Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, HYMNS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – “Month of the Immaculate Conception”and also the Feast of Our Lady of Expectation

O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid
By
Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,
The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!
Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we
Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,
And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;
And the tempest-tossed Church,—
all her eyes are on thee;
They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,
For the empire of sin—it had never been there;
None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.
And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,
And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;
His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,
He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Raised in the Church of England, Frederick W Faber (born at Calverley, Yorkshire, England, 1814 and died Kensington, London, England, 1863) came from a Huguenot and strict Calvinistic family background. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford and ordained in the Church of England in 1839. Influenced by the teaching of John Henry Newman, Faber followed Newman into the Roman Catholic Church in 1845 and served under Newman’s supervision in the Oratory of St Philip Neri. Fr Faber wrote 150 hymns for the use of the Catholic faithful. One of his best known is , “Faith of Our Fathers.”

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – Queen on Whose Starry Brow Doth Rest

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – “Month of the Immaculate Conception” – Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Queen on Whose Starry Brow Doth Rest
St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530-c 609)

Translation by Monsignor Ronald A Knox (1888 – 1957)

Queen, on whose starry brow doth rest
The crown of perfect maidenhood,
The God who made thee, from thy brest
Drew, for our sakes, His earthly food.

The grace that sinful Eve denied,
With thy Child-bearing, re-appears;
Heaven’s lingering door, set open wide,
Welcomes the children of her tears.

Fate, for such royal progress meet,
Beacon, whose rays such light can give,
Look, how the ransomed nations greet
The virgin-womb that bade them live!

O Jesus, whom the Virgin bore,
Be praise and glory unto Thee.
Praise to the Father evermore
And His life-giving Spirit be.
Amen!

Saint Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609) Bishop, Poet, Hymnist, Writer – born c 530 at Rreviso, Italy and died c 609 at Poitiers, modern France of natural causes.
St Venantius was unique, first a travelling lay poet, he later became a Priest and then a Bishop. But he always remained a professional author of poetry, a “Troubadour” of Christ. He is the attributed author of the Ave Maris Stella, amongst many others.

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – O Lord, Into Your Hands

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – Thursday of the Third week of Advent

O Lord, Into Your Hands
Morning Offering of
St Edmund Campion SJ (1540-1581)
Martyr

O Lord, into Your hands
and into the hands of Your holy Angels,
this day I entrust my soul,
my relatives, my benefactors,
my friends and enemies
and all Your Catholic people.
O Lord, by the merits and prayers
of the BlessedVirgin Mary
and of all Your Saints,
keep us today from all evil and unruly desires,
from all sins and temptations of the devil,
from a sudden and unprovided death
and from the pains of hell.
Enlighten my heart with the
grace of Your Holy Spirit.
Grant that I may ever be obedient
to Your commandments.
Let me never be separated from You, O Jesus,
who live and reign with God the Father
and the same Holy Spirit forever.
Amen.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – Rosa Mystica

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – “Month of the Immaculate Conception” – The Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rosa Mystica
By Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

The rose in a mystery, where is it found?
Is it anything true? Does it grow upon ground? —
It was made of earth’s mould
but it went from men’s eyes
And its place is a secret and shut in the skies.
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
Find me a place by thee, Mother of mine.

But where was it formerly? which is the spot
That was blest in it once, though now it is not? —
It is Galilee’s growth: it grew at God’s Will
And broke into bloom upon Nazareth hill.
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
I shall look on thy loveliness, Mother of mine.

What was its season then? how long ago?
When was the summer that saw the bud blow? —
Two thousands of years are near upon past
Since its birth and its bloom
and its breathing its last.
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
I shall keep time with thee, Mother of mine.

Tell me the name now, tell me its name.
The heart guesses easily: is it the same? —
Mary the Virgin, well the heart knows,
She is the Mystery, she is that Rose.
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
I shall come home to thee, Mother of mine.

Is Mary the Rose then? Mary the tree?
But the blossom, the blossom there, who can it be? —
Who can her Rose be? It could be but One:
Christ Jesus our Lord, her God and her Son.
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
Shew me thy Son, Mother, Mother of mine.

What was the colour of that blossom bright? —
White to begin with, Immaculate white.
But what a wild flush on the flakes of it stood
When the Rose ran in crimsonings
down the Cross-wood!
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
I shall worship His Wounds with thee, Mother of mine.

