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Devotion to the Holy Face: Carmelites, Buffalo NY

The principal object of the devotion to the Holy Face is to offer respectful love and homage to the Adorable Face of Jesus disfigured in the Passion; to make reparation for blasphemy and the neglect of Holy Days, which outrages Him afresh; and, lastly, to obtain of God the conversion of sinners and profaners of the Holy Days:

Eternal Father, we offer You the Holy Face of Jesus, covered with blood, sweat, dust, and spittle, in reparation for the crimes of communists, blasphemers, and for the profaners of the Holy Name and of the Holy Day of Sunday.

Offering of the Holy Face by St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars:

    Oh, my beautiful Immaculate Mother Mary, Queen of Sorrows, I beg of you, by the inexpressible agony you did endure at the foot of the Cross, to offer to the Eternal Father, in my stead, the Holy Face of your Divine Son, my Jesus, covered with Blood, wounds, and other indignities heaped upon Him during His Sacred Passion, and beg of Him to grant … (Here mention the grace or favor you desire). Amen.

The Divine Praises in Reparation for Blasphemies

    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 Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
    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.

I salute, adore, and love Thee, O Jesus, my Savior, covered anew with outrages by blasphemers, and I offer Thee, through the heart of Thy blessed Mother, the worship of all the Angels and Saints, as an incense and a perfume of sweet odor, most humbly beseeching Thee, by the virtue of Thy Sacred Face, to repair and renew in me and in all men Thy image disfigured by sin. Amen

Source: Veronica, or the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1871

A Prayer for the Church

O God, by Thy Holy Name have pity on us, protect us, and save us.
O good Jesus, in the sweet Name guard our Sovereign Pontiff; breathe into his
soul the spirit of the Comforter.

Jesus, thy Church is menaced with great trials! Holy Father, by the virtue of
thy salutary Name protect the Church of Jesus Christ. This was the last will of
thy Divine Son; it is the holy prayer which love prompted towards the end of his
life. Holy Father, keep in thy Name those thou hast given me (St. John chap. xxxvii. 11)

O most holy and worthy Mother, refuge of the Church, intercede for us and save us by
the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Michael and the Holy Angels, guard the bark of Peter; disperse its enemies
by the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Source: Sister Saint-Pierre and the Work of Reparation. Manual of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face, 1887

Prayer to Obtain the Settlement of all Our Needs

    Oh, Eternal Father, since it has pleased our Divine Savior to reveal to mankind in our present century the power residing in His Holy Face, we now avail ourselves of this treasure in our great needs. Since our Savior Himself promised that by offering to You, oh Eternal Father, the Holy Face disfigured in the Passion, we can procure the settlement of all our affairs, and that nothing whatsoever will be refused us, we now come before Your Throne.

    Offering to You, oh God, this adorable Countenance, disfigured with painful bruises and covered with shame and confusion, we beg through the merits of this Holy Face to obtain these, our pressing needs.

    Grant us pardon, Eternal Father, for the worst crimes of our age, which are atheism, blasphemy, and the desecration of Your holy days. May this offering of the Holy Face of our Savior before Your throne obtain for us deliverance from these evils.

    Send us, oh God, many vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life, so that by their prayers, their works, and their sacrifices, they may spread the blessings of Your Church and confound Your enemies. Amen

More resources:

• The Feast of the Holy Face (World Report)
• League of Saint Martin
• Oratoire de la Sainte Face Tours, France
• Video From the Diocese of Tours (In French)
  

Divine Savior Jesus Christ, Thou are the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep.

Oh, be in a very special way the Good Shepherd of those poor lost priests who are also appointed by Thee to be leaders of Thy people, but who have broken the oath of their holy ordination and have become unfaithful to their exalted calling. Bestow upon these poorest of the poor the very fullness of that pastoral solicitude with which Thou dost so faithfully seek the sheep that are lost! Touch their hearts with the irresistible ray of grace which emanates from Thine all-merciful love! Enlighten their minds and strengthen their wills, that they may turn away from all sin and error and come back to Thy holy altar and to Thy people.

