Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives

Prayer

For Jesuits
Chapter 11 - Kingdom of the Lord

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
Editor

   § …joyfully rendering thanks to the Father, who has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have our redemption, the remission of our sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For in him were created all things in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether Thrones, or Dominations, or Principalities, or Powers. All things have been created through and unto him, and he is before all creatures, and in him all things hold together. Again, he is the head of his body, the Church; he, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have the first place. For it has pleased God the Father that in him all his fullness should dwell, and that through him he should reconcile to himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:12-20

   § Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.

For the Greater Glory of God

Take away from me, O Lord, the old man with his vices and concupiscences, to which You know me to be so much exposed. Clothe me with the new man whom this holy vocation requires, so that from day to day I will be renewed with a passionate desire and an unfailing effort to make progress in the solid virtues which I lack. Do not allow me, Lord, to be seriously and dangerously tempted, especially in the matter of the grace of my vocation. Give me strength of mind to resist and overcome my difficulties. Grant me the gift of persevering faithful to You even to death. Increase in me the grace to fulfill the vows I have formally taken, so that in me may flourish a truly simple poverty and an angelic chastity; and let both an exterior and interior obedience claim me wholly for itself presenting me to You as a pleasant, constant, and perfect holocaust. Amen.

Have pity on me, compassionate Father, seeing that I have so often offended Your Majesty both in the world and in religion; that I have been thankless for Your favors, indifferent in the course of my vocation, lacking in true fear and love, thoughtless in a sincere and unfailing care for Your glory and my own salvation. Open my eyes, I beg of You, and let me see; give me strength to act, and move my will to wish to make due progress in Your way and my vocation, and to strive toward the goal proposed to me, by working earnestly for my own and my neighbor's salvation and perfection. May Your holy, gracious, and perfect will be done in me, wherever I may be and whatever I may suffer. May Your holy name be hallowed in me, so that I may fulfill the good hopes of my superiors, and finally be made a partaker with all the just, both in the Catholic Church and this Society, who are pleasing to You, and even with those who are celebrating their triumph in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have pity on our parents and spiritual superiors. Grant, Lord, that they may be wise according to Your Spirit, and prudently rule their subjects, and have the joy of seeing us their truly obedient sons.

Have pity on our friends and benefactors, who help us and our Society both in spiritual and temporal matters. Protect them from all evil, not only in this life, but even after death, so that they may see in You a generous reward for us.

Have pity on our Society which was planted by Your right hand. Make it grow more and more throughout the whole world like a fruitful tree and always bring forth abundant fruit for You in the garden of Your Church.

Have pity on the departed, both our brethren and our benefactors, externs, and all Catholics. Give them, Lord, light in the darkness, repose in their pains, and everlasting bliss in Your kingdom. Amen.

Have pity on the students and spiritual sons whom You have given to our Society throughout the world to be educated, trained, and helped. Give strength, Lord, to the good seed in them, so that in their studies, their habits, and their virtues, they may make greater and greater progress and be rightly and successfully attended by Ours.

Have pity on the Fathers and Brothers who stand strong in the way of their vocation, and confirm them in the right course of virtue. Have pity also on those who are stumbling. Help them and steady them with Your strong spirit to keep from swerving to the right or to the left.

Have pity also on those who have fallen, and let these runaway sons rise from their apostasy, and recognizing the early grace of their vocation, by true repentance be reconciled to You.

Have pity on our enemies, and those who openly or secretly persecute us and our Society. Do not impute this sin to them, but bestow Your grace upon them, recovery and true charity. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have pity on schismatics and heretics, and let them return to the unity of the Church, leaving behind them the darkness of error, bring them to embrace with us the light of Catholic teaching.

Have pity on sinners who serve the world, the flesh, and the devil, rather than You, the true and living God, and thus hurry to the gates of everlasting death. Convert them, Lord, to the way of penance and restore to the dead the life of grace, lest otherwise they die in their sins and be forever separated from Your grace and glory. Amen.

St. Peter Canisius

Lead, Kindly Light

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
   Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home—
   Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
   Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
   Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still
   Will lead me on,
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
   The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Cardinal Newman

For My Father

I thank You, dear God, for giving me my father. Enlighten me, so I may realize the depth of his love for me and the greatness of his sacrifices for me. His fatherly care reflects Your goodness; his manliness, Your strength; his understanding, Your wisdom. He is Your faithful servant and image. Bless him with peace of soul, health of body, and success in his work. Amen.

For My Mother

Lord Jesus, look with mercy and love upon my mother. Reward her untiring generosity, her love, her care of me. I ask for her the same blessings You desired for Your Mother; health of body, peace of soul, happiness of family, and the bountiful grace of God. Give her the richest joy of a mother's heart, that her child may grow in wisdom and grace before God and men. Amen.

Empire of Love

Most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Your blessings in abundant measure upon Your holy Church, upon the supreme pontiff, and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance, convert sinners, enlighten unbelievers; bless our relatives, friends, and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Your love. Amen.

Instrument of Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi

For Sisters and Nuns

Bless, O Lord, all the Sisters and nuns throughout the world. People of every kind—the ignorant, the penniless, the sick and dying, the homeless, the aged, the young—have all experienced the generous help, the smiling kindness of these selfless women. As Veronica of Jerusalem consoled You on the way of the cross, so they console You today in the needy souls of every walk of life. In gratitude for what they have done for the world and for me in particular, I ask You to bless them always with Your peace and joy and grace. Amen.

For My Parents

O God, whom we obey in honoring our parents, look down mercifully, I beseech You, on those to whom in Your providence I owe my being. May they grow daily in faith, hope, and charity. Implant deeply in their hearts the conviction that as You are the beginning of all things so to You must all return. Condone their frailties, pardon whatever excessive indulgence for me they may have shown, and impute not to them my waywardness, my sloth, my weakness of will. Grant them while life lasts health and prosperity, pour upon them the abundance of Your grace. Defend and preserve them by Your all-powerful hand. May my Christian life, in meeting their fondest expectations and fulfilling all their hopes, be the consolation of their last years. May they die the death of the just. May they pass quickly to their heavenly home, and may I join them there, their dutiful child for all eternity. Amen.

Daniel Lord, S.J.

Patroness of the Missions

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you have been rightly proclaimed the patroness of Catholic missions throughout the world. Remember the burning desire which you showed here on earth to plant the cross of Christ on every shore and preach the gospel even to the consummation of the world. We ask you, according to your promise, to help all priests and missionaries and the whole Church of God.

For Missionaries

O God of love, in all humility and confidence I offer You the immaculate heart of Mary with the loving Heart of Jesus our Lord, who gave Himself on the cross of Calvary and still offers Himself on the altar to sanctify and save the souls of men. In loving union with this sacrifice of infinite value, I offer my whole being, O my God, and all my prayers and suffering, all my sorrows and labors, my life and death, to accomplish Your divine will in my own soul, to sanctify all missionaries and their native clergy, to obtain the grace of perseverance for their converts and the conversion of all sinners and unbelievers in their missions.

