Novena to the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit

The Novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the original novena, of which all other novenas are only imitations. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena when, on the day of His ascension, He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to pray for nine days that they might be ready on the tenth day, which was Pentecost, to receive the Holy Spirit.

First Day:

Holy Spirit, Lord of light, From they clear celestial height, Thy pure beaming radiance give.

Let us pray

O God who hast taught the hearts of thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Second Day:

Come thou father of the poor, Come with treasures which endure, Come thou light of all that live.

Let us pray

O Holy Spirit, thou father of the poor, come fill my poverty-stricken soul out of the plenty of they eternal riches. Warn me, I beg thee, of every opportunity in my daily round of duty, to lay up treasures where no thief approacheth nor moth corrupteth, that I may enjoy them together with thee forever. Amen

Third Day:

Thou of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Let us pray

O Divine Consoler, and of all Comforters the best, to thee do we come in trouble and distress. Do thou, in the all-powerful name of Jesus, our Redeemer, and out of love for Mary, our sorrowful Mother and they chaste Spouse, come to our assistance and comfort us in all our trials and tribulations. Amen

Fourth Day:

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.

Let us pray

O God, who didst give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, grant to they people the effect of their pious prayers, that on those to whom thou hast given grace, thou mayest also bestow peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Fifth Day:

Light immortal, light divine, Visit thou these hearts of thine And our inmost being fill.

Let us pray

May the Paraclete, who proceedeth from thee, enlighten our minds, we beseech thee, O Lord; and even as thy Son hath promised, may he lead us into all truth. Amen

Sixth Day:

If thou take thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill.

Let us pray

Send down, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit in his might, to the merciful purifying of our hearts and to our sure deliverance from all danger. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen

Seventh Day:

Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour thy dew; Wash the stains of guilt away.

Let us pray

Burn up, O Lord, our reins and our hearts in the fire of the Holy Spirit; that chaste of body and clean of heart, our service may be well pleasing to thee. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen

Eighth Day:

Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm the chill, Guide the steps that go astray.

Let us pray

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all peoples the brightness of they light, that they may be well pleasing to thee in unity of faith. Amen

Ninth Day:

Thou on those who evermore, Thee confess and thee adore, In they sevenfold gift descend.

Give them comfort when they die Give them life with thee on high, Give them joys which never end.

Let us pray

Send down upon us, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by him, we may comply with the duties of our state, carry our daily crosses patiently, and grow daily in Christian perfection. Grant us, we beseech thee through the same Divine Spirit, the intentions of this novena or what is most conducive to our eternal salvation and they glory. Amen

A Prayer for Memorial Day

Memorial Day Prayer

Heavenly Father, Today we remember and pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Services who have died in the defense of our nation; from the days of the Revolution to these days in Iraq and Afghanistan. They paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold so dear.

In the words of Sacred Scripture we hear, "There is no greater love then this, than to lay down one's life for a friend." It is only by your grace and the love they have for you and this nation that gave them the strength to lay down their lives.

We beseech you O Lord, to receive these servants of peace into your loving embrace and grant them the eternal peace that surpasses all understanding.

We also remember the family members of these great heroes. They too suffer a great and painful sacrifice. Bestow upon them the blessings of your consolation and peace. May you ease their sadness as they continue on the road to serenity and hope.

To you we offer this prayer knowing you fulfill the heart's desire of those who seek you with noble intentions. May our prayer for true and lasting peace be answered in accordance to your will and for the good of your sons and daughters. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Peace. Amen

Patrick McNabb Named New Principal of OLM School

Patrick H. McNabb, new Principal of OLM School

Father Bernard A. Healey, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, has appointed Mr. Patrick H. McNabb as Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Regional School. “I am thrilled to accept the leadership of Our Lady of Mercy School, and I am grateful to Fr. Healey for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to working together with our teachers, students, families, and parish community to help all of our students become the saints and scholars God is calling them to be.” said McNabb.

