The life of the Church centers on the liturgy, the official public worship of God by the Church as the Body of Christ. The liturgy includes, above all, the Eucharist and the other six sacraments, but also other actions of the Church such as the daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and other rites.
While the liturgy is "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed" and "the font from which all her power flows," it is not possible for us to fill up all of our day with participation in the liturgy. The Second Vatican Council pointed out that the spiritual life "is not limited solely to participation in the liturgy. . . . according to the teaching of the apostle, [the Christian] must pray without ceasing." Popular devotional practices play a crucial role in helping to foster this ceaseless prayer. The faithful have always used a variety of practices as a means of permeating everyday life with prayer to God. Examples include pilgrimages, novenas, processions and celebrations in honor of Mary and the other saints, the rosary, the Angelus, the Stations of the Cross, the veneration of relics, and the use of sacramentals. Properly used, popular devotional practices do not replace the liturgical life of the Church; rather, they extend it into daily life. Below we have provided information for just some of these practices and devotions.
While the liturgy is "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed" and "the font from which all her power flows," it is not possible for us to fill up all of our day with participation in the liturgy. The Second Vatican Council pointed out that the spiritual life "is not limited solely to participation in the liturgy. . . . according to the teaching of the apostle, [the Christian] must pray without ceasing." Popular devotional practices play a crucial role in helping to foster this ceaseless prayer. The faithful have always used a variety of practices as a means of permeating everyday life with prayer to God. Examples include pilgrimages, novenas, processions and celebrations in honor of Mary and the other saints, the rosary, the Angelus, the Stations of the Cross, the veneration of relics, and the use of sacramentals. Properly used, popular devotional practices do not replace the liturgical life of the Church; rather, they extend it into daily life. Below we have provided information for just some of these practices and devotions.
Liturgy of the Hours
What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
The mystery of Christ, his Incarnation and Passover, which we celebrate in the Eucharist especially at the Sunday assembly, permeates and transfigures the time of each day, through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, "the divine office." This celebration, faithful to the apostolic exhortations to "pray constantly," is "so devised that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praise of God." In this "public prayer of the Church," the faithful (clergy, religious, and lay people) exercise the royal priesthood of the baptized. Celebrated in "the form approved" by the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1174 (read more)
The mystery of Christ, his Incarnation and Passover, which we celebrate in the Eucharist especially at the Sunday assembly, permeates and transfigures the time of each day, through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, "the divine office." This celebration, faithful to the apostolic exhortations to "pray constantly," is "so devised that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praise of God." In this "public prayer of the Church," the faithful (clergy, religious, and lay people) exercise the royal priesthood of the baptized. Celebrated in "the form approved" by the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1174 (read more)
Starting to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (LOTH) is easy and comes in many different formats based on what works for you. Most commonly used is the book form, which either comes in an abridged one volume or in the complete four volume. These formats can be found at your local Catholic bookstore or online. The LOTH, commonly referred to as the "Breviary" also available for free online or by smartphone app. Click below to download!
Rosary
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Pope John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ's last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.
We are blessed to have beautiful Stations at St. Gall. Stop by to see them and pray!
The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.
We are blessed to have beautiful Stations at St. Gall. Stop by to see them and pray!
St. Rita Chaplet
Saint Rita of Cascia Italy is a most powerful Intercessor to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Rita is best known for interceding in the most Hopeless and Impossible Case. I wrote this Chaplet for Her a few years ago and now I feel that I have been prompted to share it with all who are in distress, fear or temptation or at a hopeless end. I pray this Chaplet in my daily prayer: Simply state your Intentions to Her and The Lord, then say the Prayer to St Rita. Read the Meditation and dwell upon it for moment. Then say the Prayer to St Rita again. Read the second Meditation, say the prayer again and so on through the fifth Meditation. Then finish by saying the Glory Be and the Our Father and ending with the Closing Prayer. For a stronger connection to St. Rita you can also pray this Chaplet on your Daily Rosary. Beginning with The Sign of the Cross, the Apostles Creed, Our Father and the Prayer to St.Rita Three times then read the Meditations before each decade and saying the Glory Be, The Fatima Prayer and The Our Father before each decade just like your Daily Rosary, saying the Prayer to St. Rita on the ten beads, and finishing with the closing prayers from the Chaplet to St. Rita.
Respectfully, A Friend In Jesus
Respectfully, A Friend In Jesus
O powerful Saint Rita,
You are called Saint of the Impossible.
In this time of need
I come to you with confidence.
You know my trials, for you yourself
Were many times burdened in this life.
Come to my help, pray for me,
Intercede on my behalf before the Father.
I know that God has
A most generous heart and
That he is a most loving Father.
Join your prayers to mine, and
Obtain for me the grace I desire:
(Here mention your request)
I promise to use this favor,
When granted, to better my life,
To proclaim God’s mercy, and
To make you widely known and loved.
Saint Rita, pray for us.
You are called Saint of the Impossible.
In this time of need
I come to you with confidence.
You know my trials, for you yourself
Were many times burdened in this life.
