CAPG's Blog 

The heathens had a lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls at this time, in honour of their goddess, Februata Juno. In order to abolish this profane and dangerous practice, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets which were given on this day. St. Francis of Sales severely forbade the customs of valentines; and to abolish it, he changed it into giving papers with the names of certain saints, to be particularly honoured, and as an encouragement to imitate their virtues. This pious custom prevails in many religious houses; and is to be commended. But there are great abuses in the common practices on this day, which should be condemned and abolished as unworthy of true followers of Christ. Evil is often the more dangerous, when the occasion of it is less suspected. In this way many Christians are brought into great snares, while they unwarily strengthen their own passions, and beginning with the spirit, too often end in the flesh. Be charitable then to all, but familiar with none. This is the advice of the pious author of the Following of Christ; and will prove your best security." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

A HUSBAND'S PRAYER: O GRACIOUS Father, Maker and Preserver of heaven and earth, who in the beginning didst institute matrimony, thereby foreshadowing the mystical union of the Church with our Saviour Christ, who, in the time of His ministry upon earth, did honor marriage with His first miracle: enable me, I pray Thee, by Thy grace to live in holiness and purity with the wife whom Thou hast given me. Mortify in me all violence of earthly passion, all selfishness and inconsiderateness (here name any besetting sin which may be a hindrance to you), that I may love her as Christ loved His Church, cherish and comfort her as my own body, and have as great care for her happiness as for my own. Grant that we may live in peace, without contention; in unity, without discord. [Give us, O Lord, discreet hearts and understanding minds, to bring up our children in Thy faith and fear, that they may be obedient to Thee and to Thy commandments, and to all that Thou requirest of them in duty towards their parents.] And give us, O Lord, a competency of estate, to maintain ourselves and our family according to that rank and calling wherein Thou hast placed us, without excess or vainglory, in singleness and pureness of heart. Grant this for Jesus Christ's sake, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

A WIFE'S PRAYER: MERCIFUL Lord God, who in the beginning didst take Eve out of the side of Adam and didst give her to him as a helpmate: give me grace to live worthy of the honorable estate of matrimony to which Thou hast called me, that I may love my husband with a pure and chaste love, acknowledging him as my head, and truly reverencing and obeying him in all good things; that thereby I may please him, and live with him in all Christian quietness. Keep me from all worldliness and vanity. Help me, O Lord, that I may, under him, prudently and discreetly guide and govern his household. Let no fault of mine aggravate any sins by which he may be especially tempted; enable me to soothe him in perplexity, to cheer him in difficulty, to refresh him in weariness, and, as far as may be, to advise him in doubt. [Give me understanding so to fulfil my part in the education of our children, that they may be our joy in this world and our glory in the next.] Grant that our perfect union here may be the beginning of the still more perfect and blissful union hereafter in Thy kingdom; and this I pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER TO BE SAID BY HUSBAND OR WIFE: MERCIFUL God, we humbly beseech Thee to send Thy blessing continually upon us, and to make us thankful for all that Thou hast already vouchsafed unto us; and as Thou hast made us one in the mystical grace of matrimony, grant that we may be also inwardly of one heart and of one mind, paying due honor one to another, united in love to Thee and to each other in Thee; living together in peace and holiness, as faithful members of Thy Church, denying ourselves, and being a mutual help, comfort, and support to each other, all the days of our life. [Give us grace to train our children in Thy faith and fear.] Bless us with health and strength, if it be Thy will, and with whatever else Thy good providence shall see to be best for our souls and bodies. Fit and prepare us day by day for our departure hence, that we may together inherit eternal life in Thy heavenly kingdom. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

PRAYER OF PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN: O heavenly Father, I commend my children unto thee. Be thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me, through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world, to resist the solicitations of evil, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy.