Hymn for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

One Sole Baptismal Sign

One sole baptismal sign,
One Lord below, above,
Zion, one faith is thine,
One only watchword—love;
From different temples though it rise,
One song ascendeth to the skies.

Our Sacrifice is one,
One Priest before the throne,
The slain, the risen Son,
Redeemer, Lord alone;
And sighs from contrite hearts that spring
Our chief, our choicest offering.

O may that holy prayer,
His tenderest, and His last,
His constant, latest care,
Ere to His throne He passed,
No longer unfulfilled remain,
The world’s offense, His people’s stain.

Head of Thy Church beneath,
The Catholic, the true,
On all her members breathe
Her broken frame renew;
Then shall Thy perfect will be done,
When Christians love and live as one

Prayers for the Memorial of St. Martha

Besides St. Martha, we also ask the intercession of her brother St. Lazarus; Sts. John Baptist Lo, Martha Wang, King Olaf II of Norway, and Pope Urban II; and Bls. Joseph Tshang, Louis Bertran, Mancius of the Holy Cross, Paul Tcheng, and Peter of the Holy Mother of God.

For the Holy Father, and for his personal intentions...

For the people of Norway...

For domestic servants...

For homemakers...

For all who work in the hospitality industry...

For cooks and all who work in restaurants...

For those who work in laundries and dry cleaners...

For travellers...

For couples in difficult marriages, and for their children...

For John and Sandra Miesel and their family...

For Cardinal Francis George, and for the Archdiocese of Chicago...

For Matt and Rachel Watkins and their family...

For Mother Angelica and her community, and for EWTN...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and Somalia...

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

For those affected by hot weather...

For Paul...

For a personal intention...

For the intentions posted on Happy Catholic and Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Memorial of St.Martha

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling


Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Prayers for 7/28

Today we ask the intercession of St. Pope Innocent I, Celsus, Melchor Garcia Sampedro, Nazarius, Pedro Poveda Castroverde, and Samson; along with Bls. Anthony della Chiesa and John Soreth.

For the Holy Father, and for his personal intentions...

For Alicia's intentions...

For those affected by severe summer weather...

For the repose of the soul of Max Walker, and for his family and friends...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 7/28

Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast


Almighty God, Your Word is cast
Like seed into the ground;
Now let the dew of Heav’n descend,
And righteous fruits abound.

Let not the foe of Christ and man
This holy seed remove,
But give it root in ev’ry heart
To bring forth fruits of love.

Let not the world’s deceitful cares
The rising plant destroy.
But let it yield a hundredfold
The fruits of peace and joy.

Nor let Your Word so kindly sent
To raise us to Your throne
Return to You, and sadly tell
That we reject Your Son.

Oft as the precious seed is sown,
Your quick’ning grace bestow,
That all whose souls the truth receive,
Its saving power may know.

Great God, come down and on Your Word
Your mighty power bestow,
That all who hear the joyful sound,
Your saving grace may know.

Prayers for 7/27

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Cunegundes and Pantaleon ; and Bls. Alphonsus Pacheco, Andrew the Catechist, Lucy Bufalari, and Mary Magdelene Martinengo.

For the peoples of Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Poland...

For bachelors...

For physicians...

For those who suffer from tuberculosis...

For torture victims...

For persecuted Christians...

For Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 7/27

Thy Mercy and Thy Truth, O Lord


Thy mercy and Thy truth, O Lord,
Transcend the lofty sky;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep,
And as the mountains high.

Lord, Thou preservest man and beast;
Since Thou art ever kind;
Beneath the shadow of Thy wings
We may a refuge find.

With the abundance of Thy house
We shall be satisfied,
From rivers of unfailing joy
Our thirst shall be supplied.

The fountain of eternal life
Is found alone with Thee,
And in the brightness of Thy light
We clearly light shall see.

From those that know Thee may Thy love
And mercy ne’er depart,
And may Thy justice still protect
And bless the upright heart.

The workers of iniquity
Are fallen utterly;
They shall not triumph in their pride,
Or drive my soul from Thee.

Prayers for 7/26

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We also ask the intercession of Sts. Bartholomea Capitanio and Parasceva; along with Bls. George Preca, George Swallowell, John Ingram, and Titus Brandsma.

For the peoples of Brittany and Canada (especailly Quebec)...

For older couples having children...

For couples having difficulties with conceiving...

For childless couples...

For grandparents...

For full-time homemakers...

For the poor...

For lacemakers and embroiderers...

For the poor...

For the Sisters of Charity of Lovere...

For the Society of Christian Doctrine...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 7/26

Eternal Father, Strong to Save


Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Prayers on the Feast of St. James

Besides St. James, we also ask the intercession of Sts. Canute Lavard, Christopher, Euphrasia, Thea & Valentina, and Rudolph Acquaviva.

For the peoples of Chile, Galicia, Nicaragua, and Spain...

For the Pueblo Indians...

For all who work in the pharmaceutical industry...

For all members of the Armed Forces, especially those serving far from home...
For travellers and commuters...

For pilgrims...

For veterinarians...

For those who suffer from arthritis...

For all who work in mass transit...

For truck drivers...

For the repose of the soul of Stephen William Castner, and for his family and friends...

For peace throughout the world...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn in Honor of St. James

Two Brothers Freely Cast Their Lot


Two brothers freely cast their lot
With David’s royal Son;
The cost of conquest counting not,
They deem the battle won.

Brothers in heart, they hope to gain
An undivided joy,
That man may one with man remain,
As boy was one with boy.

