ST THOMAS BECKET – HIS MURDER AT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL WAS WITNESSED FIRST HAND

• “‘Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?’ (Luke 22:27)

• ‘Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are ‘consecrated to be… a royal priesthood’ (CCC 1546)

• St Thomas Becket is the Patron saint of English priests. They are blessed because of this and stand on the broad shoulders of this manly and courageous saint. His murder in Canterbury cathedral was witnessed first hand. Like St Stephen, with blood streaming down his face he prayed, ‘Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.’ His last words as he lay dying were, ‘For the name of Jesus and the protection of the Church I am ready to embrace death.’ We pray for our clergy that they would know a renewal of their grace of ordination and dedicate their lives in a new way to the building of the kingdom of heaven.

• St Thomas Becket, pray for us. St Thomas Becket, pray for our priests and give them strength to live out their holy vocation.

• Our Father…, Ten Hail Mary…, Glory be…

• Today my prayer is for…”
– From the Resource for the Year of Faith 2012 by Alive Publishing. To view and order their publications, please visit http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk (external link).

 

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY

Lord Jesus Christ,
who, being made subject
to Mary and Joseph,
did consecrate domestic life
by Your unspeakable virtues;
grant that we,
with the assistance of both,
may be taught by the example
of Your Holy Family,
and may attain to
its everlasting fellowship.
Who lives and reigns,
world without end.
Amen.

 

“O CALL FORTH YOUR POWER, LORD, AND COME!”

O CALL FORTH YOUR POWER, LORD, AND COME!

O call forth your power, Lord, and come! Come to help us in your great strength. May your merciful forgiveness and grave hasten on what our sins retard. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYER

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYER – 16th TO 24th DECEMBER
THIS PRAYER IS RECITED DAILY FROM 16th DECEMBER TO 24th DECEMBER

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires (mention your request here).
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen

 

NOVENA PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

NOVENA PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
(The Immaculate Conception: 8th December)

Immaculate Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of your conception in the womb of your mother, St Anne. You were chosen to be the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe the teaching of Holy Mother the Church, that in the first instant of your conception, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race and your beloved Son, you were preserved from all stain of original sin. I thank God for this wonderful privilege and grace He bestowed upon you as I honour your Immaculate Conception.
Look graciously upon me as I implore this special favour: (mention your request).
Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from your throne in Heaven turn your eyes of pity upon me. Filled with confidence in your goodness and power, I beg you to help me in this journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. I entrust myself entirely to you, that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may always live a humble and pure life. I consecrate myself to you forever, for my only desire is to love your Divine Son Jesus.
Mary, since none of your devout servants has ever perished, may I, too, be saved. Amen

 

ADVENT PRAYER OF THE GREAT “O” ANTIPHONS

O Wisdom,
holy Word of God,
You rule all creation with power and true concern.
Come to teach us the way of salvation.

O sacred Lord,
and Leader of ancient Israel,
You communicated with Moses at the burning bush
and gave him the law on Mount Sinai.
Come to set us free by Your mighty arm.

O Root of Jesse,
raised up as a sign of all peoples,
in Your presence kings become mute
and the nations worship before You.
Come to deliver us and do not delay.

O Key of David,
and Royal Power of Israel,
You open what no one can shut,
and You shut what no one can open.
Come and deliver Your people
imprisoned by darkness and the shadows of death.

O Radiant Dawn,
You are the Brightness of eternal light
and the Sun of justice.
Come to enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.

O King of the Gentiles
and the longed-for Ruler of the nations,
You are the cornerstone Who make all one.
Come and save those whom You have created.

O Emmanuel,
our King and our Lawgiver,
You are the Desired of the nations
and the Saviour of all people.
Come to save us, O Lord our God!

 

FOUR SHORT ADVENT PRAYERS

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT:
O call forth your power, Lord, and come! Because of our sins, we are faced with imminent danger: under your protection may we escape it, with your redemption may we be saved from it. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT:
Rouse our hearts, Lord, to prepare the way before your only-begotten Son, so that with minds purified by his coming, we shall be able to serve you, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT:
Hearken, Lord, to our prayers, and by the grace of your coming, dispel the darkness of our minds. You who live and reign, with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT:
O call forth your power, Lord, and come! Come to help us in your great strength. May your merciful forgiveness and grace hasten on what our sins retard. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.