Prayers for
Every Day of the Week
The first three sets of prayers below come from the 1910 Raccolta, but
are otherwise unrelated aside from the fact that each set consists of
prayers for every day of the week -- Sunday through Saturday. I
couldn't resist including them on this site.
The first set is made of prayers by St. Alphonsus to the Blessed Virgin
to beg her pity, dedicate oneself to her, and ask for her help at
death. The second set consists of prayers to St. Philip Neri, asking
him to help one obtain humility, patience, purity, love of God, love of
neighbor, detachment from the world, and perseverance. The third set is
of prayers for the souls in Purgatory.
The fourth set of prayers isn't strictly designed to be for "every
day," but there are seven of them nonetheless -- each pertaining to
one of the seven deadly sins.
The fifth set consists of meditations for every day of the week. They
come from "The Golden Manual: Being a Guide to Catholic Devotion,
Public and Private," published in 1850.
The sixth set consists of prayers related to how the day of the week is
dedicated (e.g., Sunday is dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, Monday
to the Souls in Purgatory, Wednesday to St. Joseph, Thursday to the
Blessed Sacrament, Friday to Christ's Passion, and Saturday to the
Blessed Virgin).
I offer them all below, with the options to download each separately in
pdf format.
Skip to:
Prayers
of St. Alphonsus Liguori for Every Day of the Week
Prayer for Sunday
Mother of my God, look down upon a poor sinner, who has recourse to
thee and puts his trust in thee. I am not worthy that thou shouldst
even cast thine eyes upon me; but I know that thou, beholding Jesus thy
Son dying for sinners, dost thyself yearn exceedingly to save them. O
Mother of Mercy, look on my miseries and have pity upon me. Men say
thou art the refuge of the sinner, the hope of the desperate, the aid
of the lost; be thou, then, my refuge, hope, and aid. It is thy prayers
which must save me. For the love of Jesus Christ be thou my help; reach
forth thy hand to the poor fallen sinner who recommends himself to
thee. I know that it is thy joy to aid the sinner when thou canst; help
me now, thou who canst help. By my sins I have forfeited the grace of
God and my own soul. I place myself in thy hands; oh, tell me what to
do that I may regain the grace of God, and I will do it. My Savior bids
me go to thee for help; He wills that I should look to thy pity; that
so, not only the merits of thy Son, but thine own prayers too, may
unite to save me. To thee, then, I have recourse: pray thou to Jesus
for me; and make me experience how great good thou canst do for one who
trusts in thee. Be it done unto me according to my hope. Amen.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Monday
Most holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, I who was once the slave of the Evil
One now dedicate myself to thy service for ever; and I offer myself, to
honour and to serve thee as long as I live. Accept me for thy servant,
and cast me not away from thee as I deserve. In thee, O my
Mother, I place all my hope. All blessing and thanksgiving be to God,
Who in His mercy giveth me this trust in thee. True it is, that in past
time I have fallen miserably into sin; but by the merits of Jesus
Christ, and by thy prayers, I hope that God has pardoned me. But this
is not enough, my Mother. One thought appalls me; it is, that I may
yet lose the grace of God. Danger is ever nigh; the devil sleeps not;
fresh temptations assail me. Protect me, then, my Queen; help me
against the assaults of my spiritual enemy. Never suffer me to sin
again, or to offend Jesus thy Son. Let me not by sin lose my soul,
heaven, and my God. This one grace, Mary, I ask of thee; this is my
desire; this may thy prayers obtain for me. Such is my hope. Amen.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Tuesday
Most holy Mary, Mother of Goodness, Mother of Mercy, when I reflect
upon my sins and upon the moment of my death, I tremble and am
confounded. O my sweetest Mother, in the Blood of Jesus, in thy
intercession, are my hopes. Comforter of the sad, abandon me not at
that hour; fail not to console me in that affliction. If even now I am
so tormented by remorse for the sins I have committed, the uncertainty
of my pardon, the danger of a relapse, and the strictness of the
Judgment, how will it be with me then? O my Mother, before death
overtake me, obtain for me great sorrow for my sins, a true amendment,
and constant fidelity to God for the remainder of my life. And when at
length my hour is come, then do thou, Mary, my hope, be thyself my aid
in those great troubles wherewith my soul will be encompassed.
Strengthen me, that I may not despair when the enemy sets my sins
before my face. Obtain for me at that moment grace to invoke thee
often, so that with thine own sweet name and that of thy most holy Son
upon my lips I may breathe forth my spirit. This grace thou hast
granted to many of thy servants; this, too, is my hope and my desire.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Wednesday
Mother of God, most holy Mary, how often by my sins have I merited
hell! Long ago, perhaps, judgment would have gone forth against my
first mortal sin, hadst not thou in thy tender pity delayed the justice
of God, and afterwards attracted me by thy sweetness to
have confidence in thy prayers. And oh, how very often should I have
fallen in the dangers which beset my steps hadst not thou, loving
Mother that thou art, preserved me by the graces thou, by thy prayers,
didst obtain for me. But oh, my Queen, what will thy pity and thy
favours avail me, if after all I perish in the flames of hell? If there
was once a time when I loved thee not, yet now, next to God, I love
thee
before all. Wherefore, henceforth and for ever, suffer me not to turn
my back upon thee and upon my God, Who through thee has granted me so
many mercies. O Lady, most worthy of all love, let it not be that I,
thy child, should be doomed to hate and to curse thee for ever in hell.
