Prayers for 2/11

Besides Our Lady of Lourdes, we also ask the intercession of Sts. Benedict of Aniane, Paschal I, and Victoria.

For the Holy Father...

For the pilgrims of Lourdes, especially those who seek healing...

For those unable or unwilling to attend Mass...

For Alicia's father, Alicia, their family and friends...

For peaceful resolutions to tensions in the Middle East, especially Israel, Palestine, and Iran...

For peaceful resolutions to tensions between Denmark and Muslims...

For those denied free speech throughout the world...

For those who are persecuted for their faith...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for Our Lady of Lourdes

I have already posted the Lourdes Hymn, alas.

Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary

DAILY DAILY SING TO MARY

Daily daily sing to Mary
Sing my soul her praises due.
All her glorious actions cherish
With the heart's devotion true.
Lost in wondering contemplation
Be her majesty confessed.
Call her Mother, call her Virgin
Happy Mother Virgin blest!

She is mighty to deliver
Call her, trust her lovingly.
When the tempest rages round you
She will calm the troubled sea.
Gifts of heaven she has given
Noble Lady to our race.
She, the Queen who decks her subjects
With the light of God's own grace.

Prayers for 2/10

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Scholastica, Alexander of Lugo, and William of Maleval; as well as Bls. Alojzije Stepinac.

For all Benedictine women, both sisters and oblates...

For persecuted Christians...

For Alicia's father, for Alica, their family and friends...

For Roy and Eloysa Vasquez, their son Timothy, and family and friends...

For all athletes and spectators heading to Tourino for the Olympic Games, and for a peaceful competition...

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

For a peaceful resolution to tensions between Denmark and Muslims...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/10

O Love Divine, How Sweet Thou Art


O love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my willing heart
All taken up by thee?
I thirst, I faint, I die to prove
The greatness of redeeming love,
The love of Christ to me.

Stronger His love than death or hell;
Its reaches are unsearchable;
The first born sons of light
Desire in vain its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery
The length, and breadth, and height.

God only knows the love of God;
O that it now were shed abroad
In this poor stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord, be mine,
Be mine this better part.

O that I could forever sit
With Mary at the Master’s feet;
Be this my happy choice;
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this
To hear the Bridegroom’s voice.

O that, with humbled Peter, I
Could weep, believe, and thrice reply,
My faithfulness to prove.
Thou know’st, for all to Thee is known,
Thou know’st, O Lord, and Thou alone,
Thou know’st that Thee I love.

O that I could, with favored John,
Recline my weary head upon
The dear Redeemer’s breast!
From care, and sin, and sorrow free,
Give me, O Lord, to find in Thee
My everlasting rest.
Thy only love do I require,Nothing on earth beneath desire,Nothing in heaven above;Let earth, and heaven, and all things go,Give me Thy only love to know,Give me only Thy love.

Prayers for 2/9

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Apollonia, Marianus Scotus, Miguel Febres Cordero Munoz, and Mary Teresa Bonzel; as well as Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich.

For the people of Ecuador...

For the Poor Franciscans of Perpetual Adoration...

For the Christian Brothers...

For dentists and their patients...

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

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions between Muslims and Denmark...

For those who are denied free speech throughout the world...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/9

O Render Thanks to God Above


O render thanks to God above,
The fountain of eternal love,
Whose mercy firm through ages past
Hath stood, and shall forever last.

Who can His mighty deeds express,
Not only vast, but numberless?
What mortal eloquence can raise
His tribute of immortal praise?

Extend to me that favor, Lord,
Thou to Thy chosen dost afford;
When Thou return’st to set them free,
Let Thy salvation visit me.

O may I worthy prove to see
Thy saints in full prosperity,
That I the joyful choir may join,
And count Thy people’s triumph mine!

Prayers for 2/8

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Jerome Emiliani, John of Matha, and Josephine Bakhita.

For the people of Sudan, especially those persecuted for their religion and ethnicity...

For the Trinitarians, Somascans, and Canossian Daughters of Charity...

For orphans...

For prisoners and all correctional workers...

For Alicia's father and her family...

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

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions between Muslims and Denmark...

For those throughout the world who are denied free speech...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/8

O Lord, I Will Delight in Thee


O Lord, I will delight in Thee
And on Thy care depend,
To Thee in every trouble flee,
My best, my only Friend.

When all created streams are dried,
Thy fullness is the same;
May I with this be satisfied
And glory in Thy Name.

No good in creatures can be found
But may be found in Thee;
I must have all things and abound
While God is God to me.

O Lord, I cast my care on Thee,
I triumph and adore;
Henceforth my great concern shall be
To love and please Thee more.

Prayers for 2/7

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Giles Mary of St. Joseph and Theodore Stratelates, as well as Bls. Anselmo Polanco, Mary of Providence, Pius IX, and Rosalie Rendu.

