| Devotion to Our Lady |
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"The modern world cannot do without God. This is the root of its ills. The great truth is that we have an absolute need of God…He normally bestows His grace only in response to prayer. Since our need exists at all times....“We ought always to pray and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1)....The true nature of Christian prayer is perfectly expressed in the following definition given by St. John Damascene and St. Thomas Aquinas: prayer is “a raising of the mind and heart towards God” to offer Him our homage and to ask Him for all those things of which we stand in need" (Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B., Abbot of Christ—The Ideal of the Priest, chap. 15). Blessed Columba Marmion, born Joseph Aloysius Marmion (1858 – 1923) was an Irish Benedictine monk, and the third abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium.
SHORT PRAYERS & READINGS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
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PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS
Divine Infant, after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem, You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world. You called the Wise Men, by heavenly inspiration, to Your crib which was a royal throne. You graciously received those holy men who were obedient to the Divine call and who hastened to Your feet. They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace, the Redeemer of mankind, and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, and inflame our hearts to know You, to serve You, and to love You in this life, that we may find our joy in You eternally in the life to come. O Jesus, most powerful Child, I implore You again to help me: (Share your request…) but, may God’s will be done. Divine Child, through Your most Holy Mother’s most powerful intercession and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God, I beseech You for a favourable answer to my prayer during this Novena. Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints. Closing Prayers: Our Father…, Hail Mary… (x3) and Glory be… ANOTHER SHORT PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS
O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib, I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though I do see Thee here as a helpless babe.
I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings. Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did. Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds. Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul. Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering. Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of good will. A CHILD'S PRAYER TO THE CHILD JESUS
Infant Jesus, meek and mild,
look on me a little child. Pity mine and pity me, suffer me to come to you. Heart of Jesus, I adore you. Heart of Mary, I implore you. Heart of Joseph, pure and just. In these three hearts, I put my trust. Help us Joseph in our early strife, ever to lead a pure and blameless life. Jesus, I love you! ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, in the midst of all the hectic activity during this Christmas season let me never forget this feast is, first and foremost, all about You. Help me to embrace true humility as You, the King of Kings, did by being born not in a mansion or even an inn, but rather in a cave so that I might one day merit Eternal Life with You in Heaven.
Dear Lord Jesus, let me never forget in my own downcast moments that You too felt vulnerability in Bethlehem as well as loneliness in your earthly ministry! Help me to show others Your real love, especially now, as well as all year round, and help me to share that love with others, even if it’s just in little acts of kindness. When I feel lonely or confused, let me remember that Your love for me is so great that You would have experienced Your Incarnation and Passion for me even if I were the only person in the world. Amen. THE ROOT OF JESSE
A Root shall come forth from the stock of Jesse
And a Flower shall rise out of his root! And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him -- the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and of godliness. The people that walked in darkness shall see a great light, For a Child is born to us and a Son is given to us. To Him all power shall be given. His Name shall be: Wonderful One, Strong God, Eternal One, Prince of Peace. He shall sit on the throne of David, And He will found a new Covenant which will last for ever and ever. More prayers will be added during the course of the Christmas Season
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