How many leaves had it? — Five they were then,
Five like the senses and members of men;
Five is their number by nature but now
They multiply, multiply who can tell how?┬░
In the Gardens of God, in the daylight Divine
Make me a leaf in thee, Mother of mine.

Does it smell sweet too, in that holy place? —
Sweet unto God and the sweetness is grace:
O Breath of it bathes great Heaven above
In grace that is charity, grace that is love.
To thy breast, to thy rest, to thy glory Divine
Draw me by charity, Mother of mine.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMASTIDE!, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The ANNUNCIATION

Our Morning Offering – 14 December – The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky

Our Morning Offering – 14 December – Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent and , the Memorial of St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)

The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky
For Mary, The Mother of God
For the Annunciation, Advent and Christmas
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)

The God whom earth and sea and sky
Adore and praise and magnify,
Whose might they claim, whose love they tell,
In Mary’s body comes to dwell.

O Mother blest! the chosen shrine
Wherein the Architect Divine,
Whose Hand contains the earth and sky,
Has come in human form to lie.

Blest in the message Gabriel brought,
Blest in the work the Spirit wrought,
Most blest, to bring to human birth
The long desired of all the earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to You
Eternal praise and laud are due,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Spirit blest for evermore.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 13 December – My Most Sweet Lord

Our Morning Offering – 13 December – Monday of the Third week of Advent

My Most Sweet Lord
Morning Offering
Of St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

My most sweet Lord,
I offer and consecrate to Thee.
this morning
all that I am and have –
my senses,
my thoughts,
my affections,
my desires,
my pleasures,
my inclinations,
my liberty.
In a word,
I place my whole body and soul
in Thy Hands.
Amen.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – “Christ is Near!”

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – “Gaudete Sunday” – “Month of the Immaculate Conception” – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

“Christ is Near!”
Vox clara ecce intonas
Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
Unknown Sixth Century

Trans. Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hear the herald voice resounding:
“Christ is near!” it seems to say,
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
Welcome Christ, the Light of day!”

Wakened by this solemn warning,
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

See the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Hasten now, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May He then as our Defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Amen!

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, INDULGENCES, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – Our Lady of Guadalupe,Mystical Rose By St Pius X

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – As Sunday is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and today is Mary’s Saturday, let us pray this powerful indulgenced prayer now.

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
By St Pius X (1835-1914)

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose,
make intercession
for the holy Church,
protect the Sovereign Pontiff,
help all those who invoke thee in their necessities,
and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary
and Mother of the true God,
obtain for us from thy most holy Son
the grace of keeping our faith,
sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life,
burning charityand the precious gift
of final perseverance.
Amen

This prayer was approved and enriched with an indulgence of five hundred days by St Pope Pius X at an audience held on August, 1908 and was included in the official edition of approved indulgenced prayers (1950).
Raccolta number 389, 500 days Indulgence, St Pope Pius X audience, 15 August 1908.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DANTE ALIGHIERI!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – Maiden yet a Mother

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – Friday of the Second Week of Advent and the Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto and the Holy House

Maiden yet a Mother
By Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Trans. Msgr Ronald A Knox (1888-1957)

Maiden yet a mother,
daughter of thy Son,
high beyond all other,
lowlier is none;
thou the consummation
planned by God’s decree,
when our lost creation
nobler rose in thee!

Thus His place prepared,
He who all things made
‘mid His creatures tarried,
in thy bosom laid;
there His love He nourished,
warmth that gave increase
to the root whence flourished
our eternal peace.

Nor alone thou hearest
When thy name we hail;
Often thou art nearest
When our voices fail;
Mirrored in thy fashion
All creation’s gird,
Mercy, might compassion
Grace thy womanhood.

Lady, let our vision
Striving heavenward, fail,
Still let thy petition
With thy Son prevail,
Unto whom all merit,
prayer and majesty,
With the Holy Spirit
And the Father be.

Maiden Yet A Mother is a translation of a Poem by Durante (Dante) degli Alighieri (c 1265–1321). It is based upon the opening verses of Canto 33 of the Paradiso from his Divine Comedy in which St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) praises and prays to the Virgin Mother on behalf of Dante. It was translated from the original Italian into English by the Catholic convert, Monsignor Ronald A Knox (1888-1957).

