Wise words of advice for modern-day life from Saint Peter Damian

 

 “Receive the Body and Blood of Christ very frequently. The sight of a Christian’s lips red with the Blood of Christ terrifies the enemy. He immediately recognizes the sign of his own ruin. He cannot stand the instrument of divine victory by which he was taken captive and cast down.”

― St. Peter Damian

“We hold our tongues in check because if they are undisciplined they empty the soul of the strength of heavenly grace, and weaken its healthful vigour.”

—St. Peter Damian

“The enormity of anger’s contagion becomes clear from this, that we are prevented from associating with an angry man, that he seems to be struck down, I might say, by a kind of excommunication based on the sentence of some ancient law that excludes him from the company of his fellows. For Solomon said, “Never make friends with an angry man, be careful not to learn his ways, or you will find yourself caught in a trap.” And again, “Better to live in a corner of the housetop than to live with a nagging wife.”

—Quote from Saint Peter Damian's Letter 80 On the Vice of Anger 

“The best penance is to have patience with the sorrows God permits. A very good penance is to dedicate oneself to fulfill the duties of everyday with exactitude and to study and work with all our strength.”

—St. Peter Damian

“Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient. Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth.”

— St. Peter Damian

“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit, is the life of our souls.”

— St. Peter Damian

“When you are scorned by others and lashed by God, do not despair. God lashes us in this life, to shield us from the eternal lash, in the next.”

— St. Peter Damian 

“May Christ be heard in our language, may Christ be seen in our life, may he be perceived in our hearts.”

— St. Peter Damian 

Prayer

Saint Peter Damian, your reform of the Church began in your own monastery cell. You never asked of others what you did not demand first of yourself. You even endured the detraction and calumny of your peers. Help us to reform others by our example, learning, perseverance, mortifications, and prayers.

Prayer to St. Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian, reformer of the Church, scourge of the wicked, come to our aid with your prayers! Great Doctor of the Church, intercede on our behalf before the throne of God. By your prayers and intercession, help us, O hater of sin, to fly from evil and embrace what is good. We also ask, great saint, that you intercede for this special intention: (state your request). Pray for us, O monk, O cardinal, O servant of God! Amen.

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

Introductory Prayer:

My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

Blessed Mother, I unite my heart to yours and offer this rosary for young people: for their purity and holiness, their vocational discernment, and their courage in following Christ. 

[I also pray for the following particular intentions…]

An Act of Contrition

O my most loving Savior, behold me before Thy divine presence, full of confusion for the many offences I have committed against Thee. I repent of them from my whole heart, and detest them above all evils, because they offend Thine infinite goodness; and I firmly purpose to wash my soul in the Sacrament of Penance, and never to offend Thee again. Forgive me, my crucified Savior, in Thine infinite mercy. And thou, most tender Virgin, Refuge of Sinners, do thou, by thy bitter pains, obtain for me the pardon of all my sins, and grace never to crucify thy Son again.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,

 and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

V. Remember, O Lord, Thy congregation. 

R. Which Thou hast possessed from the beginning.

V. O Lord hear my prayer

R. And let my cry come unto Thee

Let us pray. 

Enlighten our minds, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with the light of Thy brightness, that we may see what we ought to do, and be able to do what is right. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I THE FIRST SORROW 

The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)

The First Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when, having presented Jesus, her Divine Son, in the Temple, she heard the words of holy Simeon, “Thy own soul a sword shall pierce;” by which he foretold the Passion and Death of her Son Jesus.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

II THE SECOND SORROW 

The Flight Into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)

The Second Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when she was obliged to flee into Egypt, because King Herod was seeking the Child to destroy Him.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

III THE THIRD SORROW 

The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple

 (Luke 2:43–45)

                         

The Third Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when, returning from Jerusalem after the feast of the Pasch, she lost her beloved Son Jesus, and for three days, with St. Joseph, sought Him sorrowing.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the lost of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

IV THE FOURTH SORROW 

Mary Meets Jesus On the Way To Calvary

(The Fourth Station of the Cross)

The Fourth Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when she met on the way to Calvary her dear Son Jesus, carrying on His bruised shoulders a heavy cross, whereon He was to be crucified for our salvation.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

V THE FIFTH SORROW 

Mary Standing Beneath the Cross on Calvary

Jesus Dies On The Cross (John 19:25

The Fifth Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when she saw her Divine Son nailed to the cross, shedding blood from all parts of His sacred body, and after three hours' agony beheld Him die.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

VI THE SIXTH SORROW 

Mary receives the dead body of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-59)

The Sixth Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when a soldier with a spear opened the sacred Side of Jesus, and when His sacred body, being taken down from the cross, was laid on her most pure bosom.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

VII THE SEVENTH SORROW 

Mary Witnesses the Burial of the Sacred Body of Her Son

Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb (John 19:40–42)

The Seventh Sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when she saw the most sacred Body of her Son Jesus laid in the sepulchre.

