Horrigan - Catholic Book of Prayers

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A BOOK OF CATHOLIC PRAYERS

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A BOOK OF CATHOLIC

PRAYERS

Compiled by

Paul Gerard Horrigan

COPYRIGHT 2000 By Paul Gerard Horrigan, Ph.D

ll Rights Reserved.

This HTML edition is provided free for noncommercia

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nd devotional use.

With ecclesiastical approval.

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lords 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 Hail Mary

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.



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The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I

believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the

power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under

Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the

dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is

seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the

living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the

body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and

earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus

Christ, the only Son of God eternally begotten of the Father, God from

God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one

in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us menand for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the

Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our

sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was

buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He



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ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will

come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom

will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of

life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the

Son He is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge

one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of

the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in

the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; hail 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, thy 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.



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The Angelus

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

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.

R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we

to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son, was made known by the

message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the



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g ory o s esurrect on. roug t e same r st our or . men.

The Regina Coeli

To be said standing during Eastertide instead of the Angelus

Queen of heaven, rejoice; alleluia.

For He whom you did merit to bear; alleluia,

Has risen, as He said; alleluia.

Pray for us to God; alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary; alleluia.

R. For the Lord has risen indeed; alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who gave joy to the world through the Resurrection of Thy Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ; grant that we may obtain, through His Virgin

Mother, Mary, the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our

Lord. Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that

anyone who fled to your protection, implored your aid or sought your



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intercession, 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 petition,

but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom Gods love commits me here,

Ever this day be at my side,

To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Spiritual Communion

I wish Lord, to receive You with the purity, humility and devotion with

which Your most holy Mother received You; with the spirit and fervor of

the saints.

THE HOLY ROSARY

The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation

2. The Visitation



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3. The Nativity

4. The Presentation

5. The Finding in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

1. The Baptism of Christ

2. The Wedding Feast at Cana

3. The Proclamation of Gods Kingdom and the Call to Conversion

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

3. The Crowning with Thorns

4. The Carrying of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1. The Resurrection

2. The Ascension



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3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven

MORNING PRAYERS


Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the

fire of Thy love.

Most holy and adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I believe that

Thou art here present; I adore Thee with the deepest humility, and render

to Thee, with my whole heart, the homage which is due to Thy sovereign

majesty.

O my God, I most humbly thank Thee for all the favors Thou hast

bestowed upon me up to the present moment. I give Thee thanks from the

bottom of my heart that Thou hast created me after Thine own image and

likeness, that Thou hast redeemed me by the precious blood of Thy dear



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on, an t at ou ast preserve me an roug t me sa e to t e

beginning of another day. I offer to Thee, O Lord, my whole being, and in

particular all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings of this day. I

consecrate them all to the glory of Thy name, beseeching Thee that

through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour they may all find

acceptance in Thy sight. May Thy divine love animate them, and may

they all tend to Thy greater glory.

Adorable Jesus, my Saviour and Master, model of all perfection, I resolve

and will endeavor this day to imitate Thy example, to be, like Thee, mild,

humble, chaste, zealous, charitable, and resigned. I will redouble my

efforts that I may not fall this day into any of those sins which I have

heretofore committed (here you may name any besetting sin), and which I

sincerely desire to forsake.

O my God, Thou knowest my poverty and weakness, and that I am unable

to do anything good without Thee; deny me not, O God, the help of Thy

grace; proportion it to my necessities; give me strength to avoid

everything evil which Thou forbiddest, and to practice the good which

Thou hast commanded; and enable me to bear patiently all the trials

which it may please Thee to send me.



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An Act of Faith

O my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine

Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; I believe that Thy

Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to

judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the

Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who

canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

An Act of Hope

O my God! Relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to

obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting,

through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

An Act of Charity

O my God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul,

because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor asmyself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask

pardon of all whom I have injured.

An Act of Contrition



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O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all

my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most

of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving

of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my

sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

O Holy Virgin, Mother of God, my Mother and Patroness, I place myself

under thy protection, I throw myself with confidence into the arms of thy

compassion. Be to me, O Mother of mercy, my refuge in distress, my

consolation under suffering, my advocate with thy adorable Son, now and

at the hour of my death. Amen.

O faithful Guardian and Father of virgins, blessed Joseph, to whom was

confided the care of Jesus, and of Mary the Queen of Virgins, I most

humbly supplicate thee, by the love thou dost bear Jesus and Mary, to

obtain for me that, being preserved from every stain during my whole life,

I may be ever able to serve them with unspotted purity of mind and body.

Amen.

May the power of the Father govern and protect me! May the wisdom of

the Son teach and enlighten me! May the influence of the Holy Spirit



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renew and quicken me! May the blessing of the All-holy Trinity, the

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with me, now and for evermore.

Amen.

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from

Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace After Meals

We give Thee thanks, O Almighty God, for all Thy mercies. Who livest

and reignest world without end. Amen.

EVENING PRAYERS


Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the

fire of Thy love.

O my God, I present myself before Thee at the end of another day, to



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o er ee anew t e omage o my eart. um y a ore ee, my

Creator, my Redeemer, and my Judge! I believe in Thee, because Thou

art Truth itself; I hope in Thee, because Thou art faithful to Thy promises;

I love Thee with my whole heart, because Thou art infinitely worthy of

being loved; and for Thy sake I love my neighbor as myself.

Enable me, O my God, to return Thee thanks as I ought for all Thine

inestimable blessings and favors. Thou hast thought of me, and loved me

from all eternity; Thou hast formed me out of nothing; Thou hast

delivered up Thy beloved Son to the ignominious death of the Cross for

my redemption; Thou hast made me a member of Thy holy Church; Thou

hast preserved me from falling into the abyss of eternal misery, when my

sins had provoked Thee to punish me; and Thou hast graciously

continued to spare me, even though I have not ceased to offend Thee.

What return, O my God, can I make for Thine innumerable blessings, and

particularly for the favors of this day? O all ye Angels and Saints, unite

with me in praising the God of mercies, who is so bountiful to so

unworthy a creature.

Ask of God to discover the sins committed this day.



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O my God, sovereign Judge of men, who desirest not the death of a

sinner, but that he should be converted and saved, enlighten my mind,

that I may know the sins which I have this day committed in thought,

word, or deed, and give me the grace of true contrition.

Here examine your conscience, then say:

O my God, I heartily repent, and I am grieved that I have offended Thee,

because Thou art infinitely good, and sin is infinitely displeasing to Thee.

