pity to the Eternal Father; hide us within yourselves and deliver us. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Eternal Father, Jesus is ours; ours His Blood, ours His infinite merits; to Thee we offer ourselves wholly; then, if Thou lovest Him, and bodest [think] precious this gift we make Thee, Thou oughtest to deliver us: for this we hope with fullest confidence. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
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[Source: p. 172, from the 1910 Raccolta; 40 days indulgence, once a day, Pope Gregory XVI, August 21, 1837].