Prayer to Our Lady - Queen of Peace

Hail, thou most sublime Queen of Peace, most holy Mother of God! By the Sacred Heart of Jesus, thy Son, the Prince of Peace, appease His anger and obtain that He may reign over us in peace. Remember, O most sweet Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who had recourse to thee was left unaided. Full of confidence I come to thee, Mother of the Word Incarnate; despise not my prayers, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Potest Imprimi: William Condon, SS. CC., Provincial - Imprimatur: + Moses E. Kiley, Archbishop of Milwaukee

Sacrifice Yourself for Sinners

Do we know the meaning of Our Lady's words at Fatima: "Sacrifice yourself for sinners?" How can we put into practice this important cousel of our heavenly Mother?
There are two ways -
First: we can impose sacrifices upon ourselves. Surely, if the little children of Fatima did, we too can endure deprivations in eating and drinking, in rest and recreation; we too can bear up with heat and cold. And why should we hesitate to imitate them even in their afflictive penances, according to our state of life and generosity?
Secondly, if we would do penance, we must accept the trials God sends in His divine Providence. These trials are a more perfect penance because they are unsought for; they are more effective more crucifying, because they are often constant and irremovable; they are safer, being proofs against vanity and illusion; they are the end of all the other sacrifices, the real purpose of the penances we inflict upon ourselves. Voluntary restraint paves the way for voluntary acceptance of every day trials:

• Trials through bodily sufferings: sickness, accidents, infirmities, age; even the inclemencies of weather and climate constitute an annoying cross;
• Trials on the economic side: in business, in the raising of crops, reverses, losses, failures, poverty and stress.
• Trials in the family: from the rearing of children, the insubordination of youth; the inevitable frictions, quarrels, differences, separations, the death of loved ones - all heavy crosses.
• Trials in intellectual and vocational pursuits: mental sufferings, worries, the hardships of learning, the tests and trials that are examinations, the anguish of the vocation problem, disappointments heartbreaks bitterness...
• Trials in the apostolate: the pastor toils and wears himself out only to reap indifference, forgetfulness, ingratitude.
• Trials even in the spiritual and interior life: trials in prayer, dryness, temptation, apparent abandonment by God...

The Litany is long - as long as life.

Yet, to be of value, these trials must not only be endured, they must be accepted:

1. With resignation, since they come from heaven, even if they are the result of the ill will of men, even if they are distateful and repugnant, even while we endeavor to rid ourselves legitimately from them. "Not my will, but Thine be done", should be the watchword.
2. We should endure our God-given trials with love. The prayer of the children of Fatima before making or accepting a sacrifice can well be our prayer too: "O my Jesus, I offer this for the love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, for the Holy Father, and in reparation for all the wrongs done to the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
3. We should receive our trials with gratitude. "Yet more, O Lord, yet more", was the fervent reaction of the saints in the midst of sufferings. They realized that no better lot can befall the disciple and the child than that of resembling his Master and his Mother.
4. We should bear our trials with the intention of applying the satisfactory merits of our sufferings to souls, to beg graces for them; we should offer our sacrifices for specific intentions, for the specific intentions recommended by Our Lady. This counsel is as sound theologically as it is simple in practice. It is sound, for in complying with it we can imitate the Divine Model und unite ourselvers with Him, offering Himself and His life and Passion for the expiation of sin. It is simple: even little children can understand und practice it. Parents and teachers fulfill their sacred mission when they teach their litte ones "to offer it up".

Paul C. Schulte, D.D., The Grail, St. Meinrad, Indiana ("Peace Through Sacrifice")