Thou wilt surely never endure to see thy servant lost who loves thee. O
Mary, say not that I ever can be lost! Yet lost I shall assuredly be if
I abandon thee. But who could ever have the heart to leave thee? Who
can ever forget thy love? No, it is impossible for that man to perish
who faithfully recommends himself to thee, and has recourse to thee.
Only leave me not, my Mother, in my own hands, or I am lost! Let me but
cling to thee! Save me, my hope! save me from hell; or, rather, save me
from sin, which alone can condemn me to hell.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Thursday
Queen of heaven, who sittest enthroned above all the choirs of the
angels nighest to God, from this vale of miseries I, a poor sinner, say
to thee, "Hail, Mary," praying thee in thy love to turn upon me those
gracious eyes of thine. See, Mary, the dangers among which I dwell, and
shall ever have to dwell whilst I live upon this earth. I may yet lose
my soul, Paradise, and God. In thee, Lady, is my hope. I love thee; and
I sigh after the time when I shall see thee and praise thee in
Paradise. O Mary, how soon will the happy day come when I shall see
myself safe at thy feet? When shall I kiss that hand, which has
dispensed to me so many graces? Alas, it is too true, my Mother, that I
have ever been very ungrateful during my whole life; but if I get to
Heaven, then I will love thee there every moment of a whole eternity,
and make thee reparation in some sort for my ingratitude by ever
blessing and praising thee. Thanks be to God, for that He hath
vouchsafed me this hope through the Precious Blood of Jesus, and
through thy powerful intercession. This has been the hope of all thy
true lovers; and no one of them has been defrauded of his hope. No,
neither shall I be defrauded of mine. O Mary, pray to thine own Son
Jesus, as I too pray to Him, by the merits of His Passion, to
strengthen and increase this hope. Amen.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Friday
O Mary, thou art the noblest, highest, purest, fairest creature of God,
the holiest of all creatures! Oh, that all men knew thee, loved thee,
my Queen, as thou deservest to be loved! Yet great is my consolation,
Mary, in that there are blessed souls in the courts of heaven, and just
souls still on earth, whose hearts thou leadest captive with thy beauty
and thy goodness. But above all I rejoice in this, that our God Himself
loves thee alone more than all men and angels together. I too, O
loveliest Queen, I, miserable sinner, dare to love thee, though my love
is too little; I would I had a greater love, a more tender love; this
thou must gain for me, since to love thee is a great mark of
predestination, and a grace which God grants to those who shall be
saved. Moreover, O my Mother, when I reflect upon the debt I owe thy
Son, I see He deserves of me an immeasurable love. Do thou, then, who
desirest nothing so much as to see Him loved, pray that I may have this
grace a great love for Jesus Christ. Obtain it, thou who obtainest what
thou wilt. I covet not goods of earth, nor honours, nor riches, but I
desire that which thine own heart desires most to love my God alone.
Oh, can it be that thou wilt not aid me in a desire so acceptable to
thee? No, it is impossible ! Even now I feel thy help; even now thou
prayest for me. Pray for me, Mary, pray; nor ever cease to pray, till
thou dost see me safe in Paradise, where I shall be certain of
possessing and of loving my God and thee, my dearest Mother, for ever
and for ever. Amen.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayer for Saturday
Most holy Mary, I know the graces which thou hast obtained for me, and
I know the ingratitude which I have shown thee. The ungrateful man is
unworthy of favours, and yet for all this I will not distrust thy
mercy. O my great Advocate, have pity on me. Thou, Mary, art the
stewardess of every grace which God vouchsafes to give us sinners, and
therefore did He make thee so mighty, rich, and kind, that thou
mightest succour us. I will that I may be saved: in thy hands I place
my eternal salvation, to thee I consign my soul. I will to be
associated with those who are thy special servants: reject me not. Thou
goest up and down seeking the wretched, to console them. Cast not away,
then, a wretched sinner who has recourse to thee. Speak for me, Mary;
thy Son grants what thou askest. Take me beneath thy shelter, and it is
enough for me; for with thee to guard me I fear no ill no, not even my
sins, because thou wilt obtain God’s pardon for them; no, nor yet evil
spirits, because thou art far mightier than hell; no, nor my Judge
Jesus Christ, for at thy prayer He will lay aside His wrath. Protect
me, then, my Mother; obtain for me pardon of my sins, love of Jesus,
holy perseverance, a good death, and heaven. It is too true, I merit
not these graces; yet do thou only ask them of our God and I shall
obtain them. Pray, then, to Jesus for me. Mary, my Queen, in thee I
trust; in this trust I rest, I live; and with this trust I will that I
may die. Amen.
Then say thrice Ave
Maria to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies
uttered against her
Prayers to St.
