September : Let s pray for the Grace to Trust God is all things. Tradition is dedicated to Seven Sorrows of Mary: Prophecy of Simeon, flight into Egypt, loss of the Holy Child for 3 days, Meeting of Jesus & Mary on the Way of the Cross, the Crucifixion, Jesus being taken down from the Cross, and the burial of Jesus. Let us pray for those in sorrow: For our own sorrows and those of our families, sorrows both big and small. For those that have to flee their home and country, especially those religiously persecuted. For those that have love ones away from the Catholic Church. For those that have lost loved ones. For those that are homeless and those who will go hungry today. For the elderly and all those that have illness. For those out of work or are underemployed. For those sold into slavery or are slaves to addictions. For loved ones separated from each other. Prayer: Lord we pray for those that sorrow that they may unit their suffering with our Mother Mary. Lord please heal the sufferings of each of us and help us to be thankful for each trial given to us trusting that somehow these trials will help us grow in faith and trust of the Lord. Help us to be thankful for all that is given to us, our sorrows and our joys. Give us the grace needed each day to handle all that God allows in our lives. Amen.
October: Let s pray for the Grace for a deeper trust in the Father s care for me. October is traditionally the month of the Rosary. Let s commit ourselves to pray one decade of the rosary every day for healing to take place so we can change the world with our love. Let us pray for healing in ourselves, our husbands, our children, our parents, our siblings and all family members, for our friends, for our enemies, and for those that have no one to pray for them. Prayer: Lord, we pray for healing in our world especially for those being persecuted for their faith. We pray for our families, for ourselves that healing will take place to make us into the person you created us to be. We pray for healing for our friends, our enemies and for those that have no faith. We pray Lord for a deeper trust in your care for us and our world. We pray for a deeper love that is seen by all we meet. Mother Mary, we ask you to intercede for us to your Son. Amen.
November: Let us pray for the Grace of a deeper sense of God s Mercy for me. Traditionally is the month to pray for the poor souls in purgatory. Did you know our prayers and masses offered for those that have died can help them get out of purgatory quicker? Prayer for the dead is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform. Our prayers help them during their time in Purgatory, so that they can enter more quickly into the fullness of heaven. Let us pray for our deceased relatives and let s also pray for those that have no one to pray for them. One habit that can be adopted is to say at the end of grace before meals the following prayer: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
December: Let us pray for the grace for the power to rejoice in my union with God. December is dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ. This refers to the preparation for the celebration of remembering Christ's birth over 2000 years ago, but also the prayerful, spiritual preparation for the second and final coming of the Lord. Let s prepare our hearts for Advent with joy, peace and the true giving the Lord calls us to do. Let s have Advent be not about the presents we purchase, but about our presence to each person we encounter. Let s focus on how the Holy Family celebrated Advent by increasing our prayer time and by giving to those in need. Let s give joy, encouragement and hope to all we meet by not allowing ourselves to get into the busyness of Christmas, but into the true Spirit of Christmas- the Love of the Lord! Ideas: Put out your advent wreath on your dining table and light it each night making an effort to eat as a family. Simplify by giving each child only 3 gifts like Jesus received from the Magi. Adopt a family in need, pray for them each day as a family and have your children go and shop for them with you. Go to nursing home and visit the elderly.
January: Let us pray for the Grace to allow God to act freely in me. The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, to remind us of the power of His Name and to encourage us to pray in His Name. Keeping Christ's Name always on our lips is a good way to ensure that we draw ever nearer to Him. These prayers can be incorporated into our daily prayers during this month Let us work to get in the habit of praying His Holy Name often during the day; Jesus Jesus, have mercy on me. Jesus, I trust in You. Etc.
February: Let us pray for the Grace to see others needs in a new way, especially in our family. Traditionally, February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family. Let s try to have weekly family time were God is at the center. Examples: Watching a movie with a religious or moral theme each week. Saying one decade or the whole rosary each week. Going to Mass together. Receiving ashes together on Feb 18 th and doing a family sacrifice and good work during lent. such as visiting a nursing home, a soup kitchen, attending one daily mass as a family. Etc.
March: Let us pray for the grace for great love for our family members that are hardest to love. Traditionally, March is the month of devotion to St. Joseph, whose feast falls on March 19 th. St. Joseph is the patron saint for families and a great advocate for help with your family. Let s pray for his intercession each day: O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor thee all the days of my life. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen
April: Let us pray for the grace of a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. The month of April is dedicated both to devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit. Let us try to stop by the chapel at least once a week to spend time in front of the tabernacle. Another good thought is to say the Prayer to the Holy Spirit each night at dinner: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His
May: Let us pray for the grace to be a loving mother to all those that come into our lives. May is the month of devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. Let s try to pray a decade of the rosary each evening with our family. Concluding with the Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. Another good idea is to do the Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots to ask Mary for help with the problems in your life and those of your loved ones. You can find it here: http://www.theholyrosary.org/maryundoerknots
June: Let us pray for the grace to have a real, personal relationship with Jesus. This month is typically dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which represents Christ s love for all of mankind. Let s devote at least 15 minutes a day to private, quiet prayer and ask Jesus to enter into our hearts in a new way. Ask Him what it is He wants to tell us in this prayer time. Give Him permission to change us. July: Let us pray for the grace to learn more about our faith and have it penetrate our hearts. This month is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Let s say this prayer each morning or evening to ask the lord to change our lives by His Precious Blood. Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Thy Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give Thee my entire self, Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Lord God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Thy Precious Blood, and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, I love Thee Lord Jesus, I praise Thee Lord Jesus, I thank Thee Jesus, I shall follow Thee every day of my life. Amen. Mary, My Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen. August: Let us pray for the grace to have a deeper devotion to our Heavenly Mother, Mary. This month is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let s do this consecration to Mary for her help and guidance in our lives. My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to thee, and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore good Mother as I am thine own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession. Amen.