The nine days of prayer January 25 (Jan. 24 at sundown) ending February 2.
Prayer Intention: That the Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More, Toronto, Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, may evangelize many with the
message of the Good News of the Real Presence and Mercy of Christ in the midst
of the city, purifying souls for service to God and one another under the
Divine Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and with the prayers of Our Lady of
Walsingham, St. Peter, St. John the Baptist, St. Thomas More, St. Edmund
Campion and Blessed John Henry Newman.
Daily Prayers – The Presentation of
the Lord (Candlemas)
At
the end of the prayer for each of the nine days recite the following prayers.
Lord
Jesus, Who went up to the Temple as a child, grant us to know Thy presence and
mercy in our lives and in our community so that we may declare the Good News of
Thy love for all.
O
Blessed Mother of God, who went up to the Temple according to the law with
thine offering of little white doves, pray for us that we too may keep the law
and be pure in heart like thee.
Three
Hail Marys, Our Father and Glory be to the Father,
First Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us
and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon the trust which we place
in Thine infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Thy Most
Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of Thee by
Thy love, which unites Thee to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
O omnipotence of Divine Mercy, salvation of the sinful, Thou art a sea
of mercy and compassion and aid those who entreat Thee with humility.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon all humanity and especially
upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For
the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us Thy mercy, by the grace of Thy Holy
Spirit that we may praise the omnipotence of Thy love forever and ever. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Second Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Thy
grace in us, that we may perform worthy works of mercy, and that all who see us
may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
The fountain of God's love dwells in pure hearts, bathed in the Sea of
Mercy, radiant as stars, bright as the dawn.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones
in Thy vineyard, upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with
the strength of Thy blessing. For the love of the Sacred Heart of Thy Son, in
which they are enfolded, impart to them through Thy Holy Spirit, Thy power and
light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation, and with
one voice sing praise to Thy boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Third Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Thy mercy, impart Thy graces
in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate
Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of Thee by that most
wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Thy Heart burns so fiercely.
Thy miracles of mercy are impenetrable. Neither the sinner nor just one
will fathom them. O Lord, cast upon us the eye of Thy pity; draw us all closer to Thy love.
Eternal Father, graciously turn Thy merciful gaze upon faithful souls,
as upon the inheritance of Thy Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
grant them Thy blessing and surround them with constant protection. May they
never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith; but rather, with all
the hosts of Angels and Saints and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, may they
glorify Thy boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Fourth Day:
Most Compassionate Jesus, Thou art the Light of the whole world. Receive
into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans and
unbelievers who as yet do not know Thee. Let the rays of Thy grace enlighten
them that they, too, together with us, may extol Thy wonderful mercy; and do
not let them escape from the abode of Thy Most Compassionate Heart.
May the light of Thy love enlighten the souls in darkness; Grant that these
souls will know Thee and, together with us, praise Thy mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon the souls of all unbelievers
and of those who as yet do not know Thee, but who are enclosed in the Most
Compassionate Heart of Jesus. By the grace of the Holy Spirit draw them to the
light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love
Thee. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Thy mercy for endless
ages. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple
Fifth Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, Thou art Goodness itself, do not refuse light to
those who seek it of Thee. Receive into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate
Heart the souls of heretics and schismatics. Draw them by Thy light into the
unity of the Church, and do not let them escape the abode of Thy Most
Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, may come to adore the
generosity of Thy mercy.
Even for those who have torn the garment of Thy unity, a fount of mercy
flows from Thy Heart. The omnipotence of Thy mercy, O God, can lead these souls
out of error.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon the souls of heretics and
schismatics, who have squandered Thy blessings and misused Thy graces by
obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon
the love of Thine own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for
their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit may they glorify Thy great mercy
for endless ages. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Sixth Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, who said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and
humble of heart" receive into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate Heart
all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls bring
joy to heaven; they are beloved of the heavenly Father. They are a
sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God. God takes delight in their
fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Thy Most Compassionate Heart,
O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of Thy love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and
upon the souls of little children, who are enfolded in Thine abode, which is
the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance
to Thy Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Thy throne. Father
of mercy and of all goodness, we beg Thee by Thy Holy Spirit and Thy love for
these souls, Thy delight: bless the whole world, that all together may sing the
praises of Thy mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Seventh Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, Whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode
of Thy Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and
venerate the greatness of Thy mercy. These souls are mighty with the power of
God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward,
confident of Thy mercy. These souls are united to Jesus and carry humanity on
their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, because Thy mercy
will embrace them as they depart from this life.
A soul who praises the goodness of her Lord is always close to the
living fountain and draws graces from Mercy Divine.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and
venerate Thy greatest attribute, that of Thy fathomless mercy, and who are
enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living
Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their spirit, overflowing
with joy, sings a canticle of mercy to Thee, O Most High! We beg Thee O God,
the Holy Spirit: Show them Thy mercy according to the hope and trust they have
placed in Thee. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus: to
defend as His own glory, during their lifetime, and especially at the hour of
their death, those souls who venerate His fathomless mercy by the grace of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Eighth Day:
Most Merciful Jesus, we bring into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate
Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to Thee, and yet, who
must make retribution to justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which
gushed forth from Thy Heart cool the flames of the purifying fire of love so
that the power of Thy perfect mercy with justice may be praised.
From the heat of the cleansing fire rises a plaint to Thy mercy, and
they receive comfort, refreshment, relief in the stream of Blood and Water into
which we are baptized.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon the souls in Purgatory, who
are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. We beg Thee, by the
sorrowful Passion of Jesus Thy Son, and by all the bitterness with which His
most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Thy mercy to the souls who are under just
scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Thy
dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to the
goodness and compassion of Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
Ninth Day:
Most compassionate Jesus, Thou art Compassion Itself. We bring lukewarm
souls into the abode of Thy Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Thy pure
love let these tepid souls, so filled with loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the
omnipotence of Thy mercy and draw them into the ardor of Thy love; and
bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Thy power.
Fire and ice cannot be joined; either the fire dies, or the ice melts but
Thy mercy, O God, makes up for all that is lacking.
Eternal Father, turn Thy merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls, who are
nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. O Holy Spirit,
we beg Thee by the bitter Passion of Jesus and by
His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Thy
mercy. Amen.
Recite the Prayers for
the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