I humbly ask of Thee mercy and pardon, through the infinite merits of

Jesus Christ. I resolve, by the assistance of Thy grace, to do penance for

my sins, and I will endeavor never more to offend Thee.

O God, hear my prayers on behalf of our Holy Father Pope N., our

Bishop N., our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, I

beseech Thee, the whole Catholic Church, and convert all heretics and

unbelievers. Pour down Thy blessings, O Lord, upon all my friends,relations, and acquaintances, and upon my enemies, if I have any. Help

the poor and the sick, and those who are in their last agony. O God of

mercy and goodness, have compassion on the souls of the faithful in

purgatory; put an end to their sufferings, and grant to them eternal light,



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rest, and happiness. Amen.

O Almighty and Eternal God, who savest all, and willest not that any

should perish, look, we beseech Thee, upon the souls that are led astray

by the deceits of the devil; that, rejecting all errors, the hearts of those

who err may be converted, and return to the unity of Thy truth. Through

Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bless, O Lord, the repose I am about to take, that, my bodily strength

being renewed, I may better be the better enabled to serve Thee. Amen.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of mercy, pray for me, that I may be

preserved this night from all evil, whether of body or soul. Blessed St.

Joseph, and all ye Angels and Saints, especially my guardian angel and

my chosen patron, watch over me. I commend myself to your protection

now and always. Amen.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of hosts: the earth is full of Thy glory.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Spirit.

Amen.



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PRAYERS BEFORE CONFESSION

Imploration of Divine Assistance in Order to Make a Good

Confession

O Almighty and most merciful God, who hast made me out of nothing,

and redeeemed me by the Precious Blood of Thine Only Son; who hast

with so much patience borne with me to this day, notwithstanding all my

sins and ingratitude; ever calling after me to return to Thee from the ways

of vanity and iniquity, in which I have been quite wearied out in the

pursuit of empty toys and mere shadows; seeking in vain to satisfy my

thirst in unclean waters, and my hunger with husks of swine: behold, O

most gracious Lord, I now sincerely desire to leave all these my evil

ways, to forsake the region of death where I have so long lost myself, and

to return to Thee, the Fountain of Life. I desire, like the prodigal son, to

enter seriously into myself, and with the like resolution to arise without

delay, and to go home to my Father though I am most unworthy to be

called His child in hopes of meeting with the like reception from His

most tender mercy. But, O my God, though I can go astray from Thee of



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myse , yet cannot ma e one step towar s return ng to ee, un ess y

divine grace move and assist me. This grace, therefore, I most humbly

implore, prostrate in spirit before the throne of Thy mercy; I beg it for the

sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who died upon the Cross for my sins; I

know that Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he may be

converted and live; I know Thy mercies are above all Thy works; and I

most confidently hope that as in Thy mercy Thou hast spared me so long,

and hast now given me this desire of returning to Thee, so Thou wilt

finish the work which Thou hast begun, and bring me to a perfect

reconciliation with Thee.

I desire now to comply with Thy holy institution of the Sacrament of

Penance; I desire to confess my sins with all sincerity to Thee and to Thy

minister; and therefore I desire to know myself, and to call myself to an

account by a diligent examination of my conscience. But, O my God, how

miserably shall I deceive myself if Thou assist me not in this great work

by Thy heavenly light. O then remove every veil that hides any of my sins

from me, that I may see them all in their true colors, and may sincerely

detest them. O let me no longer be imposed upon by the Enemy of souls,

or by my own self-love, so as to mistake vice for virtue, to hide myself

from myself, or in any way to make excuses in sins.



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But, O my good God, what will it avail me to know my sins, if Thou dost

not also give me a hearty sorrow and repentance for them? Without this

my sins will be all upon me still, and I shall be still Thine enemy and a

child of hell. Thou dost require that contrite heart, without which there

can be no reconciliation with Thee; and this heart none but Thyself can

give. O then, dear Lord, grant it unto me at this time. Give me a lively

faith, and a steadfast hope, in the Passion of my Redeemer; teach me to

fear Thee and to love Thee. Give me, for Thy mercys sake, a hearty

sorrow for having offended so good a God. Teach me to detest my evil

ways; to abhor all my past ingratitude; to hate myself now with a perfect

hatred for my many treasons against Thee. O give me a full and a firm

resolution to lead henceforward a new life; and unite me unto Thee with

an eternal band of love which nothing in life or death may ever break.

Grant me also the grace to make an entire and sincere confession of all

my sins, and to accept the confusion of it as a penance justly due to mytransgressions. Let not the Enemy prevail upon me to pass over anything

through fear or shame; rather let me die than consent to so great an evil.

Let no self-love deceive me, as I fear it has done too often. O grant that

this confession may be good; and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son,



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who died for me and for all sinners, assist me in every part of my

preparation for it; that I may perform it with the same care and diligence

as I should be glad to do at the hour of my death; that so, being perfectly

reconciled to Thee, I may never offend Thee more. Amen.

Prayers Before the Examination of Conscience

O Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, King of kings, and Lord of

lords, who hast made me out of nothing in Thine image and likeness, and

hast redeemed me with Thine own Blood; whom I a sinner am not worthy

to name, or call upon, or think of: I humbly pray Thee, I earnestly

beseech Thee, to look mercifully on me, Thy wicked servant. Thou who

hadst mercy on the woman of Chanaan and Mary Magdalen; Thou who

didst spare the publican and the thief upon the cross, have mercy upon

me. Thou art my hope and my trust; my guide and my succor; my comfort

and my strength; my defense and my deliverance; my life, my health, and

my resurrection; my light and my longing; my help and my protection. I

pray and entreat Thee, help me and I shall be safe; direct me and defend

me; strengthen me and comfort me; confirm me and gladden me;

enlighten me and come unto me. Raise me from the dead; I am Thy

creature, and the work of Thy hands. Despise me not, O Lord, nor regard

my iniquities; but according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies have



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mercy upon me, the chief of sinners, and be gracious unto me. Turn Thou

unto me, O Lord, and be not angry with me. I implore Thee, most

compassionate Father, I pray Thee meekly, of Thy great mercy, to bring

me to a holy death, and to true penance, to a perfect confession, and to

worthy satisfaction for all my sins. Amen.

