INTRODUCTION
This prayer book is for soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guard, for all fighting forces at home and abroad on land, on the sea, and in the air and for civilians at home: for all who live in a world at war, that through our prayerful lives God may grant us victory and give to the world His peace and justice.
This book is not made up exclusively of prayers, because prayer consists not in the saying of words but in the lifting of our heart and mind to God.
Our divine Lord Himself warned us: "In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words" (Matt. 6:7). In the same spirit, St. Augustine said: "We may pray most when we say least, and we may pray least when we say most".
When love of God reaches a peak, it almost becomes too deep for words.
For that reason this prayer book is made up of reflections which it is hoped will provoke us into meditation and communion with God, so that we will not only speak to Him, but also listen to Him when He speaks to us.
So these reflections are not only to be read, but are to be thought about. Each thought should serve for a considerable period of time.
Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
The joy of a Christian comes not from intermittent devotions and vocal prayers, but by living the Christ life intimately and to such an extent that even in our failings and weakness we may still betray our familiarity with Christ, as did Peter in the moment of his weakness: "You also were with Jesus the Galilean...
Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you" (Matt. 26:69, 73).
CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS
(Reasons to believe in God)
"There is no God; the world is only a machine".
Did you ever know a machine
without a designer?
Did you ever know a designer
without intelligence?
Did you ever see a shadow
that was not caused by light?
Have you ever read
a book that was not first
in the mind of the author?
Then you have seen a world without God! Remember the wise words of the soldier at Bataan: "There are no atheists in foxholes".
I am an atheist: I do not believe in God".
Would there ever be prohibition unless there was something to prohibit? Would there ever be anti-cigarette laws unless there were cigarettes? How could there be atheists unless there was something to atheate?
Atheism is not a doctrine; it is a cry of wrath. "By night an atheist half-believes there is a God".
Before you deny God, ask yourself why you deny Him. Is it because of the way you live? A poem of Arthur Hugh Clough satirized those who wish there were no God because He interferes with their dishonesty, their lawlessness, or their license:
There is no God, the wicked saith,
And truly it's a blessing,
For what He might have done with us It's better only guessing.
There is no God, or if there is,
The tradesman thinks, 't were funny,
That He should take it ill in me To make a little money.
There is no God, a youngster thinks,
Or really, if there may be,
He surely didn't mean a man Always to be a baby.
Some others, also, to themselves,
Who scarce so much as doubt it,
Think there is none, when they are well,
And do not think about it.
"Christ is a good man: a great humanitarian".
If Christ is not all He claimed to be, the Son of the living God, then He was not a good man! A good man never lies; but He lied if He was not God, for He said He was God.
A good man never leads others into false belief. But He asked that men die for belief in His divinity, which they are doing even in this day.
If Christ was not God, then He not only was not a good man, He was the most villainous impostor and scoundrel the world has ever seen.
If Christ is not God, He is the antichrist.
"I have no need of religion".
No man has need of religion who is self-righteous, who is all he wants to be and all he ought to be.
Anarchists have no need of law: they are a law unto themselves.
Hitler had no need of God: in his own conceit, he was a god.
The man who never made a mistake has no need of an eraser; just so, the man who has never done anything wrong has no need of a Redeemer.
Our Lord Himself has said: "Those who are well have no need of a physician".
"We have no freedom; our wills are determined".
Then why do we say "Thanks" for a favor?
"There is no right or wrong: it all depends upon your point of view".
If there is no difference between right and wrong, how can Hitler be wrong and how can we be right? Why are we at war, if it is not because right is more precious than life?
"It makes no difference what you believe; it's how you act".
It makes no difference whether you have any rules in football; it depends upon how you play. It makes no difference whether you believe triangles have three sides; it depends on how you draw. Can we not see that if we believe wrongly, we will act wrongly? The trouble with Hitler and other tyrants is that they practice what they preach. Because their doctrines are wrong, their deeds are wrong. Because Nazism as a creed is wrong, its workings are wicked.
"Christianity has been tried and found wanting".
