Catholic Prayers & Inspirations | Daily Devotions, Rosary & Novenas

O  sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee.  Amen.

Dear Lord Jesus,  please surround me (my family/friends/home) with a perimeter of Your Love and Protection throughout the day today and every day a hundred yards in all directions. Lord Jesus, render any demons that are here, or should try to come, deaf, dumb, and blind. Strop them of all weapons, illusions, armor, power, and authority. Disable them from communicating or interacting in any way. Bind, sever, and separate them, sending them directly to the foot of Your Cross, without manifestation or harm, to us or to anyone, to be dealt with by you Jesus as you see fit. May Your Precious Blood cover us, the Holy Spirit fill us, Mary’s mantle of love and protection surround us, St. Joseph guide us, the Holy Angels and Saints guard and protect us from all unfortunate events. Protect us from fire, theft, vandalism, flood, storms, ailments and accidents of every sort, distress, hardship, curse, and all untoward things. I ask this all in your Name Jesus, through Mary’s intercession, n...

How many Holy Innocents were killed by King Herod? The number may surprise you. Ever since the 5th century the Church has commemorated a separate day in memory of the children killed by King Herod after Jesus’ birth. Matthew is the only one to record the event and the details surrounding it are slim. Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.  – Matthew 2:16 This type of senseless action was typical of Herod, a deranged ruler who also killed his wife and two sons during his lifetime. Herod’s immediate response to those who opposed him was to eliminate them. The biblical episode is usually labeled a “massacre,” to emphasize the ruthless spilling of innocent blood. It was a terrible act, though it pales in comparison to the modern day ki...

POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS:  "The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is the power of love. It is the power which created the heavens and the earth, which gives life to all creation. It is the power which gives new birth, pardons faults, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God." PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS from VATICAN RADIO FB PAGE.

A Prayer to See the World in Jesus’ Light During the Holidays It’s easy to get caught up in all the commercial aspects of the holiday season, but the real reason for the season is Jesus. In declaring Himself to be the Light of the World, Jesus was claiming that He is the exclusive source of spiritual light. No other source of spiritual truth is available to mankind. When Jesus Christ was brought into the world, He took out darkness. If you want to reflect on Jesus as light during the holiday season, say this prayer: Dear Jesus, as we celebrate Your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding You give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship You in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in the season of giving. Amen.

Catholic Prayers: A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas : A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends...

A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends, there are also many people who are going to spend much or all of the holiday season alone. No matter the reason that you or someone else you know many be alone for the holidays, you can make it wonderful through prayer and intention. If you are alone this Christmas, pray this pray: Heavenly Father, the holiday season can be quite a trial and even a deep sadness to many people, especially those that are alone at this time. Draw very close we pray to those that are alone and lonely over this holiday time and may they discover closeness in their relationship with You that perhaps they did not enjoy before. Amen.

Witnesses attest to seeing a vision of the Baby Jesus in the arms of Padre Pio.  This article is adapted from unknown author for the purpose of sharing to inspire and uplift our Catholic spiritual life.  St. Padre Pio loved Christmas. He held a special devotion to the Baby Jesus ever since he was a child. According to Capuchin priest  Fr. Joseph Mary Elder , “At his home in Pietrelcina, he prepared the crib himself. He would often begin working on it as early as October. While pasturing the family’s sheep with friends, he would search for clay to use to fashion the small statues of shepherds, sheep, and the magi. He took particular care in crafting the infant Jesus, making and re-making it continually until he felt he had it just right.” This devotion remained with him during his entire life. In a letter to spiritual daughter, he wrote, “When the Holy Novena begins in honor of the Baby Jesus, it felt as though my spirit were being born again to a new life. I fe...

It was revealed to a priest in a private revelation he had of the Virgin Mary. The famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague has a long and very complex history, one that involves a miraculous discovery by Carmelite priest, Venerable Cyril of the Mother of God, in 1637. He was the priest who restored the statue after it was badly damaged and, in the process, experienced a private revelation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the vision, Our Lady gave to Cyril a powerful prayer to the Infant Jesus, one that has been known to be “efficacious” and secure that which is petitioned. It has been passed down through the ages and remains a staple in any devotion to the Infant Jesus. O Child Jesus, I have recourse to You through Your Holy Mother; I implore You to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, ...