For All Religious

Lord Jesus, by the merits and prayers of the Virgin Mary, of St. Ignatius, and of all holy founders, pour out upon me and my brethren, and upon the religious of the whole world, the spirit of faith, sacrifice, prayer, humility, docility, and charity. Grant, my Jesus, that this spirit of charity may be truly supernatural, universal, understanding, long-suffering, joyous, and fruitful. Amen.

Prayer for Social Justice

Lord Jesus, carpenter and king, supreme sovereign of all men, look with tender mercy upon the multitudes of our day who bear the indignities of injustice everywhere. Raise up leaders in every land dedicated to Your standards of order, equity, and justice. Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, the grace to be worthy members of Your mystical body, laboring unceasingly to fulfill our vocation in the social apostolate of Your Church. Sharpen our intellects to pierce the pettiness of prejudice; to perceive the beauty of true human brotherhood. Guide our minds to a meaningful understanding of the problems of the poor, of the oppressed, of the unemployed, of all in need of assistance anywhere. Guide our hearts against the subtle lure of earthly things and undue regard for those who possess them. May we hunger and thirst after justice always. Amen.

For the Holy Father

O God, the shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, mercifully look upon Your servant (NAME), whom You have chosen as chief pastor over Your Church. We ask You to grant him, by word and example so to lead those under his charge that he may reach everlasting life, together with the flock committed to him. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kingdom of the Sacred Heart

Jesus, humbled in the Eucharist to be the strength of souls, and the source and center of love in the Catholic Church, we offer You our prayers, actions, and sufferings, for Your priests that each day may see the wider extension of the kingdom of Your Sacred Heart. Amen.

Propagation of the Faith

O God, You desire that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Look down, we beseech You, with favor upon the efforts of Your children to advance Your kingdom upon earth. Inspire our people of all racial origins with zeal for the propagation of the faith in their own parishes and throughout the world. Fill them with the spirit of prayer for those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Move their hearts to generous giving for the home and foreign missions. Raise up vocations and send laborers into Your harvest that Your gospel of peace and good will to all men may everywhere be heard and glorified, and that all nations may honor You, the one true God and Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ our Lord, who live and reign with You for ever and ever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be to the Father.

Queen of the apostles, pray for us.
Our glorious North American Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.

THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE

St. Francis Xavier for Unbelievers

O God, the everlasting Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers have been created by You and formed in Your own image and likeness. Remember that Your Son Jesus endured a most painful death for their salvation. Permit not, I beseech You, Lord, that Your Son should any longer be despised by unbelievers. But be appeased by the prayers of saintly men and of the Church, the spouse of Your most holy Son, and be mindful of Your mercy. Forget their idolatry and unbelief and bring it about that they too may some day acknowledge Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who is our salvation, our life and resurrection, by whom we have been saved and delivered, to whom be glory for endless ages. Amen.

Church Unity Octave

ANTIPHON That they all may be one, as You, Father, in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

I say to you that you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church. O Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Your Church, and grant her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Your will, who live and reign God for ever and ever. Amen.

DAILY INTENTIONS, from January 18 to the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, January 25.

    January 18: The union of all Christians in the one true faith and in the Church.

    January 19: The return of separated eastern Christians to communion with the Holy See.

    January 20: The reconciliation of Anglicans with the Holy See.

    January 21: The reconciliation of European Protestants with the Holy See.

    January 22: That American Christians become one in union with the Chair of Peter.

    January 23: The restoration of lapsed Catholics to the sacramental life of the Church.

    January 24: That the Jewish people come into their inheritance in Jesus Christ.

    January 25: The missionary extension of Christ's kingdom throughout the world.

Reunion of Christendom

Immaculate Virgin, you were preserved by a singular privilege of grace from original sin. Look down with pity on our separated brethren, who are still your children, and call them back to the center of unity. Even from afar, many have preserved a most tender devotion toward you, O Mother. Reward them for their devotion by obtaining for them the grace of conversion.

Victorious over the powers of hell from the first moment of your existence, now that the necessity is more urgent, renew your triumphant progress as in ages past. Glorify your Son, O Mother, by bringing back to the one fold His straying sheep, and make them obedient to the guidance of the universal shepherd, who is His vicar on earth. May it be your glory, O Virgin Mary, to banish error from the earth, to put an end to disunity and to restore peace to the world. Amen.

   § St. Michael, first champion of the kingship of Christ, pray for us.

Return of Oriental Dissidents

Glorious martyrs, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna, and illustrious doctors of the Church, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, and Basil, you labored and suffered so much for the purity of faith and the salvation of the souls entrusted to your care.

Look down from heaven on your beloved eastern lands, now separated from the body of the true Church. By your powerful intercession obtain for all dissident Oriental Christians the grace of returning to the center of unity, and of forming with us one and the same family under the guidance of the Roman pontiff, successor of St. Peter the apostle as supreme shepherd of the flock. Amen.

Conversion of England

Jesus, Good Shepherd, look down with favor on the English nation. Converted to You by the labors of St. Augustine and his companions, it was for many centuries rich in fruits of faith and sanctity. So devoted was it to Your holy and immaculate Mother that it was known throughout Christendom as the Dowry of Mary. While being cut off from You in cruel fashion, hundreds of its people willingly shed their blood in testimony of their loyalty to You and Your Church. Loving Shepherd of souls, recall this great nation once more to the unity of Your Church, and grant peace of soul to those now separated from Your fold. Amen.

Conversion of America

Lord Jesus Christ, grant to all Your servants, but especially to the people of our own nation, the grace of being fully united with You in Your Church. Divine Redeemer, the prophet sang of You, "all the kings of the earth shall adore Him, and all the nations shall serve Him." Extend Your kingdom over the entire human race, and in particular over our own beloved country. Grant in Your mercy that the people of our land may be converted to You, and humbly and lovingly serve You. We ask this, O Savior, through the intercession of Your immaculate Mother, the patroness and protector of our country. Amen.

For European Protestants

Mary, Mother of Mercy and Refuge of Sinners, we beg of you to look with compassion on the Protestant peoples of Europe. Seat of Wisdom, enlighten their minds that they may come to recognize the Catholic Church as the one true Church of Christ. Complete their conversion by obtaining for them the grace to believe every truth of our holy faith, and submit themselves to the sovereign pontiff, the vicar of Jesus Christ on earth.

Once more united to us by bonds of divine charity, they will sing with us forever your glorious praise: "Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, for you alone have conquered all error in the world." Amen.

Conversion of the Jews

O God, You manifest Your mercy and compassion toward all peoples. Have mercy on the Jewish race, once Your chosen people. You chose them alone of all nations to be custodians of Your sacred revelation. From them You raised up prophets and patriarchs to announce the coming of the Redeemer. You willed that Your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, should be a Jew according to the flesh, born of a Jewish maiden in the land of promise. Hear the prayers we offer for the conversion of Israel. Grant that soon it may come to the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messias foretold by the prophets, and may walk with us in the way of salvation. Amen.

