PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY FOR BLESSINGS

 

DEAR LORD, bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the Unity, Peace, and mutual Love that You found in Your own Family in the little town of Nazareth. SAINT JOSEPH, bless the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care. BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, bless the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be. LORD JESUS CHRIST, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and age and grace before God and man. HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. AMEN.

An Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 O Sacred Heart of Jesus, tender and compassionate,

I come before you to consecrate my life to your loving care. You are the source of all goodness and mercy, the fountain of love that overflows for humanity.

In humble surrender, I offer you my entire being, my thoughts, words, and actions, my joys and sorrows, my hopes and fears, my past, present, and future. I place everything in your Sacred Heart, trusting in your divine providence.

I seek refuge in your boundless love and mercy. Please accept me as your devoted servant, that I may follow you faithfully and imitate your virtues. I desire to live each moment in intimate communion with you, to be a witness of your love in the world.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I consecrate my heart to you, asking that you purify it, heal its wounds, and inflame it with your love. Make my heart like unto yours, gentle and humble, overflowing with compassion and forgiveness.

I consecrate my mind to you, Sacred Heart of Jesus, that my thoughts may be guided by truth, wisdom, and purity. Help me to discern your will and to seek your guidance in all things. May my intellect be dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, and may it be a source of light and hope for others.

I consecrate my hands to you, Sacred Heart of Jesus, that I may use them to do works of mercy and compassion. Help me to serve others selflessly, to reach out to the needy, and to bring comfort to the suffering and the oppressed. May my actions be a reflection of your love and a testament to your presence.

I consecrate my whole being to you, Sacred Heart of Jesus, knowing that you will transform and sanctify me. Take complete control of my life, guide my steps, and lead me ever closer to the Father. I surrender myself to your divine will, trusting in your providence.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you. With confidence and love, I consecrate myself to you, seeking to live in intimate union with you. May your Sacred Heart be my refuge, my strength, and my joy, both now and for all eternity.

I make this act of consecration in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

PRAYER FOR MY CHILDREN TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

O Our Lady of Perpetual Help, loving mother and refuge of all who seek your intercession, I come before you with a heart full of love and concern for my children. You are the epitome of grace and compassion, and I humbly ask for your maternal protection and guidance over my beloved children.

Blessed Virgin Mary, you witnessed the challenges and joys of motherhood with your own divine Son, Jesus Christ. You know the depth of a parent's love and the desires of their hearts for the well-being and happiness of their children. I entrust my children into your loving care, knowing that you will intercede for them before your Son, who is our eternal hope.

Through your powerful intercession, I implore you, dear Mother, to watch over my children in every aspect of their lives. Shield them from harm and danger, both physical and spiritual. Guide their steps and keep them on the path of righteousness and virtue. Help them grow in faith, hope, and love, always seeking to follow the teachings of your Son.

Please grant them wisdom in their decisions, discernment in their choices, and strength in times of temptation. Protect them from negative influences and surround them with good friends who will support and encourage them on their journey.

Most merciful Mother, I also ask you to intercede for my children's health and well-being. If they are facing any physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, please bring them healing, comfort, and peace. Strengthen their bodies, minds, and spirits so that they may flourish and fulfill the purpose that God has for them.

Lastly, dear Lady, I ask for your intercession in their future endeavors. Guide them in their studies, careers, and relationships. Help them discover their unique talents and use them for the greater glory of God and the service of others. May they always find fulfillment and happiness in their vocations, whatever they may be.

O Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with unwavering trust, I place my children into your gentle hands. Thank you for your maternal love and constant care. I am confident that with your intercession, they will experience the blessings of God's grace and be led safely to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ

July is the Month of the 

PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST 

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION 

LORD JESUS, by faith in Your merits, I now take Your Precious Blood and sprinkle it over myself and my family right from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet. I claim total and complete Protection for my life and my family.

LORD JESUS, keep me free today from evil, sin, temptation, Satan’s attacks and afflictions, fear of darkness, fear of man, sickness, diseases, doubts, anger, all calamities and from all that is not of Your Kingdom.

Fill me LORD JESUS with gift of Your HOLY SPIRIT and grant me the gift of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding and Discernment so that I will live today in Your glory by doing that which is right.

PRAISE YOU JESUS! 