O Lord God, who enlightenest every man who cometh into this world,

enlighten my heart, I pray Thee, with the light of Thy grace, that I may

fully know my sins, shortcomings, and negligences, and may confess

them with that true sorrow and contrition of heart which I so much need. I

desire to make full amends for all my sins and to avoid them for the

future to Thy honor and glory, and to the salvation of my soul, through

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I believe in Thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, my Creator, my

Redeemer, and Sanctifier; I believe that Thou art all-holy, just, and

merciful. I believe that Thou art willing to pardon and to save me, if I

repent and forsake my sins.

O my God, strengthen and increase my faith, and grant me the grace of a



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true repentance, or esus r st s sa e. men.

I hope in Thee, O my God, because Thou art almighty, faithful, and long-

suffering. I humbly trust that Thou wilt pardon my sins for the sake of

Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for me upon the Cross;

and that Thou wilt cleanse my sinful soul in His precious Blood, and

make me holy, and bring me to everlasting life.

O Lord, in Thee have I hoped, let me never be confounded. Amen.

I love Thee, O my God, above all things, because Thou hast been so

good, so patient, so loving to me, notwithstanding all the sins by which I

have so grievously offended Thee. I love Thee, O Blessed Jesus, my

Saviour, because Thou didst suffer so much for love of me, an ungrateful

sinner, and didst die on the Cross for my salvation.

O make me love Thee more and more, and show my love to Thee by

faithfully keeping Thy Commandments all the days of my life. Amen.

O Mary Immaculate, Mother of Fair Love: obtain for me that love of

God, which is so necessary for true contrition. Amen.



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Prayer After the Examination of Conscience

O my God, I cry unto Thee with the prodigal: Father, I have sinned

against heaven and before Thee ; I am no longer worthy to be called Thy

Son.

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost. O seek Thy servant, for I have

not forgotten Thy commandments.

Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord. O spare me for Thy

mercys sake.

Prove me, O God, and know my heart ; examine me, and know my paths.

Thou whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, O meet me in

pity, embrace me in love, and forgive me all my sin.

I confess my sins unto Thee, O Christ, Healer of our souls, O Lord of

Life. Heal me, heal me of my spiritual sickness, Thou who art long-

suffering and of tender mercy ; heal me, O Lord Christ.

Accept my supplication, O Thou Holy Spirit, unto whom every heart is

open, every desire known, and from whom no secret is hid, and whogivest life to our souls ; hear and answer, O Spirit of God.

O Heavenly Father, who willest not that any sinner should perish, give me

true repentance for this my sin, that I perish not !

To what misery am I come by my own fault ! O merciful God, pity and



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forgive me for Jesus sake.

Thine eyes, O God, are as a flame of fire searching my inmost heart. O

pardon my sin, for it is great !

Thou, God, seest me in all the foulness of my sins ! Blessed Jesus, speak

for me, plead for me, come between my soul and my offended God, that I

perish not. Amen.

The 7 Penitential Psalms

Psalm 6

O Lord, reprove me not in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath.

Have pity on me, O Lord, for I am languishing ; heal me, O Lord, for my

body is in terror ;

My soul, too, is utterly terrified ; but you, O Lord, how long?

Return, O Lord, save my life ; rescue me because of your kindness,

For among the dead no one remembers you ; in the nether world who

gives you thanks?

I am wearied with sighing ; every night I flood my bed with weeping ; I

drench my couch with my tears.

My eyes are dimed with sorrow ; they have aged because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my



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weeping ;

The Lord has heard my plea ; the Lord has accepted my prayer.

All my enemies shall be put to shame in utter terror ; they shall fall back

in sudden shame.

Psalm 31

Happy is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered.

Happy is the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit

there is no guile.

As long as I would not speak, my bones wasted away with my groaning

all the day,

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me ; my strength was dried

up as by the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not.

I said, I confess my faults to the Lord, and you took away the guilt of

my sin.

For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress.

Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.

You are my shelter ; from distress you will preserve me ; with glad cries

of freedom you will ring me round.



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w nstruct you an s ow you t e way you s ou wa ; w counse

you, keeping my eye on you.

Be not senseless like horses or mules: with bit and bridle their temper

must be curbed, else they will not come near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but kindness surrounds him who

trusts in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just ; exult, all you upright of heart.

Psalm 37

O Lord, in your anger punish me not, in your wrath chastise me not ;

For your arrows have sunk deep in me, and your hand has come down

upon me.

There is no health in my flesh because of your indignation ; there is no

wholeness in my bones because of my sin,

For my iniquities have overwhelmed me ; they are like a heavy burden,

beyond my strength.

Noisome and festering are my sores because of my folly,

I am stooped and bowed down profoundly ; all the day I go in mourning,

For my loins are filled with burning pains ; there is no health in my flesh.

I am numbed and severely crushed ; I roar with anguish of heart.

O Lord, all my desire is before you ; from you my groaning is not hid.



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My heart throbs ; my strength forsakes me ; the very light of my eyes has

failed me.

My friends and my companions stand back because of my affliction ; my

neighbors stand afar off.

Men lay snares for me seeking my life ; they look to my misfortune, they

speak of ruin, treachery they talk of all the day.

But I am like a deaf man, hearing not, like a dumb man who opens not his

mouth.

I am become like a man who neither hears nor has in his mouth a retort.

Because for you, O Lord, I wait ; you, O Lord my God, will answer

When I say, Let them not be glad on my account who, when my foot

slips, glory over me.

For I am very near to falling, and my grief is with me always.

Indeed, I acknowledge my guilt ; I grieve over my sin.

But my undeserved enemies are strong ; many are my foes without cause.

Those who repay evil for good harass me for pursuing good.

Forsake me not, O Lord ; my God, be not far from me!Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 50 (The Miserere)

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness ; in the greatness of your



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compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always:

Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight

That you may be justified in your sentence, vindicated when you

condemn.

Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother conceived me ;

Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost being

you teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be purified ; wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness ; the bones you have crushed

shall rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence, and your holy spirit take not from

me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.

I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.

Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God ; then my tongue shall

revel in your justice.



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O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices ; should I offer a holocaust, you

would not accept it.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit ; a heart contrite and humbled, O

God, you will not spurn.

Be bountiful, O Lord, to Sion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls of

Jerusalem ;

Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and

holocausts ; then shall they offer up bullocks on your altar.

Psalm 101

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me ; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.

For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like fire.

Withered and died up like grass is my heart ; I forget to eat my bread.

Because of my insistent sighing I am reduced to skin and bone.

I am like a desert owl ; I have become like an owl among the ruins.