Come to my help, pray for me,
Intercede on my behalf before the Father.
I know that God has
A most generous heart and
That he is a most loving Father.
Join your prayers to mine, and
Obtain for me the grace I desire:
(Here mention your request)
I promise to use this favor,
When granted, to better my life,
To proclaim God’s mercy, and
To make you widely known and loved.
Saint Rita, pray for us.
My Prayer to St. Rita
O, Blessed Saint Rita,
So humble, So patient, So pure,
You intercede in the most hopeless and
impossible cases.
Bring to us your aid, from the Heart of Jesus,
Whom have recourse to thee,
O, Blessed Saint Rita, Pray for us, Always!
Amen.
Nihil Obstat: Ryan B. Browning, S.T.L. [Censor Librorum]
Imprimatur: + David J. Malloy, D.D., J .C.L., S.T.D. [Bishop of Rockford]
O, Blessed Saint Rita,
So humble, So patient, So pure,
You intercede in the most hopeless and
impossible cases.
Bring to us your aid, from the Heart of Jesus,
Whom have recourse to thee,
O, Blessed Saint Rita, Pray for us, Always!
Amen.
Nihil Obstat: Ryan B. Browning, S.T.L. [Censor Librorum]
Imprimatur: + David J. Malloy, D.D., J .C.L., S.T.D. [Bishop of Rockford]
Meditations for the Rosary of St. Rita of Cascia
1. St. Rita endured her abusive husband and obtained from the Heart of Jesus his conversion before he was murdered.
2. When St. Rita's sons called out the Vendetta to avenge their fathers death, she gave them up to Jesus in death rather than let them commit this soul destroying sin.
3. After the death of her sons, St. Rita miraculously entered the Convent through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholas of Tolentino.
4. St. Rita's life of charity, pennance, and mortification in the Convent brought her closer to the Heart of Jesus, for which He granted remarkable cures, deliverence from evil and many special favors for those for whom she prayed.
5. Suffering a painful thorn wound in her forehead that she endured until her death, St Rita survived on only the Blessed Sacrament for the last four years of her life.
Closing Prayers: Glory Be... Fatima Prayer... Our Father...
Let us pray: 0 Almighty and Merciful Father, we know You look with favor upon the Sacred Heart of Your Divine Son, Jesus. Your Holy Saint, Blessed Rita of Cascia was endlessly devoted to His Sacred Heart and His Holy Cross. By Her intercession, may we aspire to these devotions and a life of humility, patience and purity. We pray all these things, Father, in the Holy Name of Your Son, Jesus, for the intercession of Blessed St. Rita.
Blessed St. Rita, Pray for us Always.
Amen.
Nihil Obstat: Ryan B. Browning, S.T.L. [Censor Librorum]
Imprimatur: + David J. Malloy, D.D., J .C.L., S.T.D. [Bishop of Rockford]
1. St. Rita endured her abusive husband and obtained from the Heart of Jesus his conversion before he was murdered.
2. When St. Rita's sons called out the Vendetta to avenge their fathers death, she gave them up to Jesus in death rather than let them commit this soul destroying sin.
3. After the death of her sons, St. Rita miraculously entered the Convent through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholas of Tolentino.
4. St. Rita's life of charity, pennance, and mortification in the Convent brought her closer to the Heart of Jesus, for which He granted remarkable cures, deliverence from evil and many special favors for those for whom she prayed.
5. Suffering a painful thorn wound in her forehead that she endured until her death, St Rita survived on only the Blessed Sacrament for the last four years of her life.
Closing Prayers: Glory Be... Fatima Prayer... Our Father...
Let us pray: 0 Almighty and Merciful Father, we know You look with favor upon the Sacred Heart of Your Divine Son, Jesus. Your Holy Saint, Blessed Rita of Cascia was endlessly devoted to His Sacred Heart and His Holy Cross. By Her intercession, may we aspire to these devotions and a life of humility, patience and purity. We pray all these things, Father, in the Holy Name of Your Son, Jesus, for the intercession of Blessed St. Rita.
Blessed St. Rita, Pray for us Always.
Amen.
Nihil Obstat: Ryan B. Browning, S.T.L. [Censor Librorum]
Imprimatur: + David J. Malloy, D.D., J .C.L., S.T.D. [Bishop of Rockford]
Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, also called the Divine Mercy Chaplet, is a Christian devotion to the Divine Mercy, based on the Christological apparitions of Jesus reported by Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized by Pope St. John Paul II as a Saint in 2000.
St. Faustina stated that she received the prayer through visions and conversations with Jesus, who made specific promises regarding the recitation of the prayers. Her diary, which thousands upon thousands have read, details these visions and conversations. The chaplet is often said as a rosary-based prayer with the use of rosary.
St. Faustina stated that she received the prayer through visions and conversations with Jesus, who made specific promises regarding the recitation of the prayers. Her diary, which thousands upon thousands have read, details these visions and conversations. The chaplet is often said as a rosary-based prayer with the use of rosary.
More Prayers and Devotions...