Philip Neri for Every Day of the Week
For Sunday: Prayer
to obtain the virtue of Humility
St. Philip, my glorious patron, who on earth didst so love humility as
to count the praise and even the good esteem of men as dross; obtain
for me also this virtue by thy prayers. Thou knowest how haughty I am
in my thoughts, how contemptuous in my words, how ambitious in my
works. Ask for me humility of heart, that my mind may be freed from all
pride, and impressed with the same low esteem of self which thou hadst
of thy self, counting thyself the worst of all men, and for that reason
rejoicing when thou didst suffer contempt, and seeking- out for thyself
occasions of enduring it. Great saint, obtain for me a truly humble
heart and the knowledge of my own nothingness; that I may rejoice when
I am despised, and chafe not when others are preferred before me; that
I may never be vain when I am praised, but may ever seek only to be
great in the eyes of God, desiring to receive from Him alone all my
exaltation.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Monday: Prayer
to obtain the virtue of Patience
St. Philip, my patron Saint, whose heart was ever so constant in time
of trouble, and whose spirit was so loving under suffering that, when
persecuted by the jealous, or calumniated by the wicked who thought to
discredit thy sanctity, or, when tried by God with many long painful
infirmities, thou didst always bear thy trials with wonderful
tranquillity of heart and mind; pray for me that I may have a spirit of
true courage in every adversity. Alas, how much I stand in need of
patience! I shrink from every little trouble; I sicken under every
light affliction; I fire up at and resent every trifling contradiction;
never setting myself to learn that the road to Paradise lies amidst the
thorns of tribulation. Yet was this the path our Divine Master deigned
to tread, and this too, my saintly patron, was thy path also. Obtain
for me, then, this courage, that with good hearty will I may embrace
the crosses which every day I receive from God, and bear them all with
the same endurance and ready will which thou didst manifest on earth;
that so I may be made worthy to enjoy the blessed fruit of sufferings
with thee in heaven above.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Tuesday: Prayer
to obtain the virtue of Purity
St. Philip, who didst ever keep unsullied the lily of purity, so that
the glory of this fair virtue dwelt in thy eyes, shone forth from thy
hands, and cast its fragrance over thy whole body, causing it to emit
so
sweet a perfume that it gave consolation, fervour, and devotion to all
who conversed with thee; obtain for me from the Holy Spirit of God so
true a love for that virtue that neither the words nor bad examples of
sinners may ever make any impression upon my soul. Never permit me in
any way to lose that lovely virtue; and since avoidance of occasions,
prayer, labour, humility, mortification of the senses, frequent use of
the Sacraments, were the arms with which thou didst conquer the flesh,
which is our worst enemy, so do thou obtain for me grace to use the
same arms to vanquish the same foe. Take not away thy help from me; but
be as zealous for me as thou wast during thy life for thy penitents,
keeping them far removed from all infection of the senses. Do this for
me, my holy patron; and be my protector and pattern in this fair virtue.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Wednesday:
Prayer to obtain the Love of God
St. Philip, I am filled with wonder at the great miracle which was
wrought in thee by the Holy Spirit when He poured into thy heart such a
flood of heavenly charity that, in order to contain it, two of thy ribs
were broken by the power of Divine love; and I am confounded when I
compare thy heart with my own. I see thy heart all burning with love,
and mine all frozen and taken up with creatures. I see thine inflamed
with a fire from heaven, which so filled thy body that it radiated like
flames from thy countenance, while mine is full of earthly love. I love
the world, which allures me and can never make me happy; I love the
flesh, which ever wears me with its cares and can never render me
immortal; I love riches, which I can enjoy but for a moment. Oh, when
shall I learn of thee to love nothing but God, my incomprehensible and
only good. Help me, then, blessed patron, that by thy intercession I
may begin at once: obtain for me an efficacious love, manifesting
itself by works; a pure love, making- me love God most perfectly; a
strong love, enabling me to surmount all obstacles hindering- my union
with God in life, that so I may be wholly united to Him for ever after
my death.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Thursday: Prayer
to obtain the Love of our Neighbour
Glorious Saint, who didst devote thyself wholly to the good of thy
neighbour, thinking well of all, sympathizing with all, helping all;
who throughout thy whole life didst ever try to secure the salvation of
all, never shrinking from labour or trouble, keeping for thyself no
time or comfort, that thou mightest win all hearts to God; pray for me,
that, together with the pardon of all my sins, I may have charity for
my
neighbour, and be henceforth more compassionate to him in his
necessities; and obtain for me grace that I may love every man with
pure unselfish love as my own brother, succouring each one, if I am
unable to do it with temporal good, at least with prayers and good
advice. And teach me too, on every occasion, to defend the honour of my
neighbour, and never to say to him a hurtful or displeasing word; but
ever to maintain, even with my enemies, sweetness of spirit like thy
own, whereby thou didst triumph over thy persecutors. Blessed Saint,
ask of God for me also this lovely virtue, which already thou hast
gained for so many of thy clients; that so we may all one day come to
praise our God with thee in an eternity of bliss.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Friday: Prayer
to obtain Detachment from Temporal Goods
Great Saint, who didst prefer a poor and austere life to the comforts
of thy home, despising the honour and glory of thy station ; obtain for
me grace ever to keep my heart detached from the transitory goods of
this life. St. Philip, whose desire it ever was to become so poor as
one day to beg thy bread, and not to find the charitable hand to offer
thee a crumb wherewith to support life; ask of God for me such love of
poverty that I may turn all my thoughts to goods which never fail. St
Philip, who didst prefer to live unknown to promotion to the highest
honours of the Holy Church; intercede for me that I may never seek
after dignities, but always content my self with that state where God
has set me. My heart is too anxious for the empty fleeting things of
this earth, but do thou obtain for me, that the great lesson contained
in the words "And then?" whence followed so many wonderful conversions,
may ever be deeply impressed upon my soul; that, despising the
nothingness of earth, God alone may reign sole object of my affections
and my thoughts.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
For Saturday: Prayer
to obtain Perseverance in Good Works
St. Philip, my holy patron, who, ever constant in good works and full
of merit, didst receive from the Most High God the crown of glory in
reward of all thy labours, obtain for me grace never to weary in his
service. St. Philip, who didst recompense those who loved thee by
acquiring for them the gift of perseverance in good, ask of God this
gift for me; stand by me, dear father, at the last moment of my life,
and pray for me that I may depart this life strengthened with the
grace of the Holy Sacraments. Meanwhile, intercede for me, that I may
do penance for my sins, and deplore them bitterly all my days. St.