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – Let Your goodness, Lord, Appear to Us

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – Thursday of the Second week of Advent

Let Your goodness, Lord, Appear to Us
An Advent Prayer
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Mellifluous Doctor

Let Your goodness, Lord,
appear to us,
that we, made in Your image,
conform ourselves to it.
In our own strength
we cannot imitate
Your majesty, power and wonder,
nor is it fitting for us to try.
But Your mercy reaches from the heavens
through the clouds to the earth below.
You have come to us as a small child
but You have brought us
the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love.
Caress us with Your tiny hands,
embrace us with Your tiny arms
and pierce our hearts
with Your soft, sweet cries.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – Veni Redemptor gentium, Saviour of the Nations, Come!

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent and the Memorial of St Ambrose (c 340-397)- Father and Doctor of the Church

Veni Redemptor gentium
Saviour of the Nations, Come!
St Ambrose’s Advent Hymn

Saviour of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its light divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this Light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Amen!

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Pardon Lord, I Ask

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Pardon Lord, I Ask
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ,
Who stretched out Your Hands on the Cross
and redeemed us by Your Blood,
forgive me, a sinner ,
for none of my thoughts
are hidden from You.
Pardon I ask,
Pardon I hope for,
Pardon I trust to have.
You, Who are full of pity and mercy,
spare me and forgive.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMASTIDE!, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 5 December – A Great and Mighty Wonder

Our Morning Offering – 5 December – The Second Sunday of Advent

A Great and Mighty Wonder
By St Germanus (c 640-c 733)

A great and mighty wonder,
a glorious mystery,
a Virgin bears an Infant
who veils His Deity.
Refrain:
Proclaim the Saviour’s birth,
“To God on high be glory
and peace to all the earth!”
The Word becomes incarnate
and yet remains on high,
and Cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky. … [Refrain]
While thus they sing your monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, O vales and mountains
and oceans, clap your hands. [Refrain]
Since all, He comes to ransom,
by all, be He adored,
the Infant born in Bethl’em,
the Saviour and the Lord. [Refrain]
All idols then shall perish
and Satan’s lying cease,
and Christ shall raise his sceptre,
decreeing endless peace. [Refrain]

St Germanus was one of the Greek hymnwriters and one of the grandest among the defenders of the Icons. He was born at Constantinople of a patrician family, was ordained there and became subsequently Bishop of Cyzicus. He was present at the Synod of Constantinople in 712, which restored the Monothelite heresy but in after years he condemned it. He was made Archbishop of Constantinople in 715. In 730 he was driven from the See, not without blows, for refusing to yield to the Iconoclastic Emperor Leo the Isaurian. He died shortly afterwards in exile at a good old age.
His Life below:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/12/saint-of-the-day-12-may-saint-germanus-of-constantinople-c-640-733/

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Mother of my God

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Saturday of the First Week of Advent – Mary’s Day

Mother of my God,
Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Mother of my God and my Lady Mary,
as a beggar, all wounded and sore,
presents himself before a great Queen,
so do I present myself before you,
who are Queen of heaven and earth.
From the lofty throne on which you sit,
disdain not, I implore you,
to cast your eyes on me,
a poor sinner.
God has made you so rich
that you might assist the poor
and has made you Queen of Mercy,
that you might relieve the miserable.
Behold me then and pity me.
Behold me and abandon me not,
until you see me changed
from a sinner into a saint.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the KING, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD is LOVE, INCORRUPTIBLES, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – I Love Thee, God, I Love TheeBy St Francis Xavier

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – Friday of the First week of Advent and The Memorial of St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552)

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – Dear Saviour, Haste!

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – Thursday of the First week of Advent

Dear Saviour, Haste!
Venez divin Messie
By Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin (1663-1745)

Dear Saviour, haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night
and show Your Face
And bid us hail
the Dawn of grace.
O come, Divine Messiah,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.
Amen

This is the Refrain from a beautiful Advent Hymn by Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, a French Cluniac Monk, Poet, Composer and Playwright.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 1 December – Awaiting Baby Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 1 December – Wednesday of the First Week of Adven

