# Purgatorian Consoler/Prayers for Various Occasions

PRAYER OF A SOUL IN DESOLATION.
By St. Alphonsus.
My Jesus, because I love Thee, all the pain arising from the troubles of my conscience consists in the fear of displeasing and losing Thee, Who art an infinite Good. There was a time (and Oh ! that it had never been) when I did not love Thee, and cared but little to be loved by Thee. But now I desire nothing but to love Thee, and to be loved by Thee, my dear Redeemer. I do not wish ever more to dis- ​please Thee. Thou knowest my wish to love Thee at any cost; do not abandon me. If I have hitherto offended Thee I now feel more pain at the offences I have offered to Thee than if I lost all things, property, relatives, and life. Thou hast died for me, to Thee I consign my soul, into Thy hands I recommend it. In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum. Thou lovest me, and therefore I abandon myself entirely into Thy hands, and hope never to see myself confounded, and in enmity with Thee. " In Thee, Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded." My Jesus, I wish always to love Thee. This I repeat, and hope to repeat during life, at death, and for all eternity. My Jesus I love Thee, and wish always to love Thee. Mary, my hope, Mother of mercy, assist me, have pity on me.
A PRAYER TO OUR HOLY PATRON OF BAPTISM.
Glorious St. N. ! whose name I have the honor to bear, who wast given in baptism as a protector and pattern, and who, although secure of thy own immortal bliss, art nevertheless solicitous about my happiness; assist me by thy powerful intercession, as thou instructest me by the examples of thy holy life. For I truly can behold in thy life, as in a bright ​mirror, what I am to correct in myself, and what I am to practice. Thou hast been like me, subject to suffering, encompassed with infirmities, assaulted with temptations: but being rooted and founded in charity, thou hast spurned the rage and persecutions of the world, despised its allurements, and triumphed over its malignity. Obtain by thy prayers, that I may be endued with thy spirit, and become a follower of thee, as thou hast been of Christ. Draw me, that I may run after thee in the odor of thy ointments; that is, of thy virtues. On the day in which I was buried together with Christ by baptism unto death, thou wast given me for a witness and a guardian of my engagements. I beseech thee, therefore, that thou assist me in thy prayers for me to God, that I may hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, and that laboring to make sure by good works my vocation and election, I may pursue towards the mark for the prize of the celestial vocation of God, in Christ Jesus. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR RENEWING THE PROMISES OF BAPTISM.
Most holy Trinity ! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God in three persons ! I present myself before Thy sovereign Majesty, to pay ​Thee the tribute of my adoration and thanksgiving, for the innumerable graces and blessings which Thou hast so liberally bestowed upon me,' from my first coming into the world, until now. I thank Thee particularly, my God ! for the inestimable grace of my baptism. What gratitude can bear proportion to such a favor? By baptism, I have been delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of Thy beloved Son; by baptism, I have been cleansed from the stain of that sin, in which I was born; by baptism, I have been made a member of the body of Jesus Christ, to live of His life, to be animated and guided by His spirit, to be fed with His sacred flesh, to enter into His designs, to imitate His virtues; finally, to be a living image of what He has been during His mortal life. These are the obligations of my baptism, these are the conditions of the alliance, which Thou wouldst have me to contract with Thee: and although I was at that time ignorant of them, and my will had no part in this sacred contract, far from wishing to be released from them, or appealing, in any manner, from my vows and professions, I ratify them now, and renew them in Thy presence from the bottom of my heart, with a profound sorrow for having hitherto led a life so little conformable to my promises, and proved ​myself, by repeated transgressions, so unworthy of the glorious quality of Thy child. But now, relying on the promised assistance of Thy grace, it is my firm determination to labor all my life in fulfilling the sacred engagements which my sponsors have contracted in my name.
Yes, my God ! I renounce, for ever, Satan and all his suggestions, the world and all its pomps, sin and all its concupiscences. I am resolved, as it was promised in my behalf, to unite and attach myself more and more to Jesus Christ, my Saviour, and to make His divine laws and maxims the object of my earnest study, and the invariable rule of all my actions.
O Eternal Father ! Who wast pleased to adopt me in Thy Son Jesus Christ, as one of Thy children, and to call me to Thy celestial inheritance, revive in me the grace of this divine adoption; and since I am regenerated by Thee alone, in order to be a citizen of heaven, grant that I may live for Thee alone, and that all my desires and labors may be directed to the acquisition of heavenly goods.
O Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father ! Who hast made me a member of Thy mystical body, washed me in Thy blood, and sanctified me by Thy holy sacraments, perfect Thy work in me. Purify my heart ​from the remains of the pride and corruption of Adam; and form Thy precious image in my soul, by engraving in Thy charity, Thy humility, Thy purity, and all Thy other virtues, which are the glorious features of that image.
O Holy Spirit ! adorable principle of the divine adoption ! be also the principle of my life, of my actions, of my desires, and of all the motions of my heart, that they may be worthy of a child of God, and member of Jesus Christ.
O Holy Trinity ! Who, in consecrating me to Thy service by baptism, hast made me the adorer of the Unity of Thy name, and of the Trinity of Thy persons, mercifully grant, that I may adore Thee in spirit and in truth during my life, and love, praise, and enjoy Thee during eternity. Amen.
A PRAYER IN SICKNESS OR AFFLICTION.
O Lord Jesus Christ, I receive this sickness (or this affliction,) with which Thou art pleased to visit me, as coming from Thy fatherly hand. It is Thy will, and therefore I submit; "not my will, but Thine be done." May it be to the honor of Thy holy name, and for the good of my soul. I here offer myself with an entire ​submission to all Thine appointments; to suffer whatever Thou pleasest, as long as Thou pleasest, and in what manner Thou pleasest: for I am a creature, Lord, Who hast often and most ungratefully offended Thee, and whom Thou mightst justly have visited with Thy severest punishments. Oh, let Thy justice be tempered with mercy, and let Thy heavenly grace come to my assistance, to support me under this affliction! Confirm my soul with strength from above, that I may bear with true Christian patience all the uneasiness, pains, disquiets and troubles under which I labor; preserve me from all temptations and murmuring thoughts, that in this time of affliction I may in no way offend Thee; and grant that this and all other earthly trials may be the means of preparing my soul for its passage into eternity, that, being purified from all my sins, I may believe in Thee, hope in Thee, love Thee above all things and finally, through Thy infinite merits, be admitted into the company of the blessed in heaven, there to praise Thee for ever and ever. — Amen.
O God, Who hast doomed all men to die, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that I may deserve ​to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience, and in the embrace of Thy love, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer before extreme unction.
Most merciful Lord and loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, what a consoling promise Thou hast attached to the reception of this sacrament: " Is any one sick among you, let him bring in the Priests of the Church, and let him pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick man; and the Lord will lift him up, and if he be in sin, his sins shall be forgiven him." (St. James, v.)
By Thy infinite goodness, Jesus, through which Thou hast established this Holy Sacrament, I beseech Thee to purify me from my sins, defend me from the enemy, strengthen me in temptation, and give me a happy end; or, if it be profitable for my soul's salvation, restore me to my former health. This I ask, through Thy infinite merits, Who, with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one only God forever! Amen.
During the anointing of each of the five senses of your body, pray, in the silence of your heart, that God may pardon the sins which you have committed with each, and offer up for your sins those sufferings which Christ endured in this same sense for your sins.
Prayer after extreme unction.
Most merciful Jesus, I have now received this Sacred Unction, which Thou didst institute for the consolation and benefit of the sick. I thank Thee for this powerful remedy of my soul and my body. Enable me to enjoy the full benefits of this Holy Sacrament, upon which I place my hope and confidence. Amen.
Protestation for Death.
By St. Alphonsus.
My God, prostrate in Thy presence, I adore Thee; and I intend to make the following protestation, as if I were on the point of passing from this life into eternity:
My Lord, because Thou art the Infallible Truth, and hast revealed it to the Holy Church, I believe in the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; three Persons, but only one God; Who for all Eternity rewards the just in heaven, and punishes the wicked in hell. I believe that the second Person, that is, the Son of God, became man, and died for the salvation of mankind; and I believe ​all that the Holy Church believes. I thank Thee for having made me a Christian, and I protest that I will live and die in this holy Faith.
My God, my Hope, trusting in Thy promises, I hope from Thy mercy, not through my own merits, but through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, perseverance, and, after this miserable life, the glory of Paradise. And should the devil at death tempt me to despair at the sight of my sins, I protest that I will always hope in Thee, Lord, and that I desire to die in the loving arms of Thy goodness.
God! worthy of infinite love, I love Thee with my whole heart, more than I love myself; and I protest that I desire to die making an act of love, that I may thus continue to love Thee eternally in heaven, which for this end I desire and ask of Thee.