I am sleepless, and I moan ; I am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.

All the day my enemies revile me ; in their rage against me they make a



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curse o me.

For I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drink with tears,

Because of your fury and your wrath ; for you lifted me up only to cast

me down.

My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I whither like grass.

But you, O Lord, abide forever, and your name through all generations.

You will arise and have mercy on Sion, for it is time to pity her, for the

appointed time has come.

For her stones are dear to your servants, and her dust moves them to pity.

And the nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the

earth your glory,

When the Lord has rebuilt Sion and appeared in his glory ;

When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their

prayer.

Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures

praise the Lord :

The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the

earth,

To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die

That the name of the Lord may be declared in Sion ; and his praise, in

Jerusalem,



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When the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

He has broken down my strength in the way ; he has cut short my days.

I say: O my God,

Take me not hence in the midst of my days ; through all generations your

years endure.

Of old you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your

hands.

They shall perish, but you remain though all of them grow old like a

garment.

Like clothing you change them, and they are changed, but you are the

same, and your years have no end.

The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall

continue in your presence.

Psalm 129

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord ; Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication :If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.

I trust in the Lord ; my soul trusts in his word.

My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.



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More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord,

For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption ;

And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

Psalm 142

O Lord, hear my prayer ; hearken to my pleading in your faithfulness ; in

your justice answer me.

And enter not into judgment with your servant, for before you no living

man is just.

For the enemy pursues me ; he has crushed my life to the ground ; he has

left me dwelling in the dark, like those long dead.

And my spirit is faint within me, my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all your doings, the works of

your hands I ponder.

I stretch out my hands to you ; my soul thirsts for you like parched land.

Hasten to answer me, O Lord, for my spirit fails me.

Hide not your face from me lest I become like those who go down into

the pit.

At dawn let me hear of your kindness, for in you I trust.

Show me the way in which I should walk, for to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for in you I hope.



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Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

May your good spirit guide me on level ground.

For your names sake, O Lord, preserve me ; in your justice free me from

distress,

And in your kindness destroy my enemies ; bring to naught all my foes,

for I am your servant.

Prayer Before Confession

Accept my confession, O my loving, most gracious Lord Jesus Christ, on

whom alone my soul trusts for salvation. Grant me, I beseech Thee,

contrition of heart, and give tears to mine eyes, that I may sorrow deeply

for all my sins with humility and sincerity of heart.

O good Jesus, Saviour of the world, who gavest Thyself to the death of

the Cross to save sinners, look on me, a miserable sinner who calls upon

Thy name. Spare me, Thou that art my Saviour, and pity my sinful soul ;

loose its chains, heal its sores. Lord Jesus, I desire Thee, I seek Thee, I

long for Thee ; show me the light of Thy countenance, and I shall be

saved ; send forth Thy light and Thy truth into my soul, to show me fully

all the sins and shortcomings which I must still confess, and to aid and



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teac me to ay t em are w t out reserve an w t a contr te eart ;

Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

O most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, my

Redeemer, intercede for me with Him. Obtain for me the full remission of

my sins, and perfect amendment of life, to the salvation of my soul and

the glory of His name. Amen.

I implore the same grace of thee, O my Guardian Angel ; of you, my holy

Patrons, N. N. ; of you, O blessed Peter and holy Magdalen, and of all the

Saints of God. Intercede for me a sinner, repenting of my sins, firmly

resolving to confess them, and to avoid them for the future. Amen.

Act Before Confession (St. Alphonsus de Liguori)

O God of infinite majesty, behold at Thy feet a traitor, who has offended

Thee over and over again, but who now humbly seeks forgiveness. O

Lord, reject me not ; Thou dost not despise a heart that humbles itself : A

contrite heart and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. I thank

Thee that Thou hast waited for me till now, and hast not let me die in sin,

casting me into hell, as I deserved. Since Thou hast waited for me, my



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God, I hope that, by the merits of Jesus Christ, Thou wilt pardon me in

this confession for all the offences I have committed against Thee ; I

repent, and am sorry for them, because by them I have merited hell and

lost paradise. But above all, it is not so much on account of hell which I

have merited, but because I have offended Thee, O Infinite Goodness!

that I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I love Thee, O Sovereign

Good! and because I love Thee, I repent of all the insults I have offered

Thee. I have turned my back upon Thee ; I have not respected Thee ; I

have despised Thy grace and Thy friendship. O Lord! I have lost Thee by

my own free-will ; forgive me all my sins for the love of Jesus Christ,

now that I repent with all my heart ; I hate, detest, and abominate them

above every evil. And I repent not only of mortal sins, but also of venial

sins, because these are also displeasing to Thee. I resolve for the future,

by Thy grace, never more wilfully to offend Thee. Yes, my God, I will

rather die than ever sin again.

PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION

O most merciful God, who according to the multitude of Thy mercies

dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent that Thou



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rememberest them no more: look graciously upon me, Thine unworthy

servant, and accept my confession for Thy mercys sake ; receive my

humble thanks, most loving Father, that of Thy great goodness Thou hast

given me pardon for all my sins. O may Thy love and pity supply

whatsoever has been wanting in the sufficiency of my contrition, and the

fulness of my confession. And do Thou, O Lord, vouchsafe to grant me

the help of Thy grace, that I may diligently amend my life and persevere

in Thy service unto the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 102

Bless the Lord, O my soul ; and all my being, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ;

He pardons all your iniquities, He heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction, He crowns you with kindness and

compassion,

He fills your lifetime with good ; your youth is renewed like the eagles.

The Lord secures justice and the rights of all the oppressed.

He has made known all His ways to Moses, and His deeds to the children

of Israel.

Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in

kindness.



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He will not always chide, nor does He keep His wrath forever.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does He requite us

according to our crimes.

For as the heavens are high above the earth so surpassing is His kindness

toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our transgressions

from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion

on those who fear Him,

For He knows how we are formed ; he remembers that we are dust.

Mans days are like those of grass ; like a flower of the field he blooms ;

The wind sweeps over him and he is gone, and his place knows him no

more.

But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who

fear Him,

And His justice toward childrens children among those who keep His

covenant and remember to fulfill His precepts.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules

over all.

Bless the Lord, all you His angels, you mighty in strength, who do His



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ng, o ey ng s spo en wor .

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers, who do His will.

Bless the Lord, all His works, everywhere in His domain.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 15

Preserve me, O Lord, for in Thee have I put my trust: I have said to the

Lord, Thou art my God, for Thou hast no need of my goods.

