Daily Prayers

Prayers are an integral part of our Catholic lives. They take us one step closer to God. Always remember that we can tell God everything. Tell Him about our daily problems or just tell Him a simple "Thank You" for giving us a new day.

Our Father

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.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst 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.

To St. Joseph

O holy Joseph, into whose faithful
keeping were entrusted Jesus and
Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray
you through Jesus and Mary to
keep me from all uncleanness of
mind or body so that I may always
serve Jesus and Mary in perfect purity.
Amen.

Daily Way Of the Cross

Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, I stand before your crucified image again today. Through the contemplation of your Passion, may I receive the hope I need to follow you throughout my life.

PRAYER BEFORE EACH STATION
We adore you, Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

I. Jesus is condemned to death.
Lord, in union with you, I thank Our Father for giving me another day of life. Help me to realize, that to sincerely follow you, I must be willing to die to my own selfishness today and always.

II. Jesus accepts His cross.
Lord, you are my shepherd. Guide me throughout my life. Don't let me be overcome with evil. Give me such a love for you that I will joyfully accept the cross as it mysteriously manifests itself to me.

III. Jesus falls the first time beneath the cross.
I know that every day I can fall beneath my dreams and ideals. Lord, don't let me stay in the dust of despair and discouragement. Let me rise up with your strength.

IV. Jesus meets His mother.
Jesus, you found such comfort in the presence of our mother. Help me to comfort you by the same quiet openness to your words that she had.

V. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross.
You were so relieved, Lord, to have someone help you bear the burden of your suffering. Fill me with a sensitive compassion for all those I meet who are burdened with physical or mental suffering. Don't let me be apathetic.

VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Veronica was a valiant woman, Lord. She was not afraid to admit her love for you in the middle of a jeering crowd. When I want to hide in the crowd, give me the courage to come forth and profess my loyalty to you.

VII. Jesus falls the second time under the cross.
Your cross is heavy, Lord. If my spirit should today fall under the guilt of past sins and failures, don't let me become impatient with myself. Help me to be humble and get up again.

VIII. Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem.
Lord, I get so wrapped up in my own little world. Give me your eyes that I may penetrate the hearts of other people. Give me your ears that I may hear their silent yearnings. Give me your heart that I may unselfishly love them.

IX. Jesus falls the third time under the cross.
You are my hope, Lord. You could have given up after that third fall. Instead, you got up and went on to your glory. Every day throughout my life never let the defeatist's words, "What's the use," be on my lips.

X. Jesus is stripped of His clothing.
Lord, when they stripped you, you did not cling to your dignity. You allowed them to treat you as the fool of Jerusalem. If I am laughed at by others, don't let me respond with a proud intolerance. Help me to laugh at myself.

XI. Jesus is nailed to the cross.
It was not easy for you, Lord, when they threw you down on that cross. It is centuries since that happened, yet it is stilt easy to hear the sound of the hammer banging the nails which dug into your flesh. Help me to hear the sounds of the nails which are digging into the flesh of so many of your followers. They are the nails of hunger, persecution, loneliness and war. Show me the way and give me strength to pull out these nails.

XII. Jesus dies on the cross.
Lord, the consuming desire of your life was to do Our Father's will. You drank the cup of obedience even to your last breath. Today, show me Our Father's will. Let me cry out with you - "Not my will, but yours be done."

XIII. Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Your agony was over, Lord. Now your cold body was laid in the warm arms that once cradled you at Bethlehem. Fill my heart with the peaceful resignation that Mary had as she held you that Friday afternoon. When death comes to a friend or relative, give me resignation and eternal insight.

XIV. The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Lord, for many of your followers it looked like the absolute end. Deepen my faith, that I may believe ever more deeply, that the Christian does not die, but passes on to the glory of eternal life.

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, I share in your Paschal Mystery. In the events of all the days of my life I will die with you, but also I will participate in the joy of your resurrection. I hope with a full heart that in eternity I will cohipletely share in the Glory of you, my Risen Brother and Lord. Amen. Alleluia.

Introductory Prayer

Eternal God. my Father and my Creator, accept my prayer of thanks for giving me as my Redeemer. Jesus Christ, your only Son In meditating on the sufferings and death he endured for me. may I find the strength and determination I need to live the Christian life everyday in imitation of him so I may share his glory along with Mary and all the saints forever. Amen.

Prayer For The Pope

God, our Father. Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful. look with mercy on your servant. our Pope. whom you have chosen as the shepherd to rule over your church: in word and in example, may he lead those over whom he has charge so that together with them he may gain eternal happiness. Amen.

Daily Prayers

Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me and save my soul.

O my Jesus, I thank you for having died on the Cross for me.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may love you more and more.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

Eternal Father, I offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus for my sins, for the wants of the Church, and for the conversion of sinners.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me. (with ecclesiastical approval)

Music - O Sacred Head