And if hitherto, Lord, instead of loving Thee, I have despised Thy infinite goodness, I repent of it with all my heart, and I protest that I wish to die, always weeping over and detesting the offences I have committed against Thee. I purpose for the future rather to die than ever to sin again; and for the love of Thee I pardon all who have offended me.
O God, I accept of death, and of all the sufferings which will accompany it; I unite it with ​the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, and offer it in acknowledgment of Thy supreme dominion, and in satisfaction for my sins. Do Thou, Lord, accept of this sacrifice which I make of my life, for the love of that great sacrifice which Thy divine Son made of Himself upon the altar of the Cross. I resign myself entirely to Thy divine will, as though I were now on my death-bed, and protest that I wish to die, saying: " Lord, always Thy will be done!"
Most Holy Virgin, my Advocate and my Mother, Mary, you are and will always be, after God, my hope and my consolation at the hour of death. From this moment, I have recourse to you, and beg of you to assist me in that passage, my dear Queen, do not abandon me in that last moment; come then to take my soul and present it to your Son. Henceforward I shall expect you; and I hope to die under your mantle and clinging to your feet. — My Protector Saint Joseph, St. Michael Archangel, my Angel Guardian, my Holy Patrons, do you all assist me in that last combat with hell.
And Thou my Crucified Love, Thou, my Jesus, Who wert pleased to choose for Thyself so bitter a death to obtain for me a good death, remember at that hour that I am one of those dear sheep Thou didst, purchase with ​Thy blood Thou Who, when all the world shall have forsaken me, and not one shall be able to assist me, canst alone console me and save me, do Thou make me worthy then to receive Thee in the Viaticum, and suffer me not to lose Thee forever, and to be banished forever to a distance from Thee. No, my beloved Saviour, receive me then into Thy sacred wounds, for I now embrace Thee. At my last breath, I intend to breathe forth my soul into the loving wound in Thy side, saying now, for that moment: Jesus and Mary, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus and Mary, I give you my heart and my soul.
O happy suffering, to suffer for God! Happy death, to die in the Lord!
I embrace Thee now, my good Redeemer, that I may die in Thy embraces. If, O my soul, Mary assists you at your departure, and Jesus receives your last breath, it will not be death, but a sweet repose.
The Words of a Dying Man to Jesus Crucified.
By St. Alphonsus.
O Jesus, my Redeemer, Who within a few moments wilt be my Judge, have mercy upon me before the moment comes when Thou wilt judge me. No, my sins do not terrify me, nor the rigors of Thy judgment, while I see Thee dead upon this cross to save me.
Yet, cease not to comfort me in the agony to which I am come: my enemies would terrify me by saying that there is no salvation for me; "Many say unto my soul, there is no salvation for him in his God." But I will never cease to trust in Thy goodness, and say, " Thou, oh, Lord, art my lifter up." Do Thou comfort me; do Thou make me feel that Thou art my salvation; " Say unto my soul, I am Thy salvation." O, let not all those pangs, those insults endured, that blood poured forth by Thee, be lost unto me. " Thou hast redeemed me, dying upon the cross; let not so great labor be in vain." Especially, I pray Thee, through that bitterness Thou didst feel when Thy blessed soul was separated from Thy most holy body, ​have mercy upon my soul when it departs from my body.
It is true that through my sins I have continually despised Thee; but now I love Thee above everything, I love Thee more than myself; and I grieve with all my heart for all the offences I have committed against Thee; I detest them, I hate them above every evil. I see that through the offences I have been guilty of, I have deserved a thousand hells: but the bitter death which Thou hast been willing to endure for me, and the great mercies Thou hast already shown me, make me confidently hope, that when I appear before Thee, Thou wilt welcome me with the kiss of peace.
Trusting all in Thy goodness, oh my God, I abandon myself into Thy loving arms. " In Thee, oh Lord, I have hoped; I shall not be confounded forever." Through the sins I have committed, I have again and again deserved hell; but I hope in Thy blood, that Thou hast now pardoned me; and I hope that I shall come to heaven to praise Thy mercies forever: "the mercies of God I will sing forever."
I willingly accept all the pains Thou dost destine for me in purgatory: it is just that the fire should purge away the wrongs I have done Thee. O holy prison, when shall I find myself shut up in thee, secure from being able ​ever to lose my God! O holy fire, when wilt thou purge away my vileness, and make me worthy to enter the kingdom of the blessed!
