Prayer to Saint John Bosco

 

O glorious Saint John Bosco, who, in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to form them in the light of faith and Christian morality, didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst found a fitting religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from our Lord a holy love for young people, who are exposed to so many seductions, in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen

(Indulgence of 300 days)

"I especially recommend to you modesty of the eyes; for the eyes are the windows through which the devil brings sin into your heart.

St John Bosco

St. John Bosco's Novena to Our Lady Help of Christians Against the Enemies of God

 To obtain a favor, St. Don Bosco generally advised a Novena to Our Lady Help of Christians. He had a singular devotion to the Hail Holy Queen and advised some work of charity as thanksgiving for graces obtained.

O Mary, powerful Virgin, thou art the mighty and glorious protector of holy Church; thou art the marvelous help of Christians; thou art terrible as an army in battle array; thou alone hast destroyed every heresy in the whole world. In the midst of our anguish, our struggles and our distress defend us from the power of the enemy and at the hour of our death receive our souls in paradise. Amen.

Here mention your Petitions

Say Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, three times

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, 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 valley 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. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer in Special Need to the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Say not, merciful Virgin, that you cannot help me; for your beloved Son has given you all power in heaven and on earth. Say not that you ought not assist me, for you are the mother of all the poor children of Adam, and mine in particular. Since then, merciful Virgin, you are my mother and you are all-powerful, what excuse can you offer if you do not lend your assistance? See. my mother, see, you are obliged to grant me what I ask, and to yield to my entreaties. 

(St. Francis De Sales)

Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague in Urgent Need

 

(To be said for nine days or nine consecutive hours)

O Jesus, Who said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be answered. (Mention your request)

O Jesus, Who said, “All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted. (Mention your request.)

O Jesus, Who said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word shall not pass,” through the intercession of Mary, Your most holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted. (Mention your request) Amen.

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving for graces received from the Infant Jesus

I prostrate myself before your holy image, O most gracious infant Jesus, to offer you my most fervent thanks for the blessings you have bestowed on me. I shall incessantly praise your ineffable mercy and confess that you alone are my God, my helper, and my protector. Henceforth my entire confidence shall be placed in you! Everywhere I will proclaim aloud your mercy and generosity, so that your great love and the great deeds which you perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to your most holy infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who experience your assistance persevere with me in showing unceasing gratitude to your most holy infancy, to which be praise and glory forever, Amen.

Consecration of the Family to the Holy Family

            

Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals 

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity. Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.

Hymn for Members of the Holy Family after Consecration

"As the Holy Family was united upon earth in a life of labour, of grace, and of love; thus do they now rejoice in heaven, both in soul and body, in glory and in love."--St. Bernardine of Sienna

Happy we, who thus united Join in cheerful melody, Praising Jesus, Mary, Joseph, In the "Holy Family." Chorus: Jesus, Mary Joseph, help us, That we ever true may be To the promises that bind us To the "Holy Family."

Mary! thou alone wert chosen To be Mother of thy Lord; Thou didst guide the early footsteps Of the Great Incarnate Word. Chorus: Jesus, Mary Joseph, help us, That we ever true may be To the promises that bind us To the "Holy Family."

Jesus whose Almighty bidding All created things fulfill, Lives on earth in meek subjection To His earthly parent's will. Chorus: Jesus, Mary Joseph, help us, That we ever true may be To the promises that bind us To the "Holy Family."

Joseph! thou wert called the Father Of thy Maker and thy Lord, Thine it was to save thy Saviour From the cruel Herod's sword. Chorus: Jesus, Mary Joseph, help us, That we ever true may be To the promises that bind us To the "Holy Family."

O God of goodness and mercy, to Thy Fatherly protection we commend our family, our household and all that belongs to us. We commit all to Thy love and keeping; do Thou fill this house with Thy blessings even as Thou didst fill the holy House of Nazareth with Thy Presence.

Keep far from us, above all things else, the taint of sin, and do Thou alone reign in our midst by Thy law, by Thy most holy love and by the exercise of every Christian virtue. Let each one of us obey Thee, love Thee and set himself to imitate in his own life Thine example, that of Mary, Thy Mother and our Mother most loving, and that of Thy blameless Guardian, Saint Joseph.

Preserve us and our house from all evils and misfortunes, but grant that we may be ever resigned to Thy divine Will even in the sorrow which it shall please Thee to send us. Finally give us all the grace to live in perfect harmony and in the fulness of love towards our neighbor. Grant that every one of us may deserve by a holy life the comfort of Thy holy Sacraments at the hour of death. O Jesus, bless us and protect us.

O Mary, Mother of grace and of mercy, defend us against the wicked spirit, reconcile us with Thy Son, commit us to His keeping, that so we may be made worthy of His promises.

Saint Joseph, foster-father of our Saviour, guardian of His holy Mother, head of the Holy Family, intercede for us, bless us and defend our home at all times.

Saint Michael, defend us against all the wicked cunning of hell.

Saint Gabriel, make us to understand the holy Will of God.

Saint Raphael, keep us free from all sickness and from every danger to our lives.

Our holy Guardian Angels, keep our feet safely on the path of salvation both day and night.

