# A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity/Morning Prayers

Morning Prayers.
THE OFFICE OF PRIME.
Before Prime are said inaudibly the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the I believe in God.
Then is said aloud:
OME unto my help, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Alleluia (or, in Lent, Praise to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory).
Then is said the following hymn:
THE star of morn to night succeeds;
 We therefore meekly pray,
May God, in all our words and deeds,
 Keep us from harm this day.
May He in love restrain us still
From tones of strife and words of ill,
And wrap around and close our eyes
To earth's absorbing vanities.
​May wrath and thoughts that gender shame
 Ne'er in our breasts abide,
And painful abstinences tame
 Of wanton flesh the pride;
So when the weary day is o'er,
And night and stillness come once more,
Blameless and clean from spot of earth
We may repeat with reverent mirth—
To God the Father glory be,
 And to His Only Son,
And to the Spirit, One and Three,
 While endless ages run. Amen.
Then follow the Psalms, which are said under one Antiphon:
Ant. for Sundays. Alleluia.
Ant. for week-days. Blessed are they that walk.
Psalm 53.
SAVE me, O God, by Thy name: and judge me in Thy strength.
Hear my prayer, O God: give ear unto 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 back evil upon mine enemies: and destroy Thou them in Thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice unto Thee, and will praise Thy name, O Lord: for it is good:
​For Thou hast delivered me out of all my trouble: and mine eye hath looked down upon mine enemies.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Psalm 118.
BLESSED are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that search His testimonies: that seek Him with their whole heart.
For they that work iniquity: have not walked in His ways.
Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments be kept most diligently.
O that my ways may be so directed: that I may keep Thine ordinances.
Then shall I not be confounded: when I shall have regard to all Thy commandments.
I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart: when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy justice.
I will keep Thine ordinances: O forsake me not utterly.
By what doth a young man correct his way? even by keeping Thy words.
With my whole heart have I sought after Thee: let me not stray from Thy commandments.
Thy words have I hidden within my heart: that I may not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord: O teach me Thine ordinances.
With my lips have I declared: all the judgments of Thy mouth.
I have had delight in the way of Thy testimonies: even as in all riches.
​I will meditate on Thy commandments: and I will consider Thy ways.
I will think upon Thine ordinances: I will not forget Thy words.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
DEAL bountifully with Thy servant: quicken Thou me, and I shall keep Thy words.
Open Thou mine eyes: and I shall see the wondrous things of Thy law.
I am a sojourner upon earth: O hide not Thy commandments from me.
My soul hath longed greatly: to desire Thine ordinances at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud: cursed are they that do err from Thy commandments.
O take from me shame and contempt: for I have sought after Thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant was occupied in Thy statutes.
For Thy testimonies are my meditation: and Thine ordinances are my counsel.
My soul hath cleaved to the earth: O quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
I have declared my ways, and Thou heardest me: teach me Thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of Thine ordinances: and I will meditate on Thy wondrous works.
My soul hath slumbered through weariness: strengthen Thou me in Thy words.
Remove from me the way of iniquity: and have mercy on me in Thy law.
​I have chosen the way of truth: I have not forgotten Thy judgments.
I have cleaved unto Thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame.
I have run in the way of Thy commandments: when Thou didst enlarge my heart.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
[The following creed is said only on Sundays, when the Sunday Office is recited:
The Creed of St. Athanasius.
Antiphon for Sundays, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
At Easter a fourth Alleluia.
Antiphon for Week-days:
Then is said the Chapter:
Sundays.
UNTO the King of ages, the Immortal, Invisible, only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Week-days.
LOVE peace and truth, saith the Lord Almighty.
Then follows the short Responsory:
CHRIST, Thou Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, Thou Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
V. Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father,
R. Have mercy on us.
​V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Christ, Thou Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
V. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
R. And deliver us for Thy name's sake.
LORD, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father (inaudibly).
V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
I believe in God (inaudibly).
V. The resurrection of the body.
R. And the life everlasting. Amen.
V. But I, O Lord, have cried unto Thee.
R. And in the morning my prayer shall come early before Thee.
V. Let my mouth be filled with praise.
R. That I may sing of Thy glory; and of Thy greatness all the day long.
V. O Lord, turn away Thy face from my sins.
R. And blot out all my iniquities.
V. Create in me a clean heart, O God.
R. And renew a right spirit within me.
V. Cast me not away from Thy face.
R. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
V. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.
R. And strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
$\color {red}{\big$These prayers within the brackets are said only on week-days:
DELIVER me, O Lord, from the evil man.
R. And rescue me from the unjust man.
V. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God.
R. And defend me from them that rise up against me.
V. Deliver me from them that work iniquity.
R. And save me from the men of blood.
V. So will I sing a psalm unto Thy name for ever and ever.
R. That I may pay my vows from day to day.
V. Hear us, O God our Saviour.
R. Who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and in the sea afar off.
V. Come unto my help, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Bless the Lord, O my soul,
R. And let all that is within me bless His holy name.
V. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
R. And forget not all His benefits.
V. Who forgiveth thee all thine iniquities.
R. Who healeth all thine infirmities.
V. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.
R. Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
V. Who satisfieth thy desire with good things.
R. Thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's. $\color {red}{\big ]}$
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.
The Confiteor, p. 35.
Then the office continues as follows:
VOUCHSAFE, O Lord, this day
R. To keep us without sin.
V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
* Here the office is resumed when the Preces have been omitted:
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
O LORD, God Almighty, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day: let Thy power so defend us therein, that this day we fall into no sin, but that all our thoughts, words, and works may always tend to what is just in Thy sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
Here is read the Martyrology, if read at all; after which the office proceeds thus:
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of His saints.
​MAY the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints plead for us with the Lord, that we may deserve to be helped and delivered by Him who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.
V. Come unto my help, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me. (This versicle and response is said thrice.)
V. Glory be to the Father, etc.
R. As it was in the beginning, etc.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father (inaudibly).
V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Look upon Thy servants. O Lord, and upon Thy works, and direct their children.
R. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and direct Thou the works of our hands over us: yea, the work of our hands do Thou direct.
V. Glory be to the Father, etc.
R. As it was in the beginning, etc.
Let us pray.
O LORD GOD, King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to direct and to sanctify, to rule and to govern, our souls and bodies, our senses, words, and actions, in Thy law, and in the works of Thy commandments; that both now and for ever we may deserve to be saved and delivered through Thy protection, O Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest, world without end.
R. Amen.
​V. O Lord, grant Thy blessing.
The Blessing: May the Lord Almighty order our days and deeds in His peace.
R. Amen.
Then is read the short lesson:
AND may the Lord direct our hearts in the love of God, and the patience of Christ. And do Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.
V. Bless ye.
R. God.
The Blessing: The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us unto life everlasting: and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
ANOTHER FORM OF MORNING PRAYERS.
As soon as you are awake, make the sign of the Cross, and say:
IN the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
​Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
O MY God, I most humbly thank Thee for all the favors Thou hast bestowed upon me up to the present moment. I give Thee thanks from the bottom of my heart that Thou hast created me after Thine own image and likeness, that Thou hast redeemed me by the precious blood of Thy dear Son, and that Thou hast preserved me and brought me safe to the beginning of another day. I offer to Thee. O Lord, my whole being, and in particular all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings of this day. I consecrate them all to the glory of Thy name, beseeching Thee that through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour they may all find acceptance in Thy sight. May Thy divine love animate them, and may they all tend to Thy greater glory.
ADORABLE Jesus, my Saviour and Master, model of all perfection, I resolve and will endeavor this day to imitate Thy example, to be, like Thee, mild, humble, chaste, zealous, charitable, and resigned. I will redouble my efforts that I may not fall this day into any of those sins which I have heretofore committed (here you may name any besetting sin), and which I sincerely desire to forsake.
​O MY God, Thou knowest my poverty and weakness, and that I am unable to do anything good without Thee; deny me not, O God, the help of Thy grace; proportion it to my necessities; give me strength to avoid everything evil which Thou forbiddest, and to practise the good which Thou hast commanded; and enable me to bear patiently all the trials which it may please Thee to send me.
[Here the Litany of the Holy Name, p. 60, may be said.]
An Act of Faith.
O MY God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; I believe that the Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
An Act of Hope.
O MY God! relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
An Act of Charity.
O MY God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good ​and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
An Act of Contrition.
O MY God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
O HOLY Virgin, Mother of God, my Mother and Patroness, I place myself under thy protection, I throw myself with confidence into the arms of thy compassion. Be to me, O Mother of mercy, my refuge in distress, my consolation under suffering, my advocate to thy adorable Son, now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
O FAITHFUL Guardian and Father of virgins, Blessed Joseph, to whom was confided the care of Jesus, and of Mary the Queen of Virgins, I most humbly supplicate thee, by the love thou dost bear Jesus and Mary, to obtain for me that, being preserved from every stain during my whole life, I may be ever able to serve them with unspotted purity of mind and body. Amen.$^{(i)}$
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. Amen.$^{(i)}$
​O GREAT Saint, whose name I bear, protect me, pray for me, that, like thee, I may serve God faithfully on earth, and glorify Him eternally with thee in heaven. Amen.
MAY the power of the Father govern and protect me! May the wisdom of the Son teach and enlighten me! May the influence of the Holy Ghost renew and quicken me! May the blessing of the All-holy Trinity, the Father, ✠ the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with me, now and for evermore. Amen.
THE ANGELUS.$^{(i)}$
To be said Morning, Noon, and Night; kneeling, except on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday.
In Eastertide, instead of the Angelus, the Regina Cœli (p. 78) is said standing.
A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH, THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES, ETC.
Composed by Archbishop Carroll, A.D. 1800.
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., the Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His Church; ​our own Bishop, (or Archbishop,) N. (if he is not consecrated, our Bishop-elect); all other Bishops, Prelates, and Pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among 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 these 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 blessings 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 cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray 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, relations, 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.
GRACE BEFORE MEALS.
BLESS us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
GRACE AFTER MEALS.
WE give Thee thanks, O Almighty God, for all Thy mercies. Who livest and reignest world without end.
R. Amen.
​VOUCHSAFE, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good for Thy name's sake.
R. Amen.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.