The Pope's prayer for families
Lord God, from you every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name
Father, you are love and life.
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of Divine Charity, grant that each family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.
Through Christ our Lord who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for ever and ever. Amen
The Athanasian Creed
WHOEVER wishes to he saved must before all else adhere to the Catholic faith.
He must preserve this faith whole and untarnished; otherwise he shall most certainly perish forever.
Now this is the Catholic faith: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity; Neither confusing the persons nor distinguishing the nature.
The person of the Father is distinct; the person of the Son is distinct; the person of the Holy Spirit is distinct.
Yet the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit possess one Godhead, equal glory; and coeternal majesty.
As the Father is, so is the Son, so also is the Holy Spirit.
The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
The Father is infinte, the Son is infinite, the Holy Spirit is infinite.
The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal.
Nevertheless, they are not three eternals but one Eternal
Even as they are not three uncreateds, or three infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty.
And yet they are not three almighties, but one Almighty.
So also the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God,
And yet they are not three Gods, but only one God, so too the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord.
And still there are not three Lords, but only one Lord.
For just as we arc compelled by Christian truth to profess that each Person is individually God and Lord, so also are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to hold that there are three Gods or three Lords.
The Father was made by no one, being neither created nor begotten.
The Son is from the Father alone, though not created or made, but begotten.
The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, though neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding,
Consequently there is one Father, not three Fathers; there is one Son, not three Sons; there is one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
Furthermore, in this Trinity there is no “before” or “after”, no “greater” or “less”: for all three Persons are co-eternal and coequal.
In every respect, therefore, as has already been stated, unity must be worshipped in Trinity, and Trinity in unity.
This is what everyone who wishes to be saved must hold regarding the Blessed Trinity. But, for his eternal salvation, he must also believe according to the true faith in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the true faith requires us to believe and acknowledge that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and Man.
He is God, begotten of the substance of the Father before the world began; He is Man, born in the world of the substance of His Mother.
Perfect God, perfect Man, a substance composed of a rational soul and a human body.
Equal to the Father in divinity, less than the Father with respect to His humanity.
And, although He is God and Man, still He is only one Christ, not two.
One, not by any turning of the divinity into flesh, but by the taking up of humanity into God.
One only, not by any confusion of substance, but by the unity of His person.
For, just as the rational soul and the body form one man, so God and Man form one Christ. He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose from the dead on the third day. Ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father all-powerful, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
At His coming, all men must rise with their bodies and must give an account of their own deeds.
And those who have done good shall go into eternal life, while those who have done evil shall go into eternal fire.
This is the Catholic faith, and anyone who does not believe it fully and firmly cannot be saved. Amen
Prayers during the day
MORNING PRAYER
Lord God, Father all-powerful, you have brought us to the beginning of this day. By your power keep us on the road to salvation; do not let us fall into any sin today, nor may any danger befall us. But grant that all our actions may tend, under your guidance, toward the fulfilment of your law of holiness. This we ask through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
AT PRIME, SEXT & NONE
Memento, rerum Conditor,
Nostri quod olim corporis
Sacrato ab alvo Virginis
Nascendo formam sumperis.
Maria Mater gratiae,
Dulcis parens clementiae,
Tu nos ab hoste protégé,
Et mortius hora suscipe.
IESU, tibi sit Gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sepiterna saecula. Amen
Remember, Maker of us all,
Into our world Thou once didst come
Made manifest in human flesh,
The child of Mary’s stainless womb.
O Mary, Mother of God’s grace,
Protect us from the foe’s alarms;
Dear Mother, kind and pitiful,
Hold us when dying, in thine arms.
JESUS, to Thee be glory paid
Whom once the Maiden-Mother bore:
And to the Father praise be given
And Holy Ghost for ever more. Amen
T E R C E
Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus
Unum Patri cum Filio,
Dignare promptus ingeri
Nostro refusus pectori.