Christ heard; and willed that James should fall
First prey of Satan’s rage;
John linger out his fellows all,
And die in bloodless age.

Now they join hands once more above
Before the Conqueror’s throne!
Thus God grants prayer; but in His love
Makes times and ways His own.
All glory to the Father be,All glory to the Son,All glory, Holy Ghost, to TheeWhile endless ages run.

Prayers for 7/24

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Declan, John Boste, and Menefrida; as well as Bl. Maria Pilar Martinez Garcia & Companions and Bl. Joseph Fernandez.

For Karl and his family...

For those affected by summer heat...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 7/24

O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee


O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.

The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.

Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.

Prayers for 7/23

Today we ask the intercession of the Martyrs of Bulgaria; and Sts. Apollinaris, Bridget of Sweden, John Cassian, and Phocas the Gardener.

For the people of Sweden...

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

For the Greydanus family...

For peace in the world, especially in the Middle East...

For all affected by the tsunami in Indonesia...

For all affected by flooding, especially in Japan and China...

For a personal intention...

For intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Come Ye Yourselves Apart

Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile;
Weary, I know it, of the press and throng,
Wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,
And in My quiet strength again be strong.

Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,
For converse which the world has never known,
Alone with Me and with My Father here,
With Me and with My Father not alone.

Come, tell Me all that ye have said and done,
Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:
My choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.

Come ye and rest: the journey is too great,
And ye will faint beside the way and sink:
The Bread of Life is here for you to eat,
And here for you the Wine of Love to drink.

Then, fresh from converse with your Lord, return
And work till daylight softens into ev’n;
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn
More of your Master and His rest in Heav’n.

Prayers on the Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene

Besides St. Mary Magdalene, we also ask the intercession of Sts. Philip Evans & John Lloyd.

For those who work in pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry...

For those who make and sell cosmetics and perfumes...

For barbers and hairdressers...

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

For those subjected to sexual temptations...

For converts...

For contemplatives...

For those living a life of penance...

For those affected by summer heat, especially those without power...

For the repose of the soul of Glenn Kelly, and for his family and friends...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene

Happy Magdalene, to Whom

Happy Magdalene, to whom
Christ the Lord vouchsafed t’appear!
Newly risen from the tomb,
Would He first be seen by her?
Her by seven devils possessed,
Till His Word the fiends expelled;
Quenched the hell within her breast,
All her sins and sickness healed.

Yes, to her the Master came,
First His welcome voice she hears:
Jesus calls her by her name,
He the weeping sinner cheers,
Lets her the dear task repeat,
While her eyes again run o’er;
Lets her wash His bleeding feet,
Kiss them, and with joy adore.

Highly favored soul! To her
Farther still His grace extends,
Raises the glad messenger,
Sends her to His drooping friends;
Tidings of their living Lord
First in her report they find:
She must spread the Gospel word,
Teach the teachers of mankind.

Who can now presume to fear?
Who despair his Lord to see?
Jesus, wilt Thou not appear,
Show Thyself alive to me?
Yea, my God, I dare not doubt,
Thou shalt all my sins remove;
Thou hast cast a legion out,
Thou wilt perfect me in love.

Surely Thou hast called me now!
Now I hear the voice divine,
At Thy wounded feet I bow,
Wounded for whose sins but mine!
I have nailed Him to the tree,
I have sent Him to the grave:
But the Lord is ris’n for me,
Hold of Him by faith I have.

Here for ever I would lie,
Didst Thou not Thy servant raise,
Send me forth to testify
All the wonders of Thy grace.
Lo! I at Thy bidding go,
Gladly to Thy followers tell
They their rising God may know,
They the life of Christ may feel.

Hear, ye brethren of the Lord,
(Such as He vouchsafes to call)
O believe the Gospel word,
Christ hath died, and rose for all:
Turn ye from your sins to God,
Haste to Galilee, and see
Him, Who bought Thee with His blood,
Him, Who rose to live in Thee.

Prayers for 7/21

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Arbogast, Lawrence of Brindisi, Praxides, andVictor; along with Bls. Francis de Montmorency Laval and Oddino Barrotti.

For woodworkers and builders...

For the deliverance of torture victims...

For single women...

For the repose of the soul of Monsignor William Costello, and for his family and friends...

For the repose of the soul of Decon Doug Sliger, and for his family and friends...

For the repose of the soul of Jeffrey Phillips, and for his family and friends...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and North Korea...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions posted on Jimmy Akin's blog...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 7/21

Lord God of Hosts, Whose Mighty Hand


Lord God of hosts, Whose mighty hand
Dominion holds on sea and land,
In peace and war Your will we see
Shaping the larger liberty;
Nations may rise and nations fall,
Your changeless purpose rules them all.

For those who weak and broken lie
In weariness and agony,
Great Healer, to their beds of pain
Come, touch and make them whole again.
O hear a people’s prayers, and bless
Your servants in their hour of stress!

For those to whom the call shall come,
We pray Your tender welcome home;
The toil, the bitterness, all past,
We trust them to Your love at last.
O hear a people’s prayers for all
Who, nobly striving, nobly fall!

For those who minister and heal,
And spend themselves, their skill, their zeal,
Renew their hearts with Christlike faith,
And guard them from disease and death;
And in Your own good time, Lord, send
Your peace on earth till time shall end.

Prayers for 7/20

Today we ask the intercession of the Prophet Elijah, and Sts. José María Díaz Sanjurjo and Joseph Barsabas.

For Mike from Singapore...

For all affected by summer heat...

For peace throughout the world, especially in the Middle East and North Korea...

For all intentions posted on Happy Catholic...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...