THANK YOU JESUS!

Prayer to Saint Jude

Saint Jude, also known as Saint Jude Thaddeus, is known and loved throughout the world as the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes. He was one of the twelve Apostles and a cousin of Jesus Christ. He courageously preached the Gospel, often in the most difficult circumstances.

Saint Jude is often shown carrying an image of Jesus. Tradition tells us that this recalls a miracle when a king, afflicted with leprosy, was cured of this horrible disease after Saint Jude gave him a cloth that had been pressed to the face of Christ.

Over the ages many people in desperate need have turned to Saint Jude in prayer. Saint Bridget of Sweden said she was directed in a vision to pray with deep faith and confidence to Saint Jude. She stated that Christ told her, “In accordance with his surname, Thaddeus, the amiable or loving, Saint Jude will show himself most willing to help.”

In the Americas, it was the Dominican Friars who helped spread devotion to Saint Jude, particularly in the United States. In 1903, Father Thomas Lorente, O.P., and members of the Spanish Dominican Province came to New Orleans and were asked to take care of the oldest church building in New Orleans, the Mortuary Chapel, now called Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. By 1935, Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel began a public novena to Saint Jude.

Today, Saint Jude continues to be one of the most popular and beloved Saints, a trusted heavenly intercessor for all those seeking God’s assistance during times of family crisis, sickness, and trouble, especially when all hope seems lost.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are 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.

Hail Mary, also known as the Ave Maria, is a well-known and cherished prayer in the Christian tradition. It is a reverent invocation to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, and holds a special place in the hearts of millions of believers worldwide.

The Hail Mary begins with the words "Hail Mary, full of grace," acknowledging Mary's divine favor and her unique role in God's plan for salvation. It continues with the phrase "the Lord is with thee," recognizing her close relationship with God and her chosen status as the mother of Jesus, who is often referred to as the Lord.

The prayer then reaches out to Mary, stating, "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." This acknowledges Mary's exceptional blessedness and the significance of Jesus, her divine son, who is revered as the Savior of humanity.

Finally, the Hail Mary concludes with a humble plea for Mary's intercession: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." In this part, the faithful implore Mary to pray for them, seeking her guidance, protection, and assistance in their spiritual journey and in their ultimate encounter with death.

The Hail Mary is a profound expression of devotion to Mary and a reminder of her important role in the Christian faith. It serves as a source of comfort, inspiration, and a means of seeking her intercession in times of need.

PRAYERS FOR THE WEDNESDAY DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH

 

WEDNESDAY DEVOTION

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS

Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast thy solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with thy mighty staff. Thou fled through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from thee! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, mothers, families, and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while thou art near, so we beg of thee, Saint Joseph, always be near to us!

Amen.

Saint Joseph, terror of demons, pray for us.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST JOSEPH

O dearest Saint Joseph,

I consecrate myself to your honour

and give myself to you,

that you may always be my father,

my protector and my guide

in the way of salvation.

Obtain for me a greater purity of heart

and fervent love of the interior life.

After your example may I do all my actions

for the greater glory of God,

in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus

and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

O Blessed Saint Joseph,

pray for me,

that I may share in the peace

and joy of your holy death.

Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who has power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily (mention your request).

O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou are so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power.

Amen.

St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS WHOM WE CELEBRATE EACH WEDNESDAY

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succor us in our need by thy power and strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven.

Amen.

LITANY TO SAINT JOSEPH

A Wednesday Devotion

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.

Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.

Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.

Joseph most just, pray for us.

Joseph most chaste, pray for us.

Joseph most prudent, pray for us.

Joseph most strong, pray for us.

Joseph most obedient, pray for us.

Joseph most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of patience, pray for us.

Lover of poverty, pray for us.

Model of artisans, pray for us.

Glory of home life, pray for us.

Guardian of virgins, pray for us.

Pillar of families, pray for us.

Solace of the wretched, pray for us.

Hope of the sick, pray for us.

Patron of the dying, pray for us.

Terror of demons, pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.

He made him the lord of his household And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:

O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR A HAPPY DEATH

O Glorious Saint Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special

patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase

in me the spirit of prayer and fervor in the service of God.

Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my

death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have

time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them

with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere and

perfect contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul

into the hands of Jesus and Mary.