V: O God, come to my assistance; 

R: O Lord, make haste to help me 

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

 R: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.

Our Father, once. Hail Mary, seven times.

Let us now say three Hail Marys, in honor of the tears which Our Lady shed in her Dolors, that we may obtain a true sorrow for our sins and gain the holy indulgences.

O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears thou shed, grant that I may weep for my sins: 

Ave Maria …

O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears thou shed, soften the hardened hearts of sinners:

Ave Maria …

O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears thou shed, allow me to make reparation for my sins:

Ave Maria …

V. Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin, 

R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.

Let Us Pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced with the sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede for us before the throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death. Through thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Novena of Petition Through the Intercession of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

Let us adore and give thanks to God the Father everlasting, Who, of the great love He bore us, was pleased to send His only-begotten Son into the world to suffer and die on the gibbet of the Cross; and let us beseech Him, for the sake of His passion and death and by the intercession of Saint Gabriel, that most loving follower of our crucified Lord, to grant us the favor for which We pray [here mention your request].

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Let us adore and give thanks to God the eternal Son, Who, becoming man and dying for us upon the Cross, left us Mary most holy to be our Mother; and let us beseech Him, by the merits of this sorrowful Virgin Mother and by the intercession of Saint Gabriel, who was her most devoted servant, to grant us the favor for which we pray [here mention your request].

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Let us adore and give thanks to God the eternal Spirit, Who of His infinite goodness communicates Himself to our souls to make them holy; and let us beseech Him, by the merit of the same divine goodness and by the intercession of Saint Gabriel, who in a special manner shared therein and corresponded thereto, to grant us the favor for which we pray [here mention your request].

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

V. Pray for us, Saint Gabriel,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who didst teach blessed Gabriel to have the sorrows of Thy most dear Mother in perpetual remembrance, and through her didst glorify him with the fame of holiness and miracles; grant unto us, by his intercession and example, so to share the sorrows of Thy Mother that we may be saved by her maternal protection: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

(Indulgence of 300 days)

Prayer to Obtain Purity of the Body

My adorable Savior, in expiation of our sins, and especially those of impurity, Thou didst vouchsafe to have Thy most pure Flesh torn in pieces. Ah! my Lord, smitten with the scourge, I return Thee thanks for such great love, and I grieve that I am myself, by reason of my sins, one of those who scourge Thee. O my Jesus! I detest all those wicked pleasures which have cost Thee so much pain. Oh, how many years ought I not already to have been in the flames of hell! And why hast Thou so patiently awaited me till now? Thou hast borne with me in order that at length, overcome by so many wiles of love, I might give myself up to love Thee, abandoning sin. O my beloved Redeemer! I will offer no further resistance to Thy loving affection; I desire to love Thee henceforth to the uttermost of my power. But Thou already knowest my weakness; Thou knowest how often I have betrayed Thee. Do Thou detach me from all earthly affections which hinder me from being all Thine own. Remind me frequently of the love which Thou hast borne me, and of the obligation I am under of loving Thee. In Thee I place all my hopes, my God, my Love, my All.

On the Immaculate Conception by Dom Prosper Gueranger

 

 Our Lady of Lourdes

from the Liturgical Year, by Dom Gueranger

My bow shall appear in the clouds and I will remember My covenant with you --Gen. 9: 14-15.

The lessons at Matins on February 11, 1854 (Thursday in Sexagesima week) recalled these words, and the world soon learned that on this very day Mary had appeared, more fair than the sign of hope which typified her at the time of the deluge.

Portents, the realization of which we see in these days, were being multiplied. Mankind had grown old, and seemed about to perish in a deluge more dreadful than the former one. "I am the Immaculate Conception," said the Mother of divine grace to the humble child whom she chose at such a time to bear her message to the captain of the Ark of salvation. She pierced the gathering darkness with the light of that sublime privilege which the supreme pilot, to his eternal glory, had declared three years before to be dogma.

