Lord, you gave Saint Peter Canisius
wisdom and courage to defend
the Catholic faith.
By the help of his prayers
may all who seek the truth
rejoice in finding You,
and may all who believe in You
be loyal in professing their faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
O my God, because you are infinite
goodness and worthy of infinite love,
I love you with my whole heart
above all things, and for love of you
I love my neighbor as myself.
I forgive all who have offended me
and ask pardon of all whom
I have offended.
Jesus, my Lord,
I confess that I am a sinner.
But in Your goodness
You invited me to approach Your Holy Table
and to partake of Your heavenly Banquet.
Trusting in Your mercy I come to You
with confidence, albeit with it a contrite
and humble heart.
Lord, I am not worthy that You
should enter under my roof; but say
O Queen of heaven, rejoice;
for He who you deserved to bear;
is risen again as He said.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
O God, who by the Resurrection
of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ
gave joy to the world:
grant we ask You, that through His Mother,
the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys
of everlasting life.
Christmas always brings joy in my life. As a child, I always looked forward to the coming of that day. However, as time progressed, I realized that Christmas does not only bring joy but also an attached message with it. It is God, conveying and reminding me of my journey as a missionary.
Mary, powerful Virgin,
You are the mighty
and glorious protector of the Church.
You are the marvelous help of Christians.
You are awe inspiring as an army in battle array.
In the midst of our anguish, struggle, and distress,
defend us from the power of the enemy,
and at the hour of hour death,
receive our soul in Heaven.
In the day-to-day routine of life
I take my friends for granted,
I expect them to be good to me
even when I’m in a miserable mood,
but when I’m ill I start to think
how precious my friends are,
how important they are to me.
Lord, you show me how to be just,
compassionate and generous.
May Your grace give me the courage
I need to change all that prevents me
from loving You, myself and my neighbor.
People often boast about having celebrated Mass in churches that are, “centuries old,” such as the great cathedrals of Europe. But, what about celebrating in a place of worship over FOUR THOUSAND years old?
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross
with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross.
By following his example, may we come
to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask 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.