For the Holy Father...

For soldiers, especially those serving far from home...

For the Helpers of the Holy Souls...

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory, especially those who have no one to pray for them...

For the Daughters of Charity...

For Chris Burgwald and his young family...

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

For a peaceful resolution to tensions between Muslims and Denmark...

For those who are denied free speech throughout the world...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all previous intentions posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/7

O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely


O Lord of hosts, how lovely the place where Thou dost dwell!
Thy tabernacles holy in pleasantness excel.
My soul is longing, fainting, Jehovah’s courts to see;
My heart and flesh are crying, O living God for Thee.

Behold the sparrow findeth a house in which to rest,
The swallow has discovered where she may build her nest;
And where, securely sheltered, her young she forth may bring;
So Lord of hosts, Thine altars I seek, my God, my King.

Blest who Thy house inhabit, they ever give Thee praise.
Blest all whom Thou dost strengthen, who love the sacred ways.
Who pass through Baca’s valley, and make in it a well;
There rains in shower abundant the pools with water fill.

So they from strength unwearied go forward unto strength,
Till they appear in Zion, before the Lord at length.
O hear, Lord God of Jacob, to me an answer yield;
The face of Thine anointed, behold, O God, our Shield.

One day excels a thousand, if spent Thy courts within;
I’ll chose Thy threshold rather than dwell in tents of sin.
Our Sun and Shield Jehovah, will grace and glory give;
No good will He deny them that uprightly do live.

Prayers for 2/6

Today we ask the intercession of the Martyrs of Nagasaki, and also Sts. Amand, Dorothy, Mel of Ardagh, and Vaast; as well as Bl. Alfonso Maria Fusco.

For the people of Japan...

For church architects and artists...

For those who seek healing in body and mind...

For the Sisters of St. John the Baptist...

For vintners and brewers...

For keepers of taverns and bartenders...

For those who work in hotels...

For florists and gardners...

For developmentally disabled children...

For the repose of the soul of Father Andrea Santoro...

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

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions between Denmark and Muslims...

For those who are denied free speech throughout the world...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/6

Arise, O Lord Our God, Arise


Arise, O Lord, our God, arise
And enter now into Thy rest;
O let this house be Thine abode,
Forever with Thy presence blest.

Thy gracious cov’nant, Lord, fulfill,
Turn not away from us Thy face;
Establish Thou Messiah’s throne
And let Him reign within this place.

Thy Zion Thou hast chosen, Lord,
And Thou hast said, I love her well,
This is My constant resting place,
And here will I delight to dwell.

I will abundantly provide
For Zion’s good, the Lord hath said;
I will supply her daily need
And satisfy her poor with bread.

Prayers for 2/5

Today we ask the intercession of St. Agatha.

For victims of breast cancer, and for their caregivers...

For those driven to despair...

For the deliverance of prostitutes and those who exploit them...

For children exploited as sexual objects...

For victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters...

For rape victims...

For torture victims...

For Dale Price...

For Alicia...

For those injured and killed in the California prison riot...

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

For a peaceful resolution to the tensions between Denmark and Muslims, and for those denied free speech throughout the world...

For personal intentions...

For intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thine Arm, O Lord, In Days of Old


Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old, was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed o’er disease and death, over darkness and the grave.
To Thee they went, the blind, the dumb, the palsied and the lame,
The leper with his tainted life, the sick with fevered frame.

And lo! Thy touch brought life and health, gave speech, and strength and sight;
And youth renewed and fear relieved owned Thee, the Lord of light;
And now, O Lord, be near to bless, Almighty as of yore,
In crowded street, by restless couch, as by Gennesaret’s shore.

Be Thou our great Deliverer still, Thou Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with Thine almighty breath.
To hands that work and eyes that see, give wisdom’s heavenly lore,
That whole and sick, and weak and strong, may praise Thee evermore.

Prayers for 2/4

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Andrew Corsini, Jane of Valois, John de Brito, Joseph of Leonissa, Maria de Mattias, and Rabanus Marus.

For the gift of wisdom...

For retreat centers...

For protection against civil unrest...

For the peoples of Portugal and the Indian Subcontinent...

For the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood...

For those lives lost in the sinking of the ferry in the Red Sea, for those still missing, for the survivors, and for all family and friends...

For those killed and injured in the Manila stampede...

For a personal intention...

For intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/4

O Let My Supplicating Cry


O let my supplicating cry
By Thee, my gracious Lord, be heard;
Give wisdom and deliver me
According to Thy faithful Word.

Instructed in Thy holy law,
To praise Thy Word I lift my voice;
O Lord, be Thou my present help,
For Thy commandments are my choice.

For Thy salvation I have longed,
And in Thy law is my delight;
Enrich my soul with life divine,
And help by Thy judgments right.

