LAWRENCE G. LOVASIK, S.V.D. Divine Word Missionary CONCISE CATHOLIC PRAYER BOOK CATECHETICAL GUILD EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY ST. PAUL 2, MINNESOTA Imprimi Potest: Rev. Robert C. Hunter, S.V. D. Provincial, Girard, Pa. Nihil Obstat: A. H. Wiersbinski, LL.D. Censor Imprimatur: % John Mark Gannon, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D. Archbishop, Bishop of Erie October 5, 1954 Cover by Edward Diehl Excerpt from Treasury of Prayer Copyright 1955, 1954 by Catechetical Guild Educational Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Designed and pro- duced by Artists and Writers Guild, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Western Printing and Lithographing Company. Published simultaneously in Canada by Palm Publishers, Montreal. CONDITIONS FOR GAINING INDULGENCES To gain an indulgence one must be in the state of grace, have a general intention of gaining indulgences, and fulfill the prescribed conditions. To gain a plenary indulgence one must also detest all venial sins. The usual conditions are: 1. Confession. Weekly confession suffices for all the plenary indulgences to be gained during that time. 2. Communion. Weekly Communion suffices for all the plenary indulgences to be gained during that time. 3. Visit to a church. The visit must be repeated for each plenary indulgence which requires this condition. 4. Prayers for the intention of the Holy Father. One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father or any other equivalent prayers suffice. They must be said orally and repeated for each ple- nary indulgence which requires this condition. PRAYERS FOR MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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. Amen. THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. THE DOXOLOGY Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. GRACE BEFORE MEALS Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts which we are about to receive from Your bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen. 5 GRACE AFTER MEALS We give You thanks, almighty God, for all Your benefits, who live and reign world without end. Amen. 300 days. MORNING OFFERING 0 my God, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Thy favors, in reparation for my offenses, and in hum- ble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the wants of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory. 1 wish to gain all the indulgences attached to the prayers I shall say and to the good works I shall per- form this day. THE ANGELUS The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc. V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, etc. V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 6 R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an angel, so, by His Passion and Cross, we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 10 years. THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He de- scended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 5 years. AN ACT OF FAITH O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I 7 believe that Your 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 You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. 3 years. AN ACT OF HOPE O my God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. 3 years. AN ACT OF LOVE O my God, I love You above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because You are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. 3 years. AN ACT OF CONTRITION O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all « 8 my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. 3 years. NIGHT PRAYERS 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 and I beg of You to keep me without sin. Therefore, I put myself within Your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady, my Mother. Let Your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace; and let Your blessing be upon me. (St. Alphonsus Liguori) 3 years. I adore You, my God, and I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having created me, for having made me a Christian, and for having preserved me this day. Pardon me for the evil I have done today. If I have done anything good, be pleased to accept it. Pro- tect me while I take my rest and deliver me from all dangers. May Your grace be always with me. Amen. 500 days. O Lord, we pray You to visit this home and drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Your holy angels dwell in it to preserve us in peace, and let Your blessing be always upon us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 9 5 years. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor ban- ished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O lov- ing, O sweet Virgin Mary! 5 years. THE MEMORARE Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your pro- tection, implored your help, or sought your interces- sion, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my peti- tions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen. 3 years. 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. 300 days. 10 PRAYERS FOR CONFESSION THE CONFITEOR I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Bap- tist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May the almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen. May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me par- don, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen. 300 days. 500 days before Communion. Show me, O Lord, Your mercy, and delight my heart with it. Let me find You whom I so longingly seek. Behold, here is the man whom the robbers seized, mishandled, and left half dead on the road to Jericho. Kind-hearted Samaritan, come to my aid! I am the sheep who wandered into the wilderness. Seek after me and bring me home again to Your fold. Do with me according to Your will, that I may abide with You all the days of my life and praise You with all 11 those who are with You in heaven for all eternity. Amen. (St. Jerome) (See page 7 for Act of Contrition.) AFTER CONFESSION Give me, O God, an ever watchful heart which nothing can ever lure away from You; a noble heart, which no unworthy affection can draw downwards to the earth; an upright heart which no evil can warp; an unconquerable heart which no tribulation can crush; a free heart which no perverted affection can claim for its own. Bestow on me, O God, understanding to know You, diligence to seek You, and wisdom to find You; a life which may please You, and a hope which may em- brace You at the last. (St. Thomas Aquinas) Grant me Your grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me and work with me and remain with me to the very end. Grant that I may always desire and will what is most acceptable and dear to You. Let Your Will be mine and let my will ever follow Yours and agree per- fectly with it. Let my willing and not-willing be one with Yours, and let me not be able to will or not will anything except what You will or do not will. (Imitation of Christ) 3 years. 