To the saints who are in His land: He hath made wonderful all my desires

in them.

Their infirmities were multiplied: afterwards they made haste.

I will not gather together their meetings for blood-offerings: nor will I

make mention of their names with my lips.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: Thou art He that

will restore my inheritance unto me.

The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: for my inheritance is

goodly unto me.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover my

reins also have corrected me even till night.

I set the Lord always in my sight: for He is at my right hand, that I be not

moved.



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Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced:

moreover my flesh shall rest in hope.

For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor wilt Thou give Thy holy one

to see corruption.

Thou hast made known unto me the ways of life: Thou shalt fill me with

joy with Thy countenance: at Thy right hand are delights forevermore.

Psalm 19

May the Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: may the name of the God of

Jacob protect thee.

May He send thee help from the sanctuary: and defend thee out of Sion.

May He be mindful of all thy sacrifices: and may thy whole burnt-

offerings be made fat.

May He give unto thee according to thine own heart: and confirm all thy

counsels.

We will rejoice in thy salvation: and in the name of our God we shall be

exalted.The Lord fulfill all thy petitions: now have I known that the Lord hath

saved His anointed.

He will hear him from His holy heaven: the salvation of His right hand is

powerful.



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Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will call upon the

name of the Lord our God.

They are entangled and have fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

O Lord, save the king: and hear us in the day that we shall call upon Thee.

Prayer Before Performing Penance

Since I have so grievously insulted Thee, O most tender and loving God,

by my manifold sins and negligences, I am ready now to make perfect

satisfaction to Thy divine justice to the utmost of my ability. To this end I

will faithfully and most reverently perform the penance appointed me by

my confessor in Thy name ; and would that I could perform it with so

great devotion and love as to give Thee an honor and delight greater than

the insult and outrage of my sins! And that this may be so, I unite and

blend this my penance with all the works of satisfaction which Thy

beloved Son accomplished during the three-and-thirty years of His life on

earth, and in union with His fastings, His watchings, and His prayers, I

offer Thee this my penance and my prayer. Look down, therefore, O most

loving Father, upon me Thy most bounden debtor, now prostrate at Thy

feet, desiring to make thee adequate satisfaction and reparation for all the

insults and injuries I have done Thee ; and grant me strength and grace to

say this prayer according to Thy most holy will. Amen.



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Here perform your sacramental Penance, and then say:

O most holy Father, I offer Thee this my confession and my satisfaction

in union with all the acts of penance which have ever been done to the

glory of Thy holy name: beseeching Thee that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to

accept it, and to render it availing through the merits of the Passion of

Thy beloved Son, and through the intercession of the ever-blessed Virgin

Mary, and of all Thy holy Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, and Virgins.

Whatever has been lacking to me in sincere and earnest preparation, in

perfect contrition, in frank and clear confession, I commend to the most

loving heart of Thine only-begotten Son, that Treasury of all good and of

all grace, from whose overflowing abundance all debts to Thee are fully

acquitted ; that, through it, all my negligences and defects in the reception

of this holy Sacrament may be fully and perfectly supplied to Thine

everlasting praise and glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth

and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world

without end. Amen.

A Prayer for the Priest



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or esus r st, ess, eseec ee, y servant w o as now

ministered to me in Thy name. Help me to remember his good counsel

and advice, and to perform duly what he has rightly laid upon me. And

grant him the abundance of Thy grace and favor, that his own soul may

be refreshed and strengthened for Thy perfect service, and that he may

come at last to the joy of Thy heavenly kingdom. Who livest and reignest

with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

Amen.

Prayers for Pardon and Amendment

I :

O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, would beg Thee to

be mindful of all holy thoughts which have been Thine from eternity until

now ; above all, that one by which Thou, O Eternal Word, didst will to

become man.

Our Father.

O most merciful Lord, I pray Thee, from the bottom of my heart, to

pardon me all the vain, foul, and evil thoughts which, up to this hour, I

have entertained, or in any way have caused others to entertain, against or

beside Thy will.



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Our Father.

II.

O most compassionate Lord Jesus Christ, I, a miserable sinner, would beg

Thee to be mindful of all the good and saving words which Thou didst

ever speak when on earth.

Our Father.

I humbly pray Thee, O good Jesus, to forgive me all the words which up

to this hour I have uttered or caused others to utter against Thy holy will.

Our Father.

III.

O most sweet Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, yet redeemed by Thy

precious Blood, would beg Thee to be mindful of all the good works

which Thou wroughtest on the earth for our salvation. I beseech Thee,

most compassionate Lord, pardon me whatsoever, by my ill deeds, I have

at any time knowingly or unknowingly committed, or have caused othersto commit, against Thy law and the glory of Thy name.

Our Father.

And now, O most gracious Lord, direct and order all my thoughts, words,

and works according to Thy good pleasure, and to the praise of Thy



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name ; and conform them to the perfect pattern of Thy most holy life and

conversation. I am Thine, and will be Thine, O Lord, in life and in death ;

into Thy hands I commend myself and all that I have.

Our Father.

Prayers Against the Seven Deadly Sins

Prayer 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, owning 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 truths sake. Amen.

Prayer 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



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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.

Prayer 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.

Prayer 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 peace and evermore rejoice in Thy love. Amen.



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Prayer Against Glutony

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.

Prayer 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 neighborfor 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

judgments and envious thoughts, we may follow Thee, who art Thyself

the true and perfect love. Amen.



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Prayer Against Sloth

O Lord Jesus Christ, 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. Amen.

SEVEN THANKSGIVING PRAYERS FOR THE SEVEN

SHEDDINGS OF OUR LORDS BLOOD (AGAINST THE SEVEN

DEADLY SINS)

I.

O most humble Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man,

eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because in Thy tenderest age,

on the eighth day of Thy mortal life, Thou didst vouchsafe to shed Thyprecious and innocent Blood for us, and as a true Son of Abraham to bear

the pain of circumcision.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beg of Thee the grace of

humility against all pride and worldly vanity.



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Our Father.

O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast

redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.

II.

O Thou whose love is like the pelicans for her young, Jesus Christ, true

God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because in

the Garden, out of the exceeding anguish of Thy Heart, Thou didst pour

forth a bloody sweat, and, wholly resigning Thyself to death, didst offer it

to Thy Father.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I ask of Thee the grace of

liberality against all covetousness and avarice.

Our Father.

O Saviour of the world, etc.