O eternal Father, through the merits of the death of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, make me to die in Thy grace, and in Thy love, that I may come to love Thee throughout eternity. I thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast given me through my life, and especially for the great grace of Thy holy faith, and for having caused me to receive, in these my last days, all the holy Sacraments. Thou wiliest that I should die, and I desire to die to please Thee. It is little, oh Jesus, my Saviour, that I should die for Thee, Who hast died for me. I am satisfied to say to Thee, with St. Francis, " Let me die for love of Thee, Who hast vouchsafed to die for love of me."
I receive death with peace, and also the pains which I must endure so long as I breathe; give me strength to suffer with a perfect uniformity to Thy will. I offer them all to Thy glory, uniting them to the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy passion. O eternal Father, I sacrifice to Thee my life, and all my being; and I pray Thee to accept this my sacrifice, through the merits of that great sacrifice which Jesus Thy Son offered up of Himself upon the cross. ​O Mother of God, and my mother Mary, thou hast obtained many graces from God for me during my life; I thank thee with all my heart. O abandon me not in this hour of my death, in which I have greater need of thy prayers. Pray to Jesus for me, and increase thy prayers; obtain for me sorrow for my sins, and more love for God, that I may come to love Him forever, in company with thee, and with all my powers, in heaven. "In thee, oh Lady, I have hoped: I shall not be confounded forever." Mary, my hope, in thee I trust.
Acts of Devotion for the Time of Death
St. Alphonsus.
It was revealed to St. Liduvina by an angel, that the crown of merits and glory which awaited her in heaven could only be completed through the sufferings which she was to endure in the days which would immediately precede her death. The same thing happens to all devout souls when they depart from this world. It is certain that all good acts, and especially those of resignation in accepting death, performed with the view of pleasing God, are of great merit to every one ​who dies in the grace of God. Let us here set down certain acts of devotion, which may be very acceptable to the Lord at the time of death.
O my God, I offer Thee my life, and I am prepared to die at any hour which may be pleasing to Thy holy will. " Thy will be done;" ever, ever, may Thy will be done.
O Lord, if Thou wiliest to leave me in life for some time longer, blessed be Thy name; but I desire not life, except to spend it all in loving Thee and giving Thee pleasure. If Thou wilt that I should die of this sickness, still blessed art Thou. I embrace death to do Thy will, and I repeat, " Thy will, Thy will be done;" I only beg Thee to help me all through this hour. "Have mercy on me, oh God, according to Thy great mercy." If, then, Thou wilt that I should leave this earth, I declare that I desire to die, because thus Thou wilt have it.
I desire also to die, in order that, by the pain and bitterness of my death, I may satisfy Thy Divine justice for all my sins, through which I have offended Thee and deserved hell.
I desire also to die, that I may never more offend Thee, or cause Thee displeasure in this life.
I also desire to die in acknowledgment of the gratitude which I owe Thee for all the benefits and gifts that Thou hast given me, contrary to all my own deserts. ​I desire to die, that I may show that I love Thy will more than my life.
I desire, if it pleases Thee, to die now, at a time when I trust I am in Thy grace, in order to be assured that I shall praise and bless Thee forever.
I desire, above all, to die, in order that I may come to love Thee eternally, and with all my powers, in heaven; where through Thy blood, oh my Redeemer, I hope to come, and to be safe from ceasing to love Thee through all eternity. O my Jesus, Thou didst accept the death of the cross through love of me; I accept death, and all the pains which await me, through love of Thee. Therefore I say with St. Francis, " May I die, oh Lord, through love of Thee, Who, through love of me, didst not disdain to die."
I pray Thee, oh my Saviour, my love, and my only good, by Thy holy wounds and Thy bitter death make me to die in Thy grace, and through Thy blood suffer me not to perish. O sweetest Jesus, suffer me not to be separated from Thee; suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
O Lord, drive me not away from Thy face. I confess that, through my sins, I have deserved hell, and I mourn for them more than for any evil; and I hope to come to heaven to praise forever the great mercies Thou hast shown to ​me. " The mercies of the Lord I shall sing forever."
I adore Thee, oh my God, Who hast created me. I believe in Thee, oh Eternal Truth. I hope in Thee, oh Infinite Mercy. I love Thee, oh Supreme Goodness; I love Thee above everything; I love Thee more than myself, for Thou art worthy of being loved: And because I love Thee, I repent with all my heart for having despised Thy grace. I promise Thee to suffer every kind of death, and a thousand deaths, rather than displease Thee.
O Jesus, Son of God, Who didst die for me, have pity upon me! My Saviour, save me; and let it be my salvation to praise Thee through eternity.
O Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me; now it is the time for thee to aid me. — Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, do thou defend us from the enemy, and receive us in the hour of death. To thy protection we fly, oh holy Mother of God! O Mary, Holy Mother of God, pray for us sinners!
St. Joseph, my patron and father, help me in this hour. St. Michael the Archangel, deliver me from the devils who lie in wait for my soul. O my holy advocates, and ye Saints of paradise, pray to God for me. ​And Thou, my Jesus crucified, at the moment when I must breathe my last breath, receive my soul in Thy arms; to Thee I recommend it; remember that Thou hast redeemed me with Thy blood. "We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood." O my crucified Jesus, my love, and my hope, whether I live or die, I declare that I desire Thee alone, and nothing more. Thou art my God and my all, and what else can I desire but Thee! What have I in heaven or upon earth! Thou art the God of my heart and my portion forever! Thou art the love of my heart; Thou art all my riches!
To Thee, then, I recommend my soul; to Thee, Who hast redeemed it with Thy death. Into Thy hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, oh Lord God of truth. Trusting in Thy mercy, I therefore say, in Thee, oh Lord, have I hoped; I shall not be confounded forever. O Mary, thou art my hope; to thee, therefore, I say again, in thee, oh Lady,
Occassional Prayers
FOR THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Defend, O Lord, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, from all dangers both of body and soul; and, by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, of blessed N., and of all Thy saints, mercifully grant us the blessings of peace and safety; that all adversities and errors being removed, Thy Church may freely and securely serve Thee; through our Lord, &c.
FOR ALL DEGREES OF MEN IN THE CHURCH.
Almighty and everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed; mercifully hear our humble supplications for all degrees and orders therein; that, by the gift of Thy grace, all in their several stations may faithfully serve Thee; through, &c,
FOR THE POPE.
O God, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, mercifully look upon Thy servant N., whom Thou has been pleased to appoint the ​pastor of Thy Church; grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example he may edify those over whom he is set, and, together with the flock committed to his care, may attain everlasting life; through, &c.
FOR BISHOPS, AND THE PEOPLE COMMITTED TO THEM.
Almighty and everlasting God, Who alone dost great marvels, send down upon Thy servants, the Bishops of Thy Church, (especially N"., our Bishop,) and all congregations committed unto them, the spirit of Thy saving grace; and that they may truly please Thee, pour upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing; through, &c.
FOR A CONGREGATION OR FAMILY.
Defend, we beseech Thee, Lord, by the intercession of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, this Thy family from all adversity; and mercifully protect us, now prostrate before Thee with our whole hearts, from all the snares of our enemies; through, &c.
IN ANY TRIBULATION.
Almighty God, despise not Thy people who cry unto Thee in their affliction; but for ​the glory of Thy name, turn away Thine anger, and help us in our tribulations ; through, &c.
IN TIMES OF CALAMITY.
O Lord Jesus Christ, holy, immortal God ! have mercy upon us and upon all men : purify us by Thy holy blood, forgive us by Thy holy blood, save us by Thy holy blood, now and for ever. Amen.
IN TIME OF FAMINE OR PESTILENCE.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, an answer to our hearty supplications ; and, Thy wrath being appeased, turn away from us this famine (or pestilence,) that the hearts of men may know that these scourges proceed from Thine anger, and cease by Thy mercy; through, &c.
IN TIMES OF GREAT MORTALITY.
(Deus qui non mortem, &c.)
O God, Who desirest not the death, but the penance of sinners, mercifully look upon Thy people returning to Thee ; and grant that they being devoted unto Thee, may by Thy clemency, be delivered from the scourges of Thine anger ; through, &c.
(Exaudi nos, Deus, &c.)
Hear us, God of our salvation ; and deliver Thy people from the terrors of divine anger, and make them secure by the bountifulness of Thy mercy ; through, &c.
FOR HERETICS AND SCHISMATICS.
Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast compassion on all, and wouldst not that any should perish ; favorably look down upon all those who 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, &c.
FOR JEWS.
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, &c.
FOR PAGANS.
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, &c.
FOR OUR FRIENDS.
God, Who, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, hast poured into the hearts of Thy faithful the gifts of charity ; grant to Thy servants, for whom we implore Thy mercy, health both of body and soul ; that they may love Thee with all their strength, and cheerfully perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee ; through, &c.
PRAYER FOR A FRIEND OR FRIENDS.