O most compassionate Savior! Remember that Thou didst once redeem the souls of Thine erring priests with Thy Precious Blood and in infinite preferential love didst impress upon them the indelible character of the priesthood. Put wholly to shame those miserable helpers of Satan who lay snares for the virtue of priests and endanger the holy ideal of the priesthood. Most graciously accept our prayers and sacrifices for poor priests who have gone astray and hear our earnest petition. Amen

St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests.
St. John-Mary Vianney, model of sacerdotal holiness, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionary priests, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Therese of the Child-Jesus and of the Holy Face, victim offered for the sanctification of priests, obtain for us holy priests.
Saints and Servants of God, obtain for us holy priests.
Imprimatur - Bishop John F. Null (April 18, 1948)

Saint Catherine of Siena, Wake Forest , Raleigh Diocese

Divine Savior and eternal High Priest Jesus Christ, it is Thou Who choosest with especial love those who are to be Thy priests. With all the fervor of my heart I recommend to Thee all the candidates for the priesthood throughout the world. Do Thou already now in their years of study fill their hearts with true priestly sentiments. Given them lively and joyous faith, a great spirit of prayer, burning love for Thee and for Thy holy Church, ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, a tender devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Thine Immaculate Mother. Also enlighten and bless all their educators and teachers in their difficult and responsible obligations.

O Mary, thou good Mother of priests, protect all candidates for the priesthood. Shield them in all those interior and exterior dangers that threaten their holy vocation during their years of study.

Grant them good health always, progress in their studies, and also the necessary financial means, so that not one of them may be excluded from the priesthood because of poverty. But, above all, be always at their side in all the temptations that assail youth, so that they may preserve untarnished their purity of heart and one day ascend the altar as holy priests of spotless purity. But especially keep away from the priesthood those who, uncalled and unworthy, would force themselves into the sanctuary of the Most High. And do not permit that parents or relatives in misguided love, or even out of wrong motives, urge their sons to enter the priestly state when they do not feel themselves called to it.

All ye holy Apostles, all ye holy bishops and priests, all ye holy patrons of youth, pray for all aspirants to the priesthood, shield them and be ever their strong support, in order that they may be true apostle, holy mediators between God and men, and safe guides to many immortal souls along the road to heaven. Amen

The Seminarian, His Character and work, Rev. Albert Rung 1916

Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, Who hast entrusted the whole work of Thy redemption, the welfare and salvation of the world, to priests as Thy representatives, through the hands of Thy most holy Mother and for the sanctification of Thy priests and candidates for the priesthood I offer Thee this present day wholly and entirely, with all its prayers, works, sacrifices, joys, and sorrows.

Give truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of our souls.

And thou, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the dangers of their holy vocation and, with the loving hand of a Mother, also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have become unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray.

Source: Priest's Saturday, The Salvatorian Fathers, CAPG

Our Lady, Mother of Sorrows pray for Priests, your special sons. Strengthen their faith and love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, so that they may turn to Him for the grace they need to live a life faithful to their calling. Bring comfort, consolation and courage to those who are suffering under the weight of the Cross. Give them the love of your Son and zeal for the honor and glory of God, and the salvation of souls. Amen

Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows:

Act of Contrition: O, most loving Redeemer, humbly prostrate at the foot of the Cross, I beg pardon from the bottom of my heart for all my sins which were the cause of Thy bitter Passion, and the overwhelming sorrow of Thy most afflicted Mother. O good Jesus, let not Thy Precious Blood be shed for me in vain. Let the sight of Thy Five Sacred Wounds plead ever to Thy Eternal Father, in behalf of my misery: and through the infinite merits of Thy sacred death and the bitter anguish of Thy holy Mother, grant me grace, dearest Lord, to atone for the past, and to persevere in Thy love and friendship for the future. Amen.