Return of Lapsed Catholics to the Sacraments

Almighty Father, You desire not the death of the sinner but that he may be converted and live. Pour out upon us Your mercy and hear the prayers of Your servants. Soften the hearts of Your children who have strayed from the true path which You established for their salvation. They are now forgetful of their duties as Catholics, and pursue the pleasures of the world. Grant that they may quickly return to the practice of every Christian virtue, so that their lives may shine with the integrity of faith, the fervor of piety, and the ardor of charity. Restore them all to Your sacraments and the life of Your grace, through the merits of the most precious blood of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Christian Unity

O Jesus, true God and true man, by the desire of Your Sacred Heart for the salvation of the world, we humbly beseech You, that we who glory in the Christian name may be drawn into the full and proper heritage of that name. May we be one in You, as You are one with the Father, that the world may know that He has sent You, and that we are Your disciples. May we be inseparably united to You, by the Holy Spirit, in Your mystical body, the Church, now and forever. Amen.

Missionary Conquest of the World

O God, You would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We ask You to send forth laborers into Your harvest, and grant them with all courage to preach the Word, so that Your gospel may everywhere be heard and glorified, and that all nations may know You, the only true God, and Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Non-Catholic Relatives

Merciful Lord, who prayed that there be one flock and one shepherd, I ask the light of faith for those who are related to me and do not know You in Your Eucharistic presence. Give them the fullness of Your faith. Give them the joy of Your protecting presence. Bring them into the one fold of which You are the master and lord. Forgive them their sins and teach them the way of repentance. In the end bring them into the larger circle of Your family, to God our Father, to Mary our Mother, and to You our beloved Brother. Amen.

Non-Catholic Friends

Lord Jesus Christ, whose will is the conversion and salvation of all the children of God, I pray to You especially in Your Eucharistic presence for the friends who do not know You. They have been gracious to me; I have known their affection. What return can I make comparable to the return of leading them to Your friendship? Yet faith is a gift, which now I ask for those who are close to me. Be their friend and lead them to Your friendship, so that the friendship we have known in life will be continued in the world to come. Amen.

Father, Forgive Them

O Lord Jesus Christ, upon the cross Thou didst say: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And this surely, O my God, is the condition of vast multitudes among us now; they know not what they might have known, or they have forgotten what once they knew. They deny that there is a God, but they know not what they are doing. They laugh at the joys of heaven and the pains of hell, but they know not what they are doing. They renounce all faith in Thee, the Saviour of man, they despise Thy word and sacraments, they revile and slander Thy holy Church and her priests, but they know not what they are doing. They mislead the wandering, they frighten the weak, they corrupt the young, but they know not what they do.

Others, again, have a wish to be religious, but mistake error for truth—they go after fancies of their own, and they seduce others and keep them from Thee. They know not what they are doing, but Thou canst make them know. O Lord, we urge Thee by Thy own dear words: "Lord and Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Teach them now, open their eyes here, before the future comes; give them faith in what they must see hereafter, if they will not believe in it here. Give them full and saving faith here; destroy their dreadful delusions, and give them to drink of that living water, which who so has shall not thirst again. Amen.

Cardinal Newman

THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

Among all the methods of spiritual exercises which very laudably adhere to the principles of sound Catholic asceticism, one has ever held the foremost place and, adorned by the full and repeated approbation of the Holy See and honored by the praises of men distinguished for spiritual doctrine and sanctity, has borne abundant fruits of holiness for almost four hundred years. We mean the method introduced by St. Ignatius of Loyola, whom We are pleased to call the first and outstanding master of the Spiritual Exercises.

The excellence of spiritual doctrine altogether free from the perils and errors of false mysticism, the admirable facility of adapting the Exercises to any order or state of men, whether they devote themselves to contemplation in the cloister or lead an active life in the affairs of the world, the apt coordination of the various parts, the wonderful and lucid order in the meditation of truths that seem to follow naturally one from another, and lastly the spiritual lessons which, after casting off the yoke of sin and washing away the disease inherent in his morals, lead a man through the safe paths of abnegation and the removal of evil habits, up to the highest reaches of prayer and divine love; without doubt all these are enough to show the efficacious nature of the Ignatian method and abundantly commend the Ignatian meditations.

Pius XI

Before Entering Retreat

Lord of my soul and God of my heart, help me to make my annual retreat according to the mind of St. Ignatius. Teach me to prepare and dispose myself to be rid of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, to seek and find Your divine will in the disposition of my life for the salvation of my soul. Amen.

My Savior, I know how profitable it is for a person starting his retreat to enter upon the Exercises with largeness of soul and generosity toward You, his Creator and Lord, and to offer You his entire liberty and will. I therefore ask You so to dispose me that during the retreat I may resign myself and all I possess to the will of Your Divine Majesty. Amen.

For Retreatants

Dear Lord, I commend to Your Sacred Heart all the persons throughout the world—priests, religious, and laity—who are now making their retreat. Give them light to know Your divine will in their state of life, courage to sacrifice what stands between them and Your greater glory, and generosity in responding to Your love, through the merits of St. Ignatius the patron of Spiritual Exercises. Amen.

For Retreat Masters

Holy spirit of wisdom, I ask You to assist with Your grace all priests who are now conducting retreats throughout the world. Give them fervor to inspire love of God and of the mystical body which You animate, prudence in directing souls according to Your divine will, and zeal that will lead the retreatants to prove their devotion to Christ and His Church by generosity in prayer, work, and sacrifice in the apostolate. Amen.

In Preparation for Giving Retreats

Dear Lord, in anticipation of the time when I shall be giving the Spiritual Exercises, I ask You to make me an effective retreat master for Your greater glory. Give me a right appreciation of the Exercises as a powerful instrument of sanctification, a deep understanding of the spiritual life and a facility in transmitting this knowledge persuasively to others, and above all a great love of You and Your Church, so that in giving the Exercises I shall be giving Your spirit, by word and example, for the benefit of souls and the extension of Your kingdom on earth and in heaven. Amen.

For Generosity in Detachment

My Creator and Lord, I see quite clearly what I am inordinately attached or inclined to. I also know that unless I become sincerely detached from this creature, You will not work in and through me as You desire. What I need, then, is to rouse myself by the exertion of all my powers to desire the opposite of that to which I am wrongly inclined. As much as it costs me to say it, I beg for the reverse of that which I believe is now an obstacle to my more perfect love of You, unless You see fit to regulate my desires and change my present attachment in conformity with Your will. Grant me the light and courage to want and retain every creature only for the service, honor, and glory of Your Divine Majesty. Amen.

Key Meditations As Prayers

Principle and Foundation. My Lord and my God, You created me to praise, reverence, and serve You, and by this means to save my soul. The other things on the face of the earth You created for me, to help me in attaining the end for which I was created. Help me, therefore, to make use of them insofar as they lead me to my end, and to rid myself of them insofar as they prove a hindrance to me. Aid me by Your grace to make myself indifferent to all created things, as far as I am allowed free choice and under no prohibition. May I not prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to dishonor, or a long life to a short life. But let my one desire and choice ever be what is more conducive to the end for which I was created. Amen.