Preserve, Lord, Thy servants (servant) N. N., for whose health, happiness, and prosperity I humbly offer up these my prayers to Thy sacred majesty, beseeching Thee to grant them a persevering constancy in the Catholic faith, and 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 first and only good. Give them grace to correspond to that state and condition of life in which Thou hast placed them ; direct them in all their ways ; defend them against all ​their enemies ; and finally grant them a happy death and departure out of this world, and a speedy passage after death to the fruition of Thy eternal felicity. Amen.
FOR A FRIEND IN DISTRESS.
Vouchsafe, merciful Lord, to afford the sweetness of Thy comfort to Thy afflicted servant N., and to remove, according to Thy accustomed mercy, the heavy burden of his calamities. Give him, I 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. Amen.
FOR ANOTHER'S CONVERSION.
O divine and adorable Saviour, Thou Who art the way, the truth, and the life, I beseech Thee to have mercy upon N., and bring him (or her) to the knowledge and love of Thy truth. Thou, O Lord, knowest all his darkness, his weakness, and his doubts ; have pity upon him, merciful Saviour ; let the bright beams of Thy eternal truth shine upon his mind ; clear away the cloud of error and prejudice from before his eyes, and may he humbly submit to and embrace with his whole heart the teaching of Thy Church. Oh, ​let not the soul for whom I pray be shut out from Thy blessed fold ! Unite him to Thyself in the sacraments of Thy love, and grant that, partaking of the blessings of Thy grace in this life, he may come at last to the possession of those eternal rewards which Thou hast promised to all those who believe in Thee and who do Thy will. Hear this my petition, O merciful Jesus, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest ever and ever. Amen.
FOR THE SICK.
V. Heal Thy servants, Lord, who are sick, and who put their trust in Thee.
R. Send them help, Lord, and comfort them from Thy holy place.
Almighty and Everlasting God, the eternal salvation of them that believe in Thee, hear us in behalf of Thy servants who are sick; 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, &c.
FOR THE DEAD.
Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all whom Thou foreknowest shall ​be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee, that they for whom we have determined to offer up our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come hath already received them out of their bodies, may, by the clemency of Thy goodness (all Thy saints interceding for them,) obtain pardon and full remission of their sins; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.
A PRAYER BEFORE STUDY OR INSTRUCTIONS.
incomprehensible Creator, the true Fountain of light, and only Author of all knowledge ; vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to enlighten our understandings, and to remove from us all darkness of sin and ignorance. (Thou, Who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, direct our tongues, and pour on our lips the grace of Thy blessing.) Give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the powerful assistance of Thy holy grace ; that what we hear or learn, we may apply to Thy honor and the eternal salvation of our own souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for parents, for themselves and for their children.
O Father of mankind, Who hast given unto me these my children, and committed them to my charge, to bring them up for Thee, and to prepare them for everlasting life ; assist me with Thy heavenly grace, that I may be able to fulfil this most sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold ; when to reprove, and when to forbear : make me to be gentle, yet firm ; considerate and watchful ; deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence and excess of severity ; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety ; so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the unity of the blessed angels and saints, where Thou, Father, with Jesus, Thy only begotten Son, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one God, for ever and ever.
O heavenly Father, I commend my children unto Thee. Be Thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me, through frailty or negligence. Strenghten them to overcome the corruptions of the world, to resist the solicitations of evil, whether from ​within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and so faithfully serving Thee here, may come to rejoice before Thee hereafter ; through the merits of the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest. Amen.
A Practical Method of Meditation.
By St. Alphonsus.
In the preparation, say: 1. My God, I believe that Thou art really present, and I adore Thee with all my heart. 2. Lord, I ought to be at this moment in hell; I am sorry for having offended Thee: grant me pardon. 3. Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus and Mary, enlighten me. Then recommend yourself to the most Holy Virgin, to St. Joseph, to your Angel Guardian, and to your Patron Saint; for this purpose say a Hail Mary, and then pass on to the Meditation.
​Read the Meditation, and pause whenever you find food for reflection. After, this be careful to make affections of humility, gratitude, and, above all, of sorrow and of love, resigning yourself in every thing to the divine will, and make an offering of yourself, saying, Lord, do with me whatever Thou pleasest, and tell me what Thou wilt have me to do, for I wish to do Thy will in all things.
Be also very careful to ask for particular blessings and graces, for example begging of God the grace of Holy Perseverance, His divine Love, and the light and strength to do always the divine will, and always to pray.
Before concluding your Meditation make a special resolution to avoid some defect into which you fall most frequently, and then finish with an Our Father and Hail Mary ; and remember always to recommend to God the souls in purgatory, and poor sinners.
Live Jesus our Love,
And Mary our Hope.