Philip, who from on high beholdest all my miseries, and the chains
which yet bind me to my sins and to this earth ; pray for me that I may
be liberated from them, and be constantly devoted to my God. Obtain for
me an ardent desire to co-operate in my own salvation, and unshaken
firmness in the good which I have begun; that so, by thy intercession,
I may deserve to be for ever in thy company in an eternity of bliss.
Pray one Pater, one
Ave, and one Gloria
Prayers for the
Souls in Purgatory for Every Day of the Week
I include the
necessary 129th Psalm -- the De Profundis -- beneath the prayers:
For Sunday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in purgatory,
and especially that soul amongst them all which is most destitute
of spiritual aid; and vouchsafe to bring it to Thy glory, there to
praise and bless Thee for ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Monday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in
purgatory, and that soul especially amongst them all which is nearest
to its entrance into Thy glory; that so it may forthwith begin to
praise and bless Thee for ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Tuesday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the
souls in purgatory, and in particular that one amongst them all
which would be the last to depart out of those pains, that it may not
tarry so long a time before it come to praise Thee in Thy glory and
bless Thee for ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Wednesday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in the streets of Jerusalem, when He carried the
Cross upon His sacred shoulders, deliver the souls in purgatory,
and especially that soul which is richest in merits before Thee; that
so, in that throne of glory which awaits it, it may magnify Thee and
bless Thee for ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Thursday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Body and Blood of thy
Divine Son Jesus, which He gave with His own hands upon the eve of His
Passion to His beloved Apostles to be their meat
and drink, and which He left to His whole Church to be a perpetual
sacrifice and the life-giving food of His own faithful people, deliver
the souls in purgatory, and especially that one which was most devoted
to this mystery of infinite love, that it may with the same thy Divine
Son, and with Thy Holy Spirit, ever praise Thee for Thy love therein in
eternal glory. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Friday
O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son shed on this day upon the wood of the Cross, especially from
His most sacred hands and feet, deliver the souls in
purgatory, and in particular that soul for which I am most bound to
pray; that no neglect of mine may hinder it from praising Thee in Thy
glory and blessing Thee for ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
For Saturday
O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee, by the Precious Blood which gushed
forth from the side of thy Divine Son Jesus, in the sight of, and to
the extreme pain of His most holy Mother, deliver the souls in
purgatory, and especially that one amongst them all which was the
most devout to her; that it may soon attain unto Thy glory, there to
praise Thee in her, and her in Thee, world without end. Amen.
Pray a Pater, an
Ave, and the De Profundis (the 129th Psalm)
De Profundis
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord hear my
voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall
stand?
But there is forgiveness with Thee: because of Thy law I wait for Thee,
O Lord.
My soul waiteth on His word: my soul hopeth in the
Lord. ;
From the morning watch even until night let Israel hope in the
Lord:
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plentiful
redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel, from all their iniquities.
Prayers Against the
Seven Deadly Sins
Against Pride
O Lord Jesus Christ, Pattern of humility, Who didst empty Thyself of
Thy glory, and take upon Thee the form of a servant: root out of us all
pride and conceit of heart, that, owing ourselves miserable and guilty
sinners, we may willingly bear contempt and reproaches for Thy sake,
and, glorying in nothing but Thee, may esteem ourselves lowly in Thy
sight. Not unto us, O Lord, but to Thy name be the praise, for Thy
loving mercy and for Thy truth’s sake. Amen.
Against Covetousness
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who though Thou wast rich yet for our sakes didst
become poor, grant that all over-eagerness and covetousness of earthly
goods may die in us, and the desire of heavenly things may live and
grow in us: keep us from all idle and vain expenditures, that we may
always have to give to him that needeth, and that giving not grudgingly
nor of necessity, but cheerfully, we may be loved of Thee, and be made
through Thy merits partakers of the riches of Thy heavenly treasure.
