SALESIAN YOUTH at PRAYER
a companion
VOLUME I
1
“Take courage and pray” St John Bosco
2 INTRODUCTION
My only hope in preparing this little book is that it may offer you helpful prayers and information.
A characteristic of Salesian prayer is its focus on young people and the joyful way it is done. You can pray by yourself, in a group, in Church, in a park. I simply offer you these prayers and reflections to say, think quietly, sing or act out.
I am confident that when we offer ourselves to God throughprayer he will smile on us. May our Blessed Mother, Mary Help of Christians, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, our Founders, St John Bosco and St Mary Mazzarello and our patron, St Francis de Sales, all join us as we pray together.
God bless.
3 CONTENTS
Traditional Prayers 6 o The Angelus 7 o Regina Caeli 8 o Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina) 8 o Creeds 9 o Acts 11 Morning Prayers 13 Evening Prayers 14 Prayers before Mass 15 The Order of Mass 17 Prayers after Mass 27 Prayers to God 29 o To God, the Father 32 o To Jesus, the Son 34 o To the Holy Spirit 36 Devotions and Prayers to the 37 Blessed Virgin Mary o The Rosary 37 o Prayer to Mary Help of Christians 42 o Novena to Mary Help of Christians 45 Prayers to Saints 48 o St John Bosco 48 o Holy Family 49 o St Joseph 50 o Guardian Angel 51
4
o St Michael, the Archangel 51 o St Francis de Sales 51 o St Dominic Savio 52 o St Maria Mazzarello 53 o St Aloysius Gonzaga 53 o St Philip Neri 53 o St Therese of Lisieux 54 o St Maria Goretti 54 o Bd Laura Vicuna 54 Mealtime Prayers 55 Prayers for Different Occasions 55 Salesian Saints and Blesseds 68 o Bd Laura Vicuna 68 o St Francis de Sales 69 o St John Bosco 70 o St Dominic Savio 71 o St Maria Mazzarello 72 o Blessed Mary Help of Christians 73 o St Joseph Cafasso 74 o Bd Michael Rua 75 Salesian Reflections 76 Catholic Teachings 84 o Eight Beatitudes for the Young 86 Helpful Bible References 87 Church Calendar 88 Acknowledgements and Resources 95
5 TRADITIONAL PRAYERS
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Glory be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end, Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
6 Angelus (Traditionally prayed at 6am, midday and 6pm)
V. The Angel of the lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary...
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary…
V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary…
V. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray, Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, your 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.
Glory be…
7 Regina Caeli (replaces the Angelus during Eastertide)
V. Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia! R. For he whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia! V. Has risen as he said, alleluia! R. Pray for us to God, alleluia! V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia! R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!
Let us pray, O God, who through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, did vouchsafe to give joy to the world; grant, we beseech you, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you 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 your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
8 CREEDS
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, The only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
9 I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Apostle’s 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; On the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will 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.
10 ACTS
Act of Faith
I firmly believe that there is one God, and that in this one God there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This Son took on human form, from the Virgin Mary’s womb, through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was crucified and died for us, and afterwards rose again and ascended into heaven, from there he will come to reward the just and true, and punish the wicked. I believe in all else the Catholic Church believes because God has revealed these things to his Church.
Act of Contrition “Cheer up then, have O my God, I am truly sorry for offending You trust and make a firm and beg pardon for all my sins. I hate them resolution to not sin most of all because they offend You, my again. God will not God, who are all good and deserving of my despise a contrite and love. I firmly resolve, by the help of your humble heart.” grace, never to sin again. Amen. St John Bosco
Act of Love
O Lord, my God, I love you with all my heart, and above all things because of your goodness and perfection you are the most worthy of love. And for your sake, I also love my neighbour as myself.
11 Act of Hope
O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy, I trust you, that you will grant me forgiveness of my sins, through the virtues of your son, Jesus Christ,and give me assistance through your grace. With all this I hope to work always for your good works and therefore obtain the glory waiting for me in heaven with you.
Act of Offering
I wish I could give You all the praise and glory “It’s the same thing the Saints give You in Heaven, and since I to pray, to play or to cannot do this, I offer You my whole self; I sleep. In doing what offer You my will, that it may never desire I’m told, I’m doing anything except what pleases You. I offer what God wants and You my hands, my feet, my eyes, my tongue, this is what I want; my mind, my heart, and my whole being. this for me is the best Guard me, God, so that every thought, word way to pray.” and action may be for Your greater glory and Bd Laura Vicuna for the salvation of my soul.
Act of Grace
Most holy Virgin, dear Mother of my Jesus, my Guardian Angel, St Joseph, St Francis de Sales, St John Bosco, St Aloysius Gonzaga, St Dominic Savio, St Maria Mazzarello, obtain this grace from God for me, for my relations, my benefactors, my friends and my enemies. That we may be now and in the future God’s worthy children, to avoid sin and all occasions of son, and to live in holiness all our days.
12 MORNING PRAYERS
Prayer for the Morning
I adore you, O God, and I love you with all my heart. I thank you for having created me, called me into your Church, and kept me in your loving arms during the night. I offer you all my actions this day. Grant that they may be done according to your will and for your greater glory. Keep me from sin and from every evil. May your grace be always with me and with all those who are dear to me. Amen.
Prayer for Offering the Day (by St Francis de Sales)
My God, I give you this day. I offer You, now, all of the good that I shall do and I promise to accept, for love of You, all of the difficulty that I shall meet. Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner pleasing to You. Amen.
Prayer for the New Day
God give us rain when we expect sun. Give us music when we expect trouble. Give us tears when we expect joy. Give us dreams when we expect a storm. Give us a lonely neighbour when we expect congratulations. God play with us, turn us sideways and around. Give us what we need, not what we may want. Amen.
13 EVENING PRAYERS
Prayer for the Evening I
Now that the sun has set, I sit and rest, and think of you. Give my weary body peace. Let my legs and arms stop aching. Let my nose stop sneezing. Let my head stop thinking. Let me sleep in your arms.
Prayer for the Evening II
God Our Father, I come to say, thank you for your love today, thank you for my family, and all the friends you give to me. Guard me in the dark of night, and in the morning send your light. Amen.
Watch Thou, Dear Lord (by St Augustine)
Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend to your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And all, for your love’s sake. Amen.
Thank you Lord Thank you God, for all you have given me, for everything that has made today great. For the gifts and surprises. Amen.
14 PRAYERS BEFORE MASS
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of tenderness and mercy, I, a lowly and unworthy sinner, fly to you with all the affection of my heart and I beseech your motherly love, that, as you stood by your most dear Son, while he hung upon the Cross.
So, in your kindness, you may be pleased to stand by me, a poor sinner, and all those who are offering the sacrifice here and throughout the entire holy Church. So, that with your gracious help, we may offer a worthy and acceptable oblation in the sight of the most high and undivided Trinity.
Shortened Prayer of Saint Ambrose
I draw near, loving Lord Jesus Christ, to the table of your most delightful banquet in fear and trembling. I am a sinner and not assuming my own merits, but rather trusting in your goodness and mercy.
Look on me, then, with eyes of mercy, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and human, crucified for all. Listen to me as I place my hope in you, have pity on me, you who will never cease to let the fountain of your compassion flow. Amen.
15 Prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Almighty eternal God, behold, I come to the sacrament of your Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as one who is sick coming to the physician of life, as one who is unclean coming to the fountain of mercy, as one who is blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one who is poor and needy coming to the lord of heaven and earth.
I ask, therefore, for the abundance of your immense generosity, that you may graciously cure my sickness, wash away my sin, give light to my blindness, enrich my poverty, clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Receive with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention as will help the salvation of my soul. Grant, I pray, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, but also the reality and power of the Sacrament.
O most gentle God, grant that I may receive the Body of your Only Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, which he took from the Virgin Mary, that I may be incorporated into his Mystical Body and to be counted among its members.
O most loving Father, grant that I may at last gaze for ever on the unhidden face of your beloved son, whom I, a wanderer, intend to receive now in a hidden state. You, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.
16 THE ORDER OF MASS
“There is no doubt that the greatest help to be good lies in the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. Boys and girls who go to these sacraments often, and receive them well, grow up strong in virtue and continue so to the end of their lives.”
St. John Bosco
17 All text given in bold is said by us. INTRODUCTORY RITES Un-bolded text is said by the Entrance Song or Antiphon priest.