Amen.

Our Father (THE LORD'S PRAYER)

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.

The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is a profound and timeless prayer that holds deep significance for Christians around the world. It is a reflection of the teachings of Jesus Christ and serves as a model for how believers can approach God in prayer.

The prayer begins with the words "Our Father," reminding us of the intimate and personal relationship we have with God. It highlights the idea that God is not a distant and unapproachable being, but rather a loving and caring Father who desires a relationship with His children. This understanding sets the tone for the rest of the prayer, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and seeking His will above our own.

The Lord's Prayer also teaches us to acknowledge and prioritize the holiness of God's name. By praying, "Hallowed be your name," we express reverence and awe for God's divine nature and acknowledge His uniqueness and greatness. It reminds us to approach God with humility and respect, recognizing that He is the ultimate authority and deserving of our worship.

Furthermore, the prayer focuses on aligning our desires and intentions with God's purposes. In the line, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we surrender our own agenda and submit ourselves to God's plan. It reflects a desire for God's righteousness, justice, and peace to prevail in the world and invites us to participate actively in bringing about God's kingdom values on earth.

The Lord's Prayer also addresses our dependence on God for our daily needs. It encourages us to seek God's provision, both physical and spiritual, by praying, "Give us this day our daily bread." It reminds us of our reliance on God's sustenance and invites us to trust in His faithfulness to meet our needs.

Additionally, the prayer emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. The line, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors," encourages us to extend grace and mercy to others, just as we have received it from God. It reminds us of the transformative power of forgiveness and the restoration it brings to our relationships.

Finally, the Lord's Prayer concludes with a plea for God's protection and deliverance from evil. It acknowledges the existence of spiritual battles and asks for God's guidance and strength to overcome them. It expresses a reliance on God's power and a trust in His ability to lead us away from temptation and into a life of righteousness.

In summary, the Lord's Prayer serves as a beautiful and comprehensive reflection on our relationship with God and our role as His children. It teaches us to approach God with reverence, align our desires with His will, depend on Him for our needs, extend forgiveness to others, and seek His protection from evil. It is a prayer that continues to resonate with believers, guiding and inspiring them in their journey of faith.

Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

He is our dearest friend and we have ignored Him. How can we do this to Him, Who has given us everything? In our selfishness, we have forgotten Him and this has even led to our disbelief in His wondrous gift of the Eucharist.


Devotion to the Sacred Heart is devotion to Jesus and his love. It is the image of God's love revealed in the pierced heart of His Son. It is a sign or a symbol of both the divine and human love that Jesus has for his Father and for us. It also symbolizes the interior life of Jesus which led to his willingness to lay down his life for us.
In Catholic churches and homes, one of the most popular images of Jesus is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as we know it today, came about through the visions and experiences of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France during the Seventeenth Century.


The development of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus over the centuries, prior to its becoming a public practice:
It is seen by the Church that Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, began at the Last Supper, at the instigation of the Eucharist itself. As Our Lord sat at the Paschal table, before pronouncing those sacred words that would become so core to our entire Faith (in fact, the very heart of the Church Herself) His Beloved Disciple, Saint John the Evangelist, lay his head upon the breast of Our Lord. He laid his head upon the Heart of Jesus Christ and remained there in repose.

It is in imitation of this repose, that Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began. It then continued to develop, with an emphasis from the early Church Fathers, on the entering into the sacred wound in Christ’s side – the wound, created by the piercing of the soldier’s lance, whilst He hung on the cross. Cor Jesus, lancea perforatum, Miserere nobis (Heart of Jesus, pierced by a lance, have mercy on us), as the Litany of the Sacred Heart says.

For it was from this Sacred Wound that Blood and Water flowed – His Blood and Water – which was seen by the early Fathers, as the birth of the Church Herself. As the early theologian Tertullian stated:

By the wound in the side of Christ was formed the Church, the true Mother of all the living.

These Devotions are designed to focus our attention towards the love He has for us and to make amends for the indignities and sacrileges He has suffered from our neglect. To make amends through acts of reparation, so that our hearts will reciprocate in some small way, something of His Great Burning Love.

Neglected by us, in that we have forgotten the enormity of that which He has bestowed upon us. Because, through the institution of the Eucharist and His dying for us on the cross, He has given everything and we are unaware or even ungrateful.