Call of Christ the King. Jesus Christ, my Lord and eternal King, You have called me to Your special service. "It is My will," You said, "to conquer the whole world and all My enemies, and thus to enter into the glory of My Father." You have told me that if I wish to join You in this enterprise I must be willing to labor with You, that by following You in suffering I may also follow You in glory. Since I wish to give full proof of my love and distinguish myself in Your service, I not only offer myself entirely for this work, but with the help of Your grace will act against my sensuality and my carnal and worldly love.

Eternal Lord of all things, in the presence of Your infinite goodness, of Your glorious Mother, and of all the saints of Your heavenly court, this is the offering which I make with Your favor and help. I protest it is my earnest desire and my deliberate choice, provided only it is for Your greater service and praise, to imitate You in bearing all wrongs and all abuse and all poverty, both actual and spiritual, since Your holy Majesty has deigned to choose and admit me to this state and way of life. Amen.

The Standard of Christ. Lord of all the world, You have chosen certain persons as apostles and disciples and sent them into every nation to spread Your sacred doctrine, by word and example, among men of every social class and state of life. Through no merit of mine, I am one of those selected to labor under Your standard for the salvation of souls. This means that I must strive to become like You, as far as this is possible with the help of Your grace. Make me poor in spirit and faithful to the actual poverty I profess. Grant me strength to bear injuries and offenses, thereby to imitate You better and become a more effective instrument for the greater glory of Your name. Amen.

The Third Class. Dear Lord, I wish to shake off the inordinate affection that I find in myself, and I want to do it in such a way as not to desire to retain the object which is at the root of this attachment. My only desire is to wish for it or not, according as You, my God, shall give me to wish and as it shall seem better for the service and praise of Your Divine Majesty. Amen.

Third Degree of Humility. Lord, help me to serve You in the most generous way possible. If it be for the equal or greater service of Your Divine Majesty, in order the better to imitate You, my Jesus, and to become actually more like You, I desire and choose poverty with You poor, than riches; contempt with You contemned, than honors; and I desire to be esteemed foolish for Your sake, who were first held to be such, than to be accounted wise and prudent in this world. Amen.

APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER

The Apostleship

The Apostleship of Prayer encourages the faithful to help in the conversion of souls by the offering to God of their prayers, works, and sufferings. This labor for the extension of Christ's kingdom not only kindles a zeal for souls, a concern for the eternal salvation of the neighbor, but it promotes and puts to work those supernatural means upon which the real success of all apostolic labor depends. Hence the association makes the work of the apostolate most effective. Its energy is not dissipated in externals but made to produce solid and lasting fruit.

Attention should be called to the perfect way in which the members of the Apostleship of Prayer are urged to pray and dedicate their lives to apostolic endeavors. They are not asked merely to recite certain prayers. Their whole lives must be offered to God as a prayer and sacrifice for the cause of the apostolate. The daily offering of self is the essence of the Apostleship of Prayer. This is perfected by other acts of piety, especially by devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The daily life of each member is thus converted into a sacrifice of praise, reparation, and impetration. In this way the forces implanted in baptism are activated, and the Christian offers his life as a sacrifice in and with Christ for the honor of God the Father and for the salvation of souls.

All the sacred practices of which the Apostleship of Prayer makes use to round out and perfect this oblation, taken together, contain the sum total of Christian perfection. Through this sacrifice demanded by the apostolate, they put into the hands of all men the means by which Christians sanctify their lives. Personal holiness renders their apostolate most fruitful.

Pius XII

§ Queen of the Apostles, pray for us.

Daily Intentions of the Apostleship of Prayer

Besides the monthly intentions of the Holy Father and the missions, each day of the month has its own fixed intention for which the members are asked to pray.

1. Thanksgiving. "Give thanks frequently to God for all the benefits He has conferred upon you, that you may be worthy to receive more." St. Louis IX.
   
   
2. Those in Affliction. "It is not enough to be afflicted because God wills it; but we must be so as He wills it, when He wills it, for as long as He wills it, and exactly in the manner in which it pleases Him." St. Francis de Sales.
   
   
3. The Sick. "Who can hinder us from becoming saints, since we have a heart to love and a body to suffer?" St. Margaret Mary.
   
   
4. Faithful Departed. "All that we give through charity to the souls in purgatory is changed into graces for us, and after our death we shall find the merit of it increased in our regard a hundredfold." St. Ambrose.
   
   
5. Local Centers. "Those who give Him and cause others to give Him all the love, honor, and glory they can by the means He provides, will never be lost." St. Margaret Mary.
   
   
6. Directors. "Those who labor for the salvation of souls will know how to touch the most hardened hearts if they have a tender devotion to His Sacred Heart, and strive to instill it in others and to establish it everywhere." St. Margaret Mary.
   
   
7. Promoters. "How indebted we are to this divine Heart for deigning to make use of us to carry out His plans. He reserves treasures of grace for all those who work for this end as much as He enables them to." St. Margaret Mary.
   
   
8. For Perseverance. "We cannot command our final perseverance, but must ask it of God." St. Thomas Aquinas.
   
   
9. The Young. "You know how slippery is the path of youth; a path on which I myself have fallen, and which you are now traveling not without fear." St. Jerome.
   
   
10. First Communion. "Holy Communion is the shortest and surest way to heaven." St. Pius X.
    
    
11. Parents. "In a true sense, parents are the vicars of God. They should be careful to make right use of the authority given to them." Pius XI.
    
    
12. Families. "The family may be regarded as the cradle of civil society, and it is in great measure within the circle of family life that the destiny of states is fostered." Leo XIII.
    
    
13. Reconciliations. "He has real charity toward his enemies who, when he suffers injustice, thinks first of all the harm the unjust one has done to his own soul." St. Francis of Assisi.
    
    
14. Employment. "Labor is our portion lest we should make this world our rest and not hope for the hereafter." St. John Chrysostom.
    
    
15. Clergy. "To make Jesus Christ reign in the world, nothing is more necessary than holiness in the clergy." St. Pius X.
    
    
16. Religious. "The religious life is not a natural life. It is above nature, and its soul is given and formed by grace." St. Francis de Sales.
    
    
17. Seminarians. "Mother Church primarily wants her seminarians to lay the foundations for that holiness which the minister of God must develop and practice all his life." Pius XII.
    
    
18. Vocations. "Our Lord shows us the surest way of having numerous vocations, 'Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest'—humble prayer trusting in God." Pius XII.
    
    
19. Parishes. "The Cenacle at Jerusalem remains the prototype of every Christian community, especially of the parish, which is a family whose members live and work together in fraternal cooperation." Pius XII.
    
