I take a moment just before bed and pray this prayer. There is a calming vibe in this prayer as I thank God for being with me during my waking hours, and then giving into Gods hands my sleep.
A Night Prayer
Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep and all the moments of this night. I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in Your sacred side and under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother. Let Your holy angels stand watch and keep us in peace. Amen.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 11:2-3
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Psalm 34:10
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 7:10
10 My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.
I have been praying these verses from Psalm the past two days, and will continue to do sofor the next several days. In them I not only have a glimpse of King Davids spiritual journey and challenges, but there is a depth in these songs and prayers that resonates with me.
Pray these passages from Psalms with me, and let God make good changes in our lives.
Today is the start of the Divine Mercy Novena ending on Divine Mercy Sunday 🙏
About the Divine Mercy Novena
The message of Divine Mercy was given to a Polish nun named Sister Faustina. It was revealed to her by Jesus in a private revelation that is fully approved by the Church. The message of Divine Mercy is not something that is new or additional to the Gospel message. In fact, it is the same core message presented in a particular way with a few new devotions. This novena is one of those devotions.
St. Faustina reports in her diary that she transcribed the words of the novena as Jesus dictated them to her day-by-day beginning on Good Friday.
While this novena can be prayed any time, it is fitting that this novena begins on the day that Jesus gave us His Life. Good Friday is the perfect time to begin meditating on the Mercy of God towards us who need His mercy so much.
We end the novena on the eve of the Feast of Mercy, a feast day established by Pope John Paul II in response to St. Faustina’s revelation. This is a very important feast and the novena is an important part of our preparation for the Feast of Mercy, Divine Mercy Sunday.
“The Lord told me to say this chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It is to begin on Good Friday. ‘By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls.’” (Diary 796)
On April 30th, 2000 Pope John Paul II instituted Divine Mercy Sunday as an official feast of the Church. In doing this he said, “by this act today, I pass on the message of Divine Mercy to the new millennium. I pass it on because I want people to know the better face of God, and that of his Divine Mercy, and through it, the better face of their brethren. The light of the message of Divine Mercy which the Lord wished to renew in the world, will be as much a beacon of hope for the third millennium, as the apostles were in the first.”
This is clearly a very important and powerful devotion.
Purpose of the Devotion
You can pray the Divine Mercy Novena for any reason you want. God’s Mercy is relevant and effective in all parts of our lives. However, there are some specific reasons you may want to call on the Divine Mercy in your prayer life.
For the dying, for the world, for forgiveness and mercy, for conversion, for healing, and in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday.
Note:
My family prayed the Divine Mercy Prayer for someone who didn’t have their last rite. She was dying and unresponsive. We can attest to the movement of the Holy Spirit and a single grunt that was heard from the patient.
This has become my go to prayer when someone is dying, when I sense something ominous is unfolding, when I feel fear, and for the salvation of those around me.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard–upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. The souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Divine Mercy Novena – Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When words fail me…for many weeks I can’t seem to find the words when I pray. It’s been days of long sights and grunts. This morning my friend Katherine sent me this beautiful prayer that bespeaks the depth of my heart.
I feel the movement of the Holy Spirit as it guides me to get it right with God.
Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit🙏💕
Hourly Prayers of Saint John Chrysostom
A set of 24 short prayers attributed to St John Chrysostom. The shortness is deliberate –– when it comes to personal devotion, many of the Fathers teach the efficacy of an “arrow prayer” that is easily remembered and easily meant whole-heartedly. They are, like the day’s hours, divided into two sections of twelve apiece.
O Lord, of Thy heavenly bounties, deprive me not.
O Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments.
O Lord, forgive me if I have sinned in my mind or my thought, whether in word or in deed.
O Lord, free me from all ignorance and forgetfulness, from despondency and stony insensibility.
O Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
O lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened.
O Lord, as a man have I sinned, have Thou mercy on me, as the God full of compassion, seeing the feebleness of my soul.
O Lord, send down Thy grace to help me, that I may glorify Thy name.
O Lord Jesus Christ, write me down in the book of life and grant unto me a good end.
O Lord my God, even if I had not done anything good before Thee, do Thou help me, in Thy grace, to make a good beginning.
O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace.
O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, full of shame and impurity, in Thy kingdom. Amen.
O Lord, receive me in penitence.
O Lord, forsake me not.
O Lord, lead me not into misfortune.
O Lord, quicken in me a good thought.
O Lord, give me tears and remembrance of death, and contrition.
O Lord, make me solicitous of confessing my sins.
O Lord, give me humility, chastity, and obedience.
O Lord, give me patience, magnanimity, and meekness.
O Lord, implant in my the root of all good–Thy fear in my heart.
O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love thee from all my soul and mind and in everything do Thy will.
O Lord, shelter me from certain men, from demons and passions, and from any other unbecoming thing.
O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou dost as Thou wilt, let then Thy will be done in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, refer to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. These images are accompanied by prayers. Partaking in this visual and auditory combination is a powerful devotional practice for all Christians.
The concept of the Stations of the Cross grew out of imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa is a traditional processional route symbolizing the path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary. The objective of the Stations is to guide Christian faithful in a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ.
In summary, these powerful images and prayers allow Christians to spiritually journey alongside Jesus during his final hours, reflecting on his sacrifice and love for humanity.
Take the time this Lent to prayerfully meditate on the Stations of the Cross. PDF download below:
As we go through our Lenten journey, it is a personal time as we encounter the mysterious of our faith.
I personally try to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries each morning. It is a time to contemplate and mediate on the journey our Lord Jesus Christ went through for our salvation.
Please find below the PDF for the Sorrowful Mysteries and The Stations of the Cross:
It was through praying these two prayers that I encounter a strong and loving mother as she watched her son Jesus sacrifice himself for our salvation. She may not have understood what was happening, but her strength came from her trust on in God. As a mom, this resonated with me. I became a better mother.
Through praying The Stations of the Cross, I found Veronica reflected within me – for I saw myself there reaching out to wipe the blood of my beloved Jesus. So very often I give up the little pain I feel to Jesus. Veronica’s simple gesture is what we should do upon one another – empathy and caring for the disenfranchised.
I missed the feast of Epiphany 2024 and will do this house blessing instead. Now more than ever, faithful Catholics need to prepare our homes as a place of sanctuary. It becomes our sacred place amidst the challenges to come.
Have you just transferred to a new house, apartment, dorm or flat? If so, as a Catholic, you might want to have it blessed. Gather together as a family or group (roomates, friends, relatives) in any room you desire, preferably with a crucifix, and you can bless your own home, apartment, dorm or flat even with the absence of a priest.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen
Leader: “Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord. All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader: When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence.
May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.
Reader: + A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; He loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you.
Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; And never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
After the scripture reading, all go from room to room, offering prayers of intercession and sprinkling holy water, if desired. Some of the following prayers may be used.
At the entrance:
Leader: O God, protect our going out and our coming in; Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here may know your love and peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
In the living room:
Leader: O God, give your blessings to all who share this room, that we may be knit together in companionship. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
In the kitchen:
Leader: O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us, as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
In the dining room:
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
In the bedrooms:
Leader: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
In the bathroom:
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom and love. Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health that we might serve you. Grant this through Christ our Lord
All: Amen.
All return to the starting place. A cross or icon is kissed by each person, and then put in a permanent place of honor. A candle may be lighted before it.
Leader: Let us pray the prayer that our savior taught us.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Leader: Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return and at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your Father’s house, where you live forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Leader: May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (+), and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord.
Be Inspired! 