Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy 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. Amen.
My Lord, the baby is dead!
Why, my Lord, dare I ask why?
It will not hear the whisper of the wind
or see the beauty of its parents’ face.
It will not see the beauty of Your creation
or the flame of a sunrise.
Why, my Lord?
“Why, My child, do you ask ‘why’?
Well, I will tell you why.
You see, the child lives.
Instead of the wind
it hears the sound of angels
singing before My throne.
Instead of the beauty that passes
it sees everlasting Beauty,
it sees My face.
It was created and lived a short time
so the image of its parents
imprinted on its face
may stand before Me
as their personal intercessor.
It knows secrets of heaven
unknown to man on earth.
It laughs with a special joy
that only the innocent possess.
My ways are not the ways of man.
I create for My Kingdom
and each creature
fills a place in that Kingdom
that could not be filled by another.
It was created for My joy
and its parents’ merits.
It has never seen pain or sin.
It has never felt hunger or pain.
I breathed a soul into a seed,
made it grow and called it forth.”
I am humbled before you, my Lord,
for questioning Your wisdom,
goodness, and love.
I speak as a fool, forgive me.
I acknowledge Your sovereign rights
over life and death.
I thank You for the life
that began for so short a time
to enjoy so long an Eternity.
Holy God,
You compare Your own love for Your people
to the love of a mother for her children.
Look with kindness on this mother,
give her comfort in moments of sorrow,
and joy in her work for her family.
Listen to her prayers,
and bless her in all she does for You.
Let her share with Jesus Your Son
and Mary our mother
in the everlasting happiness of Heaven.
Father, we ask this grace
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Holy Virgin, in the midst of your glorious days,
do not forget the sadness of earth.
Cast a look of goodness on those who are suffering,
who are fighting against difficulties.
Have pity on those who love one another
and who have been separated.
Have pity on the loneliness of our hearts.
Have pity on the weakness of our faith.
Have pity on the troubled objects of our love.
Have pity on those who are weeping,
on those who are praying,
on those who are seized with fear.
Give to all of us hope and peace with justice. Amen.
Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus
and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life
in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth
with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those
who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations,
their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know
you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial,
labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace
and sang out in true joy
through intimacy with God’s Son
entrusted to you
and with Mary, his tender Mother.
Assure those you protect
that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them
and to watch over Him faithfully
as you have done. Amen.
Saint Gabriel,
make us to understand the holy will of God!
Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us!
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.