    
20. Schools. "Perfect schools are the result not so much of good methods as of good teachers." Pius XI.
    
    
21. Superiors. "They who are entrusted with the guidance of others are obliged to animate and assist them to the imitation of Christ." St. Basil.
    
    
22. Retreats. "The Spiritual Exercises are the best means I can think of in this life both to help a man benefit himself and to bring help, profit, and advantage to many others." St. Ignatius Loyola.
    
    
23. Societies. "In order that social action may prosper by a necessary union of its varied activities, Catholics must above all preserve a spirit of peace and harmony which can only come from a unity in understanding." St. Pius X.
    
    
24. Conversions. "Although we must labor strenuously that the light of the gospel may illumine the minds of all men, yet our first need is to beg this of God through loving and fervent prayer." Pius XII.
    
    
25. Sinners. "Where prayer is poured forth, sins are removed." St. Augustine.
    
    
26. The Intemperate. "Intemperance is a constant source of sin and a prolific root of evils, working havoc with the families of those addicted and exposing many to eternal death and punishment." Leo XIII.
    
    
27. Missionaries. "Missionary undertakings are dry and barren unless made fruitful by divine grace. To the acquisition of this grace there is but one way open, persevering and humble prayer." Benedict XV.
    
    
28. Apostates. "Secede not from the Church; for nothing is stronger than the Church. Your hope is the Church; your salvation is the Church; your refuge is the Church." St. John Chrysostom.
    
    
29. Examinations. "Religious, honest, cultured, open-minded, and enterprising: this is how we would like to see youth come forth from the schools." Pius XII.
    
    
30. Various. "He causes his prayers to be of more avail to others, who offers them also for others." St. Gregory I.

SODALITY OF OUR LADY

The Sodality

In this present age disturbed by so many upheavals, it is a great consolation to Us to contemplate the Sodalities of Our Lady over the world working strenuously and effectively in every field of the apostolate, either inspiring people of every social rank, youths especially and workers, by means of the Spiritual Exercises to the practice of virtue and the desire of a deeper Christian life, or in coming to the help of those in grave corporal or spiritual need.

It is not contrary to the close and almost military unity of Catholics that this type of sodality was first started by the Ignatian family, and seems to be as it were an offshoot and branch of it. Rather, from their very beginning the Sodalities of Our Lady proposed to themselves as a headline the rules "for thinking with the Church," and seem to have developed an almost natural tendency of obeying the words of those whom "the Holy Spirit placed as bishops to rule the Church of God." Hence they have been and shall be in the future a most powerful help to the bishops in promoting the kingdom of Christ.

The Sodalities of Our Lady are associations imbued with an apostolic spirit which not only urge their members, who are sometimes led to the highest sanctity, to strive to obtain, under the guidance of their pastors, the Christian perfection and eternal salvation of others, and to safeguard the rights of the Church, but also provide tireless heralds of the Virgin Mother of God and fully trained propagators of the kingdom of Christ.

The structure and peculiar character of the Sodalities of Our Lady are no obstacle whatever to their being called with the fullest right "Catholic Action under the auspices and inspiration of the Blessed Virgin Mary." For as they have been in the past, they are and will continue to be a means of safeguarding and promoting the formation of outstanding Catholics.

Pius XII

For Vocations Through the Sodality

Virgin Mother Mary, I ask you to prosper an increase of vocations to the Society of Jesus, and to the priestly and religious life in general, through the sodalities consecrated to your name. Experience proves that the number of desirable vocations increases amazingly where sodalities flourish among the young. At some time or other, the grace of vocation is offered to many. The commonest cause of its loss is that their spiritual formation does not make them ready for it, or does not make them responsive and faithful to the grace. I therefore beg of you, dear Mother, to obtain for Marian sodalities throughout the world an abundance of grace for their members, that those who are being called to serve your divine Son in the priesthood or the religious life may recognize their vocation and respond with generosity for the greater glory of God. Amen.

For the Sanctification of Sodalists

Mother of divine grace, obtain for all sodalists a growth in holiness and fidelity to their way of life. Just as the Exercises in their entirety are suited only to those "who desire to secure the greatest possible spiritual profit," so the sodality is suited only to those who entertain a similar resolve to attain Christian perfection. But desires and resolutions are sterile without the grace of God. I therefore ask you to intercede in favor of those who have consecrated themselves specially under your protection, and secure for them light and strength to become what their sodality ideal proposes: outstanding Catholics who give themselves wholeheartedly to sanctification in their own state of life and strenuously endeavor to save and sanctify others and defend the Church of Jesus Christ against the attacks of its enemies. Amen.

For the Sodality Apostolate

Mary, Queen of Apostles, assist by your prayers and intercession all the apostolic works undertaken by sodalists throughout the world. Obtain for them an increase in zeal for souls, redeemed by the blood of your divine Son and entrusted to your care as He was dying on the cross. Just as in the Society of Jesus, so in the sodality, apostolic endeavor is no less essential than personal perfection. Enlighten sodality directors to discover suitable works in the apostolate; teach them and their members to adapt themselves to meet the most pressing needs at hand; enlarge their vision to see beyond their immediate environment to the spiritual necessities of the whole mystical body of Christ; protect them from the dangers of self-complacency and pride, and prosper all their apostolic efforts for the upbuilding of the Church of God. Amen.

Sodality Consecrations

Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, I, (NAME), choose you this day to be my queen, my patroness, and my advocate, and I firmly resolve never to leave you, and never to say or do anything against you, nor ever permit others to do anything against your honor. Receive me, then, I beg of you, for your servant forever. Help me in my every action, and abandon me not at the hour of my death. Amen.

St. John Berchmans

Most holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, I, (NAME), most unworthy though I am to be your servant, yet touched by your motherly care for me, and longing to serve you, do in the presence of my guardian angel and all the court of heaven, choose you this day to be my queen, my advocate, and my mother. I firmly resolve to serve you evermore myself and to do what I can that all may render faithful service to you. Therefore, most devoted Mother, through the precious blood of your Son poured out for me, I implore you to number me among your subjects and accept me as your servant forever. Aid me in all my actions, and beg for me the grace never by word or deed or thought to be displeasing in your sight and that of your most holy Son. Watch over me and desert me not at the hour of death. Amen.

St. Francis de Sales

THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Through the Passion

My Jesus, by the sorrows You suffered in Your agony in the garden, in Your scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in Your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken. Deliver them from the dire torments they endure. Call them and admit them to Your most blessed embrace in paradise. Amen.

   § Divine Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, deliver the holy souls in purgatory.

Most Loving Jesus

Most loving Jesus, I humbly beseech You to offer to Your eternal Father in behalf of the holy souls in purgatory, the most precious blood which poured forth from the sacred wounds of Your adorable body, together with Your agony and death.

Sorrowful Virgin Mary, also present to Him, together with the dolorous Passion of your dear Son, your own sighs and tears, and all the trials you endured in His suffering, in order that, through His merits, refreshment may be granted to the souls now suffering in the fiery torments of purgatory. Delivered from that painful prison, may they be clothed with glory in heaven, there to sing the mercies of God for ever and ever. Amen.