McNabb holds a B.A. in History from Haverford College and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University. With experience in teaching and administration, he has served as a coach, classroom teacher, and Vice-Principal. Since 2016, he has served as Middle School Religion Teacher and Director of Faith Formation at Holy Name Church and School in Fall River, MA. Previous to working at Holy Name School, McNabb began his career in education at the Shelby Middle School in Shelby, Mississippi for Teach for America. He went on to serve as Middle School Teacher and then Vice-Principal at KIPP DC: KEY Academy in Washington, DC and as Vice-Principal of KIPP DC: College Preparatory in Washington, DC. Principal McNabb and his wife are parishioners of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth, RI and are the parents of two young children.

Our Lady of Mercy Regional School opened in 1950 under the direction of the Religious Sisters of Mercy with just one hundred thirty-eight pupils. The faculty consisted of three Sisters of Mercy with one sister also serving as the principal. Today, the school offers Pre-K through 8th grade instruction to approximately 255 students with a faculty of over 20. Our Lady of Mercy Pastor, Father Healey, stated: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Patrick McNabb as Principal of our parish school. He brings a wealth of educational experience, an abundance of energy and talent and most importantly a strong commitment to his Catholic Faith. We welcome him to our parish family and look forward to Patrick’s skillful and faith-filled leadership of Our Lady of Mercy School.”

A Prayer to the Blessed Mother for the Month of May

Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)

The opening words of the Eastertide anthem of the Blessed Virgin, the recitation of which is prescribed from Compline of Holy Saturday until Afternoon Prayer of the Saturday after Pentecost inclusively. Substitute this prayer for the Angelus during the Paschal (Easter) season. The authorship of the "Regina Caeli" being unknown, legend says the St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) heard the first three lines chanted by angels on a certain Easter morning in Rome while he walked barefoot in a great religious procession and that the saint thereupon added the fourth line: "Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia." A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite this according to the formula indicated for the time of the year. It is a praiseworthy practice to recite these prayers in the early morning, at noon, and in the evening.

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
R. For he whom thou hast deserved to bear, alleluia,

V. Hath risen, as he said, alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who by the Resurrection of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (Roman Breviary)

V. Regína caéli laetáre, allelúia.
R. Quía quem meruísti portáre, allelúia.

V. Resurréxit sícut díxit, allelúia.
R. Ora pro nóbis Déum, allelúia.

V. Gáude et laetáre, Vírgo María, allelúia.
R. Quía surréxit Dóminus vére, allelúia.

Oremus: Déus, qui per resurrectiónem Fílii Túi Dómini nóstri Jésu Chrísti múndum laetificáre dignátus es: praésta, quaésumus: ut per ejus Genitrícem Vírginem Maríam, perpétuae capiámus gáudia vítae. Per eúndem Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum. Ámen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968

A Prayer for the Christians of Sri Lanka

Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and from Terrorism

O almighty and merciful God, Lord of the universe and of history. All that You have created is good and your compassion for the mistakes of mankind knows no limits.

We come to You today to ask You to keep in peace the world and its people, to keep far away from it the devastating wave of terrorism, to restore friendship and instill in the hearts of your creatures the gift of trust and of readiness to forgive.

O Giver of life, we pray to You also for all those who have died as victims of brutal terrorist attacks. Grant them their eternal reward. May they intercede for the world that is torn apart by conflicts and disagreements.

O Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray to You for the ones who have been wounded in these acts of inhuman violence: children and young people, old people and innocent people accidentally involved in evil. Heal their bodies and hearts; console them with Your strength and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.

Holy Spirit Consoler, visit the families of the victims of terrorism, families that suffer through no fault of their own. Wrap them in the mantle of Your divine mercy. Make them find again in You and in themselves the strength and courage to continue to be brothers and sisters for others, above all for immigrants, giving witness to Your love by their lives.

Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may recognize the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, wealth or poverty.

O God, Eternal Father, in Your mercy hear our prayer which we raise up to You amidst the deafening noise and desperation of the world. We turn to You with great hope, full of trust in

Your infinite Mercy. Made strong by the examples of the blessed martyrs who have rendered courageous testimony to the Gospel, to the point of offering their blood, we entrust ourselves to the intercession of Your Most Holy Mother. We ask for the gift of peace and of the elimination from our midst of the sore of terrorism.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for the Easter Season

This ancient sequence is sung or prayed every day from Easter Sunday through all the Easter Octave. ords: Wigbert [Wipo of Burgundy] (d. 1050?); tr. The Antiphoner and Grail, 1880, alt. Music: Victimae Paschai laudes, plainsong, Mode I; melody att. Wigbert [Wipo of Burgundy] (d. 1050?)

