Prayers for 2/1

Today we ask the intercession of St. Brigid.

For the people of Ireland...

For sailors, merchant marines, and all who make their living on the water...

For those who work in the dairy and poultry industries...

For foundry workers and all who work with iron and steel...

For children of unwed parents...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Middle East, especially Iran and Palestine, and the tensions between Muslims and the Dutch...

For the Supreme Court and its Justices, especially John Roberts and Samuel Alito...

For the repose of the souls of the California postal workers, Ze Fairchild, Maleka Higgins, Nicola Grant, Guadalupe Swartz, and Dexter Shannon, and Charlotte Colton, their families, friends, and co-workers...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/1

Hide Thou Me

In Thy cleft, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me!
When the fitful tempest rages, hide Thou me!
Where no mortal arm can sever
From my heart Thy love forever,
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee!

From the snare of sinful pleasure, hide Thou me!
Thou, my soul’s eternal Treasure, hide Thou me!
When the world its power is wielding,
And my heart is almost yielding,
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee!

In the lonely night of sorrow, hide Thou me!
Till in glory dawns the morrow, hide Thou me!
When we’re nearing Jordan’s billow,
Let Thy bosom be my pillow;
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee!

Prayers for 1/31

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. John Bosco, Francis Xavier Bianchi, Louise degli Albertoni, and Aeden of Ferns.

For the Barnabites, the Salesians, and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians...

For boys and girls in difficult situations, especially the orphaned and fatherless,...

For editors and all in the publishing industry...

For manual laborers...

For vocational schools and apprenticeship programs...

For the safe release of Jill Carroll, her family and friends...

For a loving home for the Brazillian baby girl...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Middle East, especially Iran and Palestine, as well as the tensions between Denmark and Lebanon...

For the repose of the souls of Elvis, Samantha, and Samuel Mendez, and for their family and friends...

In thanksgiving for a safe rescue of the Canadian minors...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 1/31

Rejoice, the Lord is King


Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

Prayers for 1/30

Today we ask the intercession of St. Mutein Marie Wiaux, whose feast it is today.

For the Brothers of the Christian Schools...

For fine arts teachers and their students...

For those who are in the thrall of despair, especially if they are in danger of death...

For Catholic schools...

For the repose of the soul of Clint Erickson, for the recovery of Sam Seyedin and Tyler Lubbers, and for their families, friends, teammates, classmates, and teachers...

For Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt, and all journalists currently in war zones...

For the 70 Canadian miners trapped by fire, their families, friends, and community...

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions in the Middle East, especially Palestine and Iran...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 1/30

My God, How Many Are My Fears

My God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.

The lying tempter would persuade
There’s no relief in Heav’n;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too big to be forgiv’n.

But Thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

I cried, and from His holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father, and my God,
And He subdued my fear.

He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;
I woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.

What though the hosts of death and hell
All armed against me stood,
Terrors no more shall shake my soul;
My refuge is my God.

Prayers for 1/29

Today we ask the intercession of Brother Juniper.

For all those who have taken a vow of celibacy...

For people who struggle with mental illness...

For the conversion of those who are involved with the occult...

For those discerning a vocation to the religious life...

For an increase in the baptismal gift of prophecy...

For those killed and injured by the roof collapse in Poland...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Middle East, especially Palestine...

For abused and neglected children...

For the family and friends of Abigail Fishberg...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Come, Christians, Join to Sing

Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore,
His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore,
“Alleluia! Amen!”

Prayers for 1/28

Today we ask the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, and also Blessed Charlemagne, St. Peter Nolasco, and Sts. Jerome Lu and Lawrence Wang.


For the Dominican and Mercedarian orders...

For all institutes of learning...

For theologians and philosophers...

For all Christians in China...

For those who work in space programs, especially those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of exploration and science, their families, their co-workers, and their countries...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Middle East, especially Palestine...

For those still suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

Godhead Here in Hiding

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore,
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.

On the cross thy godhead made no sign to men,
Here thy very manhood steals from human ken:
Both are my confession, both are my belief,
And I pray the prayer of the dying thief.

I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.

O thou our reminder of Christ crucified,
Living Bread, the life of us for whom he died,
Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind,
There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.

Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran---
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.

Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below,
I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so,
Some day to gaze on thee face to face in light
And be blest for ever with thy glory's sight. Amen

Prayers for 1/27

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Angela Merici, Marius, and Avitus.

For the people of the Canary Islands...

For the Ursulines...

For an increase in faith...

For those who struggle to remain chaste...

For the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, and also for Mark Bechard and his family...

For the continued recovery of Randal McCloy, and for those who provide his medical care...

For the continued recovery of Haleigh Poutre, and for those who provide her medical care...

For the repose of the soul of William Scott, and for the Mann family...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Middle East...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 1/27

The Mighty God, Jehovah, Speaks


The mighty God, Jehovah, speaks
And calls the earth from sea to sea;
From beauteous Zion God shines forth,
He comes and will not silent be;
Devouring flame before Him goes,
And dark the tempest round Him grows.

He calls aloud to Heaven and earth
That He may justly judge His own:
My chosen saints together bring
Who sacrifice to Me alone;
The heav’ns His righteousness declare,
For God Himself as Judge is there.

Hear, O My people, I will speak,
Against thee I will testify;
Give ear to Me, O Israel,
For God, thy covenant God, am I;
I do not spurn thy sacrifice,
Thy offerings are before My eyes.

I will receive from out thy fold
No offering for My holy shrine;
The cattle on a thousand hills
And all the forest beasts are Mine;
Each mountain bird to Me is known,
Whatever roams the field I own.

Behold, if I should hungry grow,
I would not tell My need to thee,
For all the world itself is Mine,
And all its wealth belongs to Me;
Why should I aught of thee receive,
My thirst or hunger to relieve?

Bring thou to God the gifts of thanks,
And pay thy vows to God Most High;
Call ye upon My holy Name
In days when sore distress is nigh;
Deliverance I will send to thee,
And praises thou shalt give to Me.

Prayers for 1/26

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Timothy and Titus .

For the people of Crete...

For those who suffer from diseases of the digestive system...

For the those injured in the Florida bus accident, and for the seven children killed...

For the continued recovery of Randal McCloy...

For all employed by Catholic Exchange, that they may weather these financially difficult times...

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions in the Middle East...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 1/26

O Come and Sing to God, the Lord

O come, let us sing to the Lord,
To Him our voices raise;
With joyful noise let us the Rock
Of our salvation praise.

Let us before His presence come
With praise, and thankful voice;
Let us sing psalms to Him with grace,
And make a joyful noise.

For God’s a great God, and great King;
Above all gods He is.
The depths of earth are in His hands;
The heights of hills are His.

To Him the spacious sea belongs,
For He the same did make;
The dry land also from His hands
Its form at first did take.

O come, and let us worship Him;
Let us bow down withal,
And on our knees before the Lord,
Our Maker, let us fall.

Prayers for 1/25

Today we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul.

For persecuted Christians, and for their persecutors...

For all who are engaged in missionary work...

For the Paulists, the Daughters of St. Paul, and all religious communities under St. Paul's patronage...

For those in Europe affected by the cold weather, and for those who passed away because of it...

For a peaceful resolution to conflicts in the Middle East...

For the repose of the soul of Kathy Hanks, her family and friends...

For Haleigh Poutre, that those in charge of her care may see the value of her young life...

For a personal intention...

For all requests previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

The Shepherd Now Was Smitten

The Shepherd now was smitten;
The wolf was ravening near;
The scattered flock he threatened,
But knew not Whose they were.

In zealous fury seeking
To bind and crucify,
A sudden voice withheld him,
A loud and startling cry:

“Saul! Saul! why blindly daring
To persecute thy Lord?
’Tis Jesus Whom thou hatest,
Rebel not at My Word.”

Then forth in prayer he stretcheth
Those hands prepared to slay;
“What wouldst Thou with Thy servant?
My Lord and Master, say.”

Christ’s foe becomes His soldier,
The wolf destroys no more,
A gentle lamb he enters
The sheepfold by the door.

O voice of God Almighty,
What wonders hath it wrought!
It rends the lofty cedars,
It bends the haughty thought.

Jesu, our Shepherd, cease not
Thy flock from harm to free,
And, when Thy sheep are wandering,
O lead them back to Thee.