1. Let us meditate with profound humility on the first Sorrow of our Lady, when presenting her Son in the Temple, she heard the words of Holy Simeon, that this Child would be a sword to pierce her soul; a prophecy which clearly announced the Passion and Death of Christ our Redeemer.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

2. Let us meditate with profound humility on the second Sorrow of our Lady, when in order to escape the murderous designs of cruel Herod, she was obliged to fly with her Divine Child into Egypt, and remain in exile there seven years.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

3. Let us meditate with profound humility on the third Sorrow of our Lady, when returning from Jerusalem, with her spouse St. Joseph, to her poor dwelling, she lost her beloved Jesus, and wept His absence for three successive days.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

4. Let us meditate with profound humility on the fourth Sorrow of our Lady, when she met her Divine Son crowned with thorns, and fainting under the load of the Cross.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

5. Let us meditate with profound humility on the fifth Sorrow of our Lady, when she beheld the Crucifixion of her Most Holy Son.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

6. Let us meditate with profound humility on the sixth Sorrow of our Lady, when the body of her Divine Son being taken down from the Cross, she received It into her arms.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

7. Let us meditate with profound humility on the seventh Sorrow of our Lady, when with deep grief she accompanied to the Sepulcher the body of her Son.

one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

Let us now say three Hail Marys in honor of the tears shed by our Blessed Lady, to beg she will obtain for us, from our Lord, the grace of a like grief for our sins and offenses.

Let us pray:

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through Thee Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Manual of Devotions of the Sorrows of our Blessed Lady, 1868

"There are two main purposes for the Ember days: “ the consecration of the four seasons to God and the ordination of the clergy.
With regard to the first; gratitude for God’s gifts is a leading feature in each of the four fasts, for gratitude is the best means of drawing down His future blessings in the preservation of the fruits of the earth.

"As to the second point; the importance of the periodical ordinations of the clergy cannot be overrated. All good Catholics must needs feel an interest in the future priests of the Church, for ordination not only confers an immense privilege on those who are ordained, but also affects the salvation of those souls, who are hereafter to be entrusted to their care. The recurrence of the Ember Days should, therefore, remind all to pray:

1.for vocations to the priesthood, that God would send fit laborers for reaping the harvest;

2. that those about to be ordained may be filled with the true spirit of their high calling;

3. for the success of the labors of the bishops and clergy, both secular and regular, as also for their welfare.

 To obtain these blessings from God, the fast, (which is of strict obligation) on the Ember Days, should be offered. The value of fasting as a penitential exercise is too well known to need explanation here, but it may be remarked that when it is practiced in obedience to the Church, its efficacy is increased a hundred-fold. By those not able to fast, other good works are usually substituted. Prayer and fasting, therefore, are joined together, after the example of the Apostles, who “fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.” (…)

 We may sum up what has already been said by stating that the three good works, styled eminent, are inculcated upon us at the Ember seasons. Prayer and Fasting hold a prominent place; St. Leo, who said so much on Ember Days, adds Almsgiving: “Let us spend in good deeds,” he says, “what we take from indulgence.” No better time than the Ember Days could be chosen to lay aside, or offer, and alms towards the support of candidates for the priesthood; or for an object which is equally important, the maintenance of the clergy in general.

To carry out with success these intentions of the Church at Ember-tide, no new confraternity need be established; all that is required is a full appreciation of the spirit of the Church as manifested in her Liturgy and observances, when these seasons come round.

The test of true love for our Lord, as His own words tell, is obedience to His will. We may apply to the Church, His representative, and her ordinances, this same test of true love, which He Himself has given: “If you love Me, Keep My commandments.”

Source: The Ember Days, by Dom Columba Edmonds, OSB the Catholic Truth Society, Vol 32 1897

Mass Propers for Ember Saturday

Prayers for Ember Days:

Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy Holy Service of the Altar, in particular on Deacon Nicolas Rapkoch. Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy great name and the benefit of Thy Holy Church. Amen

O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our good.
Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and multiply. Defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Amen.

Source: St. John's Manual 1856, Archbishop of New York John J. Hugues

 Devotions for Ember days:

• Diving into the Catholic Treasury: A Revival of the Ember Days by Canon Huberfelt, ICRSS
  
• Renewal and the Penitential Life by Msgr. Ingham
• The Seven Penitential Psalms (Msgr. Ingham, audio)
• Seven Penitential Psalms (Latin/English)
  
• Litany of Saints
• Litany to Obtain Holy Priests
• Holy Hour of Adoration and Reparation for Priests
• Stations of the Cross for Priests (Especially for those who are suffering persecution)
• The Rosary to Our Lady of Sorrows dedicated for Priests, (by Fr. Scott McCaig,CC on the occasion of the Year for Priest, 2009)

"1. Arise, O Lord, to my aid; delay not, for the waters of tribulations have entered even into my soul; comfort Thy servants, and scatter those that afflict them. Be not unmindful, O Lord, of our affliction; for Thee are we in labor, for Thee are we mortified all the day. We are reputed as sheep for the slaughter; save us, O Lord, because we have put our trust in Thee."

