Something Good For a Change: JPII on Praying in Latin/Ejaculatory Prayers

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“The ancient monks were so sure of this truth that they did not bother
to sing the Psalms in their mother tongue. It was enough for them to
know that they were in a way “organs” of the Holy Spirit. They were
convinced that their faith would enable the verses of the Psalms to
release a special “energy” of the Holy Spirit. The same conviction was
expressed in their typical use of the Psalms known as “ejaculatory
prayer” – from the Latin word “iaculum”, that is “a dart” – to
indicate concise phrases from the Psalms which they could “let fly”
almost like flaming arrows, for example, against temptations. John
Cassian, a writer who lived between the fourth and fifth centuries,
recalls that monks discovered the extraordinary efficacy of the short
incipit of Psalm 69: “God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to
help me,” which from that time on became as it were the gate of entry
to the Liturgy of the Hours (cf. Conlationes, 10, 10: CPL 512, 298ff.).”

Excerpt from General Audience of John Paul II Wednesday 4 April 2001 titled The Spirit prays through us in the Pslams.

I say these all day long throughout the day and as I try to sleep. During meetings, on the subway, walking on the street…below are a few favorites. What are yours?

God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to help me

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me now and in my last agony

May the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised and adored in all places

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, reign!

Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us now and at the our of our death Amen

Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee

Heal me oh Lord and I shall be healed. Save me and I shall be saved.
 
Crux Sacra sit mihi lux!
Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!

(May the Holy Cross be my light!
May the dragon never be my guide!)

Vade retro Satana!
Nunquam suade mihi vana!
Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!

(Begone Satan!
Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!)
 
Thanks for the advice and encouragement to make all of life a spiritual connection with the Trinity and the communion of saints. To make a verbal habit of voicing that attachment.

Plus, this is a holy substitute - to replace the swear words that come out of my mouth in times of stress, exasperation, trial and need.

“God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to help me” vs. God statement swear words.

“Son of the Most High and the Blessed Virgin Mary, calm me.” vs. Son statement swear words.

Do you have any statements that start with the word “function” ?

😊
 
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I implore, that I may ever love Thee more and more:crossrc:
 
Thank you for this lovely topic, HCC! 🙂

There are two prayerful ejaculations I try to repeat to myself when experiencing certain temptations. Both of these come from Psalm 96 (97), the greatest Psalm in my life. The very first consists of two words: Dominus Regnavit; the second: Qui diligitis Dominum: odite malum.

“The Lord has reigned”
“Those who love the Lord: hate evil”

I pray the first line whenever I feel tempted to think myself better than I am. In this ejaculatory remembrance, God reminds me that He is the King Eternal, and at most I am to be a mere prince. The second prayer comes to mind whenever I am hesitating to do something I know I have to do, but am too diffident to carry it out. Reminding myself that those who love God must glorify Him by hating that which is evil, I force myself to get up and do what needs to be done. This second prayer is very useful for shy people who nevertheless wish to do what is right, even if many people see it. 😉
 
Barbkw said:
Do you have any statements that start with the word “function” ?

😊
Click to expand...
I can think of a couple that start with F:

Foster in me, O Lord, a loving heart and a clean soul.

Fill me with Your Grace/Love O Lord.

Saint Fulk, pray for me.
 
Mary,
Mother of grace,
Mother of mercy,
Shield me from the enemy
And receive me at the hour of my death.
Amen.
 
Whether it is the Jesus Prayer (noted above), or the “O God come to my assistance” or another short invocation, repeating these throughout the day (and also on one’s beads for a period of time daily), is of great benefit to the soul, to be sure!!

Different traditions, for example, used varying ejaculations after each psalm. The Copts say “Alleluia” after each psalm, the Irish Celtic Church would say the “O God come to my assistance . . .” after each psalm. The Benedictines, the “Glory be.”

What better way to fill all those moments during the day that would otherwise be lost to eternity?

Alex
 
When doing work, especially tedious work:

All for Jesus, all through Mary, all in imitation of St Joseph.
 
Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord and our hearts will not rest, until they rest in Thee
 
When I hear that someone died, or a tragedy occurred and many people died:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they **+ **rest in peace. Amen
 
A wonderful way to sanctify your day, The Ejaculatory Prayer. Pick a handful of your favorites, memorize them and say them all day long for other’s intentions, conversion of sinners, salvation of souls, reparation and prevention of sin. There are many more than this, but here is a good list:

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Roman Breviary)
May the Holy Trinity be blessed. (Roman Missal)
Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!
O Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for Thee.
O Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
O Heart of Jesus, all for Thee.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
My God and my all.
O God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (Luke 18:13)
Grant that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin; give me strength against thine enemies. (Roman Breviary)
Teach me to do Thy will, because Thou art my God. (Psalm 142:10)
O Lord, increase our faith. (Luke 17:5)
O Lord, may we be of one mind in truth and of one heart in charity.
O Lord, save us, we are perishing. (Matthew 8:25)
My Lord and my God. (John 20:28)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Roman Missal)
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I sleep and rest in peace with you. (Roman Ritual)
May the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised and adored forever.
Stay with us, O Lord. (Luke 24:29)
Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.
My Mother, my Hope.
Send, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest. (see Matthew 9:38)
May the Virgin Mary together with her loving Child bless us. (Roman Breviary)
Hail, O Cross, our only hope. (Roman Breviary)
All you holy men and women of God, intercede for us. (Roman Ritual)
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (Roman Ritual)
Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke. 23:46; Psalm 30:6)
Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them everlasting rest. (Roman Missal)
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. (Roman Ritual)
Holy Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for us. (Roman Breviary)
Holy Mary, pray for us. (Roman Ritual)
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)
Blessed be God!

All for thee, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine! (Roman Ritual)

My Jesus, mercy!

Thanks be to God! (Deo gratias!)

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Hail Mary! (Ave Maria!)

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come!

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!

From all sin deliver me, O Lord!

As the Lord wills!

Thy will be done! (Fiat voluntas tua!)

Jesus, Mary, I love you, save souls!
 
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