The custom started in Germany in the 13th century, and it was beloved by many saints, including St. John Bosco. Among the devotions to Our Lady, there is one that is very special: that of praying three Hail Marys every day. But, where did this devotion come from? Its origin dates back to the 13th century, and is connected to St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, a German Benedictine nun, to whom Our Lady revealed a way of lifting up a prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity for the privileges granted to the Virgin Mary. St. Mechtilde was born in 1241 into a noble family. One day, while thinking about her own death, she fervently begged the Mother of God to help her during the last moments of her life. She heard Our Lady say to her: “Yes, I will; but I want you, on your part, to pray three Hail Marys to me each day. With the first, you will ask that, just as God the Father raised me up to a throne of glory without equal, making me the most powerful creature in heaven and on earth,...

Since we are so little (incapable, incompetent . . . really:  nothing ), we are in need of help. Thankfully, we have been given free access to all the help we need. We have been given the wondrous gift of a Mother who is completely kind, ever merciful, and all-powerful with God. God clearly foresaw our ineptitude to walk on the Way (which is Christ) to our Goal (our Father in Heaven), and so He has given us His Mother to be our own Mother, so that she (who is so filled with the Holy Spirit) may embrace us in our weakness and carry us along. Truly, she is the Mediatrix of all Graces, mediating the Grace of God to us her little ones. Perhaps an analogy could help this truth to sink deeper into our hearts. In my growing up family, my dad was the “breadwinner.” My mom, though, was completely free—and even encouraged—to withdraw from their joint bank account any amount she wanted, for whatever purpose she wanted. “If you ever feel distressed during your day—call upon ou...

It’s important for everyone to open their eyes and see what’s going on slowly in this world. We just seem to ignore what’s going on because it’s easier that way. We don’t talk about it because we are scared of what people might say or think about us. I know it’s hard because we don’t want weird looks. But, if you love God, then spread his truth boldly but in a way that is loving. Jesus said in the Bible if we witness to others they may turn way from you and you may become a mockery just like what happened to Jesus. But that doesn’t mean to not do it. Your heart and mind must be right if you love God. We will all stand before him. Everyone. It’s important that we are saved and seek God for truth. His spirit is the only one that can lead you. No other. Most of us just go on and focus on the enjoyment that the world has to offer and follow what everyone else is doing. They will not help us go to heaven or improve our relationship with Him. Do we make time to seek God and have a relati...

The Holy Family Prayer JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth. MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys. JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety. HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.

Today, we pray for families grieving the loss of a child... “God, bring comfort and peace. Peace is your essence. Peace is your name. Bring peace to this family who has lost their precious child in death. We come to you, God because we know that you sorrow, and are acquainted with grief. You too have endured the loss of a child. You empathize. We can’t help but ask, “Why?” Forgive our insistence, our confusion, even our anger. We believe that you are just, and we ache to understand how this tragic death is an expression of that justice, how it expresses your love. We also know – in our minds at least – that you seldom answer the “why?” question. We press you, but on these matters you are mostly silent. What we ask instead is “how?” How can we move forward? How can this bring us together and not tear us apart? How can we now live under the shadow of this untimely death? Answer this prayer with your comfort and guidance. There is no way to remove the pain. The grief is r...

Candle  for Advents and their meaning What is an Advent? Advent, which begins the Church’s liturgical year, began on Sunday, December 3. Advent encompasses the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation for our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The use of the wreath and candles during Advent are a longstanding Catholic tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas Types of Candles for Advent: The  four candles represent  the  four  weeks of  Advent.  One  candle  is lit each Sunday. Three of the  candles are  purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of th...

Would you like to know what are the prayers revealed at Fatima? On May 13, 1917,  the  B lessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal with an urgent message for the whole world. Between May and October she would appear five more times, each on the 13th of the month. S he identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and urged the children to pray the rosary daily for peace in the world  (as World War I raged on ) and to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Over the course of these visits, and several preceding visits by an angel, there were five prayers that were taught to  Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. THE PARDON PRAYER T he angel who appeared to the children called himself the Angel of Peace and the Angel of Portugal. He taught them the following prayer: M y  God , I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee. TH...

Only God can change your life in a perfect way, if you have a good relationship to our Lord Jesus. Faith without action is dead, you have to move and act with the guidance of our Lord God Jesus. And the Holy Spirit will teach you.