2. (To priests:) Son, if they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; for the disciple is not above his master. Have I not foretold it to thee? what else canst thou expect from those that are placed in iniquity, and under the yoke of the devil, but that they will persecute the servants of God and the enemies of the devil? If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in Heaven. Cease, then, thy complaints, son; if thou thinkest rightly, thou shouldst assuredly give thanks; for it is a great benefit to suffer tribulation and affliction for Me, and on account of Me.

3. He that endureth tribulation and persecution for My name let him glory in them; for he that suffereth with Me, shall also reign with Me. And I am wont to correct and chastise in this world whomsoever I love, that he may not be condemned with the world; but after being tried by fire and water may come to refreshment with Me. Tribulation and persecution are most profitable to My servants; for by them they make not only easy but great and rapid progress. For they that meet with tribulation from the world, and find no comfort from men, are wont to fly to Me for refuge with great confidence, alacrity, and devotion.

4. They are wont, too, to inspect their life more narrowly, and to correct and cut off with great diligence whatever can offend their neighbors. And they are mutually united to one another by a more fervent charity, they pray more devoutly, live in greater meekness, and employ greater energy in furnishing themselves with spiritual arms.They fast, are humbled, purified from earthly affections, cling to meditations on heavenly things.They keep away from vain conversations, speak on useful and spiritual subjects, and become better suited to assist their neighbor. And hence I permit My beloved servants to be in tribulation, to be hated, and denounced as evil.

5. If, then, thou wilt please Me seek not impatiently to be freed from thy difficulties; "for it is well to be purged in this world;" but leaving everything else to Me, seek solely to bear thyself courageously in difficulties. Pray for those that persecute and afflict thee and thy brethren, in order that they too may find salvation; do good to them as much as thou canst, for thus did I also act. If they justly reprehend anything in thee, correct it with solicitude; if they do thee an injury, bear with it for My name. See that thou grow not cowardly, and turn timid in My service. Cease not from works of charity, despise contumely, scorn reports, fear not the threats of men, and strive strenuously to promote My glory. Say to thy soul: Behold God alone is my hope and my refuge; He is my God, I will hope in Him. If armies in camp should stand against me, my heart shall not fear. If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident. What thanks do I owe the Lord for having deigned to admit me amongst the soldiers of His cross. Would that I deserved to be inebriated with the chalice of my Lord, and to resist even unto blood.

6. He that has such dispositions, is a spectacle to God, and the Angels, and men, and whatever happeneth he shall not be moved. But he that still seeks anxiously for the vain friendships of man, and desireth to be highly esteemed, easily fails and proves cowardly in tribulations. Such a one secures ignominy and misfortune to himself where others more fervent and courageous acquire great glory and merit. Wherefore thou must be on thy guard, son, and solicitously advance forward in order that thou mayest be entirely free from stain, and pleasing to the divine eye in everything.

7. For the rest, be of good courage: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. Fear not, therefore; better are you than many sparrows; in the regeneration not a hair of your head shall perish. Then all these temporal things, whether they have been prosperous or adverse, will be past, and a crown shall be given to the victors in a blessed eternity. Then he, that has endured more tribulations for Me, shall be glorified the more. For it is the will of My Father and My will, that the more one has resembled Me in patience, the more like unto Me he shall be in the crown of victory."

Source:The spiritual retreat.  1863

Memorare to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Remember, O most loving Heart of Jesus, that he for whom I pray, is one for whom You prayed so fervently in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before You died. He is among those whom You first called Your friends. He is one of those friends You asked to remain with You while the others abandoned You, so that he could share Your graces, and so that he could share Your persecution in accordance with Your word: "The servant is not greater than his Lord."

