Prayers for Ash Wedensday

Today we also ask the intercession of the Patriarchs Jared and Seth; Sts. Albinus, David of Wales, Leolucas, Rudesind, and Swithbert; and Bl. Jane Mary Bonomo .

For spiritual renewal during this holy season of Lent...

For those unable to keep the disciplines of Lent due to health or grave necessity...

For the peoples of Wales, Frisia, and Germany...

For the sick, especially sufferers of angina and throat diseases...

For the repose of the soul of Melissa Driscoll's father, and for her family...

For Patty Bond's daughter and unborn granddaughter...

For peace in the Middle East, especially Iraq and Iran...

For those affected by winter illnesses, especially seasonal depression...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for Ash Wedensday

Jesu, Our Lenten Fast of Thee


Jesu, our Lenten fast of Thee
We duteous learn to keep,
A healing time, by Thy decree,
For all Thy wounded sheep.

A time in which towards paradise,
Once lost by carnal sense,
The souls redeemed by Thee may rise
Through chastening abstinence.

Now with Thy Church be present, Lord,
In all Thy saving grace,
And hear us as with one accord
Mourning, we seek Thy face.

Most Merciful, forgive the past,
The sins which we deplore;
Thy sheltering arms around us cast,
That we may sin no more.

To Thee our sacrifice we bring
Of Lenten fast and prayer,
Till, cleansed by Thee, our God and King,
Thy Paschal joy we share.

Grant this, O Father, through Thy Son,
And through the Spirit blest,
Who art with Them forever One,
Eternally confessed.

Prayers for 2/28

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Gregory II , Hedwig, Hilary , Oswald , and Romanus of Condat; as well as Bls. Daniel Brottier and Villana de'Botti.

For the Holy Father and all bishops in communion with him...

For the mentally ill and their caregivers...

For Sister Mary Madalyn Schleifer and Thomas Balistreri...

For Karl and his family...

For Jill Carroll, her family and friends...

For the repose of the soul of Adam VanAlstine, his family, friends, and fellow soldiers...

For peace in the Middle East, especially Iraq and Iran...

For those affected by winter illnesses...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/28

Songs Anew of Honor Framing


Songs anew of honor framing,
Sing ye to the Lord alone;
All His wondrous works proclaiming,
Jesus wondrous works hath done!
Glorious victory, glorious victory,
His right hand and arm have won.

Refrain

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, praise the Lord!

Now He bids his great salvation
Through the heathen lands be told;
Tidings spread through every nation,
And His acts of grace unfold.
All the heathen, all the heathen
Shall His righteousness behold.

Refrain

Shout aloud, and hail the Savior;
Jesus, Lord of all, proclaim!
As ye triumph in His favor,
All ye lands declare His fame.
Loud rejoicing, loud rejoicing,
Shout the honors of His Name!

Refrain

Prayers for 2/27

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Anne Line, Augustus Chapdelaine, Francis Regis Clet, Gabriel Possenti, and Leander of Seville; as well as Bls. Maria Caridad Brader, Mark Barkworth, and Roger Filcock .

For the persecuted Christians of China...

For the people of England...

For the Catholic Action Movement...

For young people...

For the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate...

For the repose of the soul of Matthew's friend's father...

For the repose of the soul of Alex Kroll, as well as his family and friends...

For members of the Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church , and the repose of the souls of the young woman and of Kevin Lorenzo Collins...

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

For those affected by winter illness and cold...

For those Christians preparing for Lent...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/27

O Savior, Precious Savior


O Savior, precious Savior,
Whom yet unseen we love!
O Name of might and favor,
All other names above!
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee, and confess Thee
Our holy Lord and King.

O Bringer of salvation,
Who wondrously hast wrought,
Thyself the Revelation
Of love beyond our thought;
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee, and confess Thee
Our gracious Lord and King.

In Thee all fullness dwelleth,
All grace and power divine;
The glory that excelleth,
O Son of God, is Thine;
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing:
We praise Thee, and confess Thee
Our glorious Lord and King.

O grant the consummation
Of this our song above,
In endless adoration,
And everlasting love!
Then shall we praise and bless Thee
Where perfect praises ring,
And evermore confess Thee
Our Savior and our King.