Indeed, if, as the beloved disciple says, it is our faith to which victory on earth is promised (i John v. 4), and if faith is nourished by light--what individual dogma is there which so presupposes and recalls all other dogmatic truths, and at the same time throws such light upon them? It is a royal crown on the brow of the victorious queen, resplendent like the rainbow, which breaks through the clouds with all the glories of heaven.

But perchance it was still necessary to open the eyes of the blind to these splendours, to inspire courage into hearts saddened by hell's denials, and to infuse strength to make an act of faith into so many understandings weakened by the education of these days. The Immaculate Virgin summoned the multitudes to the scene of her blessed visit, and both sweetly and strongly succoured the weakness of souls by healing bodies. She smiled upon publicity, welcomed investigation, and confirmed by the authority of miracles her own words and the definition of the Vicar of Christ . . .

The things that take place at Lourdes are as famous as any events of contemporary history. Let us listen to the short account, which the Church has enshrined in the Liturgy:

In the fourth year after the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the blessed Virgin vouchsafed to appear on several occasions to a poor but pious and innocent child named Bernadette, in a rocky cavern overlooking the grotto of Massabielle on the banks of the Gave near the town of Lourdes in the diocese of Tarbes in France. She showed herself as a young and gracious figure, robed in white, with a white veil and blue girdle, and golden roses on her bare feet. At the first apparition on February 11, 1858, she taught the child to make the sign of the cross correctly and devoutly, and, taking a chaplet from her own arm, encouraged her by example to say her rosary. This was repeated at subsequent apparitions. On the second day, Bernadette, who feared an illusion of the devil, in all simplicity cast holy water at the apparition, who smiled more graciously than before. At the third apparition Bernadette was invited to repeat her visits to the grotto for fifteen days, during which the blessed Virgin conversed with her, exhorted her to pray for sinners, kiss the ground and do penance, and finally commanded her to tell the priests that a chapel was to be built in the place and processions held. She was also bidden drink and wash in the water, and a spring, until then invisible, gushed out of the ground. On the feast of the Annunciation, the child earnestly begged the Lady who had so often visited her, to reveal her name, and the blessed Virgin, joining her hands and raising her eyes to heaven, said: "I am the Immaculate Conception"

Rumours of favours received at the holy grotto spread rapidly, and the crowds of devout visitors increased daily, so that the Bishop of Tarbes, who had been impressed by the candour of Bernadette, found it advisable to hold a judicial enquiry into the facts. In the course of the fourth year he gave sentence, recognizing the supernatural character of the apparition, and permitting devotions to our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception to be held in the grotto. A chapel was soon built, and since then every year has witnessed innumerable pilgrimages from France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and all parts of Europe and America. The name of Our Lady of Lourdes has become famous all over the world, and cures are obtained everywhere by use of the water. Lourdes has been enriched by a grateful world with splendidly decorated churches, where countless banners bear witness to the favours received and to the desire of peoples and cities to adorn the house of the blessed Virgin, who is honoured there as in her own palace. The days are filled with prayers, hymns and solemn ceremonies, and the nights are sanctified by the pious supplications of countless people who walk in procession carrying torches, and singing the praises of the blessed virgin Mary.

All men know how, in spite of the coldness of the world, these pilgrimages have revived faith, restored the observance of the Christian religion, and increased devotion to the Immaculate Virgin. The Faithful are led by their priests in this marvellous development of faith and devotion . . .

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!" Thou didst teach us this prayer in 1830 as a safeguard against the dangers of the future. In 1846 the two shepherds of La Salette reminded us of thy tears and exhortations: "Pray for poor sinners, pray for the world which is so disturbed." Today the little seer of the grotto of Massabielle brings us thy message: "Penitence! Penitence! Penitence!"

We desire to obey thee, O blessed Virgin, to combat in ourselves and all around us that enemy of mankind who is our only real enemy, and sin, that supreme evil which is the source of all others. Praise be to the Almighty, who saved thee from all stain of sin, and thus inaugurated in thee the full restoration of our fallen race. Praise be to thee, who, having no debts of thy own, didst pay our debts with the Blood of thy Son and the tears of His Mother, thus reconciling heaven and earth and crushing the head of the serpent.