Amen.
Against Lust
O Lord Jesus Christ, Guardian of chaste souls, and lover of purity, Who
wast pleased to take our nature and to be born of an immaculate Virgin:
mercifully look upon my infirmity. Create in me a clean heart, O God:
and renew a right spirit within me; help me to drive away all evil
thoughts, to conquer every sinful desire, and so pierce my flesh with
the fear of Thee that, this worst enemy being overcome, I may serve
Thee with a chaste body and please Thee with a pure heart. Amen.
Against Anger
O most meek Jesus, Prince of Peace, who when Thou wast reviled, didst
not revile, and on the Cross didst pray for Thy murderers: implant in
our hearts the virtues of gentleness and patience, that, restraining
the fierceness of anger, impatience, and resentment, we may overcome
evil with good, for Thy sake love our enemies, and as children of our
heavenly Father seek Thy peace and evermore rejoice in Thy love. Amen.
Against Gluttony
O Lord Jesus Christ, Mirror of abstinence, Who, to teach us the virtue
of abstinence, didst fast forty days and forty nights, grant that,
serving Thee and not our own appetites, we may live soberly and piously
with contentment, without greediness, gluttony, or drunkenness, that
Thy will being our meat and drink, we may hunger and thirst after
justice, and finally obtain from Thee that food which endureth unto
life eternal. Amen.
Against Envy
O most loving Jesus, Pattern of charity, Who makest all the
commandments of the law to consist in love towards God and towards man,
grant to us so to love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, and
all our soul, and our neighbor for Thy sake, that the grace of charity
and brotherly love may dwell in us, and all envy, harshness, and
ill-will may die in us; and fill our hearts with love, kindness, and
compassion, so that by constantly rejoicing in the happiness and
success of others, by sympathizing with them in their sorrows, and
putting away all harsh judgements and envious thoughts, we may follow
Thee, who art Thyself the true and perfect love. Amen.
Against Sloth
O Lord Jesus, eternal Love, Who in the garden didst pray so long and so
fervently that Thy sweat was, as it were, drops of blood falling down
to the ground: put away from us, we beseech Thee, all sloth and
inactivity both of body and mind; kindle within us the fire of Thy
love; strengthen our weakness, that whatsoever our hand is able to do
we may do earnestly, and that, striving heartily to please Thee in this
life, we may have Thee hereafter as our reward exceedingly great.
Meditations for
Every Day of the Week
For Sunday: On
Eternal Happiness
Preparation: 1. Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
2. Picture to yourself, as well as you are able, the spacious and most
beautiful mansions of the blessed, and in them God, with His holy
angels, etc.
3. Ask grace of God, that, as far as may be, you may be able to see and
appreciate that heavenly glory.
First Point for Consideration: Consider what the happiness of heaven
is. It is the perfect combination of every good, without any admixture
of evil, in which the blessed repose securely in the fullest
satisfaction of all their desires. According to Psalm 16: "I shall be
satisfied when Thy glory shall appear."
Affections: What have I in heaven, and what do I desire upon the earth,
besides Thee?
Second Point of Consideration: Consider how sweet, in that heavenly
city (the brightness of whose walls and gates and streets are described
in Apocalypse 21), will be the society of Christ, and of the blessed
Virgin Mary, and of the Apostles, and the other saints, when all shall
be united to God, and God shall be in all; where the highest will
embrace the lowest without the least admixture of contempt, and the
lowest embrace the highest without any envy of their superiority.
Affections: "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul
longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord," etc. Psalm 83.
Third Point of Consideration: Consider the differences of glory. I
Corinthians 15:41: "One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of
the moon, and another the glory of the stars. For star differeth from
star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." For the glory
of each one shall be greater in proportion as he has this life done or
suffered more for the sake of God.
Affections: And shall I, then, seek to escape from labours and the
cross, although the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be
compared with the glory to come?
Colloquy: Give thanks to God, that He has prepared a great reward for
such slight services as we can render unto Him. Reproach thyself for
thine own ingratitude and negligence. Commend the whole of this act and
devotion to the protection of the blessed Virgin Mary; and say, We fly
to thy patronage, etc.
For Monday: On Death
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Imagine yourself in your last agony, lying on your bed, with a crucifix
in one hand and a taper in the other.
First Point of Consideration: Consider that "it is appointed to all men
once to die" (Hebrews 9); but that the day and hour is uncertain. For
"the day of the Lord shall so come as a thief in the night. For when
they shall say peace and security, then shall sudden destruction come
upon them." I Thessalonians 5:3 The wise man truly observes
(Ecclesiastes 9): "As fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are
caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time."
Affections: Why, then, do I not hold myself in readiness every day and
every hour, as Christ exhorteth? Matthew 24: "Be ye ready, for ye know
now at what hour the Son of man will come."
Second Point of Consideration: Consider how great may be at that time
your bodily pain: on account of which, you may neither be able to pray,
or to repent, or even to remember your sins. For that shall be
fulfilled. Psalm 40: "Thou has turned all his couch in his sickness."
