Direct, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, all our actions by Thy holy inspirations and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance that every prayer and work we undertake may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily ended, through Christ Our Lord. Amen

A Prayer to the Infant of Prague

O Divine Infant I adore you as the Incarnate Word sent by the Father. For us you chose to be born in a stable in poverty; for us you lived a humble and hidden life; for us you died on the Cross, shedding the last drop of your precious blood and saying: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.

In shame I beg your forgiveness for I, too, have caused you much sorrow and am not worthy that you should listen to me. But if you will not help me to whom shall I turn?

Dearest Infant Jesus, full of confidence and hope I open my heart to you. All those who have believed and have turned to you with confidence have had their prayers answered. With faith, therefore, I ask this favour—that no one of the members of my family, of my friends and acquaintances, of my enemies or of those whom you place in my care may be lost but that each of them may be converted to you. Yet not my will but yours be done, O Jesus, for I firmly believe that you dispose all for the best.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, keep me under your holy protection. Guard my mind, my heart and my senses, that I may never commit sin. Sanctify my thoughts, desires, words and actions, that I may please you, my Jesus, and one day join you in heaven.

Give my your holy blessing—in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Prayer for the Universal Church[1]

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy on Thy people who cry to Thee. Through the intercession of theglorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of all the saints in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners and for the liberty and exaltation of our Holy Mother, the Church through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of St Nicholas of Flüe[2]

Take from me, O Lord, whatever will hinder my coming to Thee;
Give to me whatever will serve to lead me to Thee;
Take me from myself and give me to Thyself completely. Amen

Short Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour deliver us from the power of the devil. Pray that we may be released from the snares with which he binds us, from the darkness in which he blinds us, and lead us all to heaven. Amen.

Prayer of Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified[3]

O Holy Spirit inspire me.
Love of God consume me;
by the true Way lead me.
Mary, my Mother, look upon me;
With Jesus bless me;
From all evil, from all illusion, from all danger preserve me. Amen.

Prayer to St Joseph[4]

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction and having implored the help of thy thrice holy spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down wih gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succour us in our need by thy power and strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under they patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by they help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

Prayer to St Michael[5]

St Michael the Archangel defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray, and do thou, the prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS ON HEAVEN

O God in whom is all consolation, who doth discern in us nothing that is not thine own gift, grant me, when the term of this life is reached,––
t the knowledge of the first truth,
t the enjoyment of your Divine Majesty.

Give to my body, O Most Generous Giver of rewards––
t the beauty of clarity,
t the swiftness of agility,
t the aptness of subtlety, and
t the strength of impassibility.

Add to these––
t the affluence of riches,
t the influence of delights,
t the confluence of all good things;
that so I may rejoice––
t above in your consolations,
t below in the pleasantness of the place,
t within me in the glory of soul and body,
t and about me in the pleasant company of angels and of men.

With you, O Most Merciful Father, may my mind discover the treasures of wisdom, my desires the winning of all desirable things, my efforts the praise of triumph; where with you is
t the escaping of all dangers,
t the distinction of mansions,
t the concord of wills;
where is found––
t the amenity of spring,
t the lucidity of summer,
t the richness of autumn,
t and the quiet silence of winter.

Grant me Lord God,
t life without death,
t joy without sorrow,
where reign
t supreme freedom,
t free security,
t secure tranquility,
t tranquil bliss,
t blissful eternity,
t eternal beatitude,
t the vision and praising of Truth yourself, O God. Amen.

[1] This is a prayer of Pope Leo XIII, who reigned as Pope from 1878 to 1903.

[2] St Nicholas of Flüe is the patron saint of Switzerland. This prayer was much loved and praised by Fr Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange O P, doyen of Thomistic theologians at the Angelicum University, Rome, in the early 20 th century. It is cited with approval in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

[3] Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified (1846-1878) was an arab mystic, a Discalced Carmelite sister, based for much of her short life in the Holy Land. The miracles and phenomena that attended her life were extraordinary. She heard this prayer during an ecstasy. [cf Mariam, The Little Arab, Amédée Brunot S.C.J., trans. by Jeanne Dumais O.C.D.S. and Sister Miriam of Jesus O.C.D., Four Corners Press, Eugene, Oregon, 1984]

[4] This is a prayer of Pope Leo XIII, who reigned as Pope from 1878 to 1903.

[5] This is a prayer of Pope Leo XIII, who reigned as Pope from 1878 to 1903.