Certainly, but did you ever know a Catholic who not only knew that he did wrong, but also wished that he had not? A Catholic who does wrong still believes his Faith is true. There is always hope for the man who knows that he is doing wrong; but there is no hope for the man who in doing wrong calls the wrong right. The Catholic gets off the road like anyone else, but he never throws away the map.
"Christianity has been found hard and not tried" (G. K. Chesterton).
PRAYER BEFORE AN ATTACK
It ain't as I'opes 'Ε'll keep me safe
While the other blokes goes down, It ain't as I wants to leave this world
And wear an 'ero's crown.
It ain't for that as I says my prayers When I goes to the attack,
But I pray that whatever comes my way I may never turn my back.
I leaves the matter o' life and death.
To the Father who knows what's best, And I prays that I still may play the man Whether I turns east or west.
I'd sooner that it were east, ye know, To Blighty and my gal Sue;
I'd sooner be there, wi' the gold in 'er'air And the skies be'ind all blue.
But still I pray I may do my bit,
And then, if I must turn west,
I'll be unashamed
When my name is named,
And I'll find a soldier's rest.
G. A. Studdert Kennedy
Military life becomes easier if we accept its trials in union with the sufferings of our Lord, as that great soldier Joyce Kilmer did:
PRAYER OF A SOLDIER IN FRANCE
My shoulders ache beneath my pack;
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).
Men shout at me that may not speak;
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).
I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(Then shall my guilty soul forget
Thy agony of Bloody Sweat?) Lord,
Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift.
Amen.
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will through Jesus Christ our Lord (St. Ignatius Loyola).
In war all an enemy can do is to attack my body. Do I ever fear when an enemy attacks my soul?
Catholics call the trials and disappointments of life "crosses". We consider them redemptive. "Let him take up his cross daily". Wherein do I take up the cross daily?
Sacrifice without love is pain.
Pain with love is sacrifice.
Pain without love is misery.
Love without pain is Heaven.
Love with pain is Purgatory.
Pain without love is Hell.
Pain in itself is not unbearable; failure to understand it is. If pain and suffering had no reason, then we can be sure our divine Lord would never have embraced them.
By patiently accepting each pain in union with His Cross, we become redeemers with a smallr as He is a Redeemer with a capital R.
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
O almighty, everlasting God,
behold I draw near to the Sacrament
of Thy only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
I draw near,
as a sick man to the Physician of life,
as one defiled to the Fountain of mercy
as one blind to the Light
of the eternal splendor,
as one poor and needy
to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Wherefore, I implore
the fullness of Thy infinite bounty
that Thou wouldst vouchsafe
to heal all my sickness,
to wash away my defilement,
to give light to my blindness,
to enrich my poverty
and clothe my nakedness,
so that I may receive
the Bread of Angels,
the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords,
with such contrition and devotion,
such purity and faith,
such purpose and intention,
as may avail
to the welfare and salvation of my soul.
Grant me, I beseech Thee,
to receive not only the Sacrament
of the Body and Blood of my Lord,
but also the very reality
and efficacy of the Sacrament.
O most gracious God,
grant me so to receive
the Body of Thy only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that very Body
which He took of the Virgin Mary,
that I may be truly incorporated
into His Mystical Body,
and so numbered
amongst its members.
O most loving Father,
grant me at last
to behold with open face,
and forevermore,
Thy beloved Son,
whom I purpose to receive now
in my pilgrimage,
beneath the veils of this Sacrament;
who lives and reigns,
God through everlasting ages.
Amen.
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 thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee 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.
HAIL, HOLY QUEEN
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
BASIC PRAYERS
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE OUR FATHER
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.
THE HAIL MARY
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.
Prayer to One's Guardian Angel
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom his love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, Be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. We humbly beseech God to command him, And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, By the divine power thrust into hell Satan And the other evil spirits who roam through the world Seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
APOSTLES' 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; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence He shall 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.
CONFITEΟR
I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I ask blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.
