Prayers for the Feast of the Holy Family

For all families...

For single parents and their children...

For families struggling to make ends meet...

For families experiencing hardships and tragedies...

For Gordon Zaft and his family...

For the repose of the soul of Larry Gonczy and his family...

For Kathy Hanks and her family...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Carol for 12/28

1. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.Lullay,
Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

2. O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

3. Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.

4. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Prayers for 12/27

Today is the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.

For the mystics among us...

For art dealers, those who work in the publishing industry, writers, and tanners...

For the victims of the shooting in Toronto, and for their families...

For the repose of the soul of Melissa Koors, and for her family, friends, and students...

For John Stivala...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Today's Christmas Hymn

Be Ye Joyful, Earth and Sky



Be ye joyful, earth and sky,Hallelujah!
Unto us God’s Son came nigh,Hallelujah!

Refrain

He for our salvation
Left God’s habitation,
Yes, He left God’s habitation.

Here the fairest Rose we see,Hallelujah!
Blooming forth from Jesse’s tree,Hallelujah!

Refrain

He, the great incarnate Word,Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ doth help afford,Hallelujah!

Refrain

Prayers for St. Stephen's Day

For all deacons, permanent and transitional...

For stonemasons and quarrymen...

For all persecuted Christians...

For those still affected by the tsunami of one year ago...

For those travelling today...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Today's Christmas Hymn

The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain:

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. Refrain

And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. Refrain

Then entered in those wise men three
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain

Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood mankind hath bought. Refrain

Prayers for Christmas Day

For peace on earth and good will to men...

For all gathered in church and home to celebrate this day...

For those who must work today, especially those who will not have time to celebrate with their families...

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

For those who are alone and forgotten today and every day...

For those unable to fully celebrate because of financial difficulty...

For those who are unable to celebrate because of religious or political persecution...

For those who must travel this day by land, sea, or air...

For those affected by tragedy on this day...

For the daughter of Hector Munoz...

For Mrs. Kairos Guy...

For the repose of the soul of Jean Meyer, who passed away Christmas Eve, and for her family and friends...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for Christmas

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

Prayers for 12/22

For those who suffer from winter depression...

For those who are travelling...

For Matthew's friend, currently hospitalized...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Antiphons for 12/21 and 12/22

For 12/21

O Rising Dawn,
Radiance of the Light eternal
and Sun of Justice;
come and enlighten those
who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death!

For 12/22

O King of Nations and Desired of All,
You are the cornerstone that binds two into one.
Come, and save poor man
whom You fashioned out of clay!

Antiphon and Prayers for 12/20

O Key of David,
and Sceptre of the House of Israel,
You open and no man closes;
You close and no man opens.
Come and deliver him
from the chains of prison
who sits in darkness
and in the shadow of death!

For Christians still living in the Holy Land...

For the victims of the plane crash in Miami Beach, and for their families

For the repose of the soul of Alejandra Gutierrez, and for her family and friends...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Prayers for 12/19

For those affected by the snow and cold...

For all those who work in stores and shopping centers during this time...

For the repose of the soul of Roger Huebner, and for his family and friends...

For all intentions previously posted on this site....

Antiphons for 12/18 and 12/19

Antiphon for 12/18

O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel,
You appeared to Moses in the burning bush
and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law.
Come and with outstretched arm redeem us!


Antiphon for 12/19

O Root of Jesse,
You stand for an ensign of mankind;
before You kings shall keep silence,
and to You all nations shall have recourse.
Come, save us and do not delay!

Antiphon and Prayer for 12/17

O Wisdom,
You came forth from the mouth of the Most High
and reaching from beginning to end,
You ordered all things mightily and sweetly.
Come and teach us the way of prudence!

Today we also remember St. John of Matha.

For the Trinitarian order...

For the Iraqi people...

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

For Karen Marie Knapp...

For Alicia's newborn niece and her entire family...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Prayers for 12/14

Today we ask the intercession of St. John of the Cross and St. Venantius Fortunus.

For all Carmelite communities...

For pastoral musicians...

For those affected by the apartment explosion in New Jersey...

