Sacred Heart Novena

In preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart, you and your family will say these novena prayers beginning the Wednesday 10 days after Pentecost. The Novena to Our Lord's Most Sacred Heart may be prayed at other times during the year as needed. 

Solemnity Enthronement Triduum Prayers

Say these prayers on the three days leading up to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart preparing you and your family for Enthronement to Our Lord's Most Sacred Heart.

 

Prayers for the Sodality of the Most Sacred Heart

Sodalist's Prayer

I pray that all would come to have a deep understanding of Your great love, mercy and longing to be in close relationship with all of Your children.
Give me the grace to long for union with You and the awareness that all people are created with great purpose and infinite worth, to love and to be loved.
I offer reparation for all human souls that are not living in the state of grace and in the fullness of Jesus Christ.
I ask for the grace to love you Lord, above and beyond all things, to be a reflection of Your love and mercy to all I encounter this day.
May all I think, do and say this day, give glory, honor and praise to You Lord bringing others to believe, adore, hope, love and trust in You. Amen

Prayers for Morning

  • Invitatory
  • Morning Offering
  • The Angelus
  • Daily Offering
  • Midmorning Prayer
  • Psalm 95
  • Psalm 100
  • Psalm 67
  • Psalm 24
Invitatory

Lord, open my lips - and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

“Encourage each other daily while it is still today” (Hebrews 3:13)

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen.

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

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 our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary . . .

V. And the Word was made Flesh: R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1: 28)
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1: 42)

Daily Offering

I offer you my hands Lord, to do your work,
I offer you my feet Lord, to go where you desire me to go,
I offer you my eyes Lord, to see others as you see them,
I offer you my ears Lord, to hear others as you hear them,
I offer you my mind Lord, that my thoughts would be your thoughts- thoughts filled with gentleness and humility,
I offer you my lips Lord, that I may speak your words of truth, love and forgiveness
I offer you my heart Lord, that you would love through me and in me,
I offer you my soul Lord, my soul that longs to be with you, I give you all you have given me without reservation, so that I would bear you to all I encounter this day. Amen

Midmorning Prayer

Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love the things you love, and do what you would do.
Breath on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until with you I have one will, to live and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God, my souls with Grace refine,
Until this earthly part of me, glows with your fire divine.
Breath on me, breath of God, so I shall never die,
But live with you the perfect life, in your eternity. Amen

Psalm 95

A call to praise God

Come, let us sing to the Lord
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

The Lord is God, the mighty God,
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
and the highest mountains as well
He made the sea; it belongs to him,
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship,
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker,
For he is our God and we are his people,
the flock he shepherds.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did in the wilderness,
when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me,
Although they had seen all of my works.

Forty years I endured that generation.
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.
So I swore in my anger,
“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 100

Jubilate Deo

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.
He made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.
Enter his courts with songs of praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 67

Deus misereatur

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its fruit
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 24

Domini est terra

The Lord's is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
the Lord, the valiant in war.

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies,
he is the king of glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Prayers for Anytime

  • Act of Contrition
  • Apostles Creed
  • Come Holy Spirit
  • Guardian Angel Prayer
  • Prayer of Generosity
  • Prayer before the Crucifix
  • Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
  • Suscipe
  • Anima Christi
  • Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
  • Prayer for Priests
  • Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, 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 know and confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen

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 by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come 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.

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

And we pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Understanding, Council, Knowledge, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, Piety

 

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love
Commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen

Prayer of Generosity

Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward
save that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.  St Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer before the Crucifix

Most high and glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me true faith, certain hope, perfect charity and profound humility.
Give me, Lord, sense and knowledge to carry out Your true and holy command.
Amen.  St Francis of Assisi

Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.    St. Gertrude the Great

Suscipe

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
All praise and thanksgiving, Be every moment Thine!

Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will.
All that I have and cherish You have given me.
I surrender it all to be guided by Your Will.
Your grace and Your love are wealth enough for me.
Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more. Amen

 

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever. Amen

 

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

Prayer for Priests

Gracious and loving God,
we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength
they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen

 

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (repeat three times)

  1. Pray the Our Father
  2. Pray the Hail Mary
  3. Say the Apostles' Creed
  4. On the Our Father bead before each decade, pray the following prayer:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen.

  1. On each of the Hail Mary beads in each decade, pray the following prayer:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  1. Pray the Concluding Doxology after you have prayed all five decades of the Chaplet:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." (repeat three times)

  1. After the doxology, pray the Closing Prayer:

Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself. Amen.

 

Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

  • Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Act of Consecration of the Human Race
  • Litany of Humility
  • Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Ave Cor: The Salutation to the Heart of Jesus & Mary
  • Prayer to be United with the Heart of Jesus
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ, I want to give myself to you completely. When I see your Sacred heart, I reflect upon your love. You came from the Father taking a human body with a human heart. You taught us to love God with all our hearts. You suffered and died to save us from sin and death. As you hung on the cross, your Heart was pierced by a lance. Out of it poured blood and water to signify the birth of your Church.

You rose from the dead, Jesus, to live forever with your Father in Heaven. But your Heart is still full of love for us. You still feel pain when people reject or ignore your love. You want us all to live forever with God.

I now consecrate myself to your Sacred Heart, Jesus. You are the Son of God whom I love with all my heart. I offer you my body, my soul, my mind, and my heart. Receive me, make me holy, make my heart like your Heart, and guide me in the way of perfect love today and every day of my life. Amen.

 

Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us,
humbly prostrate before Thine altar.

We are Thine and Thine we wish to be;
but to be more surely united with Thee,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today
to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known Thee;
many, too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee.

Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus,
and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord,
not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee,
but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee,
grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house,
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof
and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,
so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the shadow of idolatry or Islam,
and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom.
Look, finally, with eyes of pity upon the children of that race,
which was for so long a time Thy chosen people;
and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance,
now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation:
to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.  Pope Pius XI

 

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,                     Deliver me, Jesus. Let it be you Lord that are above and beyond all things, for being loved by You and loving You Lord is enough for me.
From the desire of being loved...                         Deliver me....
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...

From the fear of being humiliated ...                 Deliver me Jesus and I ask for the grace to embrace all suffering with great praise and thanksgiving for the sake of my love for You and Your created.
From the fear of being despised...                    Deliver me...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being misunderstood ...

That others may be loved more than I,            Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I...    Jesus,...
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should...
Amen

 

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.  R. Make our hearts like to Thine.

Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, look upon the pierced Heart of Your most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers You for the salvation of sinners; and to those who implore Your mercy, in Your great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever. Amen.

 

Ave Cor
The Salutation to the Heart of Jesus and Mary

Hail, Heart most holy,
Hail, Heart most meek,
Hail, Heart most humble,
Hail, Heart most pure,
Hail, Heart given without reserve,
Hail, Heart most wise,
Hail, Heart most patient,
Hail, Heart most obedient,
Hail, Heart most vigilant,
Hail, Heart most faithful,
Hail, Heart most blessed,
Hail, Heart most merciful,
Hail, most loving Heart of Jesus and Mary;

We adore you,
We praise you,
We glorify you,
We give you thanks;
We love you,
With all our heart,
With all our soul,
With all our strength;
We offer you our heart,
We give it to you,
We consecrate it to you,
We sacrifice it to you;
Receive and posses it totally,
Purify it,
Enlighten it,
Sanctify it;
That you may live and reign in it now and forever. Amen.-St John Eudes

 

Prayer to be United with the Heart of Jesus

O Heart all lovable and all loving of my Savior,
be the Heart of my heart,
the soul of my soul,
the spirit of my spirit,
the life of my life,
and the sole principle
of all my thoughts,
words and actions,
of all the faculties of my soul,
and of all my senses,
both interior and exterior.
Amen.
-St John Eudes

Prayers to Our Blessed Mother

  • Prayer to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
  • Beloved Mother
  • Mysteries of the Rosary
  • Hail, Holy Queen
  • Let us Pray
  • Salve, Regina
Prayer to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots

Holy Mary, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will and the devil was never capable to tie you around with his confusion. You intercede for us with your son and make clear the ties that link us to our Lord. Mother of God, you who untie the knots in our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of person), and ask that you free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks. Through your grace, your intercession, and your example, deliver us from all evil and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen

 

Beloved Mother

Grant unto me your grace as I face this challenge in my life.
Intercede for me, to Our Heavenly Father, and help me to bear this affliction
with dignity, courage, peace, gentleness and charity.
Grant me the strength, that I may unite my suffering with yours and give Glory to God.
I implore you to be my advocate before the throne of mercy.
Comfort me in my times of distress, and banish all fears.
I place my trust in you, Blessed Mother,
believing that your Mantle of peace and love is always surrounding me.
All glory and honor be to you and your son, now and forever. Amen.

 

Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful (Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Lk 1: 26-38)
2. The Visitation (Lk 1: 39-56)
3. The Nativity (Lk 2: 1-20)
4. The Presentation (Lk 2: 22-38)
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2: 41-51)

Luminous (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Mk 1: 9-11)
2. The Manifestation of Christ at the Wedding of Cana (Jn 2: 1-12)
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His Call to Conversion (Mk 1: 14-15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mk 9: 2-8)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Mk 14: 22-26)

Sorrowful (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden (Mt 26: 36-46)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Jn 19: 1)
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Mt 27: 29)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Jn 19: 16-17)
5. The Crucifixion (Jn 19: 18-30)

Glorious (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1. The Resurrection (Mk 16: 1-8)
2. The Ascension (Lk 24: 50-52)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-13)
4. The Assumption (Ps 16:10)
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Rev 12: 1-2)

 

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, Our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.O clement O loving O sweet Virgin Mary.

 

Let us Pray

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech You that mediating upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Salve, Regina

Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae, Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve!
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii [H]evae, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
In hac lacrimarum valle. Eja ergo, Advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte, Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
Nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende, O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

 

Prayers for Evening - the Daily Examen

  • Examen
  • 1. Become Aware of God’s Presence
  • 2. Review the Day with Gratitude
  • 3. Pay Attention to your Emotions
  • 4. Choose One Feature of the Day
  • 5. Look Toward Tomorrow
  • End Examen
Examen

A great way to pray is to look for God’s presence in your life. More than 400 years ago St. Ignatius Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen. The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and to discern his direction for us. Try this version of St. Ignatius’s prayer.

 

 

1. Become Aware of God’s Presence

Look back on the events of the day in the company of the Holy Spirit. The day may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.

2. Review the Day with Gratitude.

Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—the food you ate, the sights you saw, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details.

3. Pay Attention to your Emotions.

One of St. Ignatius’s great insights was that we detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings? God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. Make note of these sins and faults. But look deeply for other implications. Does a feeling of frustration perhaps mean that God wants you consider a new direction in some area of your work? Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you should reach out to her in some way.

4. Choose One Feature of the Day and Pray from it.

Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling— positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.

5. Look Toward Tomorrow.

Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.

End Examen

St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Daily Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, and it is adorned with gifts from God. End the Daily Examen with the Our Father.

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He is to go about doing good.  Yours are the hands with which He is to bless people now.” -Saint Teresa of Avila