Sacred Heart with the Immaculate Heart

We fail to watch, as His disciples failed. We fail to give homage, through our ingratitude, or rather our forgetfulness. It is now time for us to make some return for all that He has given us.

This is the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. And of course, this need for acknowledgement and gratitude towards Him is essential for our Salvation.

SEVEN SORROWS ROSARY PRAYER CHAPLET

"IS IT NOTHING TO YOU, ALL YOU WHO PASS BY? LOOK AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY SORROW LIKE MY SORROW?" (JOHN 19:31-34; LAMENTATIONS 1:12)

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages, but it gained new popularity following the Marian apparitions in Kibeho, which have been approved by the Catholic Church. During Mary's apparitions to Marie-Claire Mukangango, she assigned the young visionary a mission to reintroduce this special rosary to the world. Before her untimely death, Marie Claire did just that, traveling widely to teach it to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others. (Marie-Claire was killed in the genocide of over a million people in Rwanda, a tragedy that was foretold through visions of rivers of blood that the young people in Kibeho received several years before the killings.)

She (the Holy Virgin) promised that when prayed with an open and repentant heart, the rosary would win us the Lord's forgiveness for our sins and free our souls from guilt and remorse. She also promised that over time, the rosary would develop within us a deep understanding of why we sin, and that knowledge would give us the wisdom and strength to change or remove any internal flaws, weaknesses of character, or personality faults causing unhappiness and keeping us from enjoying the joyous life God intended for us...

HOW TO PRAY THE SEVEN SORROWS ROSARY

The following is a description of this amazing Rosary as the Virgin Mother herself taught it to Marie-Claire in Kibeho. It may be prayed aloud or contemplated in silence, alone or with others; the key is for the prayers, reflections, and meditations to always come from the depths of our hearts...It is important that, when we reach each of the Seven Sorrows, we take a moment to meditate on the magnitude of Mary's sufferings...and the strength of Our Mother's love.


THE ROSARY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY BY OUR LADY OF KIBEHO

SIGN OF THE CROSS:
In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER:
My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

ACT OF CONTRITION:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

(Pray 3 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


1) THE FIRST SWORD OF SORROW: THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON (LUKE 2:22-35)

"And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"). There, the old priest Simeon held the baby Jesus in his hands, and the Holy Spirit filled his heart. Simeon recognized Jesus as the promised Savior and held the Child high toward heaven, thanking God for granting his wish that he would live long enough to behold the Messiah.

"Now Your servant may depart this life in peace, my Lord," he said… Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Blessed Virgin knew that she had given birth to the Savior of humankind, so she immediately understood and accepted Simeon’s prophecy. Although her Heart was deeply touched by this favor of bearing the Baby Jesus, her Heart remained heavy and troubled, for she knew what had been written about the ordeals and subsequent death of the Savior. Whenever she saw her Son, she was constantly reminded of the suffering He would be subject to, and His suffering became her own.

Prayer: Beloved Mother Mary, whose Heart suffered beyond bearing because of us, teach us to suffer with you and with love, and to accept all the suffering God deems it necessary to send our way. Let us suffer, and may our suffering be known to God only, like yours and that of Jesus. Do not let us show our suffering to the world, so it will matter more and be used to atone for the sins of the world. You, Mother, who suffered with the Savior of the world, we offer you our suffering, and the suffering of the world, because we are your children. Join those sorrows to your own and to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, then offer them to God the Father. You are a Mother greater than all.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


2. THE SECOND SWORD OF SORROW: THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT (MATTHEW 2:13-15)

Mary’s Heart broke and her mind was greatly troubled when Joseph revealed to her the words of the angel: they were to wake up quickly and flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Blessed Virgin hardly had time to decide what to take or leave behind; she took her Child and left everything else, rushing outside before Joseph so that they could hurry as God wished. Then she said, "Even though God has power over everything, He wants us to flee with Jesus, His Son. God will show us the way, and we shall arrive without being caught by the enemy."

