# The young man's guide/X. VARIOUS PRAYERS

X. Various Prayers
Prayer to St. Joseph
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary ever virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph, that never has it been heard that anyone ever invoked thy protection, or besought aid of thee, without being consoled. In this confidence I come before thee, I fervently recommend myself to thee. Despise not my prayer, foster-father of our Redeemer, but do thou in thy pity receive it. Amen.
Indulgence, 300 days, once a day. — Pius IX, June 26, 1863.
Another Prayer to St. Joseph
Remember, O most pure spouse of the blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector St. Joseph! that no one ever had recourse to thy protection or implored thy aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in thy goodness, I come before thee, and humbly supplicate thee. Oh, despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.
His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a brief, June 36, 1863, granted to all the faithful who shall say this prayer, with at least contrite heart and devotion, an indulgence of 300 days, once a day.
EJACULATION
St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, Dec. 19, 1891.
A Prayer to St. Aloysius
O BLESSED Aloysius, adorned with angelic graces, I, thy most unworthy suppliant, recommend specially to thee the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by thy angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb, and His most holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins, that they would vouchsafe to keep me from all grievous sin. O never let me be defiled with ​any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from my heart all bad thoughts and unclean desires, and awaken in me the memory of eternity and of Jesus crucified; impress deeply in my heart a sense of the holy fear of God; and thus, kindling in me the fire of divine love, enable me so to follow thy footsteps here on earth, that in heaven with thee I may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of our God forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius VII, March 6, 1802.
Act of Consecration to St. Aloysius
O ST. ALOYSIUS, so renowned for thy purity of heart, thy humility, and obedience, thy special devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament, and thy tender love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to thee, beseeching thee to number me among thy fervent clients. Obtain that I may perfectly imitate all thy virtues, especially thy purity and perseverance. Help me with thy prayers, that I may never cease to love my God and sing His praises. Assist me by a special protection at the hour of my death, that I may present myself pure and stainless to the sovereign Judge and enjoy with thee eternal happiness. Amen.
Prayer in any Necessity to St. Anthony of Padua
WE SALUTE thee, St. Anthony, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity. We salute thee, great saint, cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love. We rejoice at the favors Our Lord has so liberally bestowed on thee. In humility and confidence we entreat thee to help us, for we know that God has given thee charity and pity, as well as power.
Behold our distress, our anxiety, our fears concerning [here name your request]. We ask thee by the love thou didst feel toward the amiable little Jesus, when He covered thee with His caresses, to tell Him now of our wants. Oh! remember how complete thy bliss was when thou didst hold Him to thy breast.
We venerate thee, O glorious favorite of God, and bow our guilty heads before thee in humble reverence, while we raise our sad hearts full of hope toward the throne of divine mercy, and to thee, our intercessor. He who placed Himself in thy arms will now fill thy hands with all we ask of thee.
Obtain for us, then, what we desire, angel of love, and we will make known the wondrous efficacy of thy intercession, for the greater glory of God.
Prayer to St. Stanislaus Bostka
Most pure and mighty patron, St. Stanislaus, angel of purity and seraph of charity, I rejoice on account of thy most happy death — a death occasioned by the ardor of thy desire to contemplate Mary in her heavenly glory on the feast of her assumption. I give thanks to Mary, because she willed to accomplish thy desires; and I pray thee, gracious saint, by the merit of thy happy death, be thou my advocate, my patron in my death. Intercede with Mary to obtain for me a calm and peaceful death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the Jove of Jesus and Mary.
Prayer for the Church and for the Civil Authorities
(Composed by Archbishop Carroll)
We PRAY Thee, O almighty and eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy name.
We pray Thee, Who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, N.N., the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of His Church; our own bishop, N.N.; all other bishops ​prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for his excellency, the Governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
​We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow-citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world can not give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
To the Holy Archangel Michael
HOLY Archangel Michael! defend us in battle, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment.
To the Angel Guardian
ANGEL of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amem
Indulgence of 100 days, every time. — Pius VI, Oct. 2, 1795.
Indulgenced Prayer for a Christian Family
GOD of goodness and mercy, we commend to Thy all-powerful protection our home, our family, and all that we possess. Bless us all as Thou didst bless the holy family of Nazareth.
O Jesus, our most holy Redeemer, by the love with which Thou didst become man in order to save us, by the mercy through which Thou didst die for us upon the cross, we entreat Thee to bless our home, our family, our household. Preserve us from all evil and from the snares of men; preserve us from lightning and hail and fire, from flood and from the rage of the elements; preserve us from Thy wrath, from all hatred and from the evil intentions of our enemies, from plague, famine, and war. Let not one of us die without the holy sacraments. Bless us, that we may always openly confess our faith which is to sanctify us, that we may never falter in out hope, even amid pain and affliction, that we may ever grow in love for Thee and in charity toward our neighbor.
​O Jesus, bless us, protect us.
O Mary, Mother of grace and mercy, bless us, protect us against the evil spirit; lead us by the hand through this vale of tears; reconcile us with thy divine Son; commend us to Him, that we may be made worthy of His promises.
Saint Joseph, reputed father of Our Saviour, guardian of His most holy Mother, head of the holy family, intercede for us, bless and protect our home always.
Saint Michael, defend us against all the wicked wiles of hell.
Saint Gabriel, obtain for us that we may understand the holy will of God.
Saint Raphael, preserve us from ill-health and all danger to life.
Holy guardian angels, keep us day and night in the way to salvation.
Holy patrons, pray for us before the throne of God.
Bless this house, Thou, God our Father, Who didst create us; Thou, divine Son, Who didst suffer for us on the cross; thou, Holy Spirit, Who didst sanctify us in Baptism. May God, in His three divine Persons, preserve our body, purify our soul, direct our heart, and lead us to life everlasting.
Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost. Amen.
His Holiness, Leo XIII, ay a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Jan. 10 1880, granted to the faithful who recite the above prayer, an indulgence of 200 days, once a day.
Prayer to the Holy Family
O MOST loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience, and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst bless with peace and happiness the family which Thou didst choose on earth; in Thy clemency look down upon this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving kindness, preserve us from danger, give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of Thy holy family; that having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in heaven. O Mary, most sweet Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy divine Son will hear thy prayers. And do thou, O glorious patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation, and offer, by the hand of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen.
EJACULATIONS
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe out my soul in peace with you!
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Pius VII, Aug. 26, 1814.