For the repose of the soul of Don's father...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn For 12/14

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus


Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.I
srael’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Prayers for 12/13

Today is the feast of St. Lucy.

For persecuted Christians...

For the visually impaired and the blind, and those who work with them...

For the victims of the nursing home fire in Michigan, and for their families...

For Alejandra Gutierrez...

For Terry Teachout...

For the Dom and Melanie Bettinelli, and their unborn child...

For the Chattaway family...

For Patty Bonds and her family...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 12/13

Rorate, Caeli



Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

Be not angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity : behold the city of thy sanctuary is become a desert, Sion is made a desert. Jerusalem is desolate, the house of our holiness and of thy glory, where our fathers praised thee.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

We have sinned, and we are become as one unclean, and we have all fallen as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast crushed us by the hand of our iniquity.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

See, O Lord, the affliction of thy people, and send him whom thou hast promised to send. Send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth, from the rock of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion, that he himself may take off the yoke of our captivity.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

Be comforted, be comforted, my people; thy salvation shall speedily come why wilt thou waste away in sadness? why bath sorrow seized thee? I will save thee; fear not: for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

Prayers for Our Lady of Guadalupe

For the peoples of Mexico and all the Americas...

For a peaceful election in Iraq...

For the people of Australia...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Poem for Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mary, Virgin of Guadalupe

Dark lady, you smile at me across the mountains
The secret smile of ancient people.
What thoughts do you send me, dark beautiful lady?
Will you someday tell me when I come with great armfuls of roses
Over the mysterious mountains to your feet?
Dear, dark queen will you give me too
Lovely roses in December?

Anne B. Quinn

Prayers for 12/11

For a proper keeping of this Advent season...

For an increase of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life...

For the vunerable in our society: the unborn, the poor, the homeless, the elderly, the handicapped, the terminally ill, the mentally ill, and the chronically ill...

For those far away from home, especially those in military service...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Third Sunday of Advent

Lo! from the desert homes
Where he hath hid so long,
The new Elias comes,
In sternest wisdom strong;
The voice that cries
Of Christ on high,
And judgment nigh
From opening skies.

Your God e’en now doth stand
At Heaven’s opening door;
His fan is in His hand,
And He will purge His floor;
The wheat He claims
And with Him stows,
The chaff He throws
To quenchless flames.

Ye haughty mountains, bow
Your sky-aspiring heads;
Ye valleys, hiding low,
Lift up your gentle meads;
Make His way plain
Your king before,
For evermore
He comes to reign.

May Thy dread voice around,
Thou harbinger of Light,
On our dull ears still sound,
Lest here we sleep in night,
Till judgment come,
And on our path
Shall burst the wrath
And deathless doom.

O God, with love’s sweet might,
Who dost anoint and arm
Christ’s soldier for the fight,
With grace that shields from harm,
Thrice blessèd Three
Heav’n’s endless days
Shall sing Thy praise
Eternally.

Prayers for 12/10

Today we remember St. Gregory III.

For the Holy Father...

For all bishops, priests, and deacons...

For the repose of the soul of Neal Humiston, and for his family...

For Jeanetta, as she starts a new job...

For the intentions mentioned on Fructris Ventris...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 12/10

Herald, In the Wilderness


Herald, in the wilderness,
Breaking up the road,
Sinking mountains, raising plains,
For the path of God;

Prophet, to the multitudes
Calling to repent,
In the way of righteousness
Unto Israel sent;

Messenger, God’s chosen one
Foremost to proclaim,
Proffered titles passing by,
Pointing to the Lamb.

Captive, for the word of truth
Boldly witnessing;
Then in Herod’s dungeon cave,
Faint and languishing;

Martyr, sacrificed to sin
At that feast of shame;
As his life foreshowed the Lord,
In his death the same—

Holy Jesus, when He heard,
Went apart to pray:
Thus may we our lesson take
From his saint today.

Prayers for 12/9

Today is the feast of St. Juan Diego .

For the native peoples of Mexico...

For those who work with the poor and marginalized...

For the repose of the soul of Roland Beaupre...