Because the Blessed Virgin was the Mother of Jesus, she loved Him more than anyone else. Her heart was deeply troubled at the sight of her Infant Son’s discomfort, and she suffered greatly because He was cold and shivering. While she and her husband were tired, sleepy, and hungry during this long travel, Mary’s only thought was about the safety and comfort of her Child. She feared coming face to face with the soldiers who had been ordered to kill Jesus because she was aware that the enemy was still in Bethlehem. Her heart remained constantly anguished during this flight. She also knew that where they were going, there would be no friendly faces to greet them.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, who has suffered so much, give to us your courageous heart. Please pray for us to have strength so that we can be brave like you and accept with love the suffering God sends our way. Help us to also accept all the suffering we inflict upon ourselves and the suffering inflicted upon us by others. Heavenly Mother, you, in union with Jesus, purify our suffering so that we may give glory to God and save our souls.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


3. THE THIRD SWORD OF SORROW: THE LOSS OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE (LUKE 2:41-52)

Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, but He was also Mary’s child. The Blessed Virgin loved Jesus more than herself because He was her God. Compared to other children, He was most unique because He was already living as God. When Mary lost Jesus on their way back from Jerusalem, the world became so big and lonely that she believed she couldn't go on living without Him, so great was her Sorrow. (She felt the same pain her Son felt when He was later abandoned by His apostles during the Passion.)

As the Holy Mother looked anxiously for her beloved Boy, deep pain welled in her heart. She blamed herself, asking why she didn’t take greater care of Him. But it was not her fault; Jesus no longer needed her protection as before. What really hurt Mary was that her son had decided to stay behind without her consent. Jesus had pleased her in everything so far: He never annoyed her in any way, nor would He ever displease His parents. She knew that He always did what was necessary, however, so she never suspected Him of being disobedient.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, teach us to accept all our sufferings because of our sins and to atone for the sins of the whole world.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


4. THE FOURTH SWORD OF SORROW: MARY MEETS JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY (LUKE 23:27-31)

Mary witnessed Jesus carrying the heavy cross alone—the cross on which He was to be crucified. This didn’t surprise the Blessed Virgin because she already knew about the approaching death of Our Lord. Noting how her son was already weakened by the numerous hard blows given by the soldiers’ clubs, she was filled with anguish at His pain. The soldiers kept hurrying and pushing Him, though He had no strength left. He fell, exhausted, unable to raise Himself. At that moment, Mary’s eyes, so full of tender love and compassion, met her Son’s eyes, which were pained and covered in blood. Their hearts seemed to be sharing the load; every pain He felt, she felt as well. They knew that nothing could be done except to believe and trust in God and dedicate their suffering to Him. All they could do was put everything in God’s hands.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, so stricken with grief, help us to bear our own suffering with courage and love so that we may relieve your Sorrowful Heart and that of Jesus. In doing so, may we give glory to God Who gave you and Jesus to humanity. As you suffered, teach us to suffer silently and patiently. Grant unto us the grace of loving God in everything. O Mother of Sorrows, most afflicted of all mothers, have mercy on the sinners of the whole world.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


5. THE FIFTH SWORD OF SORROW: MARY STANDS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS (JOHN 19:25-27)

The Blessed Virgin Mary continued to climb the mount to Calvary, following behind Jesus painfully and sorrowfully, yet suffering silently. She could see Him staggering and falling with the cross some more, and she witnessed her Son being beaten by soldiers who pulled His hair to force Him to stand up. Despite His innocence, when Jesus reached the top of Calvary, He was ordered to confess in front of the crowd so they could laugh at Him. Mary deeply felt her Son’s pain and humiliation, particularly when His tormentors forced Him to strip off what was left of His clothing. The Blessed Virgin felt sick at heart seeing these tyrants crucifying her Son naked, shaming Him terribly merely to amuse the jeering crowd. (Jesus and Mary felt more disgrace than normal people did because they were without sin and holy.)

The Blessed Virgin Mary felt pain beyond bearing when Jesus was stretched out on the Cross. His murderers sang merrily as they approached Him with hammers and nails. They sat on Him heavily so that He could not move when they spiked Him to the wood. As they hammered the nails through His hands and feet, Mary felt the blows in her heart; the nails pierced her flesh as they tore into her Son’s body. She felt her life fading away.

As the soldiers lifted the Cross to drop it into the hole they had dug, they deliberately jerked it, causing the force of His body weight to tear through the flesh and expose His bone. The pain shot through His body like liquid fire.