Sign of the Cross STAND
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Greeting
R. And with your spirit.
Penitential Act
Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
1. I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask the blessed Mary ever- Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
18 Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy Christ have mercy - Christ have mercy Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy
2. Have mercy on us, O Lord. For we have sinned against you. Show us, O Lord, your mercy. And grant us your salvation.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy Christ have mercy - Christ have mercy Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy
3. You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy - Christ have mercy You are seated at the right have of the Father to intercede for us: Lord have mercy - Lord have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
19 Gloria
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Collect SIT R. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
20 Second Reading
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel STAND The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy Gospel according to N. Glory to you, O Lord.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. SIT Homily
Profession of Faith STAND
Nicene Creed Nicene Creed on I believe in one God… page 9. or Apostle’s Creed Apostle’s Creed on I believe in God, the Father almighty… page 10. General Intercessions SIT
21 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God forever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God forever.
Prayer over the Offerings
Pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you. And with you spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just.
22 Preface
It is truly right and just… we proclaim:
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. KNEEL Eucharistic Prayer
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME
The Mystery of Faith
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again. or When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. or Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
23 Therefore, O Lord… Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.
Great Amen
R. Amen. STAND Communion Rite
The Lord’s Prayer
At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: Our Father…
Deliver us Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
The Sign of Peace
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on ours sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with you will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
24 The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit. Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Breaking of the Bread
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Communion KNEEL
Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Communion Song or Antiphon
Receiving Communion
The Body of Christ. Amen. The Blood of Christ. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
R. Amen.
25 STAND THE CONCLUDING RITES
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dismissal
Go forth, the mass is ended Thanks be to God. or Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. or Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Thanks be to God. or Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
26 PRAYERS AFTER MASS
Soul of Christ (Anima Christi by St Ignatius of Loyola)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, embolden me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me. Never permit me to be parted from you. From the evil Enemy defend me. At the hour of my death call me and bid me to come to you, that with your Saints I may praise you forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified
Behold, O good and loving Jesus, that I place myself on my knees before you and with the greatest fervour of spirit, I pray and ask you to instil into my heart passionate sentiments of faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a most firm intention of change.
With deep affection and sorrow I reflect intimately and contemplate in my mind your five wounds, having in front of my eyes what the prophet David had already put in your mouth about yourself, O good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones” (Ps 21:17-18).
27 Prayer of Self-Offering
Receive, Lord, my entire freedom. Accept the whole of my memory, my intellect and my will. Whatever I have or possess, it was you who gave it to me; I restore it to you totally, and I surrender it completely to the guidance of your will. Give me only love of you together with your grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Mary, Virgin and Mother most holy, behold I have received your most dear Son, whom you conceived in your immaculate womb, brought forth, nursed and embraced most tenderly. Behold him at whose sight you used to rejoice and be filled with all delight; him whom, humbly and lovingly, once again I present and offer him to you to be clasped in your arms, to be loved by your heart, and to be offered up to the Most Holy Trinity as the supreme worship of adoration, for your own honour and glory and for my needs and for those of the whole world.
I ask you therefore, most loving Mother: entreat for me the forgiveness of all my sins, and in abundant measure the grace of serving him in the future more faithfully, and at the last, final grace, so that with you I may praise him forever and ever. Amen.
“Holy Virgin Mother of Jesus, St Aloysius Gonzaga, help me to become a saint.” St John Bosco
28 PRAYERS TO GOD
The Divine Praises Blessed be God. Blessed be his holy name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be his most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and immaculate conception. Blessed be her glorious assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.
Late Have I Loved You (by St Augustine) Late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness, I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I gasp for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.
29 Prayer to the Blessed Trinity (by St Thomas Aquinas)
Eternal Father, I thank you for the gift that you have given me. It is your beloved Son, in whom you are pleased. In Him and by Him give me strength to keep all my good resolutions.
Eternal Son, I thank you for the gift you have given me. It is you who died for me. Make me, dear Jesus, wiser with your heavenly wisdom, and show me clearly all the things I should do for God.
Eternal Spirit, I thank you for the gift you have given me. It is Jesus, whose Soul you sanctified with your holiest treasures. Make me, dear Spirit, more loving so that I may cling to God more closely.
O ever-blessed Trinity, three persons and One God, help me to live according to these gifts which I receive at the Altar of Jesus.
30 Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
O infinite Trinity, perfect image of living light: we raise our praise to you. All powerful wisdom of peace, you uphold everything with provident love: may our minds be illumined by you.
Source of life that does not die, you raise every person to your immortal grace: let our hearts rest in you. Seat of merciful sanctity, you pardon the crimes of sinners: guide our steps.
Life of boundless love, you rule the universe with remarkable justice: teach us to show our love by generous forgiveness. O highest Fidelity, you made us children of the eternal God: make us instruments of your peace.
Glory to you, Father, goal of all creation. Glory to you, Christ, risen to give us life. Glory to the Spirit who binds us in sincere love. Amen.
St Patrick’s Prayer
I arise today, through the power of the Trinity, through the faith in threeness, through trust in the oneness of the Maker of the earth, and the Maker of heaven.
“Nobody can be truly happy in this world unless they are at peace with God.” St John Bosco
31 TO GOD, THE FATHER
Prayer for God’s Friendship
Put your ear next to me, Lord, I just want you to hear me and talk to me. Because I don’t have much, but just remember I try to be like you.
You are my friend, so I ask for your help. Make me happy when I’m all mixed up inside. I know you don’t hold anything against me and you listen and hear me when I talk to you, and never push me away. So when I have troubles I can call on you Lord, my friend.
Thanks for Standing Up For Us, Lord
God, please stay with us all of the time, and take good care of us. When we need someone to stand up for us we know you are ready. So we don’t need to worry about that and can feel safe with you, God. We are glad, too, that you won’t let anyone beat us, you protect us and stand up for us. Thank you for that, Lord.
“In quiet prayer, talk to God if you can. If you can’t, just stay there, let God look at you, and don’t worry about anything.” St Francis de Sales
32 Prayer to Know You More
Dear God, you say it’s ok to talk to you when we are in a big group or even just by ourselves. Either way you will always listen to us. Help us to find what is good for us and to know more about what we are supposed to do in life. Amen.
Prayer for Prayer
Dear Lord, teach me to listen to You when I cannot pray or find my life distracting or difficult. Help me to love You as I should, and love you in my neighbour. I thank you for simply spending time with me, Jesus. Amen.
Teach me, my Lord
Teach me, my Lord, to be serene and gentle in all the events of life, in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside to think of the happiness of others, to hide my personal pains and heartaches so that they may not diminish the joy of others.
As I go from one duty to another, let me turn my attention to you. Help me to be aware of your constant presence by my side, to listen to you carefully and to respond to you faithfully. May my life be full of your Spirit. May it remain strong in following you, and become full of power to do good; all for your love and love for your people, God. Amen.
33 TO JESUS, THE SON
Stay with us, Lord
Stay with us, Lord, for evening is at hand, and the day has passed away. Stay with us and with your Church. Stay with us in the evening of the day, in the evening of life, in the evening of the world. Stay with us with your grace and goodness, with your holy sacraments, and your consolation and blessing. Stay with us when night comes over us; the night of affliction and anxiety, the night of doubt and temptation, the night of bitter death. Stay with us, with all your faithful, in time and in eternity.
Prayer in front of a Crucifix
My good and dearest Jesus, I kneel before you, praying that you with all the love of my soul may engrave deep and vivid impressions of faith, hope, and charity upon my heart, with true repentance for my sins, and a very firm resolve to make amends. Meanwhile I reflect on your 5 wounds, thinking of them with deep compassion and grief, and recalling the words of the prophet David: They have pierced my hands and my feet: they have counted all my bones. I love you Jesus and I thank you.
Deliver Me
Deliver me, Lord Jesus Christ, from all my sins and from every evil, make me hold ever fast to You commandments and never allow me to be separated from You.
34 Prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament (by John Newman)
I place myself in the presence of Him, in whose Incarnate Presence I am before. I place myself there. I adore You, O my Saviour, present here as both God and human, in soul and body, in true flesh and blood.
I acknowledge and confess that I kneel before that Sacred Humanity, which was conceived in Mary’s womb and lay in Mary’s gentle arms. You who grew up in our human world, and by the Sea of Galilee called the Twelve, performed miracles, and spoke words of wisdom and peace. You who in time hung on the cross, lay in the tomb, rose from the dead, and now reigns in heaven. “My dear children, love I praise You, and bless You, and give Jesus in the Blessed myself wholly to You, who are the true Sacrament and you will Bread of my soul, and my everlasting joy. be truly happy.” St John Bosco
Prayer to Let Jesus Inside Jesus, help us to live for you. So we are asking you now to show us what is good and what is not. Help us to get the Sad thoughts out of our mind, then with them outside we hope you will be able to come in.
Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
35 TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Holy Spirit
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray, Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to always be truly wise and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Spirit (by St Augustine)
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
36 DEVOTIONS AND PRAYERS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
THE ROSARY
Traditionally the Rosary includes praying the 5 mysteries relevant to the weekday or special feast of the day. Even praying one decade is a beautiful way to spend time with Mary praying to God and Jesus.
Opening:
The Rosary begins with the sign of the cross. Followed by the Apostle’s Creed.
1 x Our Father, 3 x Hail Mary and 1 x Glory be
The Mysteries:
Each of the 5 mysteries are prayed in turn. This is done by praying a decade, this includes;
1 x Our Father, 10 x Hail Mary, 1 x Glory be and 1 x Fatima Prayer.
37 The Joyful Mysteries (On Mondays and Saturdays)
These mysteries show joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation. This is clear from the very first mystery, the Annunciation, where Gabriel’s greeting to Mary is linked to an invitation to joy; “Rejoice, Mary”. The whole of salvation had led up to that greeting.
1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Birth of Jesus 4. The Presentation at the Temple 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries (On Tuesdays and Fridays)
The Gospels give great importance to the Sorrowful mysteries of Christ. From the beginning, Christian piety, especially the devotion of the Way of the Cross in Lent, focuses on the individual moments in the Passion of Christ. This is the final stage in the revelation of God’s love for us and our salvation.
1. The Agony in the Garden 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion
38 The Glorious Mysteries (On Wednesdays and Sundays)
“The contemplation of Christ’s face cannot stop at the image of the Crucified One. He is the Risen One!” The Rosary as always expressed knowledge, which comes from faith. It helps us look past darkness and death and see Christ’s glory in the resurrection and ascension. Mary herself is also raised to that same glory in the Assumption.
1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption of Mary 5. The Coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven
The Luminous Mysteries (On Thursdays)
Moving on from the infancy of Jesus and his hidden life in Nazareth to his public life we come to the mysteries of light. Christ is the light of the world. This truth becomes obvious during his public life and ministry.
1. The Baptism of Jesus 2. The Wedding Feast at Cana 3. The Proclaiming of the Kingdom of God 4. The Transfiguration 5. The Institution of the Eucharist
39 Concluding:
After praying the mysteries relevant to the day, the Rosary is concluded with the following prayers: Hail, Holy Queen 1x Hail, Holy Queen on page 8. And this final prayer:
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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 meditating upon these mysteries, in 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.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
40 The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Under Your Protection
We fly to your protection, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Prayer to the Immaculate Virgin
And now, O Immaculate Virgin, as a pledge of being yours, I consecrate to you for the rest of my life, my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, and my whole self. I wish to be all yours, please now guard me as your own child.
Prayer of Entrustment to Mary
O Mary Help of Christians, Mother of the Church, we entrust ourselves today to your goodness and intercession. With great joy we proclaim you as our teacher and guide. We pray that you accept our act of entrustment and grant that we may always share in your love and faith in God and your Son.
41 Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians I
Blessed are you Mary, the woman who listened, because you lived in search of God’s will for you. And when God revealed his plan for you, you had the courage to accept it, abandoning your own life project to do the Lord’s.
Mother of believers, teach us to listen to God and to make His will our own, so that He may achieve his plan for our salvation and the salvation of all people.
Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians II
Mary, Mother of the God and Mother of the Church, we believe that you hold a unique place in the history of salvation, and that you are the teacher and guide of our Salesian family. We contemplate with joy and want to imitate your faith and docility to the Lord, your gratitude for the wonders of the Fathers, your charity and your strength at the foot of the cross.
We entrust ourselves to you with love: at the Immaculate Conception you educate us on the fullness of selflessness, as the Help of Christians you give us courage and confidence when serving God and his people. We ask you, O Holy Virgin, to continue to protect each one of us, our families, the Salesian family and all young people in the world.
42 I Entrust to You All the Youth of the World
Hail Mary, full of grace, Mother of the Redeemer! Blessed are you because you have believed. On the day of the triumph of Jesus, as he entered Jerusalem, meek and humble, acclaimed as King of the simple ones, we acclaim you too.
We invoked you, faithful Virgin and loving Mother, Virgin of Calvary and of Easter, model of faith and of the charity of the Church that is always united with you to her Lord, in both suffering and in glory.
Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church! We welcome you into our heart, as a precious heritage that Jesus entrusted to us on the cross. And as disciples of your Son, we confide ourselves without hesitation to your comfort because you are the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the redeemed.
I recommend to you and consecrate to you all families, so that they may grow in holiness; all the young, so that they may find the fullness of their human and Christian vocation in a society that nurtures the values of the Spirit. I entrust to you all those who suffer; the poor, the sick, the marginalised and those who have been separated from us forever by violence but who are always present before the Lord and are your children, Mother of Life.
Hail, Virgin of Hope! I entrust to you all the youth of the world, the hope of our Church and of our Pastors; they who are the evangelisers of the third millennium, witnesses of faith and of the love of Christ. Amen.
43 Grant me, O Virgin Immaculate (by St Maximilian Kolbe)
Grant me, O Virgin Immaculate, that I may praise you with all my strength and personal sacrifice. Grant that I may live, work, suffer, consume myself and die for you. Grant that I may contribute to your exaltation more and more, that I may render you such glory as no one has ever done before.
Grant that others may outdo me in exalting you, but let me overtake them again so that, in a noble way, your glory may be increased always more and more, as it was desired by the God who raised you above all others.
In you God is glorified more than in all the saints. For you God has created the world, for you God has called me into existence. Make me worthy to praise you, O Virgin Immaculate. Amen.
Marian Prayer (by St Aloysius Gonzaga)
O Holy Mary, my mother, into your blessed trust and protection, and into the care of your mercy, I this day, every day, and in the hour of my death, commend to you my soul and my body. To you I commit all my anxieties and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that by your most holy intercession and by your merits all my actions may be directed and disposed according to your will and that of your Son. Amen.
44 Novena to Mary, Help of Christians
This is a prayer takes 9 days. It may be “Have confidence in Our said to overcome a problem or as a special devotion. A good time to pray Lady, Help of Christians, this novena is between the 15th and and let us begin a novena 23rd of May in preparation for the in her honour.” Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians St John Bosco on the 24th of May.
Day 1: O Mary, you readily agreed to the Angel’s request when you were asked to be the mother of God’s Son, and throughout your life your one desire was to do the will of your Father in heaven. Help me always to be obedient and humble. May I, like you, always have the generosity to follow Jesus, wherever he calls.
Hail Mary… The Hail Mary, V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Response and Christians. Final Prayer are R. .That we may be made worthy of the repeated each promises of Christ. day.
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
45 Day 2: O Mary, by your visit to your cousin, Saint Elizabeth, you joyfully spread the good news of the coming of Jesus into the world. May many young people generously follow your example, and give their lives totally to the service of your Son as priests, brothers and sisters.
Day 3: O Mary, ever since the wedding feast of Cana you have always been the powerful help of all those who have asked your aid and protection. By your prayers, keep me free from all dangers and help me always to rise above my faults and failings.
Day 4: O Mary, by your presence at the foot of the cross, you comforted and strengthened your son as he offered his life to the Father. Be with me at the hour of my death, and lead me quickly to the joys of your Son’s kingdom in heaven.
Day 5: O Mary, by your presence in the upper room you strengthened and encouraged the apostles and disciples as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May I always be open to the gifts of the Spirit, and may my faith always be deep and living.
Day 6: O Mary, throughout her long history you have always defended your Son’s Church from the attacks of her enemies. Be with her again in our days. Help each one of us to be her loyal subjects and to work without ceasing for that unity of peace and love for which your Son so fervently prayed.
46 Day 7: O Mary, you have always been the special guide and protector of Saint Peter’s successor, the Bishop of Rome. Keep our present Holy Father in your loving care. Defend him from all harm and give him all those gifts he needs to be the faithful shepherd of your Son’s flock.
Day 8: O Mary, the wonderful way you helped Saint John Bosco’s work to grow and spread shows that you have a great love for the young. As you watched over the child Jesus at Nazareth, so now watch over all young people, especially those most in need, and help them to grow daily in love of your Son.
