PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY
It is no secret that the family that prays together - stays together! Here are compiled the most common and frequently offered prayers in Ukrainian-Catholic families. Open your family to the wonderful world of praying...
Prayer To Jesus Crucified
As I gaze upon You, O Jesus, in this Holy Icon from which graces and miraculous cures radiate constantly, I begin to realize Who You are and what I am. You are good, merciful and overflowing with love—I, wretched, unforgiving and weighted down with sin. Conscious of this I fearfully prostrate myself before You and as David, repentantly cry out to You: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your mercy; according to the multitude of your kindness blot out my iniquity, O ever merciful Jesus.
To the blind who have come to adore You before this Holy Icon, You have given sight. Enlighten me also with the rays of your grace so that I may see the malice of my transgressions. The mute, You have restored speech. Grant that I may become insensible to shame and mute to malice so that I could confess my sins with a heart truly contrite. You cleansed the wounds of lepers, cleanse my soul which is covered with the vileness of sin.
O Jesus, Infinite Love, hear the prayers of your servant whom you redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the priceless drops of Your Most Sacred Blood. Hear me, as I humbly call to You and do not turn your loving glance from me, lest the enemies of my soul mockingly reproach me saying: You trusted in Him! As I make my earthly sojourn, grant me the grace to have You always in my heart, in my thoughts, and on my lips, so that in the hereafter I could be with You in the Kingdome of Heaven forever and ever. Amen.
~ Composed by Metropolitan Athanasius Sheptytsky
Morning Prayers
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
- Glory be to you, our God, glory be to to You
- Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.
- Holly God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times)
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
- Trinity most Holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; Pardon our transgressions, O master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your name.
- Lord, Have Mercy. (three times)
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. They 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 temptations, but deliver us from evil.
- Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
Prayer before meals
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. They 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 temptations, but deliver us from evil.
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
- Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- O Christ God, bless this food and drink for Your servants, for You are holy, always, now and forever and ever. Amen
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
Prayer after meals
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
-
Blessed are You, O Christ our God,; You have given us food in due time. Fill us also with the Holy Spirit and abide with us all the days of our lives. Amen
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
-
Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
From my earliest memory, we have said grace at the table before our family dinners. It’s a simple blessing, our Catholic grace. I think growing up we kids didn’t think much about it, just that it was one of those things we had to do before we could eat. But ritual has a way of embedding ideas into one’s consciousness over time, and now when I say grace, either with my family, with friends, or even alone, I am reminded of how lucky I am, we are, to be alive, thinking and breathing, and how blessed we are to have this food before us.
- Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, for which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
That’s our grace. Simple isn’t it? Yet whenever I hear it or say it, it means so much more. I feel my family, alive or long passed, with me at the table or in a city far away. For this one simple prayer ties us together through time and distance.
I’m curious to learn of other traditions for saying a mealtime blessing. It wasn’t until I left home for college that I discovered that depending on one’s background, people say different prayers at mealtime, and some (maybe most?) none at all. A meal blessing doesn’t have to be tied to a religion. People in Japan say an expression of gratitude before every meal. Itadakimasu, which means “I humbly accept” is said, head bowed, before every meal, not just dinner.
My friends Suzanne and David, and their children Clara, Danny, and Audrey, hold hands and either say “Blessings on the meal” or they sing “Evening is here, the board is spread, thanks be to God, who gives us bread.” I get the feeling that the kids are sometimes embarrassed to sing their blessing, especially with guests, but personally I love it.
Do you have a tradition of saying a blessing before a meal? If so, would you please share it with us? Do you hold hands (we don’t)? Does one person lead grace, or do people take turns? Do you recite a standard blessing, or do you improvise?
Today, as I write this, it is Thanksgiving, our one day of the year dedicated to appreciation for all we have. Thank you for reading this site, for trying out the recipes we post, for all of your feedback and suggestions. You are the reason I do this. Happy Thanksgiving! ~Elise
Evening Prayers
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. They 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 temptations, but deliver us from evil.
- Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee, Blessed are Thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of Thy Whom, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the our of our death. Amen
- O God remit, remove, and forgive our sins, committed willfully or through neglect, by word or deed, knowingly or in ignorance, in mind or thought, during the day or during the night; forgive all our sins, for You are good and lover of Mankind.
- The Father is our hope, the Son our refuge, the Holy Spirit our protection. O Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You.
