Online Edition
May 2014
Vol. XX, No. 3
Prayers
Regina Caeli
Regina Cæli lætare. Alleluia;
Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia;
Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia!
Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia!
— Pope Gregory V (+998)
Throughout the Easter Season until Pentecost, the Regina Cæli (Queen of Heaven) is said as the mealtime Angelus prayer.
Queen of Heaven Rejoice, Alleluia,
For the Son thou wast privileged to bear,
Alleluia,
Has risen as He said, Alleluia!
Pray for us to God, Alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
For the Lord is truly risen! Alleluia!
Let us pray:
O God, who gave joy to the world through the
resurrection of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech thee, that through the
intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life: Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer cards for Regina Caeli available, click here to order
Prayer to Saint John Paul II
O Saint John Paul, grant us your blessing from Heaven’s window! Bless the Church which you have loved, served and guided, encouraging her to walk the roads of the world, so to carry Jesus to everyone, and everyone to Jesus. Bless the youth, who have been your great passion. Guide them so that they may dream again, raise their eyes on high and find the light that illumines the meaning of all life here below.
Bless all families, bless each family! You have foreseen the assault of Satan against this precious and indispensable spark of Heaven which God has ignited upon earth. Saint John Paul, with your prayer, protect the family and each life which blooms in the family.
Pray for the whole world, still marked by tensions, war, and injustice. You have fought against war by summoning dialogue and by sowing love; pray for us, so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
O Saint John Paul, from Heaven’s window, where we see you alongside Mary, make the blessing of God come down upon us. Amen.
— Prayers by Angelo Cardinal Comastri, from prayer cards given at the canonizations, April 27, 2014, (Source: 2popesaints.org; and Catholic News Service.)
Prayer to Saint John XXIII
Dear Pope John, your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the family gathered around the table to share bread and faith: pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.
With outstretched hands you sowed hope, and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as He prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.
You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us to be instruments of peace at home and in our communities. With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: you moved the world and reminded us that our hands have been given to us not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.
Pray for us that we do not limit ourselves to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, bringing Jesus everywhere, and always praying to Mary. Amen.
— Prayers by Angelo Cardinal Comastri, from prayer cards given at the canonizations, April 27, 2014, (Source: 2popesaints.org; and Catholic News Service.)
Most gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our earthly fathers, those to whom you have entrusted the responsibility to provide loving protection of their families and guidance of their children. We thank you, also, for our priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood is so vital to the faith of your people.
May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world.
Assist all fathers of families, all spiritual fathers, and all Christian men, that through your Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them.
As you, our Heavenly Father, so loved the world, sending your only Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, we ask you to help all men to imitate His fatherly gentleness and mercy toward those who are weak; His humility, perfect obedience to your Will, and fearless witness to your Truth. May their lives be examples to all of heroic faithfulness to you.
We ask your blessing on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood. May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love. May they receive your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in your presence in the life to come.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord, AMEN.
(Source: Women for Faith & Family)
Adoremus, Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy
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