You can’t receive the Eucharist if you’ve: 1) Missed a weekend or Holy Day Mass without a valid reason 2) Having sex outside of marriage, with yourself (masturbation) or someone else 3) desecrated the Eucharist 4) haven’t been to confession in a year 5) Use artificial birth control – condoms, pills, patches, IUD’s, etc 6) sponsor or help in any way with an abortion or any destruction of an embryo 7) Murder 8) Hate/Anger 9) Lust after someone 10) Pride, Greed, Sloth, Envy etc. etc. The list is not exhaustive, and any sin that we have meditated on before hand, understood its gravity and still chosen to do it can be a deadly sin. C.C.C. 1857 FOR A SIN TO BE MORTAL, THREE CONDITIONS MUST TOGETHER BE MET: “MORTAL SIN IS SIN WHOSE OBJECT IS GRAVE MATTER AND WHICH IS ALSO COMMITTED WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE AND DELIBERATE CONSENT.”131 1 CORINTHIANS 11:27 27 THEREFORE WHOSOEVER SHALL EAT THIS BREAD, OR DRINK THE CHALICE OF THE LORD UNWORTHILY, SHALL BE GUILTY OF THE BODY AND OF ...

Miraculous Novena Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddeus: O Holy St. Jude! Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor for all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power,to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition (mention your urgent need). In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. (Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, & 3 Glory Be) St. Jude, pray for us and all who honour thee and invoke thy aid. Amen. (This novena prayer to be said for 9 consecutive days. St Jude Thaddeus is the patron saint of lost causes. When things seem hopeless and helpless, then this prayer has worked miracles for all who have turned to St. Jude Thaddeus in times of need.) #CatholicPrayers #Saints #SaintJudeThaddeus #Saintofthehopeless

UNFAILING PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY "Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints" O HOLY ST. ANTHONY, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen. DEAREST JESUS, tenderly loving us, Your greatest joy is to dwell among us and to bestow Your blessing upon us. Though I am not worthy that You should behold me with love, I feel myself drawn to You, O dear Infant Jesus, because You gladly pardon me and exercise Your almighty power over me. So many who turned with confidence to You have received graces and had their petitions granted. Behold me, in spirit I kneel before Your miraculous image o...

Conversion story by Albert Little – As a Protestant convert to Catholicism whose journey culminated at the Easter Vigil earlier this year, I have some experience, oddly enough, in how to become a Catholic. For me, it was a particular, miraculous journey that I’ve been writing about for a few months now. For me, I can trace certain lines—a certain narrative—through nearly a decade’s long journey. In my own journey, I can check off certain boxes and say, definitively, yes, that made me become a Catholic. So, naturally, I wanted to help others to avoid a similar fate. For me, it’s too late, but there’s hope for you. If you can, with the help of our Lord and your closest friends and family, avoid these certain pitfalls, while I can’t promise, I can assure you that you’ll have a much easier time avoiding the trap that I fell into. Friends, I offer some unsolicited advice: here’s how to not become a Catholic. 1) Don’t Read Scott Hahn One of the first mistakes I made as a P...

Saint Augustine of Hippo Augustine of Hippo (354-430) envisioned a form of religious community life in which the members would “live in harmony, being united in mind and heart on the way God.” He wrote, or inspired the writing of, a Rule  outlining the basic principles of this sort of life. Today Augustinians and many other religious orders and congregations still use this Rule  as their guide. A Bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Augustine was an influential leader in the African Church. As Christians were growing in their knowledge of God and Christ, Augustine helped to shape Christian theological teachings, particularly those about the role of Divine Grace and the nature of the Holy Trinity. In the process, he combatted many theological errors. The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (now known as Souk Ahras, Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, h...

The length of time souls are detained in purgatory depend on: 1- The number of their faults 2- On the malice and deliveration with which these have been committed 3- On the penance done or not done, the satisfaction made for sins during life 4- Much too depend on the suffrages offered for them after death What can be safely said is that the time souls spend in Purgatory, as a rule, is very much longer than the people commonly know. We will quote a few o the many instances which are recounted in the lives and revelations of the Saints. St. Louis Bertrand's father of so great a saint  He had even wished to become a Carthusian monk until he learned that it was not God’s will for him.When he died, after long years spent in the practice of every Christian virtue, his saintly son, fully aware of the rigours of God’s justice, offered many Masses and poured forth the most fervent supplications for the soul he so dearly loved.A vision of his father still in Purgatory forced him to inten...