Affections: "Therefore, while we have time let us do good" Galatians
6:10 But, concerning this present time, it is said (II Corinthians
6:2): "In an accepted time have I heard thee, and in the day of
salvation have I helped thee: behold now is the acceptable time, now is
the day of salvation."
Third Point of Consideration: Consider in what great straits will thy
soul then be, when it is about to leave the body, and knows not
"whether it is worthy of hatred or love;" whether it is to be received
into heaven or thrust down into hell. The sould of Hilarion, who had
served Christ for nearly seventy years, trembled at its departure from
the body. "Why art thou afraid, O my soul, to depart?" said he. Job,
also, at the prospect of death, says (Job 10:20)," Suffer me that I may
lament my sorrows a little before I go, and return no more to a land
that is dark, and covered with the mists of death." How much more cause
for fear have you! "But the souls of the just are in the hands of God,
and the torments of death shall not touch them." Wisdom 3:1
Affections: Would that I might so ponder these things, and so arrange
my life, that I might be able to say, "To me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Colloquy: Accuse yourself to Christ of having neglected meditation on
death, and promise Him to amend.
For Tuesday: On
Judgment
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Imagine that you are standing as a debtor before Christ, seated on His
throne of judgment, and about to give an account of your life unto Him.
First Point of Consideration: Consider how the soul, released from the
bonds of the flesh, and forsasken by all, must stand before Christ its
Judge, when neither prayers nor tears shall avail, nor any excuse be
admitted, and when your guardian angel and the devil shall produce your
good and evil deed, etc. What shall I, a sinner, plead?
Affections: And shall I still be so careless? "If we would judge
ourselves, we should not be judged." I Corinthians 11:31
Second Point of Consideration: Consider that you must give account not
only of your grievous sins, but for every idle word. Then, perhaps,
shall that writing appear against you (Daniel 5:25): "Mane, Thecel,
Phares. Mane: God hath
numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it. Thecel: Thou art weighed in the
balance, and art found wanting. Phares:
Thy kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians."
Affections: And shall I not fear? "Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear,
for I am afraid of thy judgments." Psalm 118. "Enter not into judgment
with thy servant." Psalm 142.
Third Point of Consideration: Consider with what fear and trembling
each one will await the sentence of the Judge, which can never be
reversed; "Come, ye blessed," etc. or "Depart, ye wicked," etc.
Affections: And shall I hereafter take any pleasure in sin? I will
speak in the bitterness of my soul; I will say unto God, Do not condemn
me.
Colloquy: Give thanks to Christ, that He has so long granted, and still
grants to thee, the time of grace.
For Wednesday: On
Hell
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Imagine to yourself some vast and horrid cavern, full of serpents and
other monsters, and from whence issue frightful howlings, with smoke
and flames, etc.
First Point of Consideration: Consider what eternal damnation is, viz.
a never-ending unchangeable condition, in which the reprobate are
tormented without pity or hope of mercy; with torments so great, that
the mind of man cannot understand or imagine them; of which the lake
burning with brimstone and fire (Apocalypse 14:10) is but a part, and,
as it were, a figure.
Affections: Truly does Isaias say (Isaias 33): "Which of you can dwell
with devouring fire? Which of you can dwell with everlasting burnings?"
O Lord, punish me here with fire and sword, rather than hereafter and
through eternity.
Second Point of Consideration: Consider well the punishment of the
senses, in the eternal torment of the soul as well as the body. The
eyes shall be tormented with spectres; the ears with howlings, weeping,
and blasphemies; the nostrils with intolerable stench; the tongue and
the palate, with the liquid pitch and sulphur; the hands, the brest,
and the rest of the body, with unendurable tortures; the memory and the
intellect shall gnaw the heart with the remembrance and consideration
of the neglected time of grace; the will must endure the frusration and
contradiction of all its desires. "As much as she hath glorified
herself, and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to
her." Apocalypse 18:7
Affections: Oh, the blindness of men, who, for one drop of honey, fear
not the full draught of so much gall and bitterness.
Third Point of Consideration: Consider the pain of loss, which is
eternal exclusion from the vision of God and the society of the saints,
by far the greatest and most intolerable of all punishments.
Affections: Oh, that I might never forget these things! "Cast me away
not from Thy face, O Lord." Psalm 1 Let your colloquy be the
deprecation of so great misery.
Thursday: On the
Mercies of God
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Imagine to yourself all the gifts of God brought together at one time,
and placed before your eyes.
First Point of Consideration: Consider that God, from all eternity, set
His eyes upon you, and decreed that you should be created out of
nothing unto everlasting salvation. Jeremias 31:3: "I have loved thee
with an everlasting love; therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on
thee." Then, that He brought you forth in the time of grace, placed you
in the Catholic Church, and gave you pious parents, etc.; that He
spared you going on in sin, delivered you from many dangers, and drew
you into the way of salvation, etc.
Affections: "The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever." Psalm 80.
Shall I ever offend, by any sin, so great a Benefactor?
Second Point of Consideration: Consider that God appointed the
sacraments of baptism and penance that we might be delivered from our
sins, not for His own, but for our sakes, for He has no need of us; He
might, without injury, have condemned us to eternal damnation, etc.