Os, lingua, mens, sensus, vigor
Confessionem personent,
Flammescat igne caritas,
Accendat ardour proximos.
Praesta, Pater Piissime,
Patrique compare Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen
Come, Holy Spirit, ever One
with the Father and with the Son.
It is the hour, our souls possess
with your full flood of holiness.
Let hands and heart and lips and mind
sound forth our witness to mankind;
and love light up our mortal frame
till others catch the living flame.
Grant this, O Father, ever One
with Christ, your sole-begotten Son;
whom, with the Spirit, we adore,
one God, both now and evermore. Amen.
V E S P E R S
O God of all the universe,
creative power and ruling mind,
the day with splendid light you clothe,
the night you bless with sweet repose.
Rest thus given to our limbs
for tomorrow’s work prepares;
with strength renewed and minds alert,
freed from all distracting cares.
For this day’s grace we give you thanks;
our evening prayer we beg you hear.
We owe you this our hymn of praise:
inspire our minds to be sincere.
To you we sing from depth of heart.
to you we raise our melody;
for you our pure love chastely sighs,
in you we rest adoringly.
So when the dark shades of the night
to its close this day shall bring,
make our faith steadfastly shine
to pierce the darkness with its flame.
Our restless passions put to sleep
but let our souls keep watchful guard;
while dreamless sleep renews the mind
may chaste faith cool our ardent hearts.
Of sensuality stripped clean
before you may we e’er abide,
lest, by our wicked foe deceived,
alarm invade our slumbertide.
To you we pray, O Jesus Christ,
to Father and to Spirit blest:
Three Persons with one equal power,
Blest Trinity, hear our request. Amen
C O M P L I N E
Memento, rerum Conditor,
Nostri quod olim corporis
Sacrato ab alvo Virginis
Nascendo formam sumperis.
Maria Mater gratiae,
Dulcis parens clementiae,
Tu nos ab hoste protégé,
Et mortius hora suscipe.
IESU, tibi sit Gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sepiterna saecula. Amen
Remember, Maker of us all,
Into our world Thou once didst come
Made manifest in human flesh,
The child of Mary’s stainless womb.
O Mary, Mother of God’s grace,
Protect us from the foe’s alarms;
Dear Mother, kind and pitiful,
Hold us when dying, in thine arms.
JESUS, to Thee be glory paid
Whom once the Maiden-Mother bore:
And to the Father praise be given
And Holy Ghost for ever more. Amen
Visita, qaesumus, Domine, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle: Angeli tui sancti habitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant, et bendictio tua super nos semper. Per Dominum.
O Lord, we bessech thee, visit this house, and drive from it all the snares of the enemy; may thy holy angels abide therein to keep us in peace; and may blessing be ever upon us. Through our Lord.
Prayers for Our Lady
Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix caeli porta.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevae nomen.
Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Monstra te esse Matrem,
Sumat per te preces
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.
Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos,
Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum
Semper collaetemur.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
Bright Mother of our Maker, hail,
Thou Virgin ever blest,
The ocean’s star by which we sail
And gain the port of rest.
Whilst we this Ave thus to. Thee
From Gabriel’s mouth rehearse,
Prevail that peace our lot may be,
And Eva’s name reverse.
Release our long-entangled mind
From all the snares of ill ;
With heavenly light instruct the blind
And all our vows fulfil.
Exert for us a mother’s care
And us thy children own ;
Prevail with him to hear our prayer
Who chose to be thy Son.
O spotless Maid, whose virtues shine
With brightest purity,
Each action of our lives refine
And make us pure like thee.
Preserve our lives unstained with ill
In this infectious way,
That heaven alone our souls may fill
With joys that ne’er decay.
To God the Father endless praise,
To God the Son the same,
And Holy. Ghost, whose equal rays
One equal glory claim. Amen.
Litany of Our Lady of Walsingham
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray to the for us.