ACT OF FAITH
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
ACT OF HOPE
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
ACT OF LOVE
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
ACT OF CONTRITION
(Usual Form)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
ACT OF CONTRITION
(Short Form)
O my God, I am sorry that I have sinned against Thee, for thou art so good. With thy help I will sin no more.
Note: A person in mortal sin can regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance by making an act of perfect contrition, with the sincere purpose of going to Confession at the first opportunity.
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe; hear us on behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we humbly crave the help of Thy mercy, that being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy church.
PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR
O God, who bring wars to nought and shield by Thy power all who hope in Thee, over-throwing those who assail them; help Thy servants who implore Thy mercy so that the fierce might of their enemy may be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee.
O God, who hast dominion over all realms and all kings, who by striking heals, and by pardoning saves: stretch out over us Thy mercy, so that by Thy power we may enjoy peace and tranquility and use them for our healing and amendment.
Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR - II
God our Father, Maker and lover of peace, To know you is to live, And to serve you is to reign. All our faith is in your saving help; Protect us from men of violence And keep us safe from weapons of hate. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR PEACE
O God, from whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works; give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be disposed to obey Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being removed, our times, by Thy protection, may be peaceful. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, and ever. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, to know whom is to live, to serve whom is to reign; shield Thy suppliants from all assaults, so that we who trust in Thy protection may fear no foe. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in Thy mercy hears the prayers of sinners, pour forth, we beseech Thee, all grace and blessing upon our country and its citizens.
We pray in particular for the President, for our Congress, for all our soldiers, for all who defend us in ships, whether on the seas or in the skies, for all who are suffering the hard-ships of war. We pray for all who are in peril or in danger. Bring us all, after the troubles of this life, into the haven of peace, and reunite us all together forever, O dear Lord, in Thy glorious heavenly kingdom.
PRAYER FOR TRAVELERS
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and set Thy servants in the path of Thy salvation; that amidst all the changes and chances of this life, they may ever be sheltered by Thy help. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH
Almighty and merciful God, who bestows on mankind the remedies of health and the gifts of life everlasting: look mercifully upon us Thy servants, and refresh the souls which Thou hast made, that, at the hour of their going hence, they may be found worthy to be presented without stain of sin to Thee, their Maker, by the hands of the holy angels. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am, all that I have, Thou hast given me, and I will give it back again to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy good pleasure. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with Thee I am rich enough, nor do I ask for aught besides. Amen.
PRAYER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT
You, Master, have given the power of sovereignty to men through Your excellent and inexpressible might, that we may know the glory and honor given to them by You, and be subject to them, in agreement with Your will. And to them, Lord, grant health, peace, concord, and firmness, that they may administer the government which You have given them without offense. For You, heavenly Master, King of eternity, have given to the sons of men glory and honor and power over the things that are on the earth; do You, O Lord, direct their counsels according to that which is "good and pleasing" before You, that they may administer with piety in peace and gentleness the power given to them by You, and may find mercy in Your eyes.
O You who alone art able to do these things and far better things for us, we praise You through Jesus Christ, the High Priest and Guardian of our souls, through whom be glory and majesty to You, both now and for all generations and forever and ever. Amen. (Pope Clement).
PRAYER FOR CIVIL AUTHORITIES
We pray You, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Your people over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and for religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.
Let the light of Your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty. We pray for his Excellency the governor of our state, for the members of the legislature, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise to Your unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance, of Your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
PRAYER FOR CHARITY AND TOLERANCE
May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me; and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I never devise evil against any man; if any devise evil against me, may I escape uninjured and without the need of hurting him.
May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.
May I, to the extent of my power, give all needful help to my friends and to all who are in want. May I never fail a friend in danger. When visiting those in grief, may I be able, by gentle and healing words, to soften their pain.
May I respect myself. May I always tame that which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle and never be angry with people because of circumstances.
May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps, through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Attributed to Eusebius).
PRAYER TO DO GOD'S WILL
Lord, I know not what I should ask of Thee; Thou alone know what I need; Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself.
O Father, give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask.
