PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Mother or a child: From the words of St. Paul [2 Cor. 6:1-2]. Dearly beloved, we entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: "In an acceptable time I have beard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Father: This time of fasting has opened to us the gates of paradise. Let us accept it, praying and beseeching.

Family: That on the day of resurrection we may be glorified in the Lord.

Father: Let us pray. Through the observance of Lent, O Lord, You purify Your Church every year. See to it that Your children lead a better life and so obtain the graces they are striving to acquire by doing penance. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Father: Let us bless the Lord.

Family: Thanks be to God.

Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.

Family: Amen.

Note: This prayer should be prayed before a Crucifix

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A Lenten Reflection

Give up harsh words: use generous ones.

Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.

Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.

Give up discouragement: be full of hope.

Give up worrying: take up trust in God.

Give up complaining: value what you have, focus on gratitude.

Give up gloom: enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.

Give up stress: take up prayer.

Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.

Give up gossiping: control your tongue.

Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.

Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.

Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.

Give up bitterness: turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred: return good for evil.

Give up pettiness: become mature.

Give up jealousy: pray for trust.

Give up words: fill yourself with silence, and listen to others.

Give up sin: turn to virtue.

Give up giving up: hang in there!

Ash Wednesday Prayer

O Jesus, you place on my forehead

the sign of your saving Cross:

“Turn from sin and be faithful

to the gospel.”

How can I turn from sin

unless I turn to you?

You speak, you raise your hand,

you touch my mind and call my name,

“Turn to the Lord your God again.”

These days of your favor

leave a blessing as you pass

on me and all your people.

Turn to us, Lord God,

and we shall turn to you.

Amen.

AS I AM LORD

Because I am obnoxious, forgive me Lord.

Because I am dishonest, forgive me Lord.

Because I am egotistical, forgive me Lord.

Because I am undisciplined, forgive me Lord.

Because I am weak, forgive me Lord.

Because I am impure, forgive me Lord.

Because I am arrogant, forgive me Lord.

Because I am self-centered, forgive me Lord,

Because I am pompous, forgive me Lord.

Because I am insincere, forgive me Lord.

Because I am unchaste, forgive me Lord.

Because I am grasping, forgive me Lord.

Because I am judgmental, forgive me Lord.

Because I am impatient, forgive me Lord.

Because I am shallow, forgive me Lord.

Because I am inconsistent, forgive me Lord.

Because I am unfaithful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am immoral, forgive me Lord.

Because I am ungrateful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am disobedient, forgive me Lord.

Because I am selfish, forgive me Lord.

Because I am lukewarm, forgive me Lord.

Because I am slothful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am unloving, forgive me Lord.

Because I am uncommitted, forgive me Lord.

Because I am sinful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am loved by You, thank you Lord!

Amen!

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A PRAYER FOR THE VIRTUE OF LOVE

Loving Jesus, sweetness of my heart,

Your magnetic love draws me to You.

You taught me the meaning of true love

By mercifully forgiving all my sins

And dying on the Cross for my salvation.

Teach me to embrace such Divine love,

That my actions be the fruits of Your Spirit.

Transform my soul into pure abounding love,

Enabling me to always walk in righteousness.

Your endowment of love is priceless;

Being sought out by all living souls.

Repeatedly, inundate me with Your love!

Amen!

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Proverbs Chapter 6:16-20

There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, The false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

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Why Worry

Why Worry

If you are hurried, you can slow down;

If you are late, you can miss something;

If you miss something,

then you didn't have it to do,

You can do something else, if you want.

You can apologize, make amends for being late.

If you are hurt, you can heal;

If you are tired, you can rest;

If you are empty, you can fill up;

If you are sad, you can cry;

If you are lonely; you can be with someone;

If you hate, you can forgive;

If you are weak, you can pray.

You are as you are.

Life is at it is.

Join it.

Be a part of it--just as it is.

Be natural.

You are provided for.

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PARENT'S PRAYER

All praise to You, Lord Jesus,

Lover of children:

Bless our family,

And help us to lead our children to You.

Give us light and strength,

And courage when our task is difficult.

Let Your Spirit fill us with love and peace,

So that we may help our children to love You.

All glory and praise are Yours, Lord Jesus,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

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Luke Chapter 14:7-15

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." One of his fellow guests on hearing this said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God."

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THE ANIMA CHRISTI

Soul of Christ, sanctify me;

Body of Christ, save me;

Blood of Christ, inebriate me;

Water from the side of Christ, wash me;

Passion of Christ, strengthen me;

O good Jesus hear me;

Within your wounds hide me;

separated from you, let me never be;

From the evil one protect me;

At the hour of my death, call me;

And close to you bid me;

That with your saints, I may be praising you forever and ever.

Amen.

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Matthew Chapter 11:27-30

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

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SIMEON'S PRAYER

Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace.

Your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which You have prepared in the sight of every people.

A light to reveal You to the nations

and the glory of Your people Israel.

Amen.

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