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin, that with Your gracious assistance they may deserve to escape the judgment of vengeance and enjoy the blessedness of everlasting light.

v Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
R And let perpetual light shine upon them.

v From the gates of hell,
R Deliver their souls, O Lord.

v May they rest in peace.
R Amen.

v O Lord, hear my prayer.
R And let my cry come unto You.

LET US PRAY O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins; that through our fervent prayers they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Amen.

    Eternal rest, etc.

For My Parents

O God, You have commanded us to honor our father and mother. In Your mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother (the soul of my father, the soul of my mother), and forgive them their trespasses (forgive him his trespasses, forgive her her trespasses); and grant me to see them (him, her) again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Priests

O God, who in the ranks of the apostolic priesthood invested these, Your servant (s), (NAME), with the priestly dignity, grant, we beg You, that they (he) may be joined to the everlasting friendship of the same priests, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Brothers and Scholastics

Grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that the soul of Your servant (s), (NAME), whom You have honored in this life with the grace of a religious vocation, may forever rejoice in the bliss of heaven.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who live and reign world without end. Amen.

Heroic Act of Charity

According to a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, confirmed by Leo XIII, "The Heroic Act of Charity in favor of the souls detained in purgatory consists in this, that a member of the Church militant, either using a set formula or simply by an act of his will, offers to God for the souls in purgatory all the satisfactory works which he will perform during his lifetime, and also all the suffrages which may accrue to him after his death. Many Christians devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary . . . make it a practice to deposit the said merits and suffrages as it were into the hands of the Blessed Virgin that she may distribute these favors to the souls in purgatory according to her own merciful pleasure." A later answer from the same Congregation added the explanation that the Heroic Act, unlike a vow, is revocable at will.

The Heroic Act has been enriched with numerous indulgences, by Benedict XIII (1728), Pius VI (1788), Pius IX (1852, 1854), and Pius XI (1932). Priests who make it receive the personal privilege of a privileged altar every time they say Mass for the departed; the laity gain a plenary indulgence

applicable only to the souls in purgatory on every day they receive Holy Communion; they can also gain the same every Monday by hearing Mass and offering it for the poor souls–in both cases under the usual conditions. Moreover they can obtain for the faithful departed all indulgences, even those which are not otherwise applicable to them.

While no formula is required, a familiar wording is the prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori: "O my God, in union with the merits of Jesus and Mary, I offer You for the souls in purgatory all my satisfactory works, as well as those which may be applied to me by others during my life and after my death. To be more agreeable to the divine Heart of Jesus and more helpful to the departed, I place them all in the hands of the merciful Virgin Mary."

Prayer for All Times

The following are examples of informal prayers, covering a variety of typical circumstances and intentions, which may serve as models of that personal and direct contact with God which St. Ignatius so highly recommended to his sons. They are suggested ways of keeping in touch with our Lord in simple, unadorned language about daily problems and needs in the ordinary life of a Jesuit. Their purpose is to show that our life of prayer is not a spiritual vacuum, that we can pray about the real issues we face day after day, and pray in our own words not only in terms of standard formularies.

The samples here given are only illustrative. Realistic prayer about one's own specific needs is too personal to be done by anyone except by each man for himself. Priests, Scholastics, Brothers, novices, and postulants have different immediate goals and find themselves in vastly different situations. Individually we differ in everything that makes us different personalities. It is in the interest of this individuality in prayer that certain familiar sentiments are here addressed to God.

Praise

Lord Jesus, how quick I am to seek for praise when, perhaps, I should be blamed, and how slow to credit others when I know they should be praised. To overcome myself on both these counts, I ask for grace to stop as promptly as I can every rising thought of self-complacency; and to look for opportunities of praising others first in my mind and then in words, but always with perfect sincerity.

Grievances

Lord, help me to forgive and forget. Let me see that brooding over real or imaginary injuries is poison to the soul. I know from experience that at the moment I suffer adversity or some injustice I am not much affected. But later on, when I recall the annoyance I become irritated and resentful and tempted to revenge. Assist me, dear Jesus, either to keep from thinking about past offenses or, if they come to mind, to use them as occasions for a prayer of reparation to Your Sacred Heart.

After Sin

Merciful Jesus, I have sinned again. The humiliation is good for me. "Bonum est mihi." But Your mercy is above all Your works. "Domine, miserere mihi." I am truly sorry and confident that You permitted this fall in order to draw me closer to Yourself. "Cor contritum non despicies." With implicit confidence in Your providential care, I will use the experience to grow in Your love and give myself more than ever zealously to Your service. Amen.

Patience

My adorable Savior, grant me the grace to accept this trial from Your hands not only patiently but cheerfully. You love sacrifices made in joy, and the perfection of my offering is to show gratitude when I am tried. Help me see that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us. May I profit from this visitation of Your mercy by resigning myself to Your will, and generously cooperating with the grace You offer to expiate my sins and grow in likeness of You, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen!

Sincerity

Holy spirit of wisdom, may I see myself as I really am, and be willing to apply the test of my sincerity. I know I cannot trust myself to overcome self. May I be willing that others should help me, and not resist Your providence when they do so. May I take little slights, coldness, and neglect in the right spirit, patiently and even willingly, looking on each as a grace to draw me nearer to Yourself and destroy Your enemy, inordinate self-love, in my heart for Your praise and glory. Amen.

Sickness

Assist me, dear Lord, to gain the spiritual fruit You intend from the illness you sent me. May I see that bodily infirmities are to help me understand myself better, detach me from the love of created things, and, by reflecting on the shortness of life, urge me to labor more earnestly to adorn my soul for the future life where there is no sickness or pain but only joy in Your company for all eternity.

Humility

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I ask for the grace of deep humility, in the spirit of the third degree: to avoid speaking of self and trying to attract attention; to bear reproof without being discouraged or sulking; to accept advice when given, to ask and follow the same when needed; to put myself last, and be content that others are preferred to me; to acknowledge my faults and shortcomings frankly, both interiorly and exteriorly. Help me, dear Lord, to live out the ideal set before me by St. Ignatius, of doing in all things the opposite to what worldly people do, rejecting with horror what they seek after, and eagerly seeking what they reject, in order to become more like You, who are meek and humble of heart. Amen.

Aversion

Lord Jesus, help me to overcome the aversion I feel for this person. Enlighten me to see Your presence in him, so that captivated by this image I may not be distracted by his natural temperament or deceived by external appearances. Teach me to observe in him only his virtues and good qualities, and in myself only my faults and imperfections. You have placed him into my life as an opportunity to prove my love for You and as a way to expiate, in some measure, the impatience that my own failings and defects have provoked in others.

Poverty

Jesus, my Lord, deepen my religious poverty. Let me see that a person is not poor in spirit if he does not wish to feel the cost of poverty. To have the name of being poor, and at the same time enjoy the comforts of wealth, is to deceive myself and others. Help me to see and put into practice the counsel of St. Ignatius to cherish poverty as a mother and, as occasion offers, experience some of its effects.