I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations: I simply present myself before Thee, I open my heart to Thee. Behold my needs which I know not myself; see and do according to Thy tender mercy.
Smite, or heal; depress me, or raise me up: I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice; I yield myself to Thee; I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray Thyself in me. Amen. (Bishop Fenelon).
Four things which are not in Thy treasure, I lay before Thee, Lord, with this petition; my nothingness, my wants, my sins, and my contrition (Robert Southey).
RABBONI!
When I am dying,
how glad I shall be
That the lamp of my life
has burned out for Thee;
That sorrow has darkened
the path that I trod;
That thorns and not roses,
were strewn o'er the sod;
That anguish of spirit
so often is mine,
Since anguish of spirit
so often was Thine.
My cherished, sweet Jesus,
how glad I shall be,
To die with the hope
of a welcome from Thee.
PRAYER BEFORE A BATTLE
More than ever I feel the need of having You close to me. At any moment I may find myself in battle. However rigorous the task that awaits me, may I fulfill my duty with courage. If death should overtake me on this field, may I die at peace with You.
PRAYER ON COMING THROUGH BATTLE UNHARMED
During this terrible day, You have been kind enough to protect me. I make haste to thank You, but I am thinking all the time of the many who have fallen, my officers and my comrades. May they receive from You all the rewards, the peace, and the rest that are reserved for brave men who did their best. Give their unhappy families, please, the consolation of believing in Your kindness and love.
PRAYER OF A WOUNDED MAN
You have permitted me to be struck, but You have saved me from death. For the sake of my beloved parents, and for my own sake, I thank You from the bottom of my heart.
During the long hours of inaction, may my thoughts often turn to You. Support those who do not have hope and faith. May there be no more wars, never any more. Change the hearts that are in men that they may feel like brothers and not kill one another.
PRAYER FOR A DYING COMRADE
We pray that this comrade's heart may not be troubled. His strength is going, and he has suffered a great deal, but he is not afraid. Let him feel that his sins have been forgiven, and that all trials are past for him. May he not worry about his family, which he loves dearly. He dies believing in You, as they live believing in You. May Your face and the happiness of eternal life shine splendidly before his eyes.
COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD
Remember, O Lord, Thy servants, (name them), who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, grant, we pray Thee, a place of refreshment, of light, and of peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
NIGHT PRAYER
Before I go to sleep, I want to thank You for keeping me safe during this day. What a good Father You are to me; I ask only that I may truly be Your son! Give my body, please, the repose that is necessary, but, even more, may my soul have the assurance that it is at peace with You. Bless those who are dear to me, and may we find ourselves joyful together when my service shall be finished. May my country know the Holy Gospel through which comes all liberty and true greatness.
PRAYER FOR THE WAR
Our Father, who art in Heaven: give us, we pray You, the courage and the strength to stamp out the threat of paganism and slavery that hangs over the world today.
Be merciful to all those who have died in the service of our country.
Console those who have lost their loved ones in the struggle.
Help our fighting men to be always clean of heart and therefore unafraid.
Soothe the wounded in battle.
Sustain the courage of those who suffer persecution for conscience' sake.
Have pity on all who have been insulted, robbed, tortured, defiled, enslaved by their conquerors. Grant wisdom to our leaders, civil and military, that they may most effectively direct our efforts, at home and abroad.
Teach us all to walk humbly with You, so that we may be worthy to conquer, and having conquered may build a peace with justice, based on the Brotherhood of Man, under the Fatherhood of God. Amen.
Prayer for Military Chaplains
Heavenly Father, bless and protect Military Chaplains and fill them with the joy and courage of their vocation as personal ministers of Christ in preaching your word and nourishing us with the Sacraments. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
APPENDIX
THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
1. I am the Lord, thy God: thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God in vain.
3. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
THE MANNER IN WHICH A LAY PERSON IS TO BAPTIZE IN CASE OF NECESSITY
Pour common water on the head or face of the person to be baptized, and say while pouring it:
I baptize you, in the name
of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit".