Prayer, expiation--the Church from apostolic times has ever urged these thoughts upon us during the days which immediately precede Lent. Dear Mother in heaven, we bless thee for having thus united thy voice to that of our Mother on earth. The world no longer desired, no longer understood, the infallible but indispensable remedy offered by the justice and mercy of God to the misery of man. Men seemed to have forgotten the words: "Except you do penance, you shall all perish" (Lk. 13: 5). Thy pity wakes us from this fatal stupor, O Mary. Thou knowest our weakness, and hast mingled sweetness in the bitter draught. Thou lavishest temporal favours upon man in order that he may ask of thee eternal blessings. We will not be like those children who welcome their mother's caresses, but neglect her admonitions and the corrections, which her tenderness bought to make acceptable. We will pray and suffer in union with Jesus and thee. By thine assistance during this Lent we will be converted and do penance.

Indulgenced Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes, conceived without sin: Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica
(Feast Day: February 10th)
by Prosper Louis P. Gueranger

The sister of the Patriarch Saint Benedict comes to us today, sweetly inviting us to follow her to heaven. Apollonia the Martyr is succeeded by Scholastica the fervent daughter of the Cloister. Both of them are the Spouses of Jesus, both of them wear a crown, for both of them fought hard, and won the palm. Apollonia's battle was with cruel persecutors, and in those hard times when one had to die to conquer; Scholastica's combat was the life-long struggle, whose only truce is the soldier's dying breath. The Martyr and the Nun are sisters now in the Heart of Him they both so bravely loved.

God, in his infinite wisdom, gave to St. Benedict a faithful co-operatrix,--a sister of such angelic gentleness of character, that she would be a sort of counterpoise to the brother, whose vocation, as the legislator of monastic life, needed a certain dignity of grave and stern resolve. We continually meet with these contrasts in the lives of the saints; and they show us that there is a link, of which flesh and blood know nothing; a link which binds two souls together, gives them power, harmonises their differences of character, and renders each complete. Thus it is in heaven with the several hierarchies of the Angels; a mutual love, which is founded on God Himself, unites them together, and makes them live in the eternal happiness of the tenderest brotherly affection.

Scholastica's earthly pilgrimage was not a short one; and yet it has left us but the history of the Dove, which told the brother, by its flight to heaven, that his sister had reached the eternal home before him. We have to thank St. Gregory the Great for even this much, which he tells us as a sequel to the holy dispute she had with Benedict, three days previous to her death. But how admirable is the portrait thus drawn in St. Gregory's best style! We seem to understand the whole character of Scholastica:--an earnest simplicity, and a child-like eagerness, for what was worth her desiring it; an affectionate and unshaken confidence in God; a winning persuasiveness, where there was opposition to God's will, which, when it met such an opponent as Benedict, called on God to interpose, and gained its cause. The old poets tell us strange things about the swan, how sweetly it can sing when dying; how lovely must not have been the last notes of the Dove of the Benedictine Cloister, as she was soaring from earth to heaven!

But how came Scholastica, the humble retiring Nun, by that energy, which could make her resist the will of her brother, whom she revered as her master and guide? What was it told her that her prayer was not a rash one, and that what she asked for was a higher good than Benedict's unflinching fidelity to the Rule he had written, and which it was his duty to teach by his own keeping it? Let us hear St. Gregory's answer: "It is not to be wondered at, that the sister, who wished to prolong her brother's stay, should have prevailed over him; for, whereas St. John tells us, that God is Charity, it happened by a most just judgment, that she that had the stronger love, had the stronger power."

Our Season is appropriate for the beautiful lesson taught us by St. Scholastica,--fraternal charity. Her example should excite us to the love of our neighbor, that love which God bids us labour for, now that we are intent on giving Him our undivided service, and our complete conversion. The Easter Solemnity we are preparing for, is to unite us all in the grand Banquet, where we are all to feast on the one Divine Victim of Love. Let us have our nuptial garment ready; for He that invites us, insists on our having union of heart when we dwell in his House (Ps. lxvii. 7.)


The Church has inserted in her Office of this Feast the account given by St. Gregory of the last interview between St. Scholastica and St. Benedict. It is as follows:


From the 2nd book of the Dialogues of Saint Gregory, Pope.


