A Grandmother's Prayer

Dearest Saint Anne, grandmother of Christ, I wish to pray to you for my grandchildren. I know how much you loved your grandchild Jesus. You also know how much my own grandchildren's physical and spiritual well-being means to me.

Keep them in good health, or--should they be sick or crippled--bring them back to an early and full recovery. May I remind you, dearest Saint Anne, of the special fondness that filled Christ's heart for all the children he met while on earth, and of the many cures and other blessings he showered upon them.

By your own Grandson's amazing tenderness for all children, I beg you, Saint Anne, to ask God to keep my grandchildren in his loving care. May he shield them from all evil, either natural or spiritual. Sow into their hearts the seeds of the Christian habits of self-control and of self-dedication to the good and happiness of others. Plant deep in them the basic virtues of faith, hope and true love for their Lord and neighbor.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

STATIONS OF THE CROSS-V-VI

FIFTH STATION

Simon Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord.

My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou has died for love of me, I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

SIXTH STATION

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.

My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion, O Jesus. I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen

Peace of Christ to ALL

Evening Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the

Father in a manner beyond our understanding. Come, I beseech

You, and take up your abode in my heart. Purify and cleanse me

from all sin, and sanctify my soul. Cleanse it from every impurity,

water its dryness, melt its coldness, and save it from its sinful ways.

Make me truly humble and resigned, that I may be pleasing to You,

and that You might abide with me forever. Most Blessed Light,

most Amiable Light, enlighten me. O Rapturous Joy of Paradise,

Fount of Purest Delight, My God, give yourself to me and kindle in

my innermost soul the fire of Your love. My Lord, instruct, direct,

and defend me in all things. Give me strength against all immoderate

fears and against despondency. Bestow upon me a true faith, a firm

hope, and a sincere and a perfect love. Grant that I always do Thy

Most Gracious Will.

Amen.

By Saint Antiochus

Peace of Christ to ALL