Awaiting Baby Jesus
Traditional Catholic Advent Prayer

My heart is beating,
filled with joy,
awaiting Mary’s baby boy.
For with this child, we embrace
the birth of God’s
most precious grace.
Baby Jesus, soon to come!
For us comes the Promised One.
Baby Jesus, God’s own Son,
you will be the Chosen One
to lead our flock into salvation.
Our eternal life awaits.
The birth of Jesus brings us nearer
Heaven’s holy gates.
Sing with joy
and count the days,
for soon to come,
the Lord we’ll praise.
Rejoice that Jesus
will soon arrive,
the Messiah and our faith alive.
Amen

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 30 November – St Andrew, Once a Fisherman

Our Morning Offering – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ

St Andrew, Once a Fisherman
Captator olim piscium
Attrib. to Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Saint Andrew, who once cast your nets
Upon the lake of Galilee,
Show now your skill in catching souls,
And save us from the world’s wild sea.

Saint Peter’s brother during life,
Not even death your souls could part,
Since both endured the bitter cross
With patient and courageous heart.

True brothers in your work on earth,
Your crown of glory is the same,
Both fathers of the infant Church,
Both crucified for Jesus’ Name.

You were the first to find Our Lord,
And led your brother to his feet,
So help us on life’s weary way,
Befriend us in its dust and heat.

Companion of your brother’s toil,
Preserve the Church in charity,
That with Saint Peter, shepherd true,
We may serve God in unity.

Beloved Saint, so dear to Christ,
Help us to run the path of love,
That we may all God’s praises sing,
United in full joy above.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 29 November – Jesu, be You my Life!

Our Morning Offering – 29 November – Monday of the4 First Week of Advent

Jesu, be You my Life!
Mnsgr Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914)
Chamberlain to Pope St Pius X

I cannot live alone another hour,
Jesu, be You my Life!
I have not power to strive,
be You my Power
In every strife!
I can do nothing
– hope, nor love, nor fear.
But only fail and fall.
Be You my soul and self,
O Jesu dear.
My God and all!
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY

Our Morning Offering – 28 November – Come, Sun and Saviour

Our Morning Offering – 28 November – Th4 First Sunday of Advent

Come, Sun and Saviour
8th Century Catholic Advent Prayer/Hymn

Come, Sun and Saviour,
to embrace our gloomy world,
its weary race.
As groom to bride, as bride to groom,
The wedding chamber, Mary’s womb.
At Your great Name, O Jesus, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heaven, shall call You Lord.
Come in Your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day.
Defend us, while we dwell below,
From all assaults of our dread foe.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 27 November – Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,

Our Morning Offering – 27 November – The Memorial of The Medal of the Immaculate Conception / Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Mary’s Day

Prayer to Our Lady
of the Miraculous Medal

Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,
we unite ourselves to thee
under thy title of Blessed Mother,
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
May this medal be, for each one of us,
a sure sign of thy motherly affection for us
and a constant reminder
of our filial duties towards thee.
While wearing it, may we be blessed
by thy loving protection
and preserved in the grace of thy Son.
Most powerful Virgin,
Mother of our Saviour,
keep us close to thee,
every moment of our lives
so that like thee, we may live and act
according to the teaching
and example of thy Son.
Obtain for us, thy children,
the grace of a happy death,
so that in union with thee
we may enjoy
the happiness of heaven forever.
Amen
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Our Morning Offering – 26 November – Forgive Me, Good Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 26 November – The Memorial of St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751)

Forgive Me, Good Jesus
By St Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751)

Lord,
I confess that up until now
I have not lived as a Christian.
I am not worthy
to be numbered among Your elect.
I recognise that I deserve to be damned
but Your mercy is great
and, full of confidence in Your grace,
I say to You that I wish to save my soul,
even if I have to sacrifice my fortune,
my honour, my very life,
as long as I am saved.
If I have been unfaithful up to now,
I repent, I deplore,
I detest my infidelity,
I ask You humbly to forgive me.
Forgive me, good Jesus
and strengthen me,
that I may be saved.
I ask You not for wealth,
honour or prosperity,
I ask You for one thing only,
to save my soul.
Amen

Posted in NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 25 November – Prayer for the Faithful Departed, O Jesu, Lover of souls

Our Morning Offering – 25 November – “Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