Day 9: O Mary, you so often showed great courage during your life here on earth. Help all those who are suffering pain and persecution as they try to worship your Son. Obtain for me a deep love of Jesus, so that my life may always be pure, my service of others generous and loving, and my death a truly happy one.
“Faith and prayer, these are our weapons.” St John Bosco
47 PRAYERS TO SAINTS
Prayer to St John Bosco to know our Vocation
O St John Bosco, who guided so many boys and girls to know their true place in life, guide me to know and do God’s will. Should God call me to a vocation of Religious life, Married life, Religious life or Single life, I pray that you and our mother, Mary ever-Virgin, assist me to answer God’s call and be faithful to my vocation. Should God give me the gifts of a vocation to religious life, then obtain for me the grace to love virtue as did your pupil, St Dominic Savio, and to avoid all things in thought, word and deed that could make me lose it. Amen.
Prayer to St John Bosco I
O Saint John Bosco, Father and Teacher of youth, who has laboured so much for the salvation of souls, be our guide in seeking the good of our souls and the salvation of our neighbour. Help us to master our passions and teach us to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Mary, Help of Christians, and our Holy Father the Pope, and obtain for us from God the grace of a happy death so that we may all be gathered together with you in heaven when our time on earth is finished. Amen.
48 Prayer to St John Bosco II
O merciful God, in your loving providence you have given us St John Bosco, a loving father and teacher of all young people. He, with the help of the Virgin Mary, worked with tireless zeal for the good of the Church. Stir in us the same flame of love so that we may live and work to save souls and serve you alone. Amen.
Prayer to Jesus, Mary and Joseph “O Mary, I give you my heart; keep it for ever. O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my Jesus, O Mary, be always heart and soul. Jesus, Mary and my friends. I pray you Joseph, assist me in my last agony. both would let me die Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I give up rather than commit a sin.” my soul in peace with you. St Dominic Savio
Prayer to St Joseph for a Happy Death
Most glorious St Joseph, blessed spouse of Mary, you have merited to be chosen as Guardian for the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ, and who, whilst embracing Him affectionately did have a foretaste of the bliss of Heaven. I ask you to obtain for me full pardon for my sins and the grace to imitate your virtues, so that I may walk in the path that leads to holiness. As you had the privilege of having Jesus and Mary at your death-bed, and in their arms you did die, I pray you will protect me from my enemies in my final moments, so that, consoled by the sweet hope of coming soon to possess everlasting glory in Heaven with you, I may die with the most holy names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on my lips. Amen.
49 Prayer to St Joseph I
O Saint Joseph, in faith and hope, you accepted the Word of God and faithfully guarded His promise, Jesus Christ our saviour. Grant us, who honour you as our patron, the grace to make our faith more mature and our hope stronger, so that our lives will be sustained by the blessings of God and may bear abundant fruit. Amen.
Prayer to St Joseph II
In our difficulties we come to you, O blessed Joseph; and after imploring the help of your most holy spouse, we ask with confidence for your support too. By the same affection with which united you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and the fatherly love with which you embraced the child Jesus, we ask you to look kindly on us and by your powerful assistance help us in our needs.
Joseph, the most careful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ. Keep us, most loving father, from all the dangers of error and corruption. Be merciful to us, most powerful protector, from your place in heaven. As you snatched the child Jesus away from the danger of death, so now come and defend the holy Church of God from the dangers of the enemy.
Guard each of us by your perpetual love, so that sustained by your example and help, we may live in holiness, die a holy death and obtain everlasting happiness in heaven.
50 Prayer to Guardian Angel
O my good Angel, whom God “Pray to your guardian angel. has appointed to be my Invoke their aid if you should find guardian, enlighten and yourself in any serious danger of protect, direct and govern me. body or soul, and I assure you that I, who have been entrusted to he will help and protect you.” you by the Divine Mercy. St John Bosco Amen.
Prayer to St Michael the Archangel
Holy St Michael the Archangel, defend us in the hour of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and may you, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of Souls. Amen.
Prayer to St Francis de Sales
O saint Francis de Sales, you lived a life of complete dedication and service of the Church. Help us to be tireless builders of the Kingdom of God. Give us optimism and sweetness in difficulties, so that we may be bearers of Jesus’ love for all people, especially other young people. Teach us to grow deeper in our confidence in God and express it with joy and simplicity, so that, following in your footsteps, we may reach our home in heaven. Amen.
51 Prayer to St Dominic Savio I
St Dominic Savio, who learnt at the school of St John Bosco to pass in holiness the days of your youth; help us to follow you in your love for Jesus and His Holy Mother Mary and in your zeal for souls. Pray that we too, by resolving to die rather than offend God, may come at last to the eternal joys of heaven. Amen.
Prayer to St Dominic Savio II
O St Dominic Savio, under the guidance of Don Bosco, you reached perfection in a short time through prayer, sacrifice and joy. Give us enthusiasm and faithfulness in the service of the Lord. Protect all people so that they may be pure and generous. Protect all young people, so that they may grow in your love and be the bearers of freshness and joy. Help us all to be, like Don Bosco, friends of God, so that our lives and work may show the fruits of grace and holiness. Amen.
“Here we make holiness consist in
always being happy.” St Dominic Savio
52 Prayer to St Maria Mazzarello
O St Mary Mazzarello, through detachment from the world and union with God, you practiced the most noble of virtues. Obtain for us all the grace to faithfully imitate your humility and simplicity, charity and purity, your spirit of sacrifice, devotion to Mary Help of Christians and your love of the Eucharist. Amen.
Prayer to St Aloysius Gonzaga
Dear St Aloysius Gonzaga, patron saint of youth, you were a faithful follower of Christ. You strove for perfection while generously helping and serving those with the plague. Help us today as we face a plague of false Gods and worldly difficulties. Show us how to work for our fulfilment and the assistance of others. So that all of this may help in the salvation of souls and for the greater glory of God.
Prayer to St Philip Neri
O holy, St Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, you who trusted Scripture’s promise that the Lord is always near and that we need not have anxiety about anything, in your compassion heal our worries and sorrows and lift the burdens from our hearts. We come to you as one whose heart swells with abundant love for God and all creation. Keep us safe through your loving intercession, and may the joy of the Holy Spirit which filled your heart transform our lives and bring us peace. Amen. “Run, laugh, play, but do not sin.” St Philip Neri 53
Prayer to St Thérèse of Lisieux
O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, please pick a rose for me from the heavenly garden and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favours I now place with confidence in your hands. Saint Thérèse, help me to always believe as you did in God’s great love for me so that I might imitate your Little Way each day. Amen.
Prayer to St Maria Goretti
St. Mary Goretti, strengthened by God's grace, you did not hesitate, even at the age of eleven, to sacrifice life itself to defend your purity. Look graciously on the unhappy human race that has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially us, the youth, the courage and promptness that will help us avoid anything that could offend Jesus. Obtain for me a hatred of sin, so that I may live a holy life on earth and gain eternal glory in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to Bd Laura Vicuna
Heavenly Father, we praise you for the gifts of grace you gave to Laura Vicuna. You have given us a beautiful model of courageous purity and heroic love. Through her intercession may she help us and all other young people to follow her example. May she never allow us to lose our enthusiasm and dedication in seeking holiness. Amen.
54 MEALTIME PRAYERS
Prayer before a Meal I
Bless us, O God, as we sit together. Bless the food we eat today, Bless the hands that prepared it, Bless us, O God. Amen.
Prayer before a Meal II
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts of which we are about to partake. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer after a Meal I
Thank you, God, for the good we have eaten. Thank you, God, for our friends. Thank you, God, for everything you have given us. Thank you, God. Amen.
Prayer after a Meal II
We give you thanks, Almighty God, for all your benefits, you who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
55 PRAYERS FOR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS
Prayer for Christian Unity (by John Henry Newman)
O Lord Jesus Christ, when you were about to suffer, you prayed for your disciples to the end of time, that they might all be one, as you are in the Father, and the Father in you. Look down in pity on the many divisions among those who profess your faith and heal the wounds which the pride of man and the craft of Satan have inflicted on your people. Break down the walls of separation which divide one party and denomination of Christians from another. Look with compassion on the souls who have been born in one or another of these various communions and bring them all into that one communion which you set up in the beginning: the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Prayer for the Pope
O Christ, eternal priest of the new covenant, through your death and resurrection, you manifested to the world the mystery of salvation for all the peoples and established the Church as your mystical body. Guide and protect those who are leaders and witnesses of your Gospel.