Jesus endured three excruciating hours skewered on the Cross, yet the physical pain was nothing compared to the agonizing heartache He was forced to bear seeing His mother suffering below Him. Mercifully, He finally died.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, Queen of the Martyrs, give us the courage you had in all your sufferings so that we may unite our sufferings with yours and give glory to God. Help us follow all His commandments and those of the Church so that Our Lord’s sacrifice will not be in vain, and all sinners in the world will be saved.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


6. THE SIXTH SWORD OF SORROW: MARY RECEIVES THE DEAD BODY OF JESUS IN HER ARMS (JOHN 19:38-40)

The friends of Jesus, Joseph and Nicodemus, took down His Body from the Cross and placed It in the outstretched arms of the Blessed Virgin. Then Mary washed It with deep respect and love because she was His mother. She knew better than anyone else that He was God incarnate who had taken a human body to become the Savior of all people.

Mary could see the terrifying wounds from the flogging Jesus had received while at Pilate’s. His flesh had been shredded and large strips had been torn from His back. His entire body had been so lacerated that gaping wounds crisscrossed Him from head to toe. Mary found that the wounds from the nails were less severe than those caused by the flogging and by carrying the Cross. She was horrified at the thought that her Son had managed to carry the heavy, splintered Cross all the way to Calvary. She saw the circle of blood the Crown of Thorns had made on His forehead and, to her horror, realized that many of the barbed thorns had dug so deeply into His skull they had penetrated His brain. Looking at her broken Boy, the Holy Mother knew that His agonizing death was far worse than the torture reserved for the wickedest of criminals.

As she cleaned His damaged Body she envisioned Him during each stage of His short life, remembering her first look at His beautiful new born face as they lay in the manger, and every day in between, until this heart rending moment as she gently bathed His lifeless Body. Her anguish was relentless as she prepared her Son and Lord for burial, but she remained brave and strong, becoming the true Queen of Martyrs. As she washed her Son she prayed that everybody would know the riches of Paradise and enter the Gates of Heaven. She prayed for every soul in the world to embrace God’s Love, so her Son’s torturous death would benefit all humankind and not have been in vain. Mary prayed for the world; she prayed for all of us.

Prayer: We thank you, Beloved Mother, for your courage as you stood beneath your dying Child to comfort Him on the Cross. As our Savior drew His last breath, you became a wonderful Mother to all of us; you became the Blessed Mother of the world. We know that you love us more than our own earthly parents do. We implore you to be our advocate before the Throne of Mercy and Grace so that we can truly become your children. We thank you for Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, and we thank Jesus for giving you to us. Please pray for us, Mother.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


7. THE SEVENTH SWORD OF SORROW: THE BODY OF JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB (JOHN 19:41-42)

The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary was so closely linked to that of Jesus she thought there was no reason for her to go on living any longer. Her only comfort was that His death had ended His unspeakable suffering. Our Sorrowful Mother, with the help of John and the Holy women, devoutly placed the Body in the sepulcher, and she left Him. She went home with great pain and tremendous Sorrow; for the first time she was without Him, and her loneliness was a new and bitter source of pain. Her heart had been dying since her Son’s heart had stopped beating, but she was certain that our Savior would soon be resurrected.

Prayer: Most Beloved Mother, whose beauty surpasses that of all mothers, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Jesus, and Mother to us all, we are your children and we place all our trust in you. Teach us to see God in all things and all situations, even our sufferings. Help us to understand the importance of suffering, and also to know the purpose of our suffering as God had intended it.

You yourself were conceived and born without sin, were preserved from sin, yet you suffered more than anybody else. You accepted suffering and pain with love and with unsurpassed courage. You stood by your Son from the time He was arrested until He died. You suffered along with Him, felt His every pain and torment. You accomplished the Will of God the Father; and according to His will, you have become our Mother. We beg you, dear Mother, to teach us to do as Jesus did. Teach us to accept our cross courageously. We trust you, most Merciful Mother, so teach us to sacrifice for all the sinners in the world. Help us to follow in your Son’s footsteps, and even to be willing to lay down our lives for others.

(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


CONCLUDING PRAYER:
Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.

THREE TIMES, SAY:
Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.

SIGN OF THE CROSS:
In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.