Victimae paschali, The Easter Sequence

Victimae paschali laudes immolent Christiani.

Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri Reconciliavit peccatores.

Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando, Dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.

Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via? Sepulcrum Christi viventis, Et gloriam vidi resurgentis:

Angelicos testes, sudarium et vestes. Surrexit Christus spes mea: Praecedet vos in Galilaeam.

Credendum est magis soli Mariae veraci Quam Judaeorum Turbae fallaci.

Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: Tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere. Amen. Alleluia.

Christians, to the Paschal victim Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeemeth: Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring. "The tomb of Christ, who is living, the glory of Jesus' resurrection;

"Bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting. t"Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; o Galilee he goes before you."

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia!

Congrats to the Newly Intiated at Easter

With prayerful best wishes and heartfelt congratulations we welcome the following who have been baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith.

Michael Jude Cotugno

Jonathan Augustine Martin

Casey Flora Naylor

Grant Thomas More Pilkington

O God, who on this day, through Your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant we pray, that we who keep the Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by Your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.

OLM Confirmation Class Makes Easter Cupcakes for McAuley House

On Good Friday afternoon students from the OLM Confirmation Class spent a few hours making and baking delicious cupcakes for the clients of McAuley House in Providence. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley house provides basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, health services, and guidance to the poor and vulnerable of the community. It is named for the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Mother Catherine McAuley. The homemade cupcakes will delivered on Holy Saturday in time for Easter Sunday Dinner at McAuley House. We thank and commend these young men and women for their charity in doing this act of mercy.

A Prayer to Jesus Forsaken

To Jesus Forsaken

Sweet Jesus! For how many ages hast Thou hung upon Thy Cross and still men pass Thee by and regard Thee not!

How often have I passed Thee by, heedless of Thy great Sorrow, Thy many Wounds, Thy infinite Love!

How often have I stood before Thee, not to comfort and console Thee, but to add to Thy Sorrows, to deepen Thy Wounds, to spurn Thy Love!

Thou hast stretched forth Thy Hands to raise me up, and I have taken those Hands and bent them back on the Cross.

Thou hast loved me with an infinite love, and I have taken advantage of that love to sin the more against Thee.

My ingratitude has pierced Thy Sacred Heart, and Thy Heart responds only with an outpouring of Thy Love in Thy Precious Blood.

Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on me!

A Prayer for Notre Dame Cathedral

Prayer of St. John Paul II at Notre Dame
May 30, 1980:

Virgin Mary, at the heart of the Cité

We pray to you for this capital city.

You Intact, preserve the purity of its faith!

Virgin Mary, from the banks of the Seine,

We pray to you for the country of France.

O Mother, teach it to hope!

Virgin Mary, in this great Christian site,

We pray to you for all the earth’s people.

You, full of grace, may they be one in Love.

A Prayer for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Prayer for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

This prayer is designed to be said before a Crucifix
on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week.

All-powerful, eternal God, you have chosen to give mankind a model of humility; our Savior took on our flesh, and subjected himself to the Cross. Grant us the grace to preserve faithfully the lessons he has given us in his Passion and to have a share in his resurrection. Favor us, Lord, with your presence. Far from us repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels — let them live with us, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. Through Christ our Lord.

A Prayer Before a Crucifix

A Prayer Before a Crucifix

O good and dearest Jesus, I kneel before your face. With all my heart I ask you to place in my heart more faith, hope and charity. Give me a true sorrow for my sins and a strong will to do better With great sorrow and grief I look upon your five wounds and think about them. Before my eyes are the words that the prophet David said of you, O good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet They have numbered all my bones."

Saturday Evening Mass Moves to 5PM on Saturday, April 6

Beginning on Saturday, April 6 the Mass of Anticipation moves to a 5:00PM start time and Confession move to a 4:00PM start time on Saturdays. Please plan accordingly . These start times for Mass and Confession on Saturdays remain until the First Weekend in November 2019.

Congratulatons to OLM Trustee Bill Wray, 2019 Lumen Genitum Award Reciepent

2019 Lumen Gentium Award for Stewardship and Administration
Willliam K. Wray, Sr.
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Trustee

William K. Wray, Sr.