Our holy Patrons, pray for us before the throne of God.

Yea, bless this house, O God the Father, Who hast created us; O God the Son, Who hast suffered for us upon the holy Cross, and Thou, O Holy Spirit, Who hast sanctified us in holy Baptism. May the one God in three divine Persons preserve our bodies, purify our minds, direct our hearts and bring us all to everlasting life.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost! Amen.

(An indulgence of 500 days)

The Feast of the Holy Family: 

Epistle and Gospel

by Leonard Goffine, 1871


Children's Sermon for the
Feast of the Holy Family
by Rev. Raphael Frassinetti, 1900

╰☆╮Bless your Home and Household on Epiphany ╰☆╮

                    

The priest upon entering the home begins:
V: Pax huic dómui. R. Et omnibus habitantibus in ea.	V: Peace be to this home. R: And to all who dwell herein.
Antiphona. Ab Oriénte venérunt Magi in Béthlehem, adorare Dóminum: et, apertis thesauris suis, pretiósa munera obtulerunt, aurum Regi magno, thus Deo vero, myrrham sepulttúræ ejus. Alleluja.	Antiphon. From the East came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they offered costly gifts: gold to the great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol ofHis burial. Alleluia.
Canticum Beatre Mariæ Virginis	Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum.	My soul doth magnify the Lord.
Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo.	And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae:	Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave:
Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.	For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius.	Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum.	And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.	He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles.	He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes.	He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae.	He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula.	As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto,	Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.	As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen.
The priest then sprinkles holy water throughout the home and then incenses the home.  Afler he is finished he repeats the antiphon: Ab Oriente venerunt, etc. He then says, "Pater Noster" and recites the rest secretly utltil…
V: Et ne nos. indúcas in tentatiónem. R: Sed Iibera nos a malo. V: Omnes de Saba vénient. R: Aurum et thus deferéntes. V: Domine, exáudi oratiónem meam. R: Et clamor meus ad te véniat. V: Dóminus vobiscum. R: Et cum spiritu tuo.	V: And lead us not into temptation. R: But deliver us from evil. V: Many shall come from Saba. R: Bearing gold and incense. R: O Lord, hear my prayer. R: And let my cry come unto Thee. V: The Lord be with you. R: And with thy spirit.
Oremus.	Let us pray.
Deus qui hodiérna die Unigénitum tuum géntibus stella duce revelasti concéde propitius ut qui jam Te ex fide cognovimus usque ad contemplándam spéciem tuæ celsitudinis perducamur. Per eumdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritu Sancti Deus per omnia sæcula sæculórum. R: Amen.	O God, Who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal thy Sole-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who know Thee by faith may be brought to the contemplation of Thy heavenly majesty. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. R: Amen.
Responsorium. Illuminare, illuminare, Jerusalem, quia venit lux tua : et gloria Domini super te orta est, Jesus Christus ex Maria Virgine.	Responsory. Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and upon thee is risen the glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ born of Mary Virgin.
V: Et ambulabunt Gentes in lumine tuo : et reges in splendóre ortus tui. R: Et gloria Domini super te orta est.	V: Nations shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brilliance of thy origin. R: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Oremus.	Let us pray.
Bene ✟ die, Domine, Deus omnipotens, domum istam: ut sit in ea sanitas, cástitas, victóriæ virtus, humilitas, bonitas et mansuetudo, plenitudo legis et gratiarum actio Deo Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto ; et hæc benedictio máneat super hanc domum, et super habitantes in ea. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. R: Amen.	Bless, ✟ O Lord, almighty God this home that it be a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. May this blessing remains for all time upon this dwelling and to all those who live herein. Through Christ our Lord. R: Amen.
The priest then inscribes with blessed chalk the initials of the three kings over the lintel of the doors, denoting the century and year on either side, for example: 20 ✞  C ✞  M ✞  B ✞  21 The following prayer may then be said:
Hear us. O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, and send Thy Holy Angel from Heaven to watch over, cherish, protect, be with, and defend all who live in this house. I call upon Thy saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, to protect this family and this home from every harm and danger, and I place the marks of their holy names over the doors of this home to remain there as a constant reminder to us and to all who enter here that this house is truly a house of the Lord. O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need charity and companionship, narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet, but rugged and strong enough to turn back the Tempter’s power. O God, make the door of this house the gateway to Thy eternal Kingdom, 1 ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord,  Amen.

Prayer to Jesus in different difficulties

 

O Jesus! Thou Consolation of the afflicted! Thy name is indeed diffused like oil; for Thou dost illumine those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; Thou dost disperse the blindness of the soul and dost cure its ills; Thou givest food and drink to those who hunger arid thirst after justice. Be also, O Jesus! my Saviour, the physician of my soul, the healer of its wounds. O Jesus! Succor of those who are in need, be my protector in temptations! O Jesus! Father of the poor, do Thou nourish me! O Jesus! Joy of the angels, do Thou comfort me! O Jesus! my only hope and refuge, be my helper in the hour of death, for there is given us no other name beneath the sun by which we may be saved, but Thy most blessed name Jesus!