Prayer for the Faithful Departed
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O God of the Spirits of all flesh,
O Jesu, Lover of souls,
we recommend unto Thee,
the souls of all those Thy servants,
who have departed with the sign of faith
and sleep the sleep of peace.
We beseech Thee, O Lord and Saviour,
that, as in Thy mercy to them,
Thou became man,
so now, Thou would hasten the time
and admit them to Thy Presence above…
May the heavens be opened to them
and the Angels rejoice with them …
May all the Saints and elect of God,
who in this world suffered torments
for Thy Name, befriend them,
that, being freed from the prison beneath,
they may be admitted into the glories of that Kingdom,
where, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
Thou lives and reigns,
one God, world without end …
Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 24 November – Most Holy Mary

Our Morning Offering – 24 November – The Memorial of St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church

Most Holy Mary
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

Most holy Mary,
Virgin of virgins,
Shrine of the most Holy Trinity,
joy of the Angels,
sure Refuge of sinners,
take pity on our sorrows,
mercifully accept our sighs
and appease the wrath
of your most holy Son.
Amen.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 23 November – Heart Of Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 23 November – The Memorial of Blessed Miguel Pro – Martyr (1891-1927)

Heart Of Jesus
By Blessed Miguel Pro – Martyr (1891-1927)

I believe, O Lord
but strengthen my faith,
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee
but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee
but give greater vigour to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus,
I give my heart to Thee
but so enclose it in Thee
that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine
but take care of my promise
so that I may be able to put it into practice
even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
Amen.

Posted in GOD is LOVE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH

Our Morning Offering – 17 November – Rescue Our Life, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 17 November

Rescue Our Life, Lord
By St Romanos the Melodist (c 490-c 556)

Deacon, Hymnographer, Poet, Writer.

We implore You,
O All-Holy, Long-Suffering,
Life and Restoration,
Source of goodness,
look down from Heaven
and visit all those
who ever trust in You;
rescue our life, Lord,
from all constraint and affliction
and, in the faith of Truth,
guide us all,
at the prayers of Your
Immaculate Mother of God and Virgin,
Save Your world
and those in the world
and spare us all,
You Who, for us,
became Man without change,
only Lover of mankind.
Amen

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 16 November – Hail, Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Our Morning Offering – 16 November – The Memorial of St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Hail, Sacred Heart of Jesus!
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Hail, Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Living and strengthening,
Source of eternal life,
Infinite Treasury of the Divinity,
Burning Furnace of Divine Love!
You are my Refuge and my Sanctuary.
My loving Saviour,
consume my heart in that burning fire
with which Your own is inflamed.
Pour into my soul those graces
which flow from Your Love.
Let my heart be so united with Yours,
that our wills may be one
and my will, in all things,
conformed with Yours.
May Your Will be the guide
and rule of my desires
and of my actions.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 15 November – Inflame our Hearts with Your Love

Our Morning Offering – 15 November – A Catholic Monday of the Holy Spirit

Inflame our Hearts with Your Love
Prayer To the Holy Spirit
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

You made Mary full of grace
and enflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal.
Inflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of Goodness,
Give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire, set us ablaze with Your love.
You are Light, enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly important.
You are the Dove, give us gentleness.
You are a soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms that rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection
O Holy Ghost, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us an earnest desire
to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 14 November – Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Our Morning Offering – 14 November – The Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Holy God, we praise Thy Name.
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy sceptre claim;
all in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark, the loud celestial hymn,
angel choirs above are raising.
Cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy Lord.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Ghost, three we name Thee
While in essence only One,
Undivided God, we claim Thee
and adoring, bend the knee,
while we own the Mystery.

Spare Thy people Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded.
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee,
Never Lord, abandon me.

Fr Ignaz Franz Poland (1719-1790) (Attri)
Archbishop of Schlawa, Germany, Hymnist, Musician
He also functioned as the Assessor for Theological Affairs at the Apostolic Vicariate. He wrote hymn lyrics and compiled religious music.
Trans. by Fr Clarence A Walworth (1820-1900)
Convert, writer. He was one of the Founders of the Order of the Paulists in the U.S.A.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE

Our Morning Offering – 13 November – Blessed Virgin Mary, Receive Our Gratitude By St Augustine

Our Morning Offering – 13 November – Mary’s Saturday and the Anniversary of the Birth of St Augustine in 354

Blessed Virgin Mary,
Receive Our Gratitude
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you
with praise and thanks
for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude
and by your prayers,
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the Sanctuary of Heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you
feel now your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us,
the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern
to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God
and were made worthy
to bear the Redeemer of the world,
Who lives and reigns forever.
Amen