Prayer for Holy Mother Church

In union with the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary we hail and adore the Holy Wound of Thy right Hand. O Dearest Jesus, and in this Wound we place The Poor Souls in Purgatory and all the Priests of Thy Holy Church. Each time they offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass give them the Fire of Thy Divine Love and they may give it, in turn, to the souls entrusted to them. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We hail and adore the Holy Wound of Thy left Hand, and in this Wound we give to Thee the Poor Souls in Purgatory and all those in error and nonbelievers, those poorest of the poor who don't know Thee. For the sake of these souls, O Dearest Jesus, send many good workers into Thy vineyards, that they all may find their way to Thy Most Sacred Heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We hail and adore the Holy Wounds of Thy Holy Feet, and in these Wounds we give Thee the hardened sinners, who love the world more than Thee, especially those who must die today. O Dearest Jesus, don't let Thy Precious Blood be lost to them. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We hail and adore the Holy Wounds of Thy Most Sacred Head, and in these Wounds we give Thee the Poor Souls in Purgatory and the enemies of Holy Mother Church, all those who today still make bloody persecutions on Thy Mystical Body. We pray Thee, O Dearest Jesus, convert them, summon them, as Thou didst summon Saul to Paul, that there may soon be one Flock and one Shepherd. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We hail and adore the Wounds of Thy Most Sacred Heart, and in this Wound we give Thee the Poor Souls in Purgatory, our souls and all for whom Thou wishest us to pray, especially all the suffering and oppressed, all the persecuted and abandoned. Grant to them all, O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Light and Thy grace. Fill all of us with Thy Love and Thy true Peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary we offer Thee Thy most-loved Son and ouselves with Him, in Him, and through Him, completeley according to His intentions and in the name of, for and from all creatures from the beginning to the end of the world. Amen!

"My dear little soul, if you knew how much I love this prayer you would pray it often. You can save the WORLD with it!" (Words of Christ to Mother Maria Graf, Appenzell, Switzerland, feast of St. Maurice, 1961)

Imprimatur: Friburgi Helv., die 30.10.1964 R. Pittet, Vic. Gen.

A Universal Prayer for All Things Necessary to Salvation by Pope Clement IX

O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee with my whole heart; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.
I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.
Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.
To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think only of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shallt appoint.
Lord, I desire that in all thigs Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.
I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my heart, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.
Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.
Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.
Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my freinds, and charitable to my enemies.
Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.
O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.
Grant hat I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent at my employments, and constant in my resolutions.
Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular.
Assist me that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.
Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.
Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Te Deum laudamus

We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Thee, the Father everlasting, all the earth doth worship.
To Thee all the angels, to Thee the heavens, and all the powers,
To Thee the cherubim and seraphim cry out without ceasing:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.
Full are the heavens and the earth of the majesty of Thy glory.
The glorious choir of the apostles praises Thee:
The admirable company of the prophets praises Thee;
The white-robed army of martyrs praises Thee.
Thee, the holy Church throughout the world doth confess.
The Father of infinite majesty,
Thine adorable, true, and only Son,
Also the Holy Ghost, the comforter,
Thou, O Christ, art the king of glory,
Thou art the evelasting Son of the Father,
Thou, having taken upon Thee to deliver man, didst not disdain the virgin's womb.
Thou, having overcome the sting of death, hast opened to believers the kingdom of heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Thou, we believe, art the judge to come.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.
And govern them, and exalt them for ever.
Day by day we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name for ever: yea, for ever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us without sin.
Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; as we have trusted in Thee.
In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted; let me not be confounded for ever.

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
R. And worthy to be praised, and glorified for ever.
V. Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost.
R. Let us praise and magnify Him for ever.

Let us pray. O God, of whose mercies there is no number, and the treasure of whose goodness is infinite; we render thanks to Thy most gracious majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us, evermore beseeching Thy clemency; that as Thou grantest the petitions of those that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the rewards to come. Through Jesus Christ...

Devotions for Confession

Since confession is one of the most efficacious means of advancing in virtue, you should resolve to approach the sacred tribunal at regular, stated times. The longer you delay going to confession, the more difficulty you will feel in doing so. You will, besides, forfeit the interior happiness of a good conscience, you will lose the habit of attention to the presence of God, your customary exercises of piety will become irksome; the duties of your state will be discharged negligently, and at last be totally disregarded. Delay not, then, to return to your merciful Redeemer, whose heart is open to receive you; seek Him in the holy tribunal, and you will assuredly find Him; consider in Him the future Judge of the loving and the dead, who at the end of ages will come in terrible majesty to require an account of His blood and His graces. Adore His infinite goodness, which will enbrace you, heal your wounds and forgive your sins, if you truly repent.