Prayers for 2/26

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Caesarius of Nanzianzen, Felix III, Walburga, Alexander , Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz, and Victor ; as well as Bls. Domenico Lentini, Maria Adeodata Pisani, and Sebastian of Aparicio.

For the Holy Father and all bishops in communion with him...

For single men...

For construction workers...

For truck drivers and all who make their living on the road...

For those who suffer from the effects of rabies...

For the Daughters of Mary, also called the Pious School Sisters...

For Lilly, her family and friends, and those medical professionals overseeing her care...

For those affected by winter illnesses and the cold...

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

For all Christians preparing for Lent...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Last Sunday before Lent

Alleluia, Song of Gladness

Alleluia, song of gladness,
Voice of joy that cannot die;
Alleluia is the anthem
Ever dear to choirs on high;
In the house of God abiding
Thus they sing eternally.

Alleluia thou resoundest,
True Jerusalem and free;
Alleluia, joyful mother,
All thy children sing with thee;
But by Babylon’s sad waters
Mourning exiles now are we.

Alleluia we deserve not
Here to chant forevermore;
Alleluia our transgressions
Make us for a while give o’er;
For the holy time is coming
Bidding us our sins deplore.

Therefore in our hymns we pray Thee,
Grant us, blessèd Trinity,
At the last to keep Thine Easter
In our home beyond the sky;
There to Thee forever singing
Alleluia joyfully.

Prayers for 2/24

Today we ask the intercession of St. Adela and Bl. Tommaso Maria Fusco .

For married couples...

For the gift of perseverence...

For the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood...

For Alicia, her father, their family and friends, and the medical professionals overseeing his care...

For the Philippines, those affected by the mudslides, and for peaceful resolutions to political tensions...

For the continued recovery of Doug Vogt and Bob Woodruff...

For those suffering from winter illnesses...

For peace in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/24

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven


Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Frail as summer’s flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!

Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Prayers for 2/23

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Polycarp of Smyrna, Serenus the Gardener, and Willigis; as well as Bls. Josephine Vannini and Rafaela Ybarra de Villalongo .

For deliverence from materialism and attachment to worldly things...

For the grace of repentance and conversion...

For the ill, especially those suffering from dysentery and diseases of the ear...

For the Daughters of St. Camillus...

For the Institute of the Sisters of Guardian Angels...

For those who suffer from winter illness...

For Alicia, her father, their family and friends, and the medical professionals overseeing his care...

For those affected by the roof collapse in Moscow...

For peaceful resolutions to tensions in the Middle East...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for 2/23

Why Should I Fear in Evil Days?


Why should I fear in evil days,
With snares encompassed all around?
What trust can transient treasures raise
For them in riches who abound?
His brother who from death can save?
What wealth can ransom him from God?
What mine of gold defraud the grave?
What hoards but vanish at His nod?

To live forever is their dream;
Their houses by their name they call;
While, borne by time’s relentless stream,
Around them wise and foolish fall;
Their riches others must divide;
They plant, but others reap the fruit;
In honor man cannot abide,
To death devoted, like the brute.

This is their folly, this their way;
And yet in this their sons delight;
Like sheep, of death the destined prey,
The future scorn of the upright;
The grave their beauty shall consume,
Their dwellings never see them more;
But God shall raise me from the tomb,
And life for endless time restore.

What though thy foe in wealth increase,
And fame and glory crown his head?
Fear not, for all at death shall cease,
Nor fame, nor glory, crown the dead:
While prosp’ring all around thee smiled,
Yet to the grave shalt thou descend;
The senseless pride of fortune’s child
Shall share the brute creation’s end.

Prayers for 2/22

Besides St. Peter, we also ask the intercession of Sts. Margaret of Cortona and Telesphorus; as well as Bl. Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski.

For our Holy Father and all bishops in communion with him...

For the diocese of Rome...

For the homeless...

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

For the mentally ill...

For Alicia, her father, their family and friends, and those medical professionals overseeing his care...

For the trapped Mexican miners, their family and friends, and those working to rescue them...

For peaceful resolutions to tensions in the Middle East...