Scholastica was the sister of the venerable father Benedict. She had been consecrated to Almighty God from her very infancy, and was accustomed to visit her brother once a year. The man of God came down to meet her at a house belonging to the monastery, not far from the gate. It was the day for the usual visit, and her venerable brother came down to her accompanied by some of his brethren. The whole day was spent in the praises of God and holy conversation; and at night-fall, they took their repast together. Whilst they were at table, and it grew late as they conferred with each other on sacred things, the holy Nun thus spoke to her brother: "I beseech thee, stay the night "with me, and let us talk till morning on the joys of heaven." He replied: "What is this thou sayest, sister? On no account may I remain out of the monastery. The evening was so fair, that not a cloud could be seen in the sky." When, therefore, the holy nun heard her brother's refusal, she clasped her hands together, and, resting them on the table, she hid her face in them, and made a prayer to the God of all power. As soon as she raised her head from the table, there came down so great a storm of thunder and lightning, and rain, that neither the venerable Benedict, nor the brethren who were with him, could set foot outside the place where they were sitting.

The holy virgin had shed a flood of tears as she leaned her head upon the table, and the cloudless sky poured down the wished-for rain. The prayer was said, the rain fell in torrents; there was no interval; but so closely on each other were prayer and rain, that the storm came as she raised her head. Then the man of God, seeing that it was impossible to reach his monastery amidst all this lightning, thunder, and rain, was sad, and said complainingly: "God forgive thee, sister! What hast thou done?" But she replied: "I asked thee a favour," and thou wouldst not hear me; I asked it of my God, and He granted it. Go, now, if thou canst, to the monastery, and leave me here!" But it was not in his power to stir from the place; so that, he who would not stay willingly, had to stay unwillingly, and spend the whole night with his sister, delighting each other with their questions and answers about the secrets of spiritual life.

On the morrow, the holy woman returned to her monastery, and the man of God to his. When lo! three days after, he was in his cell; and raising his eyes, he saw the soul of his sister going up to heaven, in the shape of a dove. Full of joy at her being thus glorified, he thanked his God in hymns of praise, and told the brethren of her death. He straightways bade them go and bring her body to the monastery; which having done, he had it buried in the tomb he had prepared for himself. Thus it was, that, as they had ever been one soul in God, their bodies were united in the same grave.

Litany for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

O Jesus, Thou suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:

My dear parents and grandparents, | My Jesus Mercy

My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, | My Jesus Mercy

My godparents and sponsors of Confirmation, | My Jesus Mercy

My spiritual and temporal benefactors, | My Jesus Mercy

My friends and neighbors, | My Jesus Mercy

All for whom love or duty bids me pray, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who have offended me, | My Jesus Mercy

Those whose release is near at hand, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who desire most to be united to Thee, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who endure the greatest sufferings, | My Jesus Mercy

Those whose release is most remote, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who are least remembered | My Jesus Mercy

Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, | My Jesus Mercy

The rich, who are now the most destitute, | My Jesus Mercy

The mighty, who are now powerless, | My Jesus Mercy

The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly | My Jesus Mercy

The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, | My Jesus Mercy

The poor who did not seek the treasures of heaven, | My Jesus Mercy

The tepid who devoted little time to prayer, | My Jesus Mercy

The indolent who neglected to perform good works, | My Jesus Mercy

Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, | My Jesus Mercy

The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, | My Jesus Mercy

Parents who failed to watch over their children, | My Jesus Mercy

Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, | My Jesus Mercy

The worldly minded, who failed to use their wealth and talent for the service of God, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, | My Jesus Mercy

Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, | My Jesus Mercy

The popes, kings, and rulers, | My Jesus Mercy

The bishops and their counselors, | My Jesus Mercy

My teachers and spiritual advisors, | My Jesus Mercy

The priests and religious of the Catholic Church, | My Jesus Mercy

The defenders of the Holy Faith, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who died on the battlefield, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who fought for their country, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who were buried in the sea, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who died of apoplexy, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who died of heart attacks, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who suffered and died of cancer, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who died suddenly in accidents, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who died without the last rites of the Church, | My Jesus Mercy

Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, | My Jesus Mercy

My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat, | My Jesus Mercy

PRAYER

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: For evermore with Thy Saints, because Thou art gracious.

May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: that Thou mayest both deliver them from all their sins, and make them to be partakers of Thy redemption. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine on them. Amen.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.