III.

O most chaste Spouse, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise

and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thyself to be

mercilessly bound in Pilates judgment hall, and Thy virginal flesh to be

cruelly scourged and mangled.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I implore of Thee the grace of



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chastity against all sensuality and lust.

Our Father.


IV.

O most meek Lamb, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise

and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thy sacred Head

to be crowned with piercing thorns and struck with a hard reed.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I pray Thee for the grace of

meekness against all anger and desire of revenge.

Our Father.


V.

O most sweet Jesus Christ, Pattern of temperance and self-denial, true

God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because

Thou didst allow Thy garments to be torn from Thy bleeding body both

before and after the carrying of Thy Cross, which opened Thy wounds

again, and caused them to bleed afresh.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beseech of Thee the grace of



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temperance an a st nence aga nst a gree ness an g uttony.

Our Father.


VI.

O good and faithful Samaritan, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man,

eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because out of Thy burning

love for us Thou didst suffer Thy sacred Hands and Feet to be pierced and

nailed to the Cross for our redemption.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beg of Thee the grace of

brotherly love against all envy and jealousy.

Our Father.


VII.

O most zealous High-Priest, true God and true Man, eternal praise and

thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thy sacred side to be

pierced, opened, and wounded with a spear.

By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I earnestly pray Thee for the

grace of holy zeal and fervor against all sloth and weariness in Thy

service, and in every religious exercise.



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Our Father.


Act After Confession (St. Alphonsus de Liguori)

My dear Jesus! how much do I not owe Thee. By the merits of Thy blood

I hope that I have this day been pardoned. I thank Thee above all things. I

hope to reach heaven, where I shall praise Thy mercies forever. My God,

if I have hitherto lost Thee so often, I now desire to lose Thee no more.

From this day forward I will change my life in earnest. Thou dost merit

all my love ; I will love Thee truly ; I will no longer see myself separated

from Thee. I have promised Thee this already ; now I repeat my promise

of being ready to die rather than offend Thee again. I promise also to

avoid all occasions of sin, and to use such means as will prevent me from

falling again. My Jesus, Thou knowest my weakness: give me grace to be

faithful to Thee till death, and to have recourse to Thee when I am

tempted. Most holy Mary, help me! Thou art the mother of perseverance ;

I place my hope in thee.

PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION



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Prayer for Help

O my God, help me to make a good communion. Mary, my dearest

Mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear Guardian Angel, lead me to the

altar of God.

Act of Faith

O God, because Thou hast said it, I believe that I shall receive the Sacred

Body of Jesus Christ to eat, and His precious Blood to drink. My God, I

believe this with all my heart.

Act of Humility

My God, I confess that I am a poor sinner ; I am not worthy to receive the

Body and Blood of Jesus on account of my sins. Lord, I am not worthy

that Thou shouldst enter under my roof ; say but the word, and my soul

shall be healed.

Act of Sorrow

My God, I detest all the sins of my life. I am sorry for them, because they

have offended Thee, my God, Who art so good. I resolve never to commit

sin anymore. My good God, pity me, have mercy on me, forgive me.



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Amen.

Act of Adoration

O Jesus, great God, present on the Altar, I bow down before Thee, I adore

Thee.

Act of Love and Desire

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee, I desire with all my heart to receive Thee. Most

sweet Jesus, come into my poor soul, and give me Thy flesh to eat and

Thy blood to drink. Give me Thy whole self, Body, Blood, Soul, and

Divinity, that I may live forever with Thee.

Act of Faith

Awake, slumbering soul, to bless the Lord for all His mercies. Remember

that thy God became man for thee ; and remember that the same God

Who was born for thee, Who lived thirty-three years for thee, Who died

for thee, and is now in heaven on His throne, is also really and truly

present in the most Holy Sacrament, nay, is now standing before the door

of thy heart, therein to take His abode.



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n ee so t s, my o e eve t rm y t at n rece v ng t e sacre

Host I will receive that very Jesus, Who has redeemed the world.

Act of Adoration

O my soul, what art thou doing ! Yet a little while, and the God that made

heaven and earth will come to dwell within thee. O God, what can I do,

but most humbly adore Thee ! So come then, Mary, my tender mother ;

come, all ye Angels and Saints, and help me to adore my Jesus. Obtain

for me a lively faith, and a profound veneration for the Sacrament I am

about to receive.

Act of Hope

O Jesus, dearest hope of my soul, I rely on Thy divine promises with

unshaken confidence. I hope in Thee with all the hope of my soul. I hope

firmly that Thou, Whom I am about to receive, will sanctify my body and

soul. So come then, my only hope ; come and enrich me !

Act of Love

O Jesus, center of my love ! God of my heart, how worthy art Thou of my

love, and of all the pure affections of my heart ! O God, I love Thee with

all the faculties of my soul. Thou art my Creator ; Thou art my



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Redeemer ; Thou art my Sanctifier ; Thou art my only God. O Love ! O

Love ! O eternal Love ! O that I could praise and bless, and love Thee as

the Angels and Saints do in heaven !

O God, inflame my love, that it may be worthy of Thee !

Mary, mother of pure love, pray that I may love my God with all my

strength.

Act of Contrition

My loving Jesus, by my sins I have crowned Thee with a crown of

thorns ; I have fastened Thee to the cross ; I have drenched Thy lips with

vinegar and gall ; I have thrust the spear into Thy side ; I have caused

Thee to die. How could I be worthy to receive Thee ? But my God, Thou

art infinite goodness. For an act of true penance, for a hearty tear of

contrition and love Thou forgivest all my sins, restorest me to Thy favor,

and makest me once more Thy child. Oh, in truth Thou art my God,

infinitely kind, infinitely great, faithful and loving. Ah, how great is Thygoodness in giving Thyself to me a miserable sinner ! O that I had never

offended Thee ! O Jesus, purify with Thy most Precious Blood this sin-

stained soul of mine till it is made a fit tabernacle for Thy majesty.



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Act of Humility

O Lord, Thou art that God, before Whom heaven and earth fade into

nothingness. Oh, how unworthy then am I to appear in Thy sight ! Yet I

hasten to receive Thee, for this is Thy will and command. Let the

Seraphim, let the Saints, let the ever blessed Mary satisfy for my defects

and want of devotion. O Lord, I am not worthy to love, and receive Thee,

but Thou deservest to be loved, and received by me.

Act of Desire

So come then, Thou bread of Angels, and satisfy the cravings of my soul.