Affections: "Bless the Lord, oh, my soul; and let all that is within me
bless His holy name." Psalm 102.
Third Point of Consideration: Consider the incomprehensible love of God
towards us, in the institution of the most Holy Eucharist, in which He
gave HImself to us for our food. "There is no other nation so great,
that hath God so nigh them, as our God is present to us." Deuteronomy 4.
Affections: Where is our love in return? "What shall I render unto the
Lord or all the things He hath rendered to me?" Psalm 115
Colloquy: Beg of God not to withdraw His mercies from you.
Friday: On the
Passion and Death of Christ
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Picture to yourself the Mount of Olives, at the foot of which Christ
sweat blood; Mount Sion, on which was situated the city of Solyma,
where He was accused, scourged, and condemned; and Mount Calvary, where
He was crucified.
First Point of Consideration: Consider what passed in the garden, the
agony, the bloody sweat, the prayer.
Affections: Who will not suffer with Him, and take from His hand the
cup of His passion which He giveth to drink?
Second Point of Consideration: Consider what He suffered in the city,
before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, etc.; the mockery, the buffetings,
scourgings, etc.
Affections: Here none need be suggested.
Third Point of Consideration: Consider what He endured on Mount
Calvary, in being stripped of His garments, having His hands and feet
pierced. Consider also His words on the Cross, etc.
Affections: "Look upon the wounds of thy Saviour, as He hangs on the
cross; look on the blood, which, dying, He sheds for thee, the price of
thy redemption. His head is bent to kiss thee; His heart is opened to
love thee; His arms stretched out to embrace thee. Consider these
things, how great they be; weigh them in the balance of thy heart, that
He may be wholly fixed in thy heart, who, for thee, was wholly fastened
to the cross" -- St. Augustine.
Colloquy: Jesus crucified will suggest it.
Saturday: On the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Preparation: Having put away all earthly cares and affections,
say: "Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Thy love."
Prayer: "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful, by the
light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right
understanding in all things, and continue to rejoice in his
consolation; through Christ our Lord."
Place before thy mind the Queen of heaven and earth, exalted above all
the hosts of heaven, and crowned by the blessed Trinity.
First Point of Consideration: Consider both the outward and inward
loveliness of that blessed Virgin, of whom the spouse in the Canticle
saith, "Thou art all fair, oh, my love, and there is not a spot in
thee." How should she not be most beautiful, who brought forth Him Who
was "beautiful above the sons of men"? Assuredly, "The most High hath
sanctified His own tabernacle." Psalm 45
Affections: Shall not I, at so glorious a vision of Christian
perfection, cleanse my soul from its stains? O most pure Virgin, obtain
for me grace to do this.
Second Point of Consideration: Consider with what privileges and
honours the blessed Trinity glorifies her. The Father loves her as His
daughter; the Son honours her as His mother; the Holy Ghost embraces
Her as His bride.
Affections: How can I sufficiently praise thee?
Third Point of Consideration: Consider the mercy and tenderness of this
mother towards all in misery; and although the mercy of God be
infinitely greater, yet infinite also is His justice, in which Mary has
no part.
Affections: Hail holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness,
and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee
do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley 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 loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Colloquy to the blessed Virgin Mary, may be gathered from the
Affections.
Daily Prayers for the Days of the Week
Sunday: The Most
Blessed Trinity
ANT. Blessed be the holy Creator and Ruler of all things, the sacred
and undivided Trinity, now and always, through infinite ages and ages.
V. Let us bless the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
R. Let us praise and exalt Him forever.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast given Thy servants,
in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the
Eternal Trinity, and, in the power of Thy majesty, to adore the
Unity, we beseech Thee that, by stead-fastness in the same faith, we
may always be defended from all adversities. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Trinity
O power of the Father, support my weakness and deliver me from the
abyss of my misery; O wisdom of the Son, do Thou direct all my
thoughts, words, and works; O love of the Holy Ghost, penetrate all the
operations of my soul so that they may be ever in harmony with Thy
divine pleasure. Amen.
Canticle of the Seraphim
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! the heavens and earth are full of
Thy glory. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the
Holy Ghost.
Monday: The Souls in
Purgatory
ANT. I am the Resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, even
though he die, shall live; and every one that liveth and believeth in
Me shall not die forever.
V. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me
R. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Let us pray. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give
unto the souls of Thy servants and handmaids the remission of all their
sins, that through pious supplication they may obtain the pardon they
have ever wished for. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Ejaculation
Lord, give unto them eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon
them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Tuesday: The Holy
Angels
ANT. Angels, Archangels, Thrones and Dominations, Principalities and
Powers, Virtues of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, bless the Lord
forever.