Thy servant like a wandering sheep
Has lost the path and gone astray;
Restore my soul and lead me home,
For Thy commands I would obey

Prayers for 2/3

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Blaise, Anskar, Claudine Thevenet, Marie Rivier, and Margaret of England; as well as Bls. Antony of Pavoni, Oderic of Pordenone, and Stephen Bellesini.

For the peoples of Scandinavia, Dalmatia, and Tibet...

For those who suffer from illnesses of the throat, and for ear, nose, and throat specialists...

For those who work in the wool trade...

For those who work in construction and masonry...

For the Religious of Jesus and Mary...

For the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary...

For those affected by the sinking of the Egyptian passenger ship...

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

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/3

Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower


Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower,
Thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown,
Thee will I love with all my power,
In all Thy works, and Thee alone;
Thee will I love, till the pure fire
Fill my whole soul with chaste desire.

Ah, why did I so late Thee know,
Thee, lovelier than the sons of men!
Ah, why did I no sooner go
To Thee, the only ease in pain!
Ashamed, I sigh, and inly mourn,
That I so late to Thee did turn.

In darkness willingly I strayed,
I sought Thee, yet from Thee I roved;
Far wide my wandering thoughts were spread,
Thy creatures more than Thee I loved;
And now if more at length I see,
’Tis through Thy light and comes from Thee.

I thank Thee, uncreated Sun,
That Thy bright beams on me have shined;
I thank Thee, who hast overthrown
My foes, and healed my wounded mind;
I thank Thee, whose enlivening voice
Bids my freed heart in Thee rejoice.

Uphold me in the doubtful race,
Nor suffer me again to stray;
Strengthen my feet with steady pace
Still to press forward in Thy way;
My soul and flesh, O Lord of might,
Fill, satiate, with Thy heavenly light.

Give to mine eyes refreshing tears,
Give to my heart chaste, hallowed fires,
Give to my soul, with filial fears,
The love that all Heaven’s host inspires;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

Thee will I love, my joy, my crown,
Thee will I love, my Lord, my God;
Thee will I love, beneath Thy frown,
Or smile, Thy scepter, or Thy rod;
What though my flesh and heart decay?
Thee shall I love in endless day!

Prayers on the Presentation of the Lord

Today we also ask the intercession of Sts. Adalberd of Ostrevant, Catherine del Ricci, Cornelius the Centurion, and Jeanne de Lestonnac; as well as Bls. Maria Dominica Mantovani and Peter Cambiano.

For large families...

For the chronically ill...

For soldiers, especially those serving far from home...

For the Sisters of the Company of Mary...

For the Little Sisters of the Holy Family...

For midwives and the families they serve...

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

For the continued recovery of Samuel Seyedin and Tyler Lubbers...

For the repose of the soul of Ken Knudson and other victims of the plane crash in Wheeling, IL, their families and friends...

For the repose of the souls of Beverly Graham and Charlotte Colton...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Presentation of the Lord

O Zion, Open Wide Thy Gates


O Zion, open wide thy gates,
Let figures disappear;
A Priest and Victim, both in One,
The Truth Himself, is here.

No more the simple flock shall bleed;
Behold, the Father’s Son
Himself to His own altar comes
For sinners to atone.

Conscious of hidden deity,
The lowly virgin brings
Her newborn Babe, with two young doves,
Her humble offerings.

The agèd Simeon sees at last
His Lord, so long desired,
And Anna welcomes Israel’s hope,
With holy rapture fired.

But silent knelt the mother blest
Of the yet silent Word,
And pondering all things in her heart,
With speechless praise adored.

All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

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.

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.

For 12/1

For the grace to do God's will at all times...

For Suzanne B's father, recently diagnosed with lung cancer...

For all those affected by the recent winter weather across the Great Plains and Upper Midwest...

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

Today's Hymn

During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, I will be posting a different hymn/antiphon each day.

The Advent of Our God


The advent of our God
Our prayers must now employ,
And we must meet Him on His road
With hymns of holy joy.

The everlasting Son
Incarnate deigns to be;
Himself a servant’s form puts on
To set His people free.

Daughter of Zion, rise
To meet thy lowly King,
Nor let thy faithless heart despise
The peace He comes to bring.

As Judge, on clouds of light,
He soon will come again,
And all His scattered saints unite
With Him in Heaven to reign.

Before the dawning day
Let sin’s dark deeds be gone;
The old man all be put away,
The new man all put on.

All glory to the Son
Who comes to set us free,
With Father, Spirit, ever One,
Through all eternity.

For November 30

Today is the feast of St. Andrew, the first of the Apostles to be called by Jesus.

For the peoples of Scotland, Russia, and Romania...

For the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen serving overseas...

For R.W., whose sister was killed in a car accident this past Wednesday...

For Basia, hospitalized with numerous health problems, and her family...

For Judeen, hospitalized with spinal problems...

For all the intentions of those who visit this site...

Pope John Paul II

Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.