Prayer in Honor of St. Blaise, Patron of Ailments of the Throat

Prayer in Honor of St. Blaise

O GOD, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr Blaise, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

February 3 is the Feast of Saint Blaise and on this date the traditional Saint Blaise blessing of throats.is offered. Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blaise were written 400 years later. According to them Blaise was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. Blaise was apparently forced to flee to the back country. There he lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer, but he made friends with the wild animals. One day a group of hunters seeking wild animals for the amphitheater stumbled upon Blaise’s cave. They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, lions and bears. The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia, tried to persuade Blaise to sacrifice to pagan idols. The first time Blaise refused, he was beaten. The next time he was suspended from a tree and his flesh torn with iron combs or rakes. Finally, he was beheaded.

A Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas for Catholic School Students

Angelic Doctor St. Thomas, prince of theologians and model of philosophers, bright ornament of the Christian world and light of the Church; O heavenly patron of all Catholic schools, who didst learn wisdom without guile and dost communicate it without envy, intercede for us with the Son of God, Wisdom itself, that the spirit of wisdom may descend upon us, and enable us to understand clearly that which thou hast taught, and fulfill it by imitating thy deeds; to become partakers of that doctrine and virtue which caused thee to shine like the sun on earth; and at last to rejoice with thee forever in their most sweet fruits in heaven, together praising the Divine Wisdom for all eternity. Amen.

A Prayer for Unborn Children

Almighty God, our Father,
you who have given us life and intended us to have it forever,
grant us your blessings.
Enlighten our minds to an awareness and to a renewed conviction
that all human life is sacred because it is created in your image and likeness.
Help us to teach by word and the example of our lives
that life occupies the first place, that human life is precious
because it is the gift of God whose love is infinite.
Give us the strength to defend human life
against every influence or action that threatens or weakens it,
as well as the strength to make every life more human
in all its aspects.

Give us the grace...
When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked,
to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority
to destroy unborn life.

When a child is described as a burden
or is looked upon only as a means
to satisfy an emotional need,
to stand up and insist that every child is a unique
and unrepeatable gift of God,
a gift of God with a right to a loving and united family.


When the value of the family is threatened
because of social and economic pressure,
to stand up and reaffirm that the family is necessary
not only for the private good of every person,
but also for the common good of every society,
nation and state.

When freedom is used to dominate the weak,
to squander natural resources and energy,
to deny basic necessities to people,
to stand up and affirm
the demands of justice and social love.

Almighty Father,
give us courage to proclaim the supreme dignity
of all human life and to demand
that society itself give its protection.
We ask this in your name,
through the redemptive act
of your Son and in the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A Prayer to Heal Racial Division

Prayer to Heal Racial Division

We thank you, O Lord, For in your loving wisdom

You created one human family with a diversity

That enriches our communities.

We pray to you, O Lord, That we always recognize

each member of this human family

As being made in your image and beloved by you,

With worth and dignity.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may envision a way forward

To heal the racial divisions

That deny human dignity and

the bonds between all human beings.

We pray to you, O Lord

That we may affirm each person's dignity

Through fair access for all

To economic opportunity, housing,

Education, and employment.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may have eyes to see

What is possible when we reach out

Beyond fear, beyond anger,

To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.

We thank you, O Lord,

For your call and challenge to us

That we may reveal your teachings and your love

Through our actions to end racism

And to proclaim that we are all your children,

heirs to your sacred creation.

Amen.

A Prayer for the March for Life in Washington, DC

March for Life Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting all human life. Let our prayers be united to your perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years of their life.

May our prayers also be coupled with peaceful action which witnesses to the goodness and dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and bring light to those who are blinded by sin.

Encourage those who will be involved in the March for Life; help them to talk closely with God and to give voice to the cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.

O Virgin Mother of God, present our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with abundant life.

Amen

A Prayer for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

A Prayer for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

O Lord, your Baptism shows us that you are not remote. You are at our side. You know sin but are not a sinner. Give us the grace to renew our baptism through a frequent reception of confession and the Holy Eucharist. By receiving one, we strengthen the others. By receiving You, we receive God Himself.