V. All ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
R. Sing a hymn and exalt Him above all forever.
Let us pray. O God, Who in a wonderful manner dost distribute the
ministries of angels and men, mercifully grant that as Thy holy angels
ever wait upon Thee and do Thee service in heaven, so our lives may be
defended by them upon earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Invocation of the Nine Choirs of Angels
O Holy Angels, watch over us at all times during this perilous life;
O holy Archangels, be our guides on the way to heaven;
O heavenly choir of the Principalities, govern us in soul and body;
O mighty Powers, preserve us against the wiles of the demons;
O celestial Virtues, give us strength and courage in the battle of life;
O powerful Dominations, obtain for us dominion over the rebellion of
our flesh;
O sacred Thrones, grant us peace with God and man;
O brilliant Cherubim, illumine our minds with heavenly knowledge;
O burning Seraphim, enkindle in our hearts the fire of charity. Amen.
Wednesday: St. Joseph
ANT. In whatever tribulation they shall cry to me, I will hear them and
be their protector always.
V. Obtain for us, O Joseph, to lead an innocent life.
R. And may it ever be safe through thy patronage.
Let us pray.O God, Who in Thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe
to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother,
mercifully grant that, as we venerate him for our protector on earth,
we may deserve to be aided by his intercession in heaven. Who livest
and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember, O most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, my loving protector,
Saint Joseph, that never has it be known 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 graciously receive it. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph
Guardian of virgins, and holy father, St. Joseph, to whose faithful
custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins,
were committed, I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus
and Mary, that being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with
spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary
most chastely all the days of my life. Amen.
Thursday: The Most
Blessed Sacrament
ANT. O sacred banquet in which Christ is received, the memory of His
Passion is recalled, the soul is filled with grace, and the pledge of
future glory is given us.
V. Thou hast given them Bread from heaven,
R. Containing all manner of sweetness.
Let us pray. O God, Who hast left us, in this wonderful Sacrament, a
perpetual memorial of Thy Passion, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to
reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood that we may ever
find in our souls the fruit of Thy Redemption, Who livest and reignest,
forever and ever. Amen.
Ave Verum Corpus Natum
Hail to Thee! true Body, sprung
From the Virgin Mary’s womb!
The same that on the Cross was hung,
And bore for man the bitter doom!
Thou, Whose side was pierced, and flow’d
Both with Water and with Blood;
Suffer us to taste of Thee,
In our life’s last agony.
Son of Mary, Jesu blest!
Sweetest, gentlest, holiest!
Sing My Tongue | Pange Lingua
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory,
Of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
Of His Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our immortal King,
Destin’d for the world’s redemption
From a noble Womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stay’d the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His Life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal Victim eating,
First fulfils the Lord’s command;
Then as Food to all His brethren,
Gives Himself with His own Hand.
Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
By His Word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change discerns!
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail!
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
When the feebler senses fail.
To the Everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high,
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honour, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.
Friday: The Passion
of Christ
ANT. O all ye who pass by the way, attend and see if there is any
sorrow like unto my sorrow.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at the
sixth hour didst mount the gibbet of the Cross for the Redemption of
the world and didst shed Thy Precious Blood that our sins might be
washed away, we humbly beseech Thee that after our death Thou wouldst
suffer us to pass with joy through the gates of heaven. Who livest and
reignest world without end. Amen.
O God, Who to redeem the world didst vouchsafe to be born amongst men,
to be circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the traitor Judas
with a kiss, to be bound with cords, and as an innocent lamb to be led
to the slaughter; Who didst suffer Thyself to be shamelessly exposed to
the gaze of Annas, Caiphus, Pilate and Herod; to be accused by false
witnesses, tormented by scourges and insults, crowned with thorns,
smitten with blows, defiled with spittings, to have Thy divine
countenance covered, to be struck with a reed, to be stripped of Thy
clothes, nailed to and raised high upon a Cross between two thieves, to
be given gall and vinegar to drink, and then pierced with a lance; do
Thou, O LORD, by these most sacred sufferings, which I, unworthy as I
am, yet dare to contemplate, by Thy holy Cross and by Thy bitter Death,
free me from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to bring me to Paradise,
whither Thou didst lead the thief who was crucified with Thee, my
Jesus, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God
forever and ever. Amen.
Pray a Pater
Noster, Ave Maria, and Gloria five times
Invocation of St. Thomas Aquinas
The Cross is my sure salvation;
the Cross I ever adore;
the Cross of my Lord is with me;
the Cross is my refuge.
Saturday: The
Blessed Virgin Mary
ANT. O glorious Mother of God, Mary, ever Virgin, who alone wast found
worthy to bear the Lord of all, and though a virgin, to nurse the King
of angels; be graciously mindful to us, we beseech thee, and pray to
Christ for us, that we, being upheld by thy care, may deserve to attain
to the heavenly kingdom.
V. Holy Mary, Mother of Christ.
R. Hear thy humble servants who implore thee.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants,
may enjoy continual health of mind and body; and that through the
glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, we may be delivered
from present sorrow, and attain eternal happiness. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Inviolata
Thou art inviolate, undefiled and chaste, O Mary.
Though hast been made the resplendent gate of heaven.
O loving and dearest Mother of Christ,
Accept our devout acclamations in praise of thee.
That our minds and bodies may be pure,
Devoted hearts and lips now implore thee.
Through thy sweetest sounding prayers,
Gain us pardon forever.
O kind one, who alone didst remain inviolate.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that
anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine
intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto
thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I
stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise
not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.
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