To Father, Son, and Spirit,
All glory, praise and might,
Who called us out of darkness
To His own glorious light.

Hymn for 1/24

High in the Heavens, Eternal God


High in the heav’ns, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines;
Thy truth shall break through every cloud
That veils and darkens Thy designs.

Forever firm Thy justice stands,
As mountains their foundations keep;
Wise are the wonders of Thy hands;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep.

Thy providence is kind and large
Both man and beast Thy bounty share;
The whole creation is Thy charge,
But saints are Thy peculiar care.

My God, how excellent Thy grace,
Whence all our hope and comfort spring!
The sons of Adam in distress
Fly to the shadow of Thy wing.

From the provisions of Thy house
We shall be fed with sweet repast;
There mercy like a river flows,
And brings salvation to our taste.

Life, like a fountain, rich and free,
Springs from the presence of the Lord;
And in Thy light our souls shall see
The glories promised in Thy Word.

Prayers for 1/23

Today we ask the intercession of St. Francis de Sales.

For all who work in the media...

For the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, the Salesians, and the Visitation Sisters...

For a peaceful resolution between the Church and Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela...

For the citizens of Nairobi affected by the collapsed building, and their rescuers...

For the employees of Ford Motors, especially those who face the prospect of losing their job...

For those who struggle with unemployment...

For the repose of the souls of eight Guatemalan peacekeepers killed in Congo...

For a peaceful resolution to the escalating situation in Iran and the Middle East...

For those affected by the train crash in Montenegro...

For the safe release of Jill Carroll...

For the people of Canada, as they face upcoming elections...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Prayers for 1/22

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Sebastian, Agnes, Vincent Palliotti, and Vincent of Saragossa.

This day also marks 33 years since the infamous Roe v. Wade decision.

For those discerning a call to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life...

For all victims of abortion, both the babies and the mothers...

For all women contemplating abortion...

For the conversion of those involved in the abortion industry...

For those who work for the cause of life...

For archers and athletes, and all who work in the sporting world...

For all who are in the armed forces, especially those serving far from home...

For young women...

For the Pallotine movement...

For those who labor in vineyards...

For transitional deacons as they work towards ordination to the priesthood...

For permanent deacons, and for their wives and families...

For the repose of the souls of the West Virginia miners, and for their families and friends...

For the repose of the soul of Richard Cosmo Leonardi, and for his family and friends...

For countries and nations facing political tensions, and for peaceful resolutions...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 1/22

Arise, the Kingdom Is At Hand


Arise, the kingdom is at hand,
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise with joy, thou faithful band,
To meet the Lord most high!
Look up, ye souls, weighed down with care,
The Sovereign is not far;
Look up, faint hearts, from your despair,
Behold the Morning Star!

Look up, ye drooping hearts, today,
The King is very near;
O cast your griefs and fears away,
For, lo, your help is here!
Hope on, ye broken hearts, at last
The King comes in His might;
He loved us in the ages past
When we lay wrapped in night.

Look up, ye souls weighed down with care,
The Sovereign is not far!
Look up, faint hearts, from your despair,
Behold the Morning Star!
The Lord is with us now, Who shall
The sinking spirit feed
With strength and comfort at its need
To Whom e’en death shall bow.

Hope, O ye broken hearts, at last!
The King comes on in might,
He loved us in the ages past
When we sat wrapped in night;
Now are our sorrows o’er, and fear
And wrath to joy give place,
Since God hath made us in His grace
His children evermore.

O rich the gifts Thou bringest us,
Thyself made poor and weak;
O love beyond compare that thus
Can foes and sinners seek!
For this we raise a gladsome voice
On high to Thee alone,
And evermore with thanks rejoice
Before Thy glorious throne.

Hymn for 1/19

O God, Give Thou Ear to My Plea

O God, give Thou ear to my plea,
And hide not Thyself from my cry;
O hearken and answer Thou me,
As restless and weary I sigh.

O that I had wings like a dove,
For then I would fly far away
And seek for the rest that I love,
Where trouble no more could dismay.

Nay, soul, call on God all the day;
The Lord for thy help will appear;
At eve, morn, and noon humbly pray,
And He thy petition will hear.

Thy burden now cast on the Lord,
And He shall thy weakness sustain;
The righteous who trust in His Word
Unmoved shall forever remain.