O Christ, king of justice and peace, you entrusted to Peter your Kingdom here on earth. Bless our pope and sanctify him in loving service. Assist him, the supreme shepherd of the Church so that he may reveal in word and deed your Word of life. Amen.
56 Prayer for Vocations
Dear Jesus, I offer you this prayer to increase the vocations of people called to be priests or religious. And may you give those who you have called the grace to continue to answer your call and persevere faithfully through all difficulties. Amen.
Prayer for the Sick
For those who are sick and unwell, Lord, we pray. May you heal them. We pray that the sick may join their suffering with yours on the Cross and know that you share their pain and will share their joy when they are healthy again. For those who have been sick for a long time, we pray for peace in their hearts and souls, even when their bodies do not give them any. Amen.
Prayer for the Dying
Journey home this night to your home of winter, To your home of autumn, of spring and of summer; Journey home this night to your perpetual home, To your eternal bed, to your eternal slumber. Sleep this night in the embrace of your Mother, Sleep, my beloved, while she herself soothes you; Sleep this night on the Virgin’s arm, Sleep, my beloved, while she herself kisses you. Sleep now, sleep, and away with all sorrow.
57 Prayer for the Dead
Give the dead, Lord, eternal rest. Let them always live in your light and presence in heaven. For those who are in Purgatory, we pray they may join you in Heaven. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through your mercy Lord, rest in peace. Amen.
Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
O gentle Heart of Jesus, full of burning love for the poor souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them. We pray you will be merciful in Your judgments, and also let your love come to the suffering souls in Hell. Merciful Saviour, send Your angels to lead them to a place of light and peace. Amen.
Prayer for the Lonely
Dear God, give comfort and peace to those who are separated from their loved ones. May the pain in their hearts be the strengthening of their hearts. May their longing bring resolve to their lives, conviction and purity to their love. Teach them to embrace their sadness unless it turn into despair. Transform their yearning into wisdom. Let their hearts grow fonder. Amen.
58 Prayer for Young People in Trouble
Sometimes things don’t go so well, God, for the young people we know. Maybe at their home, their school, their work or in their community. We hope you can pick them up before they fall down too far. We know you care for them, God.
A Litany for Others
God, help us care for other people, we ask for your help. For those who are feeling abandoned, we ask for your help. For those who are bullied, we ask for your help. For those who need courage, we ask for your help. For those who disagree with us, we ask for your help. For those that don’t like us, we ask for your help. For those who think appearance is everything, we ask for your help. For those who can’t have a meal, we ask for your help. For those who can’t get an education, we ask for your help. For those who need love, we ask for your help. For those that need to try harder, we ask for your help. For those who are always busy, we ask for your help. We ask for your help, God. Help us, God, to show them your love.
“Put up willingly with the faults of others if you want them to put up with yours.” St John Bosco
59 Prayer for the Disturbed
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Prayer for Worries
Dear God, when we can’t take it anymore, and want to run away, and just run, and run, and run. Help us to face our problem and find the best way to overcome it.
Prayer for Anger
Lord Jesus, there is anger in my heart and I cannot remove it. I know that I should calm down and offer my hurt and disappointment to You, but my emotions are in control of me. Help me to overcome this anger and give me peace in my heart and mind. Let me learn from this experience and grow into a more loving and kind person. Amen.
Prayer for Suffering
Dear God, we know that what is Christ-like within us shall be crucified. It shall suffer and be broken. And that what is Christ-like within us shall rise up. It shall love and create. These difficult situations will pass, I trust in you. Amen.
60 Prayer for Stress
To God, who made everything: You made the earth and everything on it. You made the heavens and everything in it. I know you can handle the stress I am facing. I will keep my heart open today, so I can feel your power at work in me. Amen.
Prayer for Relationship Trouble
Dear Jesus, who promised to carry my burdens: I have a broken heart, and I have to live with it while I carry on with my day; my studies, my friendships, and all else. Lord Jesus, will you carry my heavy heart? Will your love fill the empty space that was left when that other person’s love was taken from me? I know you will. Amen.
Prayer for Broken Dreams
To the loving God who cares about my dreams: Bless and restore me. In my disappointment and sadness, help me remember that you have a future full of hope for me. Give me a new dream. Amen.
Prayer for God’s Plan
Loving God, fill me with confidence and trust that in knowing your will, I may follow it, and that in following your will, I will find joy. Amen.
61 Prayer for Confusion
Dear Jesus, who is the light of the world and the light of my world: no matter how dark the darkness is, your light is shining. Help me to keep my eyes on your light and not on the darkness that comes around me. I don’t know what your plan for me is, Lord, but help me hang on until the time is right for you to show it to me. Amen.
Prayer for Forgiveness Dear Jesus, please give me the courage to be honest with myself. Give me the humility to admit my mistakes. And give me the wisdom so I will know how to repair the harm I have caused. Forgive me, Lord, for what I have done, and give me grace not to do it again. Amen.
Prayer for Living True
Dear Jesus, sometimes I know exactly what you want me to do, but I don’t have the courage to do it. I am tired of being this way. Help me to stand up straight and be who you made me to be – strong, confident and unafraid. Amen.
Prayer for Change
God, help us to change. To change ourselves and to change our world. To know the need for it; to deal with the pain of it. To feel the joy of it; to undertake the journey without understanding the destination. God give us strength; strength to hold on, and strength to let go. Amen.
62 Prayer for Chastity
O most compassionate virgin Mary, remember your friends who pray to you for the grace of chastity. Weakened by our own past sins and surrounded by a world filled with temptations, we can avoid falling into sin only with the graces that God has entrusted to your care. Ever virgin, holy Mary, Mother of the true God, you have been chosen by God to crush the head of the serpent. Help us and all the members of our family to live holy and happy lives. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Most chaste Saint Joseph, pray for us. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help us to know and to live the truth about love. Amen.
Prayer for Humility (by St Alphonsus Ligouri)
Most humble Jesus, give me a share of your humility. Take from my heart everything that displeases you; convert it totally to you, so that I may no longer will or desire anything other than what you will.
Prayer for Balance Dear God, we pray for balance and exchange. Balance us like trees, as the roots of a tree shall equal its branches, so must our inner life be equal to our outer life. And as the leaves shall nourish the roots, so shall the roots give nourishment to the leaves. Without this equality and balance there can be no growth and no love. Amen.
63 Prayer for Helpfulness
God, we want to do good; like helping others, or making our homes better, or giving someone a break, or helping someone to be happier. We pray that we can help our friends and also the people we don’t know. Please God, don’t forget to love them, even if we can’t help them ourselves.
Prayer for Generosity (by St Ignatius of Loyola)
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 the heed the wounds, to work and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward, all except for the knowledge that I am doing Your will.
Prayer for Motivation
Dear God, the source of life, Your strength supplies my motivation. I am inspired to follow Your will. Maintain my self-motivation to always search, find, examine, desire and act on the truths You offer. May I become a motivator for others, encouraging them to pick up their crosses and live. I thank You for Your continued support which I feel in my whole soul, spirit and body.
“Be humble and patient and the Lord Jesus will give you the will and the means.” St John Bosco
64 My Unanswered Prayer I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given sickness that I might do better things. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly and obey. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of many people; I was given weakness; that I might feel the need for God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
Prayer for my Family
Dear Lord, I give you thanks and praise for all the gifts you have given me and my family. You gave us Mamma Margaret and Don Bosco as beautiful examples of the unconditional love of families. Help us to forgive each other, to work together and to share what we have. Help us always to continue with a strong faith in you and may you always be with us, in the good times and the bad. Amen.
Prayer for Me
God, I pray for me mostly when I need you. Help me to think of you when I am happy and healthy as well. Help me to believe you are my friend and to know you are with me.
65 Peace Prayer (by St Francis of Assisi)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled, as to console, To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
“Love is repaid by love.” St John Bosco
66 Prayer before Studying
Lord, give me peace of mind as I prepare “Have fun, but do for study. Help me to focus, keep me from not neglect study all distractions so that I will make the best and prayer.” use of this time. Above all, I thank you for St John Bosco the ability to be able to study and for the many gifts and talents you have given me. Help me always to use them in such a way that they honour you and do justice to myself. Amen.
Prayer to Mary, Our Lady of Studies (by St Thomas Aquinas)
O Mary, seat of wisdom, so many people of average intelligence have made through your intercession admirable progress in their studies. I therefore choose you as guardian and patron of my studies. I humbly ask you to obtain for me the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that from now on I could understand more quickly, remember more readily, and express myself more fluently. May the example of my life serve to honour you and your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Prayer before an Exam
Dear Lord, as I take this exam, I thank you that my value is not based on my performance, but on your great love for me. As I take this exam, bring back to my mind everything I studied and be gracious with what I have overlooked. Help me to remain focused and calm, confident with the facts and in my ability, and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today you are there with me. Amen.
67 SALESIAN SAINTS AND BLESSEDS
Blessed Laura Vicuna 22nd January
She was born in Santiago, Chile on the 5th of April 1891, and was educated under the preventive system at the ‘Mary Help of Christians’ College in Argentina. As a happy and joyful adolescent she soon became a model of friendship with Jesus, of charity among her peers and of dedication to her daily duties.
In complete trust she endured with heroic courage physical and moral sufferings. Faithful to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she offered herself to bring her mother back to the Catholic faith. She died on the 22nd of January, 1904 at Junin de los Andes, Argentina, and was beatified on the 3rd of September, 1988 by Pope St John Paul II.
Blessed Laura Vicuna; through your intercession give us the courage to overcome the trials of life and to show the world the happiness of the pure of heart.
“I want no long faced saints.” St John Bosco
68 Saint Francis de Sales 24th January
Francis was born in Savoy, France, on the 21st of August, 1567. He was ordained as Bishop of Geneva in 1602. He dedicated all his apostolic activity to bringing the people of Chablais back to the Catholic faith. He educated people and showed them that spirituality was possible in all forms of life. He spoke with simplicity, discussed theology with non-Catholics, he introduced the spiritual life to all people and made devotion pleasant and desirable. Most of all he treated all people with loving kindness, wisdom, humility and gentleness.
He died at Lyon on the 28th of December, 1622 and was canonised in 1665. Don Bosco chose him as the model and protector of his own mission among the young.
St Francis de Sales, grant that we too may work faithfully in our mission and with the same spirit of kindness, humility and love.
“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.” St Francis de Sales
69 Saint John Bosco 31st January
The life of St John Bosco shows many situations of by interventions of divine Providence and by the presence of the Virgin Mary. He was born at Castelnuovo d’Asti, Italy on the 16th of August, 1815 into a poor peasant family. From his childhood he felt called to devote his life to the young. He was ordained a priest in Turin in 1841 after years of sacrifice, and spent all his talents and tireless zeal in setting up projects for the education of poor and abandoned youth, in defending the faith of the people and contributing to the evangelisation of foreign lands.
His Salesian family has three main groups: the Society of St Francis de Sales, the Institute of Mary Help of Christians and the Association of Salesian Co-operators. He gave them the key to his success, the preventive system, based on reason, religion and loving kindness.
He died in Turin on the 31st of January, 1888 and was canonised on Easter, 1934.
St John Bosco, inspire us to seek the salvation of our neighbours as you did.
“Act in such a way today that you need not blush tomorrow.” St John Bosco
70 Saint Dominic Savio 6th May
In a very simply style of life, Dominic travelled the road to holiness in only a few years. He was a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit and a fruit of Don Bosco’s preventive system. He was born at Riva di Chieri, Italy, on the 2nd of April, 1842, into a poor family of strong faith. During his childhood his first Communion was significant, he made it with great devotion when only 7 years old. When he was 12 years old he met Don Bosco who accepted him into Valdocco and became a father and guide to Dominic. At Valdocco, Dominic discovered the joys of life as a child of God and true friendship with Jesus and Mary. He prayed and studied seriously and became a friend to all. Copying Don Bosco, he worked to save his friends’ souls and started the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception to achieve this. Many of Don Bosco’s best future helpers came from this group. When he was fifteen he became ill and returned to his native village of Mondonio where he died peacefully on the 9th of March, 1857. He was canonised on the 12th of June, 1954.
St Dominic Savio, grant that we too may grow as your children in joy and love, until we become like Christ.
“I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.” St Dominic Savio
71 Saint Maria Mazzarello 13th May
Maria Domenica was born in Mornese, Alessandria, Italy, on the 9th of May, 1837. She was the eldest of seven children in a hard-working, Christian family. At the age of fifteen she offered herself to God with a vow of virginity. Soon afterwards she joined the association of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, committing herself more deeply in service of the poor. She met Don Bosco in 1864. Don Bosco and Maria Domenica formed and founded the community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In 1872 Mary made her religious profession and was elected superior, a role in which she showed many wonderful and unexpected talents as a mother and inspirer.
On the 14th of May, 1881 she died at the new Mother House of Nizza Monferato, Asti. She was canonised on the 24th of June, 1951.
St Maria Mazzarello, grant that we too may follow your teachings and be faithful to your example of humility and holiness.
“We cannot take care of what others say or think of us. Let them say what they want, and we do what we shall do to become saints” St Maria Mazzarello
72 Blessed Mary Help of Christians 24th May
The title of ‘Help of Christians’, which Don Bosco associated with Mary, Mother of the Church, is a clear sign of Mary’s special intervention in the most difficult challenges of our lives and of the life of the Church and the whole human family.
The honouring of Mary as Help of Christians began on the 24th of May, 1814, when Pope Pius VII was unexpectedly given back his See of Rome after many trials. Devotion to Mary Help of Christians was spread far and wide through the works of St John Bosco and the Salesian Family.
By your prayers, O Blessed Mary Help of Christians, give to the Church the strength of your Spirit. So that with patience and love all Catholics may overcome all trials with patience and love.
“Continue to pray to Our Lady with all your heart, especially during these beautiful days.” St Maria Mazzarello
73 Saint Joseph Cafasso 23rd June
Joseph Cafasso, a fellow citizen of Don Bosco, was born at Castelnuovo d’Asti, Italy, on the 15th of January, 1811. After his priestly ordination in 1833, he entered the Ecclesiastical College of Turin where he stayed for his whole life. He combined the teaching of moral theology and priest formation with the ministry of the confessional and the service to the poor, particularly those in prison and those condemned to die.
He was of great material and spiritual help to DonBosco at the beginning of his work, guiding, supporting and defending him. He died on the 23rd of June, 1860, at his funeral Don Bosco described him as a model of a good priest, a teacher, an outstanding counsellor, comforter of the sick and dying and a friend to all. He was canonised on the 23rd of June, 1947.
St Joseph Cafasso, with outstanding gifts of charity and wisdom, grant to us, through your intercession, a sense of compassion so that we may walk in holiness and justice all our lives.
“You should always be ready to receive Communion. Just see if you have any venial sins, make an act of contrition, kiss a crucifix and receive without fear.” St Joseph Cafasso
74 Blessed Michael Rua 29th October
Michael Rua was born in Turin on the 9th of June, 1837. When still a child he met Don Bosco who predicted that they would share everything in together in the future. He grew up in Valdocco with Don Bosco and became Don Bosco’s faithful friend and closest partner in their work. In 1855 he made his first vows as a Salesian. When Don Bosco died in 1888, Michael Rua was made the next Rector Major of the Salesians.
As Rector Major he was faithful to the spirit and mission of the Salesians’ father and founder, Don Bosco. He offered creativity, fatherliness and continued the development of the works started to help the young. During his 22 years as Rector Major he inspired, encouraged and supported the Salesians as they grew in number and continued their work for the young. He died in Turin on the 6th of April, 1910.
Blessed Michael Rua, the spiritual successor of St John Bosco, grant that we may also inspire others to follow your Son, Jesus Christ, and approach all people with the same kindness and love that you did.
To Blessed Michael Rua: “As regards to your own glory, take a tip from St Bernard; ‘Where do you come from? What are you doing? Where are you going?’ By meditating on these questions they may still produce great saints, as they have in the past.” St John Bosco
75 SALESIAN REFLECTIONS
On St John Bosco, a Man of Faith
Let us adore God and thank Him for having given us in St John Bosco, a perfect model of an honest person who lives with faith. Let us learn from his example to practice the spirit of faith in all our actions.
It was the Holy Spirit that motivated and directed St John Bosco throughout his life. It was this spirit that inspired him with his preventive system of education.
A person, like Don Bosco, filled with the spirit of faith, sees in all other people around them an image of God. They will consider them as children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus.
So the spirit of faith makes us capable of working for the salvation of souls. It shows us the glory of God when we try to save souls, and helps us by giving us motivation and the courage to face all difficulties. Just like Don Bosco!