Indifference

Lord, grant me the spirit of indifference in my religious life. I know how easy it is to be deceived that I would make greater progress or be better satisfied under another superior, in other employment or circumstances. You have placed me where I am, and I ask only for the grace perfectly to cooperate with Your providence in my regard. Amen.

Rising in the Morning

Lord Jesus, help me to rise promptly with the bell in the morning. I know from experience how much this first act of sacrifice can affect my meditation and consequently my whole day. Let me offer You the self-conquest it requires as atonement for my past self-indulgence, and a petition for the strength of character which You look for in Your devoted servants. Amen.

Time

Teach me, dear Lord, to appreciate the value of time. Let me not think it is a small matter to waste time in idle reading or conversation. Help me see that time is the talent You have entrusted to our keeping, to be used for the greater profit of souls. It is not ours but Yours. While we are wasting time the enemy is alert and working for the downfall of the human race. On the day of judgment You will demand a strict account of every idle word we have spoken, and reward us according to the use we made of this precious gift of Your bounty.

Classes

Grant me, dear Lord, the spirit of generosity I need to profit from the classes required by obedience and prescribed by the Church for the training of her future priests. Help me to see, as St. Ignatius tells us, that while in studies we are no less pleasing to You and useful to souls than later on in the active apostolate. Let me not measure my application to classwork by merely human wisdom, but, enlightened by Your grace, trust that every course I take and lecture I attend have bearing on my future ministry for Your greater glory. Amen.

Teachers

Divine Teacher of heavenly wisdom, may I respect my teachers as their office and my role as student require. Let me not allow understandable differences or defects to hinder profiting from their instruction. Grant me that docility of mind which, according to St. Thomas, is not negligent through sloth nor disdainful through pride. Grant my teachers that understanding of truth which You desire to give me through them. Make me grateful for the knowledge that, except for their charity, I should not possess; and make me zealous not to hoard what I learn but share what I receive, for Your glory and the good of souls. Amen.

Equality of All Men

Lord of heaven and earth who became poor and humble to teach us the way of salvation, assist me to place the proper value on persons and things, and not be misled by appearances. Let me never consider anyone more worthy than others of esteem or of spiritual care merely because of his family's prestige or his wealth. I know what I should think of a man imbued with this spirit who on meeting You or Your Mother as You lived on earth—poor certainly and living by the toil of Your hands—would look down with contempt on You or at least would be indifferent to Your lot and pass You by. Keep me mindful, dear Lord, of Your promise and warning, that: "as long as you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me." Amen.

Chastity

Immaculate Virgin Mary, I confide my vow of chastity to your maternal heart. I ask your help to guard my senses, especially the eyes, for an unchaste eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart. Knowing my pride, I pray for that humility which invites the mercy of God. Knowing that I am human, I shall not be surprised at the urge of concupiscence, but trusting in your care I rely on your protection and all the graces that I need from your divine Son. Amen.

Humiliation

I have been humiliated to the dust, dear Lord, and I ask for courage to benefit from what You sent me. Teach me to know that great graces cannot be obtained without humility, so those who are to have them must be humiliated, to be made worthy by humility to receive the blessings that You withhold from the proud. Having experienced the present humiliation, may I trust it as a sure sign that You have some special grace in store for me. Amen.

Envy

Protect me, most humble Savior, from falling prey to envy, which is a criminal sadness at the good fortune of our neighbor, and utterly unworthy of a companion of Jesus. By the merits of Your death, which was brought on by envy, grant me the grace to rejoice in the talents and achievements of my brethren. Instead of feeling sad that someone is preferred to me, or that he succeeds where I failed, let me use the experience to inspire greater effort in Your service and more generous zeal for the upbuilding of the mystical body. Amen.

Spiritual Reading

Spirit of wisdom, enlighten me to understand what I am about to read, and help me to put it into practice. Assist my memory to retain what You desire should later be used in the interests of charity and the work of the apostolate. Teach me to recognize in this reading an instrument of Your grace, directing my soul to greater union with You, and through me, the souls of others with whom I share what You wish me to learn. Amen.

Human Respect

Jesus, my Lord, help me to overcome my weakness of giving in to human respect. I seem almost to live by the judgment that others have of me. Yet I know how foolish it is to pay so much attention to what people think or say, as though it was their opinion and not Your infallible wisdom that was the norm of my actions. Deliver me from this tyranny, which it is, by making me so conscious of Your presence that no human being may interfere with my joyous freedom in Your service. Amen.

Misunderstanding

I have been misjudged and deeply offended, dear Lord, and it is hard to suppress my wounded feelings. But when I reflect on the injuries You have patiently suffered for my sake and now ask me to bear You company, I am strengthened to accept the trial for love of You in return. Let me never fear that You will ask too much of me. Of course You often ask for something that my nature rebels against, but the pain of giving it lasts only a short time, while the reward is eternal. St. Ignatius tells us to "labor to make ourselves indifferent," not necessarily "be indifferent," because we do not become indifferent or lose our sensitivities overnight. I ask for the grace to profit from this experience and, in spite of my emotions, offer the sacrifice of my will to Your divine will. Amen.

Discernment

Spirit of counsel and understanding, enlighten my mind on the problem I face, to make the decision which You foresee will be most conducive to Your glory and my salvation. Do not permit my feelings or preferences, human respect or unreasoning fear to influence my judgment, but let me decide according to Your will, let me do what I will wish to have done at the moment of my death. Amen.

Moodiness

Lord, I have been told I am moody, and I admit this is true. But what can I do? Enlighten me to see what defect in character gives rise to the moodiness, whether envy or pride or inordinate fear. Give me courage to overcome what stands in the way of my cheerful service of You. Let me see how valuable as simple a thing as a smile can be in community life, and how effective in dealing with people in the apostolate—yet how much of a sacrifice for a man of my temperament and therefore how pleasing to Your Majesty. Amen.

Sacred Heart

Lord Jesus, may I see that devotion to Your Sacred Heart means being convinced of Your personal love for me, returning it by personal love for You, and, therefore, being glad when You are honored, sorry when You are offended, and making what reparation I can for the injuries which I and others have done to You by our sins. Let me learn from experience the truth of Your promise to the Society that we shall succeed in the apostolate beyond our fondest hopes or desires if only we are devoted to Your Sacred Heart.

Kindness

I have been told, dear Lord, to cultivate kindness of manner and gentleness in my dealings with others. Moreover I know how much I appreciate having others act kindly toward me. But I need light to see the difference between this and softness, and to distinguish sentimentality from true Christian love. I also need prudence not to allow my feelings to get the better of me, and so restrain what should be expressions of charity out of fear of being betrayed in my affections or of permitting emotions to dominate my conduct. Above all I need control of my thoughts, since my words and actions will be as kind as my inner dispositions. By the kindness You showed to those who entered Your mortal life on earth, and by the infinite mercy of Your Sacred Heart, grant me an increase in the fruits of Your Holy Spirit, notably of gentleness and mildness, for the glory of Your name and the benefit of souls. Amen.