12 Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us Your peace. ’ & r 300 days. Sweetest Jesus, hide me in Your Sacred Heart. Do not permit me ever to be separated from You. Defend me from the evil foe. 300 days. Lord Jesus, through Your infant cries when You were born for me in the manger; through Your tears when You died for me on the Cross; through Your love as You live for me in the tabernacle, have mercy on me and save me. 300 days. Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from all my sins and from every evil. Make me ever keep Your command- ments and never allow me to be separated from You. 5 years. My Mother, deliver me from mortal sin. Hail Mary (three times). 300 days. O dearly beloved Word of God, teach me to be gen- erous: to serve You as You deserve, and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to ask for rest; to labor, seeking no reward except that of knowing that I do Your Will. 13 500 days. PRAYERS FOR COMMUNION Almighty and eternal God, behold I come to the Sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As one sick I come to the Physician of life; unclean, to the Fountain of mercy; blind, to the Light of eternal splendor; poor and needy, to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore, I beg of You, through Your infinite mercy and generosity, heal my weakness, wash my uncleanness, give light to my blindness, en- rich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I thus receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, with such reverence and humility, con- trition and devotion, purity and faith, purpose and intention, as shall aid my soul’s salvation. Grant, I beg of You, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord, but also its full grace and power. Give me the grace, most merciful God, to receive the body of Your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, bom of the Virgin Mary, in such a manner that I may deserve to be intimately united with His mystical body and to be numbered among His members. Most loving Father, grant that I may behold for all eternity face to face Your beloved Son, whom now, on my pilgrimage, I am about to receive under the sacra- mental veil, who lives and reigns with You, in the 14 unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 3 years. Let not the partaking of Your body, Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, dare to receive, turn against me for judgment and condemnation, but, according to Your mercy, let it be profitable to me for the protection and healing of soul and body, who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen. 5 years. Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. (3 times) 500 days. AFTER COMMUNION I greet You, Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and life- giving Fountain of eternal life, infinite Treasure of divinity, glowing Furnace of divine love! You are my place of rest and my most sure refuge. My dear Saviour, enkindle my heart with that burn- ing love with which Your own is on fire. Pour into my heart the manifold grace of which Your Heart is the source. Let Your will be mine, and let mine be forever obedient to Yours. Amen. 15 500 days. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are par- doned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life- (St. Francis of Assisi) Jesus, may Your body and blood which I have received change me more and more into Yourself, through Your holy grace. Do not let any stain of sin remain in me. May this Sacrament keep me pure and holy. PRAYER TO CHRIST, THE KING O Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the uni- verse. All that has been created has been made for You. Exercise upon me all Your rights. I renew my baptismal promises, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps. I promise to live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Your Church. 16 Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You my poor actions in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge Your sacred royalty, and that thus the reign of Your peace may be established throughout the universe. Amen. (Plenary indulgence once a day after Communion, with prayers for the intention of the Holy Father.) PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Your face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and be- seech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Your five wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said of You, my good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have num- bered all my bones.” (Plenary indulgence once a day after Communion, with prayers for the intention of the Holy Father: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.) 17 ANIMA CHRISTI Soul of Christ, sanctify me, Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within Your wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from You. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me And bid me come to You, That with Your saints I may praise You, For ever and ever. Amen. 7 years. 18 LITANIES LITANY OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 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. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, > Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, 19 pray for us Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Saviour, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, 20 pray for us Queen of Apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy rosary, Queen of peace, 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. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body, and through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, be freed from present sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 21 7 years. LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS Lord, have mercy on us. Christ , have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, 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, Jesus, Son of the living God, Jesus, splendor of the Father, Jesus, brightness of eternal light, Jesus, King of glory, Jesus, the sun of justice, Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, most amiable, Jesus, most admirable, Jesus, mighty God, Jesus, father of the world to come, Jesus, angel of the great council, Jesus, most powerful, Jesus, most patient, 22 have mercy on us Jesus, most obedient, Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Jesus, lover of chastity, Jesus, lover of us, Jesus, God of peace, Jesus, author of life, Jesus, model of virtues, Jesus, zealous for souls, Jesus, our God, Jesus, our refuge, Jesus, father of the poor, Jesus, treasure of the faithful, Jesus, Good Shepherd, Jesus, true light, Jesus, eternal wisdom, Jesus, infinite goodness, Jesus, our Way and our Life, Jesus, joy of angels, Jesus, king of patriarchs, Jesus, master of Apostles, Jesus, teacher of evangelists, Jesus, strength of martyrs, ~ Jesus, light of confessors, Jesus, purity of virgins, Jesus, crown of all saints, Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus. 23 have mercy on us From all evil, From all sin, From Thy wrath, From the snares of the devil, From the spirit of fornication, From everlasting death, From a neglect of Thy inspirations, By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, By Thy Nativity, By Thy Infancy, By Thy most divine life, By Thy labors, By Thine agony and Passion, By Thy Cross and dereliction, By Thy sufferings, By Thy death and burial, By Thy Resurrection, By Thine Ascension, By Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist, By Thy joys, By Thy glory, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us , O Jesus . 24 deliver us, O Jesus Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you,” mercifully hear our prayers, and grant us the gift of Thy most divine love, that we may ever love Thee with our whole hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease from Thy praise. Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never ceasest to govern those whom Thou instructest in the solidity of Thy love; who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. 7 years. LITANY OF THE SAINTS 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, 25 God the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, one God, Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All you holy angels and archangels, All you holy orders of blessed spirits, St. John Baptist, St. Joseph, All you holy patriarchs and prophets, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Thaddeus, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, 26 pray for us St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and evangelists, All you holy disciples of our Lord, All you holy innocents, St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, SS. Fabian and Sebastian, SS. John and Paul, SS. Cosmas and Damian, SS. Gervase and Protase, All you holy martyrs, St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All you holy bishops and confessors, All you holy doctors, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All you holy priests and levites, All you holy monks and hermits, 27 St. Mary Magdalen, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Catherine, St. Anastasia, All you holy virgins and widows, All you holy men and women, saints of God, intercede for us. Be merciful, spare us, O Lord. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord. From all evil, deliver us, O Lord. From all sin, From Thy wrath, From a sudden and unprovided death, From the deceits of the devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, From the spirit of fornication, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquakes, From pestilence, famine, and war, From eternal death, By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, By Thy coming, By Thy Nativity, By Thy baptism and holy fasting, By Thy Cross and Passion, 28 pray for us deliver us, O Lord By Thy Death and burial, By Thy holy Resurrection, I By Thine admirable Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, On the day of judgment, We sinners, we beseech Thee , hear us. That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee , hear us. That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee , hear us. That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate and all ecclesiastical or- ders in holy religion, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of Holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian peoples, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, 29 deliver us, O Lord we beseech Thee, hear us That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly" desires, That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, That Thou wouldst deliver our souls and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and bene- factors from eternal damnation, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and pre- serve the fruits of the earth, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us, Son of God, 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. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Our Father. V. And lead us not into temptation, R. But deliver us from evil. 30 5 years. we beseech Thee, hear us DIVINE PRAISES Blessed be God. Blessed be His holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His most Sacred Heart. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints. 3 years. 31 THE MAGNIFICAT (Our Lady's Hymn of Praise ) My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His hand- maid; for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name; And His mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy— Even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His posterity forever. (Luke 1, 46.) 3 years. 32 •J < a\ {jnime Catholic Prayer Book