For a peaceful resolution to tensions in Europe...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Feast of the Chair of Peter

Thou Art the Christ, O Lord


“Thou art the Christ, O Lord,
The Son of God most high!”
For ever be adored
That Name in earth and sky,
In which, though mortal strength may fail,
The saints of God at last prevail!

Oh, surely he was blest
With blessedness unpriced,
Who, taught of God, confessed
The Godhead in the Christ!
For of Thy Church, Lord, Thou didst own
Thy saint a true foundation stone.

Thrice was he put to shame,
Thrice did the dauntless fall;
But, oh, that look that came
From out the judgment hall!
It pierced and broke the spell-bound heart,
And foiled the tempter’s sifting art.

Thrice fallen, thrice restored!
The bitter lesson learnt,
That heart for Thee, O Lord,
With triple ardor burnt.
The cross he took he laid not down,
Until he grasped the martyr’s crown.

Oh, bright triumphant faith!
Oh, courage void of fears!
Oh, love most strong in death!
Oh, penitential tears!
By these, Lord, keep us lest we fall,
And make us go where Thou shalt call.

Prayers for 2/21

Today we ask the intercession of St. Peter Damien and Bl. Noel Pinot.

For detachment from worldly things...

For those affected by the mudslides in the Phillipines...

For those affected by winter illness...

For a personal intention...

For all intentions posted on Catholic Fire...

For all intentions previously posted on this sight...

Hymn for 2/21

Dearest Jesus, Draw Thou Near Me


Dearest Jesus, draw Thou near me,
Let Thy Spirit dwell with mine;
Open now my ear to hear Thee,
Take my heart and seal it Thine;
Keep me, lead me on my way,
Thee to follow and obey,
E’er to do Thy will and fear Thee,
And rejoice to know and hear Thee.

Underneath Thy wings abiding,
In Thy Church, O Savior dear,
Let me dwell, in Thee confiding,
Hold me in Thy faith and fear;
Take away from me each thought
That with wickedness is fraught,
Tempting me to disobey Thee,
Root it out, O Lord, I pray Thee.

Thou, earth’s greatest joy and gladness,
And salvation, full and free,
Let Thy presence cheer my sadness,
And prepare my soul for Thee!
In the hour when I depart,
Touch my spirit, lips and heart,
With Thy Word assure, uphold me
Till the heav’nly gates enfold me.

Prayers for 2/20

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Eleutherius of Tournai and Winnoc; as well as Bls. Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

For an increase in faith...

For the sick, especially those suffering from pertussis...

For the pilgrims of Fatima...

For Alicia, her father, their family and friends, as well as the medical professionals overseeing his care...

For the Mexican miners trapped underground, their family and friends, and their rescuers...

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

For a peaceful resolution 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 2/20

Lord, I Believe, Thy Power I Own

Lord, I believe; Thy power I own,
Thy Word I would obey;
I wander comfortless and lone
When from Thy truth I stray.

Lord, I believe; but gloomy fears
Sometimes bedim my sight;
I look to Thee with prayers and tears,
And cry for strength and light.

Lord, I believe; but Thou dost know
My faith is cold and weak;
Pity my frailty, and bestow
The confidence I seek.

Yes, I believe; and only Thou
Canst give my soul relief;
Lord, to Thy truth my spirit bow;
Help Thou mine unbelief.

Prayers for 2/19

Today we ask the intercession of Sts. Barbarus of Benevento, Conrad of Piacenza, and Mesrop the Teacher; as well as Bl. Alvarez of Cordova.

For the people of Armenia...

For the gift of contrition...

For all the sick, especially those suffering from hernias...

For those affected by severe winter weather, especially now in the Southern USA...

For all intentions previously posted on this site...

Hymn for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Before Thee, God, Who Knowest All


Before Thee, God, Who knowest all,
With grief and shame I prostrate fall,
I see my sins against Thee, Lord,
The sins of thought, of deed, and word.
They press me sore; I cry to Thee:
O God, be merciful to me!

O Lord, my God, to Thee I pray:
O cast me not in wrath away!
Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart,
But let Him draw to Thee my heart
That truly penitent I be:
O God, be merciful to me!

O Jesus, let Thy precious blood
Be to my soul a cleansing flood.
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guest away,
But grant that justified I may
Go to my house at peace with Thee:
O God, be merciful to me!