𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬

September 14

O God, 

who willed that your Only Begotten Son 

should undergo the Cross to save the human race, 

grant, we pray, 

that we, who have known his mystery on earth, 

may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. 

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

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him 
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise to the Sacred Heart

Lord, you deserve all honor and praise,
because your love is perfect and your heart sublime.
My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude
for the many blessings and graces you have bestowed upon me and those
whom I love.

Forever undeserving, may I always be attentive
and never take for granted the gifts of mercy and love
that flow so freely and generously from your Sacred Heart.
Heart of Jesus, I adore you.
Heart of Jesus, I praise you.
Heart of Jesus, I thank you.
Heart of Jesus, I love you forever and always.

Amen.

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers, forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth
we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.
Amen.

St. John Bosco (1815-1888)

Image: Paul Newton Fine Arts Pty Ltd.
Sydney, Australia

         POPE CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO END VIOLENCE AND START SERVING LIFE 

Pope Leo led an international prayer service for peace at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening, 11 April. 

It featured the recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Before each mystery, women from various nations, wearing traditional dress, lit small candles representing the different continents of the world from the Lamp of Peace, brought from Assisi. These were placed below a statue of our Lady Queen of Peace. 

The Pope’s address confronted the evil of violence and war and its foundations. The Holy Father went on to state it.

Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! True strength is shown in serving life.” 

“Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol, to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bends its knee.”

PRAYER

“Prayer can move mountains,” he said, “war divided, hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others. Love lifts us. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens.”

“With the help of prayer and God, people can help 'break the demonic cycle of evil' and be at the service of the Kingdom of God, where there is 'no sword'. No drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness” The Pope stated.  

He criticized the use of God’s name in justifying violence, saying “even the Holy name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into the discourse of death.”

“STOP, IT'S TIME FOR PEACE." 

“Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.” 

A Prayer for the Family

Composed by St Mother Teresa

Heavenly Father,

you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father, to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely eucharistic, and revived with joy. 

Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. May the eucharistic heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.

May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.

St Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.

Amen.
 

Prayer of Dedication

Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.

I give you my feet to go your way.

I give you my eyes to see as you do.

I give you my tongue to speak your words.

I give you my mind that you may think in me.

I give you my spirit That you may pray in me.

Above all I give you my heart that you may love in me, your father, and all of mankind.

I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me.
Amen.

Prayer for Priests and Deacons

Father, you have appointed your Son Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. 

Guide those he has chosen to be ministers of word and sacrament and help them do be faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received. 

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.