Remember, O Heart of Jesus, that he is an object of scorn to the world, and that the deadly snares of Satan are laid for him. Guard him, O Jesus, and guard all Your priests in the fortress of Your Sacred Heart, and there let them be sanctified in truth. May Your priests be one with You and united among themselves. Grant that multitudes of people, through their words, be brought to believe in You and to love You. Amen

Source: CAPG

"We recommend very specially to Priest and to the faithful the practice of the Sunday Communion offered to the Holy Ghost, already propagated with such zeal by many distinguished prelates. The practice consists in offering Communion every Sunday to the Holy Ghost, by the hands of Mary, in favor of the Church and of Priests. Those who adopt this devotion should, when making the offering of their Sunday Communion, intercede earnestly for priests, so that they may become every day more holy and more zealous and ardent apostles of the Holy Ghost.

It is much to be desired that this practice of the Sunday Communion should become general in every parish, in Seminaries, Universities, Colleges, and especially in religious Communities."

Prayer to the Holy Ghost in Favor of the Church.

O Holy Spirit, Creator, be propitious to the Catholic Church; and by Thy heavenly power make it strong and secure against the attacks of its enemies; and renew in charity and grace the spirit of Thy servants, whom Thou has anointed, that they may glorify Thee and the Father and His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. amen.
(300 daysʼ indulgence, once a day. Leo XIII, August 26 1889)

Manual of prayers to the Holy Ghost by Very Rev. Fr. Felix of Jesus 1941

Source: CAPG

Prayer before Mass (Prayers of St. Gertrude)

O Almighty, everlasting God, seeing that it is the true faith of Thy Church that the holy Sacrifice of the Mass instituted by Thy Son is infinitely pleasing to Thy divine Majesty, and renders Thee an infinite worship and praise, and since by it alone Thou canst be worthily and adequately worshiped and praised; impelled by an ardent desire of Thy honor and glory, I purpose to assist at this present sacrifice with the utmost devotion of which I am capable, and to offer this most Holy Oblation to Thee in union with Thy priest.

I offer Thee not only this sacrifice, but all those which shall be this day offered from every part of the world; and I protest before Thee that if it depended on me whether they should be offered or omitted, I would put forth all my powers to procure and further their being offered. And were I able now to raise up to Thee, of the stone which are scattered over the earth, most devoted priests, who should day by day and with glowing fervor offer to Thee this sacrifice of praise, I would most gladly do it. But, being what I am, I implore Thee, O most holy Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, to pour into the hearts of all Thy priests, and especially those who might perchance otherwise offer Thee this acceptable sacrifice coldly and without due recollectedness, the spirit of grace and of fervor, that they may be enabled to celebrate Thy tremendous Mystery with becoming awe and devotion.

Grant to me, and to all those who are here present with me, that we may join in this most sacred action with reverence and devotion, so that we may have our portion in its fruit and effect. I confess to Thee, O almighty God, and to the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and to all the Saints, my own sins and those of all the world; and I lay them on Thy sacred Altar, that they may be entirely blotted out by the virtue of this sacrifice. Do thou deign to grant us this grace, by that love which held back Thy hand from smiting when Thy most beloved Son, Thy only Son, was immolated by the hands of ungodly men. amen"

Preces Gertrudianae; Prayers of St. Gertrude and St. Mechtilde.

Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, Who hast entrusted the whole work of Thy redemption, the welfare and salvation of the world, to priests as Thy representatives, through the hands of Thy most holy Mother and for the sanctification of Thy priests and candidates for the priesthood I offer Thee this present day wholly and entirely, with all its prayers, works, sacrifices, joys, and sorrows.

Give truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of our souls.

And thou, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the dangers of their holy vocation and, with the loving hand of a Mother, also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have become unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray.

Source: Priest's Saturday, The Salvatorian Fathers, CAPG

Saint Paul, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC. ©CAPG

  Prayer to Saint Paul

O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting the Church you became by God's grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry the knowledge of Jesus, our divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings, and shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ.

May your example inspire our parish priests today to be zealous in their service to God's people. Obtain for our priests the grace to labor strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come their way. Help them to be inspired by your Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that after they have finished their course they may join you in praising him in heaven for all eternity. Amen.

Source: CAPG