“Do not put off till tomorrow the good you can do today. You may not have a tomorrow.” St John Bosco
76 On St John Bosco, a Man of Piety
Let us imagine the soul of St John Bosco which was described as heaven – always peaceful in the strength of faith, the light for it was Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and Mary, Help of Christians. Let us adore and thank God for having given us such a man of piety, such a Father and Friend.
The piety of St John Bosco was strong, deep and living. His youthful attitude was sincere and compassionate. This was clear in his conversations with God. His youthful and joyful attitude invites us to imitate him.
St John Bosco’s piety was based on love of God and a desire to give him glory by saving souls and avoiding sin. A special characteristic of his piety was its friendliness; there was nothing extraordinary in it, it was simply a loving and holy devotion to God. It could be said that his life was one of continuous prayer, an uninterrupted union with God.
Prayer is the first and most important sacrifice and gift we can offer God. Let us therefore excite in our hearts a deeper love of God and a burning desire to follow our practices of piety and prayer.
“Have patience with all things, but, first of all yourself.” St Francis de Sales
77 On St John Bosco, a Model of Kindness
St John Bosco modelled his life on the gentleness and kindness of St Francis de Sales. A clear sign of this kindness comes in the peace he felt and showed towards God, himself and his neighbour.
St John Bosco was convinced that kindness was essential and he became a great example of it. All those who lived with Don Bosco witnessed his face which was full of sweetness and charity. It attracted so many young people to him.
Jesus also offers himself as another model of kindness. He presents himself as humble of heart and gentle. Everything about him shows his friendliness and he invites all of us to come and feel safe with him.
“Not all of us can fast, or undertake difficult journeys in God’s service, or give generous alms, but we can all love.” St John Bosco
78 On Mary, Help of Christians
We shall reflect today on Mary Help of “Have great confidence in Christians;she is our Guide and Mother. Our Lady; she will help Let us approach her with simplicity and you in everything.” devotion, and let us say: “To you, O Holy St Maria Mazzarello Mother of God, we raise our voices; through your intercession God will send down His grace; O Holy Mary, we are miserable, comfort us; we are weak, help us; we are sad, console us. May all who come to you feel the power of your intercession.”
Don Boscoworkedfor Mary Help of Christians, he suffered and battled; her help was the secret of his success and he always attributed this to his mother, Mary, his heavenly Patroness. She was the ruler of his heart; of his soul and of his projects. “It is the Help of Christians who does everything” he often said. She directed him through every difficulty that he faced.
Ever since his first revelation in a dream, Mary guided Don Bosco. She made him a holy and zealous priest, she prepared him to be the father of orphans, she inspired him to be the spiritual guide of many and made him one of the greatest educators.
Let us imitate Mary, from this very day, for it will be the best proof of the love and esteem we bear for her.
79 On the Salesian Family Spirit
The Salesian Family is filled with a mutual “I want you to be love that inspires us and makes us live in happy, now and one family. We are called to live as a family always.” by God, we give ourselves to Him and he St John Bosco gives himself to us.
We are children of the Salesian Family too, and ought to love one another and be sympathetic. This requires us to fulfil our duties with faith and without asking for reward; to embrace the differences of our brothers and sisters and understand their weaknesses and rejoice in their strengths; to live without envy and show forgiveness to all. In this way we may be good brothers and sisters to each other in our Salesian Family.
The Salesian spirit is a family spirit and this was the desire of Don Bosco. Don Bosco’s own mother, Mama Margaret, was a mother to the children Don Bosco cared for. Don Bosco himself was a loving Father, friend and teacher for the children. Even more than this Don Bosco offers us a heavenly family with Mary, Help of Christians as our Mother and God as our loving Father.
80 On Purity and Humility with St John Bosco “Let humility be the virtue you hold dearest... St John Bosco, inspired by God and you must make this shine guided by Mary, constantly reminded forth before everyone.” his Salesians and young people of St Maria Mazzarello purity. He would often place before them the Immaculate Conception as the ideal of their purity, a state free from sin. Dominic Savio is a perfect example of this; he would rather die than commit sin!
Looking at humility, all the wonderful works of St John Bosco were a result of this virtue. He was firmly convinced of his own insignificance and believed that all he had achieved was the work of God. Don Bosco was only used as a humble instrument of God. Let us ask Don Bosco to help us to love humility and to possess it.
On Poverty and Charity with St John Bosco
Where there is charity and love, there is God. The greatest of the Christian virtues is charity. This charity should be given equally to all and be modelled on the charity of Jesus, who came to serve all people. We hope that St John Bosco, who is in heaven, will obtain for us from the Heart of Jesus the virtue of charity.
Like Jesus, who was born in poverty, lived without all worldly comforts and died on the Cross, Don Bosco calls us to poverty and simplicity. We are called to focus on the treasures in heaven and not to be distracted by selfishness.
81 On Devotion with St Francis de Sales
The world see only how devout people fast, pray and bear insults; how they nurse the sick, give to the poor, restrain their temper and perform similar actions, which taken alone are hard and painful. But the world does not see the heart’s devotion inside which makes these actions agreeable, easy and enjoyable.
God commands Christians to show the “True devotion does not fruits of devotion according to each harm us whatsoever, but person’s vocation. We must work with instead perfects all our own talents and strengths and things.” show others that loving God can be St Francis de Sales beautiful, joyful and enjoyable.
Union with God with St Francis de Sales
Union with God can be maintained by many small movements of the soul toward God. Just like a child in its mother’s arms will snuggle closer with small movements, so does the prayerful heart seeking closer union with God. At other times union is achieved by a constant and almost unconscious movement of the soul toward God. For example, a heavy stone when free to move will sink, bit by bit, into the ground. In the same way the prayerful heart, once it is joined to God, sinks deeper and deeper into union with Him.
82 Living a Christian Life with St Maria Mazzarello
You should never feel humiliate or discouraged because of your mistakes; great humility and great confidence in Jesus and Mary will help you. You should believe that with Him you are only capable of doing good.
To help you, always live in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Make sure also that your humility is free from any sort of self-interest or pride.
Have great charity too. Let what you do be the same for all – have no favourites! Be careful not to believe those who only want to be close to you to praise you and gain your confidence. Keep your relationships free from unnecessary praise and foolish pride, be loving and kind instead.
When all of this seems too hard and heavy to bear; have courage and look at the crucifix. Say to Jesus, “O Jesus, I find all my strength in you, With you my burdens become light, work becomes easy, and sorrow is turned into joy”.
Take heart, let us become saints and let us never forget our only aim is to become perfect and holy like Jesus.
“Maria not only thought of God constantly; she lived in His presence, and even more, she lived lovingly united with Him” St Maria’s friend, Petronilla
83 CATHOLIC TEACHINGS
The two commandments of The 3 theological virtues: love: 1. Faith 1. You shall love the 2. Hope Lord your God with 3. Charity all your heart, with all your soul, and with The 4 cardinal virtues: all your mind. 1. Prudence 2. You shall love your 2. Justice neighbour as 3. Fortitude yourself. 4. Temperance
The Golden Rule (Mt 7:12) The 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit: Do to others as you have 1. Charity them do to you. 2. Joy 3. Peace The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12) 4. Patience 5. Kindness Blessed are the poor in 6. Goodness spirit, for theirs is the 7. Generosity kingdom of heaven. 8. Gentleness Blessed are they who mourn, 9. Faithfulness for they will be comforted. 10. Modesty Blessed are the meek, for 11. Self-control they will inherit the earth. 12. Chastity Blesse are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
84 for they will be satisfied. The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit: Blessed are the merciful, for 1. Wisdom they will be shown mercy. 2. Understanding Blessed are the pure of 3. Counsel heart, for they will see God. 4. Fortitude Blessed are the 5. Knowledge peacemakers, for they will 6. Piety be called children of God. 7. Fear of the Lord Blessed are those who are persecuted for The 7 spiritual works of righteousness’ sake, for mercy: theirs is the kingdom of 1. Counsel the doubtful heaven. 2. Instruct the ignorant Blessed are you when 3. Admonish sinners people revile you and 4. Comfort the afflicted persecute you and utter all 5. Forgive offenses kinds of evil against you 6. Bear wrongs falsely on my account. patiently Rejoice and be glad, for your 7. Pray for the living reward will be great in and dead heaven. The 7 corporal works of The 5 precepts of the mercy: Church: 1. Feed the hungry 1. You shall attend Mass 2. Give drink to the on Sundays and on thirsty holy days of obligation 3. Clothe the naked and remain free from 4. Shelter the homeless activity that could 5. Visit the sick prevent the 6. Visit the imprisoned sanctification of these 7. Bury the dead days.