Epiphany Prayer of Blessing for a Home

Epiphany Prayer of Blessing for a Home

God’s peace be to this home and to all who dwell within. You, O Lord, are the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega, carefully watching over us from birth until death. Bless this door of our house and in your goodness send your holy angel from heaven to watch over and protect us, to be with us and give us comfort and encouragement.

As we pass through this door, draw us more deeply into your presence and may a spirit of humility, goodness, mildness, and gratitude prevail here.

O Lord, you are the door to eternal life, bless our entrances and exits from this home and pour out on us heavenly dew in good measure, as well as an abundance of earthly needs. At our lowly coming be pleased to bless and sanctify this home, as you once were pleased to bless the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Within these walls let your angels of light preside and stand watch over those who live here.

May this blessing remain on this place and on us who live here now and always. Amen.

A Christmas Prayer

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and joy, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance.

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wisemen. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.

Litany to the Infant Jesus

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.

Infant, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Infant, true God, have mercy on us.
Infant, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Infant, strong in weakness, have mercy on us.
Infant, powerful in tenderness, have mercy on us.
Infant, Treasure of grace, have mercy on us.
Infant, Fountain of love, have mercy on us.
Infant, Renewer of the heavens, have mercy on us.
Infant, Repairer of the evils of the earth, have mercy on us.
Infant, Head of the angels, have mercy on us.
Infant, Root of the patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Infant, Speech of the prophets, have mercy on us.
Infant, Desire of the Gentiles, have mercy on us.
Infant, Joy of shepherds, have mercy on us.
Infant, Light of the Magi, have mercy on us.
Infant, Salvation of infants, have mercy on us.
Infant, Expectation of the just, have mercy on us.
Infant, Instructor of the wise, have mercy on us.
Infant, First-fruit of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Infant Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.


From the slavery of the children of Adam, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the slavery of the devil, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the evil desires of the flesh, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the malice of the world, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the pride of life, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the inordinate desire of knowing, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From blindness of spirit, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From an evil will, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From our sins, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most pure Conception, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most humble Nativity, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy tears, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most painful Circumcision, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most glorious Epiphany, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most pious Presentation, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most divine life, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy poverty, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy many sufferings, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors and travels, Infant Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, Infant, hear us. Jesus, Infant, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray

O Lord Christ, Thou were pleased so to humble Thyself in Thine incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity as to be born in time and become a little child. Grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, and majesty in humiliation. Adoring Thy humiliations on earth, may we contemplate Thy glories in Heaven, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever.
R. Amen.

Prayer to St. Lucy, Feast Day on December 13th

Prayer to Saint Lucy

Saint Lucy whose beautiful name signifies 'LIGHT' by the light of faith which God bestowed upon you increase and preserve His light in my soul so that I may avoid evil, be zealous in the performance of good works and abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and sin.

Obtain for me, by your intercession with God perfect vision for my bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God’s greater honor and glory and the salvation of souls.

St. Lucy, virgin and martyr hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. Amen.

St. Lucy (283-304) was born in Syracuse, Sicily, where she also died. She was of a noble Greek family, and was brought up as a Christian by her mother, who was miraculously cured at the shrine of St. Agatha in Catania. Lucy made a vow of virginity and distributed her wealth to the poor. This generosity stirred the wrath of the unworthy youth to whom she had been unwillingly betrothed and who denounced her to Paschasius, the governor of Sicily. When it was decided to violate her virginity in a place of shame, Lucy, with the help of the Holy Spirit, stood immovable. A fire was then built around her, but again God protected her. She was finally put to death by the sword. Her name appears in the second list in the Canon. Lucy, whose name can mean "light" or "lucid," is the patron saint of the blind. She is often seen with the emblem of eyes on a cup or plate. In paintings, she is often depicted with a golden plate holding her eyes and often holds a palm branch, which is a symbol of victory over evil.

Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(to be prayed each day)

Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.

Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen

"Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."— Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego

Advent Prayer to Combat Evil

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminded us during a general audience in 2008, that “Advent also means anticipation. The dark night of evil is still strong.” For this reason, Benedict advised the faithful to “pray with the ancient People of God: ‘Rorate caeli desuper,'” and to pray the following prayer for strength to overcome evil during Advent.

Come Jesus; come, give power to light and to good; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice predominate. Come Lord Jesus, give power to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, peacemakers, witnesses of the truth. Come, Lord Jesus!

Advent Prayer for Anticipating Christmas

Advent Prayer for Anticipating Christmas

Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the feast of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
In which the Son of God was born
Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight,
in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, O my God,
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
[here mention your request]
through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King

Act of Dedication of the Human Race
to Jesus Christ King

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you.

We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart.

Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you.

Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever.

Amen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968

Thanksgiving Day Meal Prayer

A Thanksgiving Day Meal Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Your gifts of love are countless and
Your goodness infinite; as we come before You with
gratitude for Your goodness on Thanksgiving Day,
open our hearts to have concern for our brothers and sisters especially those who are less fortunate and live in want and need. May we generously share Your gifts in loving service to our neighbor and give generously of our many blessings. Bless us and all our family, Bless the food from Your bounty we are about to receive. We give You thanks for this day and all our blessings.
Through Christ our Lord.

An All Souls Prayer for the Dead During November

OLM School Celebrates Trunk or Treat

The little Saints and Scholars of OLM School celebrated Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 26th. Gathering in the school parking lot the school children visited over 25 cars decorated and full of candy! Halloween costumes of all types were on display. The fun evening included a costume competition and a pie eating contest! Happy All Hallows Eve!

A Colorful OLM Walkaton! Fun for All!

OLM took a new colorful approach to their Annual Walkathon.  This year, students were sporting shades, whistles and white t-shirts to kick off one of the school’s biggest fundraisers.  At various stations on the course, parents were ready to color bomb the kids with paint and positive cheers.  The revamped OLM School Walkathon now deemed “Colorthon”, which was held on Thursday, October 4, raised over $13,000, and will be used towards special projects throughout the school.  Students in Grades Pre-K through 2 walked just under a mile around the immediate church/school property while the older students did a two mile route through the surrounding neighborhood.  Students collected pledges from family and friends, with prizes being awarded to the top pledge-earners in each grade.

 This new colorful twist on the Walkathon generated huge smiles and major excitement from students, teachers and staff.  According to OLM PTG Vice President, Courtney Cavanagh, “It was a great day! All of our hard work paid off.  I heard many times how this was the best Walkathon yet!  The kids were so excited.  It was such a creative way to breathe new life into the event while still raising money for the school!” 

 At the conclusion of the walk, students enjoyed an outdoor awards assembly with water and snacks.  The highlight of the event was definitely when both Fr. Healey and Fr. Barrow competed in a shaving cream squirt off.  Students, Thomas Simonetti and Morgan Verdi, aimed and fired squirt guns at both Fathers’ faces.  It was truly a delight for the students and faculty to see this.  Two of the most coveted prizes included the privilege of “Lunch with the Principal” with OLM Principal Scott Fuller won by Devyn Lynch and being “PE Teacher for the Day” with OLM Phys Ed teacher David Stefanik won by Bobby Calabro.

 Funds raised each year by the OLM PTG, from events like the Colorthon and the annual Spring Fling Auction, are used for various enrichment opportunities to support classroom teachers’ financially as well as to support all extra curricular activities and various community and school events throughout the year

OLM Celebrates Octoberfest

Our Lady of Mercy Parish and School wrapped up Mercy Week in a true celebratory style with their first annual Octoberfest Friday, September 28. This new event replaces the Parish Picnic from previous years and despite the damp weather, close to 200 people were in attendance.

The lights on the tents were glowing and the good times were flowing. Many enjoyed traditional German food including bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, hot dogs, German Potato Salad, German Apple Strudel, German Pretzels and of course German Beer. The event was a joyous occasion for all with games, raffles and prizes. Of course the festivities wouldn’t have been complete without the authentic attire. Several adventurous guests adorned their lederhosen or dirndl to really commemorate the German tradition.