HAIL MARY Hail Mary, full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

 

• Angel’s words to Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1:28)

• Elizabeth’s words to Mary at the Visitation (Luke 1:42)

• Two titles of Mary (Mother of God approved by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD & Mother of God because Jesus is God (Luke 1:43))

• We ask Mary speak to her Son on our behalf as she interceded at the Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11)

 

PRAYER BEFORE MEALS

Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

 

• In a theme that fills the Scriptures, the prayer before meals reminds us God in His Blessed Trinity is the ultimate source of all creation (Colossians 1:17; Romans 14:6)

 

ANGEL OF GOD Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, To light and guard, Rule and guide. Amen.

 

• God assigned each of us angels as our guardians (Matthew 18:10 Acts 12:15).

• Our angels watch us, and come to our aid (Hebrews 1:13-14).

• This prayer serves as a way for us to acknowledge our angel and say thanks.

 

ACT OF CONTRITION O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishments, but most of all, because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.  

• The tax collector’s prayer (Luke 18:13): “God have mercy on me a sinner” in an “Act of Contrition” (Act of telling God we are sorry for our sins).

• God calls us to holiness (as in the examples of the tax collector and adulterous woman in John 7:53-8:11), so we pray for the grace to avoid sin in the future.

 

FOR THE SICK O God, your Son accepted our sufferings to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. Hear the prayers we offer for our sick brothers and sisters. May all who suffer pain, illness or disease realize that they are chosen to be saints, and know that they are joined to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.  

• Jesus accepted His perfect humanity (Hebrews 2:17, 4:15) and suffered emotionally: when His friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept (John 11:17-35); and physically.

• We ask Jesus to help the sick to see that when the sick unite their sufferings to Christ’s saving work on the cross, they participate in Christ’s redemption (Philippians 3:8-11; John 15:13)

 

APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.  

• Early summary of Catholic beliefs (Sacred Scripture & Sacred Tradition)

• Genesis 1:1 • John 1:1-3, John 3:16, etc. • Luke 1:26-35, Luke 2:11

• Luke 23:23-25

• Acts 4:10, 1Corinthians 15:4, Ephesians

4:9

• Mark 16:19

• 2 Timothy 4:1

• John 15:26 • Romans 12:4-5, John 17:17-23, Galatians

3:26-29, • Revelation 8:3-4, Revelation 6:9-10 • John 20: 19-24 • John 6:39, 1 Thessalonians 4:16