85 2. You shall go to The 7 capital sins: confession at least 1. Pride once a year. 2. Covetousness 3. You shall receive the 3. Lust sacrament of 4. Anger Eucharist at least 5. Gluttony during the Easter 6. Envy season. 7. Sloth 4. You shall observe days of fasting The 4 last things: established by the 1. Death Church. 2. Judgment 5. You shall help to 3. Hell provide for the needs 4. Heaven of the Church.
Eight Beatitudes for the Young (Salesian):
1. Blessed are the young with 5. Blessed are the young who hearts that are innovative: reject discouragement and they must renew the world! dreariness: they must be 2. Blessed are the young with prophets of hope. eyes that are perceptive: 6. Blessed are the young who they must defend the pure forge ahead eagerly on the of heart. path of life: may Mary be 3. Blessed are the young with their teacher and guide. the strength of youth: they 7. Blessed are the young who must build up justice and are ever available for others: peace. they must labour to build up 4. Blessed are the young who the Kingdom of God. thirst for truth: they must 8. Blessed are the young hasten to seek Christ. chosen and beloved of God: they must sow the seeds of friendship and joy.
86 HELPFUL BIBLE REFERENCES
Where to look when: You need peace John 14; Romans 8 Everything is going well 1 Timothy 6; James 2: 1-17 You have responsibilities 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15 You have been selfish Luke 12: 13-21 You are a good neighbour Luke 10: 25-37 Romans 12 Everything is going badly 2 Timothy 3; Hebrews 13 You feel sad Matthew 28 You are tempted to sin Matthew 4; James 1 Your friendship is damaged Matthew 5: 21-26 James 4; You are discouraged Matthew 11 You are holding a grudge Luke 6; 2 Corinthians 4 You feel jealous James 3 You are impatient Hebrews 12 You have suffered losses Colossians 1; 1 Peter 1 You need forgiveness Luke 15; Philemon You feel your faith is weak Hebrews 11; Matthew 14: 22-36 You feel God is far away Luke 10 You feel lonely or scared Luke 8; 1 Peter 4 You want to pray Luke 11, 18 You are scared of death John 11, 17, 20; 2 Corinthians 5; 1 John 3;
Where to look for: The birth of Jesus Matthew 1-2; Luke 3 The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7; Jesus’ death and resurrection Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke 22-24; John 13-21 The Good Samaritan Luke 10: 25-37 The Prodigal Son Luke 15: 11-32 The Sower Matthew 13 Descent of the Holy Spirit Acts 2 The Ten Commandments Exod 20: 1-17; Deut 5: 1-21
87 CALENDAR Church &Salesian
JANUARY 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, Solemnity MOTHER OF GOD 6 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Solemnity Sunday after 6th THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Feast 15 Bd. LOUIS VARIARA, Memorial priest 22 Bd. LAURA VICUÑA, Optional Memorial adolescent 24 St. FRANCIS DE SALES, Feast Bishop & doctor of the Church Titular & Patron of the Society of St Francis de Sales 25 CONVERSION OF ST PAUL Feast 30 Bd. BRONISLAS MARKIEWICZ, Optional Memorial priest 31 St. JOHN BOSCO, Solemnity Founder of the Society of St Francis de Sales, of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators and of the association of Mary Help of Christians, priest
88 FEBRUARY 1 Commemoration of all Optional Memorial deceased Confreres 2 PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Feast 7 Bd. PIUS IX, Pope Optional Memorial 9 Bd. EUSEBIA PALOMINO Optional Memorial YENES, virgin (FMA Memorial) 22 THE SEE OF ST PETER THE Feast APOSTLE 25 St’s. LOUIS VERIGLIA & Feast CALLISTO CARAVARIO, Bishop & priest respectively
MARCH 12 Bd. ALOYSIUS ORIONE, Optional Memorial priest 19 ST JOSEPH, Solemnity Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary 25 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE Solemnity LORD
APRIL
25 ST MARK, Feast evangelist
89 MAY 3 Ss PHILIP AND JAMES, Feast apostles 6 St. DOMINIC SAVIO, Feast adolescent
13 St. MARIA DOMENICA Feast MAZZARELLO, (FMA Solemnity) Co-founder of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, virgin 14 ST MATTHIAS, Feast apostle 15 Bd. VIRGIN MARY OF FATIMA Optional Memorial 16 St. LOUIS ORIONE, Optional Memorial priest 18 St. LEONARD MURIALDO, Optional Memorial priest 24 BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Solemnity HELP OF CHRISTIANS, Principal Patron of the SDB, the FMA and the VDB 29 Bd. JOSEPH KOWALSKI, Memorial priest & martyr 31 VISITATION OF THE BLESSED Feast VIRGIN MARY 1st Sunday after THE MOST HOLY TRINITY Solemnity Pentecost Thursday after THE BODY AND BLOOD OF Solemnity Most Holy Trinity CHRIST
90 Friday after 2nd THE MOST SACRED HEART OF Solemnity Sunday after JESUS Pentecost
JUNE 12 Bd. FRANCIS KESY Optional Memorial & companions, martyrs
23 St. JOSEPH CAFASSO, Memorial priest 24 THE BIRTHDAY OF ST JOHN Solemnity THE BAPTIST 29 Ss PETER AND PAUL, Solemnity apostles
JULY 3 ST THOMAS, Feast apostle 7 Bd. MARIA ROMERO Optional Memorial MENESES, virgin (FMA Memorial) 25 ST JAMES, Feast apostle
AUGUST 2 Bd. AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI, Optional Memorial priest 6 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF Feast THE LORD
91 10 ST LAURENCE, Feast deacon, martyr 15 THE ASSUMPTION OF THE Solemnity BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 24 ST BARTHOLOMEW, Feast apostle 26 Bd. ZEPHYRINUS Optional Memorial NAMUNCURA
SEPTEMBER 8 THE BIRTHDAY OF THE Feast BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE Feast HOLY CROSS 21 ST MATTHEW, Feast apostle, evangelist 22 Bd. JOSEPH CALSANZ & Memorial HENRY SÁIZ APARICO, priests & companion, martyrs 29 Ss MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND Feast RAPHAEL, archangels
OCTOBER 5 Bd. ALBERT MARVELLI Optional Memorial 13 Bd. ALEXANDRINA MARY Optional Memorial DA COSTA, virgin 18 ST LUKE, Feast evangelist
92 24 St. ALOYSIUS GUANELLA, Optional Memorial priest 25 Anniversary of the Dedication Solemnity of one’s own Church when date is unknown 28 Ss SIMON AND JUDE, Feast apostles 29 Bd. MICHAEL RUA, priest Memorial
NOVEMBER 1 ALL SAINTS Solemnity 2 ALL SOULS DAY Solemnity 9 DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN Feast BASILICA Bd. ARTEMIDES ZATTI, Memorial 13 religious (FMA & VDB Optional Memorial) 15 Bd. MADELEINE MORANO, Optional Memorial virgin (FMA Memorial) 30 ST ANDREW, Feast apostle Last Sunday of CHRIST THE KING Solemnity Church Year
DECEMBER 5 Bd. PHILIP RINALDI, Memorial Founder of the Secular Institute ( VDB Feast) of Don Bosco Volunteers
93 8 THE IMMACULATE Solemnity CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Solemnity 26 ST STEPHEN, Feast the first martyr 27 ST JOHN, Feast apostle, evangelist 28 THE HOLY INNOCENTS, Feast martyrs 30, Sunday THE HOLY FAMILY Feast (or Sunday within Christmas Octave)
“Do you want your companions to respect you? Always think well of everyone, and be ready to help others. Do this and you will be happy.” St John Bosco
94 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND RESOURCES
Proper Offices – Society of St Francis de Sales, 1996 Don Bosco Boy’s Prayer Book – Salesian Press,1959 Some Salesian Meditations In Dialogue With The Lord – Salesians of Don Bosco, 1991 I will never forget you – M.E. Posad, A. Costa, P. Cavaglia, 2000 Daily Readings with St Francis de Sales – M. Hollings, 1985 A Common Prayer – M. Leunig, 1991 Treat me cool, Lord – C Burke, 1969 Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2006 The Roman Missal – 2011 The Catholic Youth Prayer Book – St Mary’s Press, 2006 Images taken from the internet
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“Let us serve the Lord with holy cheerfulness!” St John Bosco
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