For the Fidero family...

For Karl Kohlhase and his family...

For Jennifer and Greg Willits...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 12/9

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 shallThe 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.

Prayers for the Immaculate Conception

For the peoples of the United States, Brazil, Inner Mongolia, the Phillipines, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and all other places who claim Mary Immaculate as their patroness...

For all religious congregations, associations, and movements dedicated to Mary Immaculate...

For the intention mentioned on Fructis Ventris...

For the earthquake victims in the Congo...

For those affected by the volcano in Vanuatu...

For all those affected by job cutbacks...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing,
You reign now in heaven with Jesus, our King.

(Refrain)

Ave, ave, ave Maria,
Ave, ave, ave Maria.

In heaven, the blessed your glory proclaim:
On earth, we your children invoke your fair name.

(Refrain)

Your name is our power, your virtues our light,
Your love is our comfort, your pleading our might.

(Refrain)

We pray for our mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest lady, the land of our birth.

(Refrain)

Apology

Blogger was problematic on 12/5, and other commitments kept me from completing the requests for 12/7. My apologies for not posting for 12/6 and 12/7.

Hymn for 12/7

Light of Those Whose Dreary Dwelling


Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and by Thy love’s revealing
Dissipate the clouds beneath.

The new heaven and earth’s Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature,
Pouring eyesight on our eyes.

Still we wait for Thine appearing;
Life and joy Thy beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart.

Come, and manifest the favor
God hath for our ransomed race;
Come, Thou universal Savior,
Come, and bring the Gospel grace.

Save us in Thy great compassion,
O Thou mild, pacific Prince;
Give the knowledge of salvation,
Give the pardon of our sins.

By Thine all-redeeming merit
Every burdened soul release;
Every weary, wandering spirit
Guide into Thy perfect peace.

Prayers for 12/5

Today marks the feasts of St. Sabas, St. Gerald, St. John Almond, and St. Nicholas Tavelic, among others.

For the peoples of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland...

For Eastern Christian monasteries, especially those in the Holy Land...

For the elderly, the disabled, and all those suffering in mind and body...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 12/5

O Come, Divine Messiah

O come, Divine Messiah,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

refrain:

Dear Savior haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night and show Thy face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.
O come, Divine Messiah,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

O Thou whom nations sighed for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold,
Wilt break the captive fetters,
Redeem the long lost fold.

refrain

Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent

Today is also the feast day for St. John of Damascus and St. Barbara

For Arab Christians...

For those endure persecution from family for their fidelity to Christ...

For those who will die suddenly, that they may be prepared for their appearance before the Judgement Seat...

For all those affected by winter weather: the elderly, the shut-ins, the homeless, those without heat in their homes, and those who are isolated...

For the repose of the soul of Russell R. Smith, and for his family...

For the Windsor Family...

For David Morrison's father...

For Elliot Bougis' situation...

For all the intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Second Sunday of Advent

On Jordan's Bank


On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

Reminder

I'm republishing the rules and procedures for submitting requests...


1) Please send all requests to oratefratres@yahoo.com . I will post them from there.

2) The Welborn Protocol applies here. If you wish to remain anonymous, or to be known by initials, please state that in your request.

3) Commonsense rules on civility and charity apply. No calling down of heavenly lightning on anyone or anything, no political stumping, no requests for excessive wealth....you get the picture.

4) I ask all visitors to at least say a brief prayer for all those who have posted. I also ask those who celebrate the Hours to make some mention, and I especially ask priests to remember them at the altar.

Thank you, and God bless you!

Prayers for 12/3

Today is the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

For the members and associates of the Society of Jesus...

For the peoples of India, Japan, and the Philippines...

For all those involved in missionary work...

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and diaconate...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 12/3

Creator of the Stars of Night


Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.

Prayers For 12/2

For those with vision problems...

For Banshee's friend and her friend's children....

For Mark Shea's brother-in-law...

For Binky the Web Elf...

For Dick Weiand...

For all of the intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn For 12/2

Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say,
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Wakened by the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

That when next He comes in glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing
Be to God: the Father, Son
And the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.