Charity

My Lord, there is no virtue I need more in religious life than fraternal charity. None is more important for peace and harmony in a community; none can be practiced more often or in more ways or with greater demands on nature and the resources of grace. None is more pleasing to You, since You told us that by this shall men know that we are Your disciples, and on the last day our fidelity to this virtue will determine our eternal destiny.

In Your wisdom You have given us the norm for the practice of charity, namely, to love others as we love ourselves, or do to others as we would have them do to us. If I ask myself whether I prefer to have attention paid to me or be overlooked, smiled or frowned upon, complimented for the good I do or ignored, have my defects passed over or paraded before others and talked about, spoken to in recreation or passed by in silence, have interest shown in my interests or have no one care how I feel or what I think, be asked to cooperate in community projects or snubbed even when I offer to help—the answer in each case is obvious, where I am concerned. Yet this is the standard which You give me for dealing with all who enter my life, and especially my fellow religious; as it will also be the measure of Your love for me and of Your grace in my favor. Teach me to learn this law of charity, that You will love us in the degree in which we love others, and help me by Your mercy to put it into daily practice until You call me to Yourself. Amen.

Toward the Priesthood

Dearest Jesus, You revealed Yourself as the good shepherd and instituted the priesthood for the care of Your flock. Grant that every action of mine in these long years of preparation may make me less unworthy of that tremendous honor, and prepare me better to care for the souls You will entrust to me. Though I myself of myself am most unworthy of Your gifts of grace, for the sake of the souls to be given to my charge increase my faith, hope, and love. Amen.

A Brother's Prayer

Dear Jesus, I thank You for calling me to walk in Your footsteps as a Jesuit Brother. I am not worthy of such a privilege but humbly and graciously accept it with all my heart. Mine is the privilege of imitating You in Your thirty years of a hidden life of love and hard work. Mine is the privilege of being able to pause during the day knowing that Mary and Joseph are near me to help me live ever more faithfully in my holy vocation. To You, my Jesus, I renew my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. And as You have given me the grace to desire and offer them, so now I humbly beg and trust You for the grace to fulfill them. Amen.

Hidden Life

St. Alphonsus, make me the kind of Jesuit Brother that Jesus wants me to be. Mine is the sublime vocation which the world looks down upon. The world regards success as having one's name on people's lips and enjoying all the material comforts one could desire. It does not know the peace that comes from the true love of Jesus and from living and working in a hidden life, away from all that the world holds dear. Help me, St. Alphonsus, to be very humble and to love very much. In this world of coldness, bitterness, and strife, may God see in my hidden life as a Jesuit Brother one who dearly loves Him and wants to bring as many souls as possible to do the same. Amen.

Before Work

Sacred Heart of Jesus, as I am starting this morning's (afternoon's) work, may I offer You through Mary's immaculate heart and in the company of St. Joseph all the chores I am about to perform. May I be diligent and hard working, generous and self-sacrificing, cheerful and patient, and above all motivated by a strong love for You. I unite myself to all the Masses that will be offered during this time, my Jesus. May they obtain many graces for myself and all Your children throughout the world, especially those who are most in need. Amen.

A Teacher's Prayer

Dear Lord, help me teach my students how to live this life on earth, to face its struggles and improve their worth in the Church and in civil society. May the result of my message to them be not just a lesson in a book, but their choice of right from wrong. I ask Your guidance, Lord, to fill my place, to do my part in forging character and bringing Your grace to their hearts. Amen.

Before Spiritual Direction

Jesus, I am about to confer with the counselor Your providence has chosen for the guidance of my soul. Help me to speak frankly and confidently to him, and to hear his counsels with humility and docility. May they lead me to a clearer knowledge of myself and a deeper insight and a warmer love of You, a better appreciation of my vocation and the means it offers me to attain the perfection You expect of me. Amen.

   § Savior of the world, save Russia.

Prescribed Jesuit Intentions

AMERICAN ASSISTANCY

Unless otherwise specified, the requirements for priests are one Mass offered first intention, and for those who are not priests, one Mass heard, Holy Communion received, and rosary said.

ANNUAL

1. At the beginning of the year, for the Society of Jesus.
   
   
2. March 12, on the anniversary (1622) of the canonization of Sts. Ignatius and Francis Xavier, in remembrance, thanksgiving, and petition for grace "to follow in the footsteps of Fathers so illustrious."
   
   
3. July 2, on the anniversary (1688) of the commission received by the Society to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in thanksgiving. At least second intention for priests.
   
   
4. August 7, on the anniversary (1814) of the reestablishment of the Society throughout the world, in thanksgiving.
   
   
5. September 27, on the anniversary (1540) of the first establishment and confirmation of the Society, in thanksgiving and petition for future prosperity.
   
   
6. November 3, for all the deceased members of the Society.

MONTHLY

The following are second intentions for priests offering Mass, but first intention for all others who are not priests.

1. For the Society.
   
   
2. For the conversion of heretics and schismatics.
   
   
3. For the conversion of infidels.
   
   
4. For the principal benefactors, living and dead, of the house in which there are at least twenty members of the Society.
   
   
5. In some provinces, the Scholastics and Brothers offer Holy Communion on a certain day for living and deceased members of the Jesuit Seminary Association.

WEEKLY

1. For the intention of Father General.
   
   
2. For the deceased members of other provinces. Second intention in the priests' offering of Mass.
   
   
3. For the Society. Seven Paters and Aves by Scholastics and Brothers; second intention at Mass by the priest(s) designated.
   
   
4. For the benefactors of the house, living and dead. Seven Paters and Aves by Scholastics and Brothers; second intention at Mass by the priest(s) designated.
   
   
5. For the principal benefactors of the house, living and dead. One rosary by the Scholastic or Brother designated; second intention at Mass by the designated priest.
   
   
6. In honor of the holy angels for protection. Second intention at Mass by the designated priest. In some provinces, notably in novitiates and scholasticates, the Mass is of first intention.
   
   
7. In honor of St. Joseph for the temporal needs of the house. Holy Communion and rosary for designated Scholastics and Brothers; second intention at Mass for designated priest.

SUFFRAGES

1 Three Masses, first intention, offered by the priests; and three Masses, Holy Communions, and rosaries by those who are not priests for deceased members of the house or community.

2 Two Masses, first intention, offered by the priests; and two Masses, Holy Communions, and rosaries by those who are not priests for deceased members of the province.

GENERAL INTENTIONS

"Let all be mindful according to the Constitutions to pray frequently for the Church, especially for those who can contribute most to its well-being, such as ecclesiastical and secular rulers, and those who can most help or hinder the salvation of souls; also for our friends and benefactors, living and dead, those for whose salvation Ours are working in all parts of the world, and for those unfavorably disposed toward our Society.” Epitome, 856.

Copyright © 1998 by Inter Mirifica