Which devotions/disciplines do you practice?

[challam2010]

I attend daily Mass whenever I possibly can (most days),

I pray the LIturgy of the Hours, particularly the offices of Readings, Morning and Evening Prayer, using both the books and Universalis versions, depending on where I am,

I pray the Memorare whenever I’m asked for prayers or have particularly serious concerns or intentions,

I pray to St. Anthony for the many, many things I lose all the time (and he’s been batting 1000 for me since I was a very young child),

and I pray the Jesus Prayer throughout much of the day.

I also have an intention card that I keep current to remember those I’ve loved who have died, the special concerns of my family, friends, monastics, all missionaries and those who serve the poor, children in harm’s way or at risk, those imprisoned, serving in the military and for all victims – and for whatever horrors the world offers on its platter daily. I usually pray for these intentions before Mass.

…and I always go to sleep saying the Lord’s Prayer and the Jesus Prayer.

I cycle between almost all of Thomas Merton’s books and try to spend time in meditation/contemplation daily. I’ve also made a personal psalm book of my favorites and carry it with me – I wish I had memorized more psalms when I was younger and still had that capacity!

Nice thread – thank you for posting it. It’s refreshing to be inspired rather than annoyed reading this board.

 

[Biedrik]

One of the high schoolers who attend the youth group at my Church told me he’s started staying up until 3am every night to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, because “saying it at 3am is like punching satan in the face an extra fifty times”.

Really, I can’t argue his logic

When school starts he’s going to try to wake up at 3am, say the chaplet, then go back to sleep. On school nights. Crazy stuff.

Larkin, I actually practice mortification after a fashion. I have a lot of chronic pain, so it might as well be used for something (ie; offering it as a prayer).

Aren’t we supposed to pray it at 3 PM, not AM?

 

[Melchior_1]

Aren’t we supposed to pray it at 3 PM, not AM?

I’m pretty sure it’s both, but I could be mistaken.

 

[maurin]

Prime
Prayer of St Benedicta by the Cross
Novena prayer; this week to St Pius X
Prayer to St Michael Archangel
Prayer to St Dominic Savio
Intentions for 54 day Novena
Rosary
Prayer to St Joseph

On a workday, I work afternoon shift, 2 more Rosaries before work. If not a work day, 4 more Rosaries.

After work and before bed
Rosary
Compline

Throughout the day, Our Lord, Our Lady, St Michael and St Dominic Savio are invoked for chastity of the eyes and thoughts.

 

[floresco]

I did have a routine of morning prayers and evening prayers, but a few days of going to work early/staying late, several days of doctor visits, injured pets, getting a daughter moved in at school–I lost the rhythm and routine of it.

I too fight a never-ending battle against the forces of chaos. I can relate to what you are saying about how difficult it makes keeping a prayer routine. I think it is important to get back into the routine after we get off. I know how easy it is to get discouraged and to tell myself that I am never going to be able to do this and just give up. I’ve done this lots of times. But eventually I realize how much I need structured prayer in my life and I try again. Even something as simple as saying a Morning Offering prayer as soon as a wake up makes a difference. And after I’ve been doing that for a while it becomes a habit and I can start working on adding another prayer to my routine.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I’m pretty lax judging by these posts! I pray the morning prayer suggested by the Apostleship of Prayer and the rosary daily. I credit the rosary as instrumental for my return to the Church and for sustaining and deepening my faith after I returned to the Church, there is no more effective prayer available to us.

For the first time in more decades than I can remember I attended a daily Mass and hope to build from a couple per week to nearly every day. There are many challenges to overcome before I get there though
.

 

[Arandur]

So much to look at here! Great thread, keep it coming!

I have been working on building more discipline and time with God into my life. For anyone who travels, or is out and about a lot during the day or even just at work, Android phones have a free “Lectio Divina” application that has the Mass readings for the day, Saint of the day, and most wonderfully, the Liturgy of the Hours.

The deeper I get into the Mass, the more I love to try to go every day.

But as much as that, the Liturgy of the Hours is like a secret love affair with the Lord. Snatching 5-15 minutes at various points of the day to share with Him, praise, worship, and listen to the Word…It’s wonderful! I recommend it to punctuate and fulfill your workdays!

Great to spend with your spouse, too, if you have one.

 

[Pat_De]

Nice post! I am always looking for different prayers/devotions/disciplines for my family to practice.