Come, Thou glowing furnace of charity, and inflame my soul with the fire

of Thy divine love. Come, divine Shepherd, and guide me. Come my

hope, my life, my joy, and source of all of my happiness. Come, Thou

Comforter of the sorrowful ; Thou solace and refreshment of the weary !

Come, and delay not ; come, and heal my miseries ! Come, Jesus, come !

R. P. QUADRUPANI:

Act of Confidence

It is obedience, O my God ! that leads me to Thy Holy Table: the tender

words by which Thou hast invited us would not have sufficed to draw me,



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for in the troubled state of my soul I cannot be sure they are addressed to

me. Misery and infirmity are claims for admission to Thy Feast, but

nothing can dispense from the nuptial garment. Therefore when I turn my

eyes on myself, after having raised them to Thee, I doubt, I hesitate, I

tremble ; for if I go from Thee I flee from life, and if I approach

unworthily, to my other sins I add the crime of sacrilege. But Thy

merciful wisdom, O my God, whilst foreseeing our every need, has

forseen all our weaknesses and has prepared helps for us against both

presumption and distrust. For if Thou hast not willed that, certain of Thy

grace, we should ever advance with the assurance of the Pharisee and say

like him: I come to the altar of the Lord because I know I am just in His

eyes : neither hast Thou permitted that a sacrament of love should become

for us a torture and an unavoidable snare. I therefore obey, O my God,

and in the darkness that envelops me I wish to follow implicitly the

guidance of him whom Thou hast appointed to lead me to Thee. I shall

approach the Holy Table without wishing for any other warrant than the

words spoken by my confessor, or rather by Thee: You may receive Holy

Communion. I accept, O my God ! -- be it a well merited punishment or a

salutary trial, -- this privation of light and sensible devotion, this coldness

and distraction, which accompany me even into Thy presence when all



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t e acu t es o my sou s ou e a sor e an con oun e n sent ments

of adoration and of love. Faith, hope, and charity seem to be extinct in my

heart, but I know that Thou never withdrawest these virtues when we do

not voluntarily renounce them.

Act of Faith

Notwithstanding, then, the doubts that cross my mind, I wish to believe,

O my God ! and I do believe all that Thy holy Church has taught me. I

have not forgotten that brilliant light of Faith which Thou didst cause to

illumine my soul in the days of mercy in order that the precious

remembrance of it should serve me as support in the days of trial and

temptation.

Act of Hope

In spite of these vague fears that seem to extinguish hope within my soul,

I know that although Thou art the mighty and strong God before whom

the cherubim veil themselves with their wings, the just and all-seeing God

who discovers blemishes in the purest souls, still Thou wishest to be in

the most Holy Sacrament only the Victim whose Blood effaces the sins of

the world ; the Good Shepherd who hastens after the strayed sheep and

carries it tenderly and unreproachfully back to the fold ; the divine



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Mediator who comes not to judge but to save. All this I know, O my

God ! and therefore I hope.

Act of Love

Notwithstanding the coldness and insensibility that benumb my soul, I

know that I love Thee, O my God ! since my will prefers Thy service to

all the joys of this world, since Thy grace is the sole good to which I

aspire, and because I suffer so much by reason of my lack of sensible love

for Thee.

Act of Desire

No, I am not indifferent, Thou knowest, O my God ! that I am not

indifferent to this Most Holy Sacrament which I approach unmoved by

any sensible feeling : for Thou seest that although I find in Holy

Communion neither relish nor consolation, I would yet make any

sacrifice in order to receive it.

Act of Contrition

I feel neither hatred nor horror of sins to which the world does not attach

shame and contempt ; I experience no sensible sorrow for the sins I have

committed, but I know, O my God ! that, with the assistance of Thy



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grace, my will denounces them, for I am resolved to commit them no

more. I have taken this resolution because sin displeases Thee and

because all that swerves from eternal order is abhorrent to Thy infinite

sanctity. I believe, then, that I am contrite, O my God ! because I believe

in Thy promises, and if Thou dost not always grant us the consolation of

realizing our contrition, Thou wilt never refuse its justifying virtue to

those who humbly implore it ; and this I do.

No, my God, I shall not pray Thee to grant me sensible enjoyment, not

even that of Thy spiritual gifts: what I implore of Thy grace is to keep my

will ever turned towards Thee and never to permit it to fall or wander

anew on the earth. Lord ! into Thy hands I commend my spirit.

ST. LEONARD OF PORT MAURICE:

Prayer

Arise, my soul ; revive thy faith, which tells thee that thy God became

man, that same Jesus Who was born in the stable of Bethlehem, that Jesus

Who rose triumphant from the grave, that Jesus Who now sits glorious at

the right hand of the Father, is now present with thee in the Most Holy

Sacrament. O Faith ! O Faith ! what greater thing can be said and



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believed ? God is here, in order to enter my heart and become entirely

mine the Almighty God !

Act of Faith

My Jesus, Thou Truth infallible, since it is part of Thy revelation, I

believe that Thou art present, soul, body, and divinity, in the consecrated

host. I believe that in Communion I receive the same Jesus Who died, and

Who rose again ; and that in Him I receive the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Act of Adoration

O my soul, what art thou about ? What thoughts engage thee ? In a few

minutes, thy God will enter within Thee ! O God, I profoundly humble

myself, and I adore Thee. I adore Thee, beloved Jesus, in the Sacrament.

Most holy Virgin, ye angels, saints, and souls who love God, adore with

me my Jesus ; make up for my defect of worship, beseech for me living

faith and profound veneration, now that I approach and receive Jesus

Christ.

What can be wanting to thee, O my soul, now that the Almighty comes to

visit thee ? He comes to illuminate thee, to unite Himself heart to heart



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w t t ee, n or er to g ve t ee a ve y p e ge o t at g ory w c e

keeps prepared for thee in heaven. Up ! arise ! enlarge thy heart, increase

thy confidence ; know that so much as thou hath promised to hear thee,

and, bound by His word, He can give thee every good thing ; it costs Him

no more than the opening of his hand. Thy Jesus is to thee as a Father ;

much He loveth thee, and wishes to bestow on thee every sort of benefit.

Thy Jesus, who is faithful, hath promised to hear thee, and, bound by His

word, He will do thee great favors. Well, then, to grow rich in soul you

need only to seek His graces, and ardently to hope.

