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