Prayers for 1/19

Today we ask the intercession of St. Henry of Uppsala and St. Canute.

For the peoples of Scandanavia...

For the safe release of journalist Jill Carroll and for her family and friends...

For the continued recovery of Randal McCloy, Jr.....

For the continued recovery of Baby Noor...

For the repose of the soul of Nixzmary Brown...

For the residents of Alaska, especially those living near Augustine Volcano...

For the residents of Oklahoma and other states damaged by wildfires...

For those in the Northeast affected by high winds, and for the repose of the souls of those who died due to weather conditions...

For those affected by seasonal depression...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Prayers for January 17

Today we ask the intercession of St. Anthony the Abbot and St. Sulpice .

For all monastic and eremetic communities...

For the Sulpicians...

For the rich, especially those whose wealth is a barrier to knowing Christ...

For the peoples of Israel and Palestine...

For the Delaware Legislature...

For Rich Leonardi's father...

For personal intentions...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for January 17

Stand, Soldier of the Cross


Stand, soldier of the cross,
Thy high allegiance claim,
And vow to hold the world but loss
For thy Redeemer’s Name.

Arise, and be baptized,
And wash thy sins away;
Thy league with God be solemnized,
Thy faith avouched today.

No more thine own, but Christ’s,
With all the saints of old,
Apostles, seers, evangelists,
And martyr throngs enrolled.

In God’s whole armor strong,
Front hell’s embattled powers:
The warfare may be sharp and long,
The victory must be ours.

O bright the conqueror’s crown,
The song of triumph sweet,
When faith casts every trophy down
At our great Captain’s feet.

Maintenance Note

Apologies for being away for so long...

My wife, Amy, will be helping with this blog now. She'll be searching the blogosphere and answering the email, and posting intentions gleaned therefrom.

Many thanks, my dear, for being a helpmate in all ways!

Prayers for 1/5

Today is the memorial of St. John Neumann.

For those who seek truth with a sincere heart...

For the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia...

For the Redemptorist orders and associations...

For the repose of the souls of the West Virginia coalminers; also for the lone survivor, and for their families and friends...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Prayers for January 3

For the miners in West Virginia, and for their families and friends...

For the victims of the ice rink roof collapse in Germany, and for their loved ones...

For those affected by draught, especially in Texas and Oklahoma...

For those affected by torrential rain and mudslides, especially in California...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for January 3

Behold the Glories of the Lamb


Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amidst His Father’s throne.
Prepare new honors for His Name,
And songs before unknown.

Let elders worship at His feet,
The Church adore around,
With vials full of odors sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.

Those are the prayers of the saints,
And these the hymns they raise;
Jesus is kind to our complaints,
He loves to hear our praise.

Eternal Father, who shall look
Into Thy secret will?
Who but the Son should take that Book
And open every seal?

He shall fulfill Thy great decrees,
The Son deserves it well;
Lo, in His hand the sovereign keys
Of Heav’n, and death, and hell!

Now to the Lamb that once was slain
Be endless blessings paid;
Salvation, glory, joy remain
Forever on Thy head.

Thou hast redeemed our souls with blood,
Hast set the prisoner free;
Hast made us kings and priests to God,
And we shall reign with Thee.

The worlds of nature and of grace
Are put beneath Thy power;
Then shorten these delaying days,
And bring the promised hour.

Prayers for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Today is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace

For all mothers...

For peace in our world, in our nation, in our cities, in our homes, and in our hearts...

For a happy and fulfilling year...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

1. Sing of Mary, pure and lowly, Virgin Mother undefiled,
Sing of God's own Son most holy, Who became her little child.
Fairest child of fairest mother, God the Lord who came to earth.
Word made flesh, our very brother, Takes our nature by his birth.


2.Sing of Jesus, son of Mary, In the home at Nazareth.
Toil and labor cannot weary Love enduring unto death.
Constant was the love he gave her, Though he went forth from her side,
Forth to preach, and heal, and suffer, Till on Calvary he died.


3.Glory be to God the Father; Glory be to God the Son;
Glory be to God the Spirit; Glory to the Three in One.
From the heart of blessed Mary, From all saints the song ascends,
And the church the strain re-echoes Unto earth's remotest ends.