Here are some of the things we do (most is centered around children, as…my life is centered around children )

We begin our day with the usual am prayers, Guardian Angel prayer and Morning Offering. Then we look up the Saint of the Day and learn a bit about him/her. If it is a Feast Day, or Holy Day we try to honor that particular saint/Our Lady/Jesus in a special way. We put that saint’s statue (if we have it) or holy card in the center of our table so it reminds us to think about that person a little more on his/her special day.

At 3pm we say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. If we are out and about, and it is 3pm, we just try to remember Jesus and tell Him we love Him.

My husband and I have each done A Month with our Friends the Souls in Purgatory by Father Berlioux. It is a combination of readings and prayers which takes about 30 minutes a day for one month for the Souls in Purgatory. Actually, the readings are so captivating, you hardly realize how much time has gone by and when you think about how many souls who have no one to pray for them, you hardly want to put the book down.

My family routinely fasts on Fridays…no meat. While my children are too young to be required to even think about fasting, we have taught them that it is good to offer up little sacrifices to Jesus and for the Souls in Purgatory. They have taken a sincere affection for the Souls in Purgatory and I often see them decline a candy or dessert for them, or say an extra prayer after grace for them.

What you said about materialism is so true. How much easier our lives become when we are not attached to “things” and try to give to those who have nothing.

Is there any Bible reading and devotion to memorizing parts of the Bible in all of this “routine”? In it is eternal life and God commands us to teach our children Scripture.

4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy. 6

Shade for Our Children This is a free resource that can be printed, read online, listen online or download - all free.

Our family listens to the word of God continuously at home or in the car. We memorize certain passages and Pslams that speak of God’s character and His desire for us. For as Jesus said “you search the Scripture because in there you think you have salvation, but it is me that they speak of” (paraphrased); why? Because salvation comes by hearing the Word of God , receiving Gospel of Repentance and then believing unto salvation from the only source of salvation, which is Jesus Christ and that is what the Scripture continually points to and speaks of.

 

[sparkletina]

I pray the Liturgy of the Hours Morning & Evening & some of the Readings.
Divine Mercy Chaplet for my country and our diocese
Memore for special needs *
Flos Carmeli Prayer to Mary * (I’m a secular Carmelite)
Rosary *

• When I reverted, having spent decades as an evangelical Protestant, I was skittish about praying to Mary and the Saints, i.e., no way! One day, having prayed for everyone I usually pray for in a special way, I wanted to pray but didn’t know how or for whom. Suddenly, a thought came to me: pray to rosary! Followed by: well I don’t know about that…it’s not comfortable, what good would it do, I don’t have a devotion to Mary, blah blah blah. But this thought of the rosary kept persisting, so I found a rosary someone had given me and prayed it all the way through. Well! That didn’t seem so hard! And it felt right. I’ve been saying it ever since. It was my first tentative step towards a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother. I rely on her for EVERYthing!

 

[mtnmikeblue]

Nice post! I am always looking for different prayers/devotions/disciplines for my family to practice.

Here are some of the things we do (most is centered around children, as…my life is centered around children )

We begin our day with the usual am prayers, Guardian Angel prayer and Morning Offering. Then we look up the Saint of the Day and learn a bit about him/her. If it is a Feast Day, or Holy Day we try to honor that particular saint/Our Lady/Jesus in a special way. We put that saint’s statue (if we have it) or holy card in the center of our table so it reminds us to think about that person a little more on his/her special day.

At 3pm we say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. If we are out and about, and it is 3pm, we just try to remember Jesus and tell Him we love Him.

My husband and I have each done A Month with our Friends the Souls in Purgatory by Father Berlioux. It is a combination of readings and prayers which takes about 30 minutes a day for one month for the Souls in Purgatory. Actually, the readings are so captivating, you hardly realize how much time has gone by and when you think about how many souls who have no one to pray for them, you hardly want to put the book down.

My family routinely fasts on Fridays…no meat. While my children are too young to be required to even think about fasting, we have taught them that it is good to offer up little sacrifices to Jesus and for the Souls in Purgatory. They have taken a sincere affection for the Souls in Purgatory and I often see them decline a candy or dessert for them, or say an extra prayer after grace for them.

What you said about materialism is so true. How much easier our lives become when we are not attached to “things” and try to give to those who have nothing.

Very Nice, a real blessing

 

[mtnmikeblue]

Say grace before and after meals. I especially like saying it in Latin because it makes me feel connected to the people who prayed it in the past.

I really like this idea. Anybody know where I can get an audio of saying grace in Latin?
I would like to learn how and I think I would need the audio so I could listen and learn how to pronounce the words correctly.

 

[floresco]

I really like this idea. Anybody know where I can get an audio of saying grace in Latin?
I would like to learn how and I think I would need the audio so I could listen and learn how to pronounce the words correctly.