- God be merciful to me a sinner. God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. I have sinned without number, forgive me o Lord.
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
Remember our Lord would love to hear your own thoughts in addition to your evening prayers as long as you give Him heart service not lip service. Don't be afraid to ask Him to bless your night and to help you the following day as you strive to share Eternal Life with Him someday in the bliss of what St. Thomas Aquinas called “our true native land,” Heaven!
Prayer for the living
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. They 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 temptations, but deliver us from evil.
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
- Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- O Christ God, bless this food and drink for Your servants, for You are holy, always, now and forever and ever. Amen
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
Prayer for the departed
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
-
Blessed are You, O Christ our God,; You have given us food in due time. Fill us also with the Holy Spirit and abide with us all the days of our lives. Amen
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen
-
Lord, Have Mercy. (twelve times)
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (three times)
The Jesus Prayer
- Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Prayer for vocations
Almighty and Merciful God, inspire those You have chosen to hear and answer Your call to the Priesthood and Religious Life.
Give them the courage to be the prophets for our times. Give them the wisdom and openness to live their personal call. Give them the strength to be ready witness of Your love and care for the world.
May they find support and encouragement in our words and in our prayers, through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, and all the Saints.
Amen.
Prayer for peace
St. Francis of Assisi
Peace on Earth
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light and
where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
For it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)
Молитва за мир
св. Франціск з Асісі
МИР У СВІТІ
Господи, зроби мене знаряддям миру.
Там, де ненависть, хай сію любов;
де образа - хай заохочую до пробачення;
де сумнів, там нехай пiдтримую віру;
де темрява, хай несу світло;
де скорбота, нехай сповняю серця радістю.
О, Божественний Учителю,
обдаруй мене вмінням не бажати, щоб мене потішали,а щоб я всіх підбадьорював;
не вимагати, щоб мені співчували, а щоб я розумів і співчував;
не вичікувати любови, а самому всіх любити.
Бо в даванні - одержуємо;
прощаючи провини інших, наші провини прощаються.
Бо це - в умиранні родимось до вічного життя.
(св. Франціск з Асісі)
St. John Chrysostom on Prayer
Not long ago, during one part of the Liturgy of the Hours called the Office of Readings, a homily by Saint John Chrysostom was read entitled "Prayer is the light of the spirit. "
St. John Chrysostom, a Father of the Church, tells us that prayer and converse with God is our highest good: it is a partnership and union with God. He compares it to the eyes of the body that are enlightened when they see light. In the same way our soul, when it is intent on God, is illumined by His infinite light.
Here the saint is not speaking of prayer of outward observance but prayer from the heart, not confined to fixed times or periods but continuous throughout the day and night. He says that our spirit should be quick to reach out toward God, not only when it is engaged in meditation but at other times also. That is, when carrying out one's duties, caring for the needy, performing works of charity, giving generously in the service of others, our spirit should long for God and call Him to mind, so that our work may be seasoned with the salt of God's love, and so become a pleasing offering to Him. During our entire lives we can enjoy the benefit that comes from prayer if we devote a great deal of time to it St. John tells us.
Prayer enlightens our soul, gives us true knowledge of God and mediates between God and man. Once a soul is raised up to heaven by prayer, it clings to God with the utmost tenderness. The soul, like a child crying tearfully for its mother, craves for the spiritual milk that God provides. The soul longs for the satisfaction of its desires. And because of this longing, receives gifts outweighing the whole created world.
Prayer gives joy to the spirit and peace to our heart. St. John wrote of prayer, not words. He speaks of a longing for God, a love too deep for words. St. Augustine, too, wrote of prayer as a desire. Such a longing is a gift of God's grace. As St. Paul tells us, "We do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with inexpressible longings. "
When the Lord gives this kind of prayer to a person, He gives him or her a great gift that cannot be taken away. It is a heavenly food that satisfies one's spirit. Anyone who tastes this food is set on fire with an eternal longing for the Lord. One's spirit burns as in a fire of the utmost intensity, as many a saint has experienced.
St. John compares our soul to a house. It needs to be painted with the colors of modesty and humility. Made radiant with the light of justice. Decorated with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorned with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. And finally crowned at the top with prayer. In this way we will make our souls a perfect dwelling place for the Lord.