Note: Any adult can baptize in case of necessity.
BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
The purpose of Benediction is to express faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, to adore His majesty, to obtain His blessing, to make reparation for outrages and insults offered to God, and to return Him thanks for His many benefits.
HYMNS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
(Sung after the Sacrament has been placed on the altar)
O SALUTARIS HOSTIA
O Salutaris Hostia,
Quae caeli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia:
Da robur, fer auxilium.
Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna Gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria.
O SAVING VICTIM
O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of Heaven
To man below!
Our foes press on
From every side;
Thine aid supply,
Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great Name
Be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead! One in Three!
O grant us endless
Length of days
In our true native
Land with Thee!
TANTUM ERGO
Tantum ergo Sacramentum,
Veneremur cernui;
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui;
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque, Laus et jubilatio;
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio;
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! The sacred Host we hail!
Lo! O'er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who reigns on high,
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might, and endless majesty.
Amen.
THE DIVINE PRAISES
(An act of reparation for profane language)
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 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 St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
+ Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)
Pope John Paul II once said to Fulton Sheen, "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus".
But the priest whom millions watched weekly on television had a more humble view of himself: "The Lord once used an ass to ride to Jerusalem.
Now He uses an ass on TV" In his own way, he recognized himself as an instrument of Christ.
Fulton John Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, in 1895. In high school, he won a three-year university scholarship, but he turned it down to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.
Sheen attended St. Viator College Seminary in Illinois, and St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota.
In 1919, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria.
He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and a Bachelor of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America and a Doctorate at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
Sheen received numerous teaching offers, but turned them down in obedience to his bishop and became an assistant pastor in a rural parish.
Having thus tested his obedience, the bishop later permitted him to teach at Catholic University of America and at St. Edmund's College, Ware, England, where he met another individual who influenced him: C. K. Chesterton, whose weekly BBC radio broadcast inspired Sheen's later NBC broad-cast "The Catholic Hour" (1930-1952).
In 1952, Sheen began appearing on ABC in his own series, "Life Is Worth Living".
2 dec. 1952: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen comes to TV with "Life Is Worth Living," which will run until 1957 on the DuMont network and then ABC.
In early 1953, Sheen intones that Russian leader Joseph Stalin "must one day meet his judgment" and within a week Stalin is dead (5 mar. 1953).
Despite being given a time slot that forced him to compete with Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra, the dynamic Sheen enjoyed enormous success and in 1954 reached tens of millions of viewers, non-Catholics as well as Catholics.
When asked by Pope Pius XIΙ how many converts he had made, Sheen responded, "Your Holiness, I have never counted them. I am always afraid if I did count them, I might think I made them, instead of the Lord".
Sheen gave annual Good Friday homilies at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral, gave numerous retreats for priests and religious, and preached at summer conferences in England.
"If you want people to stay as they are," Sheen said, "tell them what they want to hear.
If you want to improve them, tell them what they should know".
This he did, not only in his preaching, but also in the more than ninety books he wrote.
His Peace of Soul was sixth on the New York Times bestseller list.
In 1962 He attended all of the Vatican Council sessions in Rome, ending in 1965.
Sheen served as Bishop of Rochester, New York (1966-1969) and Auxiliary Bishop of New York (1951-1966).
His two great loves were for the Blessed Mother and for the Eucharist.
He made a daily holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, from which he drew strength and inspiration to preach the gospel and in the presence of which he prepared his homilies.
"I beg [Christ] every day to keep me strong physically and alert mentally in order to preach His gospel and proclaim His Cross and Resurrection," he said.
"I am so happy doing this that I sometimes feel that when I come to the good Lord in Heaven, I will take a few days' rest and then ask Him to allow me to come back again to this earth to do some more work".
The good Lord called Fulton Sheen home in 1979.
His television broadcasts, now on tape, and his books continue his earthly work of winning souls for Christ.
Sheen's cause for canonization has been opened in Rome (14 sept. 2002).
«In loving memory of the heroes»
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The Archbishop Sheen Foundation Web Site