Act of Hope

My Jesus, my hope, confiding in Thy promises through the blood which

Thou hast shed for me, I hope, O Infinite Pity, I hope that in receiving

Thee, Thou wilt sanctify my soul, and enkindle within it heavenly

desires ; so that I may live and die loving only Thee, O Infinite Good.

Yes, O my dearest God, God of all my hopes, Sanctifier of souls, sanctify

me.

What more could God do, in order to get loved by thee ? God has made

Himself man, was born in a stable, died upon a cross and dwells in the

Sacrament for love of thee. Nay, that infinite love invites thee to receive



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Him, calls thee to Himself with a desire so strong that He cannot endure

thy delays. O ingenious devices of love ! The great God of infinite beauty

and majesty wishes this morning to confer upon me such a favor as He

hath never bestowed on the seraphim. He purposes to come to dwell in

my heart ; He wishes to unite Himself to me. And thou, my soul, dost

thou not burn and flame with love toward a God Who is all love toward

thee ?

Act of Love

O my Jesus, my love, God of my soul, how good Thou art, how loving,

how every way dear and worthy to be loved ! My God, I love Thee with

all my soul, my life, my heart, my mind, and all my faculties and strength.

I love Thee more than myself, Thou one object of all my desires, my

beginning and my last end. O that I had infinite tongues with which to

praise and bless Thee ! O that I could at any sacrifice carry Thy most holy

name through the world, to make Thee known and loved ! O God ! I

would willingly waste myself away in labors for the love of Thee. I desireto burn with love, I desire to bless Thee, to thank Thee, to love Thee, with

the love that the most holy Mary bore to Thee ; I desire to love Thee more

than all created beings united. I love Thee, my Jesus, my treasure, my

Father, my life, my hope, my heaven. Spouse of my soul, I love Thee,



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because Thou deservest to be loved because Thou art God ! Ah, Lord !

would that I were all love, would that I did nothing but love Thee ! My

soul, created by God to love God, love Him then, love thy God ; my

heart, which can find no peace or satisfaction out of God, drive from thee

every mere earthly attachment, and give welcome to thy God. Ah, Mary,

mother of holy love, obtain for me to love my God !

How shouldst thou burn, my soul, to receive a God of infinite purity,

holiness, and majesty, thou art an abyss of vice, ingratitude, and sins !

Hast thou forgotten all thou hast done against thy God ? Ah, how often

hast thou been more cruel, more afflicting to Jesus than Calvary itself !

Jesus has been crucified in thee, so often as thou hast mortally sinned.

Act of Contrition

Dear Lord Jesus, by my sins I have crowned Thee with thorns, I have

nailed Thee on the cross, I have given Thee gall to drink, I have pierced

Thy side, I have put Thee to death ! I am not worthy to live, far less to

receive Thee. I deserve that the earth should swallow me, that heaven

should hurl thunderbolts on my head, that all created things should turn in

anger upon me. But, O my God, how good Thou art ! How often have I

trodden under foot Thy blood, insulted Thy name, dishonored Thy



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serap o ove, t ou a st t e ove e t y a t e ange s, t e v rtues o

all the saints, wouldst thou even then be worthy of even once receiving

God ?

An Act of Humility

Behold, O my Jesus, the hour is come when Thou shalt be put into the

power of this great sinner. O have patience with me ; endure me by the

bowels of Thy compassion ! Ah, Lord, Thou art that God before the

splendor of Whose holiness heaven and earth vanish into nothing. I

confess the truth, in looking at Thy Majesty and at my unworthiness ; I

am so confounded and ashamed, that I should wish to hide myself in the

abyss of my own nothingness. Yes, I must needs approach to receive

Thee, for Thou incitest and commandest me, and like a son, I must obey

Thee, O my King. Let the seraphim make up, let the saints make up, let

Mary make up above all, let Thine own infinite goodness make up for

all my shortcomings in right devotion and love. O Lord, if I do not

deserve to receive Thee and to love Thee, Thou deservest to be received

and loved by me !

Dispose of me for Thine own honor, make me worthy of so great a favor,

give me all that I am wanting in, make me altogether Thine.



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The hour is come, my soul, the blessed moment is come, when thou hast

to receive thy dearest Jesus. Behold the King of kings, behold the Lord of

lords, behold the Friend, behold the Father, behold the Spouse, behold the

Joy of paradise, behold the Delight of heaven, behold thy God Himself,

behold all the Most Holy Trinity in the Divine Sacrament !Ecce Sponsus

venit, exite obviam ei. Behold the Bridegroom cometh ; go forth to meet

Him.

[1]

But how, my soul, how standest thou thus so frozen, without

one burning desire to feed upon that sacred body ? Ah, should not the

overflowing of the divine compassion all enkindle thee with love ? And

here Shepherd, guide me. Come, O my Father, my Spouse, my Treasure,

my Life, my Bliss, and my Rest. Come, Thou one end of all my longings.

Come, light of souls, refreshment of hearts, consoler of the sorrowing.

Come, Thou expected One of all nations, sighed for by the holy

patriarchs, desire of the eternal hills, joy of angels, delight of heaven,

beatitude of the saints. Come, art thou all frozen ! If it wert to do only

once in all thy life, with what fervor wouldst thou not do it ! But now,

while the Infinite Goodness waits ever ready at thy pleasure, thou goest

up so tepid, so dull of heart, to receive a God so great ! Enamoured souls

have burned with desire of this Communion, and have run like thirsty



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stags to t at ount v ne. Up, up, my sou ; awa e, n e n t yse a

most ardent longing to receive Jesus ; sigh after that Supremest Good,

desire Him, call on Him with tears and with sighs, and with a heart in

flames of holy love.

An Act of Desire

Come, O thou divine food, and nourish my hungry soul. Come, furnace of

charity, and kindle me ; come, flaming fire of love, inflame me by thy

flames. Come, heavenly for Thou hast wounded me with love ; come,

delay not, for my heart is failing, and I feel that life would not be life

without Thee. Arise for pity, O my Jesus, and come.

Most holy Virgin, already I am at hand, and about to receive thine and my

Jesus. From thy hands I purpose to receive Him. Hold Him forth to me, as

thou didst to the shepherds, and the holy kings and to holy Simeon.

Prepare me to receive Him with love. Give Him to me quickly, and pray

to Him to fill me with His dearest benediction ; and do thou accompany it

with thine.

An Act of Offering

I protest, O my God, that I purpose to unite this my Communion with the

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Horrigan - Catholic Book of Prayers