Mary, conceived without sin, pray to the Lord for us.
Mary the Virgin, pray to the Lord for us.
Mary, the Mother of God. pray to the Lord for us.
Mary taken up into Heaven, pray to the lord for us.
Mary at Bethlehem, pray for all mothers.
Mary at Nazareth, pray for all families.
Mary at Cana, pray for all married couples.
Mary who stood by the Cross. pray for all who suffer.
Mary in the Upper Room, pray for all who wait.
Mary, model of Womanhood, pray for all women.
Woman of Faith. keep us in mind.
Woman of Hope, keep us in mind.
Woman of Charity, keep us in mind.
Woman of Suffering. keep us in mind.
Woman of Anxiety, keep us in mind.
Woman of Humility. keep us in mind.
Woman of Poverty, keep us in mind.
Woman of Purity, keep us in mind.
Woman of Obedience. keep us in mind.
Woman who wondered, remember us to God.
Woman who listened, remember us to God.
Woman who followed Him, remember us to God.
Woman who longed for Him, remember us to God,
Woman who loves Him, remember us to God.
Mother of God. be our Mother always.
Mother of the Church, be our Mother always.
Mother of the World, be our Mother always.
Mother we need, be our Mother always.
Mother who went on believing, we thank God for you.
Mother who never lost hope, we thank God for you.
Mother who loved to the end, we thank God for you.
All holy and ever living God. in giving us Jesus Christ to he our Saviour and brother, you gave us Mary, His Mother, to be our Mother also; grant, we pray you, that we may be worthy of so great a Brother and so dear a Mother. May we come at last to you the Father of us all through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
The Rosary
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
- The Annunciation. Fruit of the Mystery: Humility
- The Visitation. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor
- The Nativity. Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty
- The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience
- The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in Finding Jesus, also known as Zeal
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
- The Baptism of Jesus. Fruit of the Mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit
- The Wedding at Cana. Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through Mary
- Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and Trust in God
- The Transfiguration. Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness
- The Institution of the Eucharist. Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
- The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin
- The Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the Mystery: Purity
- The Crowning with Thorns. Fruit of the Mystery: Courage
- The Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
- The Crucifixion. Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
- The Resurrection. Fruit of the Mystery: Faith
- The Ascension. Fruit of the Mystery: Hope
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God
- The Assumption of Mary. Fruit of the Mystery: Grace of a Happy Death
- The Coronation of Blessed Virgin Mary. Fruit of the Mystery: Trust in Mary’s Intercession
DAYS OF RECITATION
* The Joyful Mysteries are recited on Mondays and Saturdays.
* The Luminous Mysteries are recited on Thursdays.
* The Sorrowful Mysteries, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
* The Glorious Mysteries, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
APPROVED FORM OF RECITAL
* A sign of the cross on the Crucifix and then the “Apostles’ Creed”;
* An “Our Father” on the first large bead;
* A “Hail Mary” on each of the three small beads with the following intentions (the theological virtues):
- For the increase of faith
- For the increase of hope
- For the increase of love
* A “Glory Be to the Father” on the next large bead;
* Announce the mystery
* An “Our Father” on the large bead;
* A “Hail Mary” on each of the adjacent ten small beads;
* A “Glory Be to the Father” on the next large bead;
* Again an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be to the Father, and
Fatima Prayer (below) for each of the following decades;
* A “Hail Holy Queen” and a sign of the cross.
The Fatima Prayer
“Oh me Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, libera nos ab igne inferni, conduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim illas quae maxime indigent misericordia tua. Amen.”
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.”
Here is the original Portuguese version:
“Ó meu bom Jesus perdoai e livrai – nos do fogo do inferno, levai as almas todas para o céu e socorrei as que mais precisarem de vossa infinita misericordia.”
The NACF Treasurer
53 High Street
Needham Market
Suffolk IP6 8AL
UK Registered Charity
No. 298481
You must be logged in to post a comment.