Here is a link for grace before meals: rickmk.com/rmk/Latin/grace.html

I can’t find an audio for the blessing after meals, but these are the words: Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

There is a pronunciation guide in the Latin resources sticky.

 

[mtnmikeblue]

Here is a link for grace before meals: rickmk.com/rmk/Latin/grace.html

I can’t find an audio for the blessing after meals, but these are the words: Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

There is a pronunciation guide in the Latin resources sticky.

Beautiful, thank you so much

 

[miccatholic]

My husband and I have each done A Month with our Friends the Souls in Purgatory by Father Berlioux. It is a combination of readings and prayers which takes about 30 minutes a day for one month for the Souls in Purgatory. Actually, the readings are so captivating, you hardly realize how much time has gone by and when you think about how many souls who have no one to pray for them, you hardly want to put the book down.

Hi, Momofmyangels. I was wondering if you know anything about Father Berlioux. I just completed my “month with the souls” and I was wondering about the background about the booklet. Thanks.

 

[Momofmyangels]

Hi, Momofmyangels. I was wondering if you know anything about Father Berlioux. I just completed my “month with the souls” and I was wondering about the background about the booklet. Thanks.

Hi miccatholic,

Sorry for the delay in this reply, but I was trying to find out more info about Fr. Berlioux, but have been unsuccessful. The little booklet, first printed in 1880 was given to my husband and I by my mother, who received it from an old friend’s estate. The only info I know is what is included in the inside front cover and on the back cover which gives in pretty good detail the origin and subsequent popularity of the book, but very little about Fr. Berlioux himself. Since you have completed the prayers, I am assuming that you have access to the booklet and therefore the info I’ve described above. If not, let me know and I will reply with what is included in my booklet.

The one thing I do know, is that this little booklet is a treasure. After completing a month, I feel as though I am abandoning the poor souls if I do not continue.

 

[jonpd]

A while ago (actually I was still Episcopalian at the time) a friend gave me a little book titled “my daily prayers” published in 1955 by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood. It is basically an abbreviated daily office, with prayers for morning, 9 AM, noon, 3 PM, evening and bedtime. It also has a page for each day for the saint of the day with a description of their life and a short prayer.

The bedtime (basically a short version of compline) has an examination of conscience, confiteor, and Nunc Dimittis.

I have started doing this although sometimes it is hard to do things at the correct time especially while at work.

I also do the 3 Hail Marys every morning and evening. I feel that doing that has given me the grace to avoid certain habitual sins:

catholictradition.org/Mary/three.htm

I also try to do a Rosary every day, usually in the evening before dinner.

Lately if I am at home in the afternoon I have been doing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 PM along with the EWTN broadcast, followed by Fr. Clifford’s little homily which I love.

 

[bieby]

Morning:
Act of Faith
Act of Hope
Act of Charity
Act of Contrition
Guardian angel prayer
St. Michael prayer
Morning offering

Before dinner:
bless Us O Lord

After dinner:
Rosary

Before bed:
Taking off of medals and reciting the corresponding prayer
Immaculate Virgin prayer
Prayer of St. Alphonsus

I fast on Fridays all the time, and during my private novenas I abstain from meat for nine days.

 

[mark_avery]

OUR LORD left us with our father the prayer!and ect

The first commandment is the same!

IT IS FINISHED!

play with responses if your really want but as you know leave childish games alone!

any responce to this is taking the liberty!

 

[FaustinaClare]

I’m struggling with sticking with my prayers and devotions on a regular basis without getting distracted.

I am going through the formation process for 3rd order Discalced Carmelites so we are required to say the Divine Office each day.

I also try to do the morning offering each day

My favorite devotion is the Divine Mercy Chaplet but I have made it a goal of mine to pray the rosary and the seven sorrows chaplet more often as well.

There are so many wonderful devotions it is hard to find a couple to stick to and to do so faithfully. Hopefully I’ll get there by the grace of God.

 

[crystal_waters]

My husband and I have each done A Month with our Friends the Souls in Purgatory by Father Berlioux. It is a combination of readings and prayers which takes about 30 minutes a day for one month for the Souls in Purgatory. Actually, the readings are so captivating, you hardly realize how much time has gone by and when you think about how many souls who have no one to pray for them, you hardly want to put the book down.

.

if anybody wants to do that devotion and doesnt have the book or cant afford it then go to the link …the whole thing is online

artsehub.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=56

another fantastic holy souls website is this one

missionbell.homestead.com/Afavourgrantedbytheholysouls.html