We need to take St. John's wisdom of prayer as desire and practice it throughout the day, as he recommends. But we also need to ask God in prayer to help us to thirst for Him. Finally, remember this most important advice he gives us; If we devote a great deal of time to prayer we will enjoy the great benefits that come from it!
Щит св. ПатрикаAssisi
Щит Св. Патрика ("Молитва оленів")
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу,
Маючи могутню силу,
Закликаючи Єдиного Бога,
Сповідуючи три Його Особи,
Свого Творця славлячи.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу,
І сила Христа зі мною -
Через його хрещення.
Страждання і смерть на Голгофі,
Славне воскресіння
І повернення на небо.
І знаю, що в день останній
Коли моє життя урветься
І тіло опустять в могилу -
За гробом Христос мене стріне.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу,
Осяяний Божою любов'ю,
Під крилами херувимів
І ангелів, по їх чину,
І всього воїнства небесного -
Їх допомога завжди зі мною.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу,
Сподіваючись на відплату,
І на життя в майбутньому віці.
Хай буде зі мною сила
З молитвами всіх патріархів,
Зі словами Господніх пророків,
З апостольським здоровим ученням,
З вірою батьків Церкви нашої,
З чистотою непорочних черниць,
З добрими справами всіх вірних.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу -
Хай дадуть небеса мені сили:
Сонця світло мені хай буде допомогою,
І місяця нічне сяйво,
І вогонь, що горить у пітьмі,
І швидка блискавка з хмар,
І дикий вітер на рівнинах,
І глибоке безкрайнє море,
І земля, чия твердь міцна,
І камінь, що твердіше сталі.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу
І Бог хай буде зі мною.
Його сила мені буде захистом,
Його мудрість мене направить,
Його око за мною догляне,
Його вухо мене почує,
Його слово мене виправдає,
Його руки мене підтримають,
Його шлях лежить переді мною
Його щит від ворогів позбавить.
Боже воїнство буде зі мною,
Щоб мене зберегти надійно
Проти хитрих диявольських підступів,
Проти спокус гріховних,
Проти всіх, хто зла мені бажає -
Будь він далеко або близько,
Будь він один або з натовпом.
Божу силу я закликаю,
Щоб мене зберігала надійно
Проти всякої сили нечистої,
Що на шляху моєму встане.
Проти слів лжепророків,
Проти язичницької мерзоти,
Проти сітей псевдовчення,
Проти закляття магів
І всіх чаклунських заклинань.
Божу силу я закликаю,
Щоб мене зберегла надійно
Від отрути і від підпалу,
Кинджала і стріл смертоносних,
Від смерті у водах глибоких,
Щоб працю свою я зробив
І нагороду знайшов перед Богом.
Хай буде Христос зі мною,
Хай обніме мене Він -
Хай йде попереду мене,
Хай йде за моєю спиною,
Хай йде і справа, і зліва,
І моє наповнює серце -
Тягнучись до горішніх висот,
До глибин сокровенних серця,
До найдальших меж -
В широті, довготі, глибині.
Хай буде Христос в кожному,
Хто говорить про мене,
Хто думає про мене,
Хто говорить зі мною,
Хто на мене дивиться,
Хто чує мої слова.
Сьогодні в дорогу я виходжу,
Вдягнувшись у могутню силу,
Закликаючи Єдиного Бога,
Сповідуючи Трійцю серцем,
І віруючи, що Три суть Єдино,
Свого Творця славлячи.
Спасіння дане від Бога!
Спасіння дане від Духа Святого!
Спасіння дане від Христа!
Хай же Твоє спасіння,
Триєдиний Господи,
Буде з нами навіки! Амінь.
Breastplate of St.Patrick
ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE
St. Patrick's Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish
King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. (The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor worn in battle.)
More recent scholarship suggests its author was anonymous. In any case, this prayer certainly reflects the spirit with which St. Patrick brought our faith to Ireland! St. Patrick's Breastplate, also known as The Lorica (the cry of the deer), was popular enough to inspire a hymn based on this text as well.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
[Note that people sometimes pray a shorter version of this prayer just with these 15 lines about Christ above. The conclusion follows below.]
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
When St. Paul referred to putting on the “Armor of God” in his letter to the Ephesians (6:11) to fight sin and evil inclinations, he could have been thinking of prayers just like this one! We may not wear combat gear in our daily lives, but St. Patrick's Breastplate can function as divine armor for protection against spiritual adversity.