We congratulate OLM Parish Trustee, Bill Wray, on being named a recipient of the 2019 Lumen Gentium Award for Stewardship and Administration, for his faith, dedication and service in providing his Church and Parish wise counsel and guidance.

On May, 15 individuals or groups will be honored by the Diocese of Providence in 9 different categories with the 2019 Lumen Gentium Catholic Service Award. The Lumen Gentium awards, translated from Latin as “Light for the Nations,” honor those “who toil in the vineyard of the Lord,” without compensation or acclaim for their efforts.

“The faithful of this diocese continue to impress me by their unwavering dedication and love of our local Church,” said diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, who serves as chairman of the Lumen Gentium Committee. The committee reviews the nominations submitted in each award category and presents to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin a list of those chosen for each award for his approval. “The award winners this year are examples of discipleship lived robustly and faithfully. We are grateful to the missionary service they give to Christ and His Church,” Msgr. Kenney said.

The recipients of the 2019 Lumen Gentium award will be honored at a dinner scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln. The proceeds from the 2019 Lumen Gentium Dinner will benefit Catholic Youth Ministries which provide leadership training, evangelization, faith formation, gathering and recognition programs and competitive athletic opportunities to Catholic youth throughout the Diocese of Providence. For more information, visit catholicyouthri.com.

Since 2013, when the Lumen Gentium awards were first presented in the diocese, 89 individuals and groups — representing 54 parishes — have been recognized. The awards banquets have raised more than $450,000 in support of numerous diocesan ministries. Click to register for the banquet online, or call Andrea H. Krupp in the Office of Stewardship and Development at 401-277-2121. Tickets are $100 each and tables seat 10 people.

William K. Wray, Sr. is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of The Washington Trust Company. Before joining Washington Trust, Wray most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Citizens Bank, culminating in the role of Vice Chairman and Chief Information Officer.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and a master’s degree in engineering from Stanford University. Bill and his wife Nancy are long time parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy. Bill serves as a Trustee of the parish and on the OLM Parish Finance Council. In addition, he serves on the Finance Council of the Diocese of Providence.

The Litany of Saint Joseph

The Litany of Saint Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, 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.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of the patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Watchful defender of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most valiant,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of workmen ,
Glory of domestic life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the afflicted,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.

Prayer of St. Patrick

Lorica of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

Penitential Prayers for Lenten Season

Penitential Prayer of St. Augustine

O Lord, The house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know. But who shall cleanse it, to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord, and spare Your servant from strange sins. Amen

Penitential Prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in methe fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore Thee,a heart to delight in Thee,
to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ's sake, Amen

OLM Parishioner Marianna Toljan recieves St. Timothy Youth Award

Fr. Healey and Fr. Barrow pose with St. Timothy Award Recipient, Marianna Toljan, following the Mass at the Cathedral.

At a Youth Ministry and Scouting Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, March 3 Bishop Tobin presented OLM Parishioner Marianna Toljan the Diocesan St. Timothy Award for Youth for her dedicated service to Church and Parish. Marianna is a longtime OLM Altar Server and Religious Education Teacher. We congratulate her on this great recognition of her exemplary service and living witness to the faith. OLM is proud of her!

Guidelines for Fast & Abstinence For Lent

Guidelines for Fast & Abstiennce For Lent

Abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent (for those 14 and older) is required by Church law. Also, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting: those between the ages of 18 and 59 should eat less, meaning, take no solid food between meals and only one full meal that day. Serious health conditions excuse a person from these precepts.

Pastors and parents are encouraged by the law of the Church to ensure that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated nonetheless in an authentic sense of penance.

Following the implementation of the revised Code of Canon Law on November 27, 1983, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States determined that the rules of fast and abstinence which have existed for the last several years in this country be maintained. Namely, that the faithful observe suitable penitential practices on all Fridays throughout the year. These penitential practices need not include abstaining from meat. However, as indicated above, the faithful must not eat meat on all the Fridays of Lent as well as on Ash Wednesday. They must also observe faithfully the fast regulations as they have been stated above in accord with the universal law of the Church (Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canons 1250-1252).