BEFORE CONFESSION

Whoever you are, Christian reader, that designs to approach the holy Sacrament of Penance, remember that you are going to undertake a work on the good performance of which, more than any other duty, your eternal welfare depends.
Therefore, retire apart from every external source of distraction, place yourself in the presence of God, and humbly adore Him. Represent to yourself that this may be the last confession you will ever have the opportunity of making. Let this reflection induce you to discharge every part of your duty, both as to the examination of your conscience, your sorrow for your sins, your firm purpose of amending your life, and the sincerity of your confession, in the most perfect manner possible. Begin by imploring the light and grace of almighty God, who alone can discover to you the malice of your sins, and give you true repentence. For this end you may pray as follows:

Supreme and adorable majesty, God of heaven and earth, I firmly believe that Thou art present, and that Thou seest me and knowest the disposition of my heart. I adore Thee, and render Thee my humble homage, acknowledging thee for my God, my Creator, and my Sovereign Redeemer. In testimony of this, my faith, I prostrate my soul and body before the throne of Thine infinite majesty, and offer Thee adoration which is due Thee alone. O Father of lights, who enlightenest every man that cometh into the world, send into my heart a ray of light, of love, and of sorrow, that I may know, detest, and confess the sins which I have committed against Thee! I desire to see my sins in all their enormity, and just as they are in Thy sight, I wish to detest them for the love of Thee, and to confess them with the same sincerity as I should be glad to do at the moment of my death. But, my God, this knowledge of my sins, and these dispositions of sorrow for them, and sincerity in declaring them to Thy minister, can come only from the hand of Thy bounty. Since, then, in Thy desire that the sinner should not die, Thou didst send Thy Son into the world to purchase his forgiveness, I implore this grace through the merits of Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross of my sins, and who is now sitting at Thy right hand, where He continually shows Thee in my behalf the wounds which he endured for me.
Mother of my God, who art so charitable to sinners that desire to repent, assist me by thine intercession. My holy angel, who hast been a spectator of all my crimes, help me to discover the sins which I have committed against my God. My blessed patron and all ye saints of heaven, pray for me, that I may bring forth fruits of penance. Amen.

OFFERING OF THE EXAMINATION

Jesus, my God and Saviour, I offer Thee the examination which I am going to make, that Thy divine justice may be glorified in it. I look to Thee with confidence for the grace to do it well. Thus, therefore, in the spirit of charity, in order to please Thee, and to accomplish Thy holy will, together with every intention that can procure Thee the greatest honor and glory, I undertake it.

AN ACT OF CONTRITION

O Lord Jesus, lover of our souls, who, for the great love wherewith Thou hast loved us, willed not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live, I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I have offended Thee, my most loving Father and Redeemer, unto whom all sin is infinitely displeasing, who hast so loved me that Thou didst shed Thy blood for me, and endured the bitter torments of a most cruel death. O my God! O infinite Goodness! would that I never offended Thee! Pardon me, O Lord Jesus, most humbly imploring Thy mercy. Have pity upon a sinner for whom Thy blood pleds before the face of the Father.
O merciful and forgiving Lord, for the love of Thee, I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to forsake and flee from all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them: and to confess, in bitterness of spirit, all those sins which I have committed against Thy divine goodness, and to love Thee, O my God, for Thine own sake, above all things and for ever. Grant me grace so to do, O most gracious Lord Jesus!

A PRAYER AFTER CONFESSION

What thanks do I not owe to Thee, my God, not only for having created me, redeemed me, and called me to the bosom of Thy Church, but still more for having waited for my return, whilst I was wandering from Thee in the miserable paths of sin, for having so often pardoned me as I hope thou hast done this day, and for having preserved me from so many other sins, into which I should have fallen had I not been prevented by Thy gracious hand. But my enemies will not cease to tempt until death, and if Thou support me not, alas! I shall soon begin again to offend Thee more grievously than ever. Grant me, then, through the merits of Jesus Christ, the precious grace of final perseverance. This divine Saviour has assured me that whatever we ask in His name Thou wilt grant to us. I entreat Thee therefore, through all that Thy dear Son has suffered for me, never to let me forsake Thee any more. I feel the greatest confidence that, if I continue to pray for His grace, I shall obtain it, because Thou hast promised to hear our prayers. But I tremble with fear lest, in some unguarded moment, I should forget my dependence on Thee, fail to involke Thy help, and thus relapse into my former misery. Grant therefore that, under all my temptations, I may have instant recourse to Thee, by invoking the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Thus, O my God, I may confidently hope to die in Thy grace, and to love Thee for ever in heaven, where I shall be sure never to be separated from Thee, and to be consumed in the fire of Thy holy love for all eternity. Amen.

From: The New Marian Missal for Daily Mass by Sylvester P. Juergens, S.M., Doctor of Sacred Theology, Regina Press, New York, Imprimatur C. Eykens, vic. gen., Antverpiae, 24 Februarii 1963