Franciscan Daughters of Mary

Prayers

 

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We are most grateful to the Lord for the way you love Him through the prayers, assistance and support you give to us.

 

You and your intentions are remembered each day at the sisters morning and evening prayers.

 

May Our Lord Jesus Christ shower you with an abundance of graces and blessings.

 

- Mother Seraphina

Sayings of St. Francis

Preach the Gospel always.
When necessary use words.


It is not fitting,
when one is in God's service,
to have a gloomy face
or a chilling look


Do not seek to have anything under Heaven,
except Holy Poverty,
by which, in this world,
you are nourished by the Lord
with bodily food and virtue,
and, in the next,
will attain a Heavenly Inheritance.


“Whoever wishes to come after Me
must deny himself,
take up his cross,
follow Me.”

Mt 16:24

 

Franciscan Crown Rosary
After each meditation and prayer, pray 1 Our Father and 10 Hail Marys.
The Seven Joys of our Lady
First Joy: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-33):
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Virgin named Mary. The angel said to her: "Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name 'Jesus'" And Mary said: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word."

Let us pray:
Almighty Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, You have revealed the beauty of Your power by exalting the humble Virgin of Nazareth and making her the Mother of Our Savior. May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary bring Jesus to the waiting world and fill the void of completion with the presence of her Child, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Joy: The Visitation (Luke 1:39-47):
Mary set out, proceeding in haste to a town of Judah. She entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out: "Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your Womb. But how is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? Blest are you for trusting that the Lord's words to you would be fulfilled." Then Mary said: "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my Savior".

Let us pray:
Eternal Father, you inspired the Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son, to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need. Keep us open to the working of Your Spirit, and with Mary may we praise You forever. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Third Joy: The Nativity (Luke 2:4-7):
Joseph went from the town of Nazareth to Bethlehem to register with Mary who was with Child. While they were there she gave birth to her First-born son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.

Let us pray:
Father, source of light in every age, the virgin conceived and bore your Son who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace. May her prayer, the gift of a mother's love, be Your people's joy through all ages.
Fourth Joy: The Adoration of the Magi (Matt 2:9-11):
After their audience with King Herod, the Magi set out. The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the Child was. On entering the house, they found the Child with Mary, His Mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Let us pray:
Father of Light, Unchanging God, You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Your light is strong; Your love is near. Lead us to Your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Fifth Joy: The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:43-46):
As Mary and Joseph were returning from Jerusalem at the end of the feast, the Child Jesus remained behind. Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem in search of Him. On the third day they came upon Jesus in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Let us pray:
Father in Heaven, Creator of all, teach us the sanctity of human life, show us the value of family love. Help us to live as the Holy Family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of Your Eternal Home, in the Name of Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.
Sixth Joy: The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-6):
Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the grave, so they went in; but they did not find the body of Jesus.
Suddenly, two men in shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground. The men said: "Why are you looking among the dead for the one who is alive? He is not here; He is Risen from the dead."

Let us pray:
God Our Father, by raising Jesus Christ Your Son, You conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to Eternal Life. Raise us up and renew our lives by the Holy Spirit within. Grant this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Seventh Joy: The Crowning of Our Lady in Heaven (Rev 12:1; Ps 45:14-15):
A great sign appeared in the sky: a Woman clothed with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. A glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God.

Let us pray:
All-powerful and ever-living God, You raised Mary, Mother of Your Son, body and soul to the glory of Heaven. May we see Heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory. We ask this through her Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Conclusion:
After the Seventh Decade, two Hail Marys are added, to make seventy-two in all, the number of Our Lady's years on earth, according to tradition. To this is finally added an Our Father and Hail Mary for church unity and the intentions of all the Bishops and our Superiors.

These Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
may be substituted during penitential seasons and on Friday

First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon about Jesus [Luke 2:25-35].
Second Sorrow: The Holy Family's flight into Egypt [Matt 2:7-15].
Third Sorrow: The Search for Jesus as Lost [Luke 2:41-45].
Fourth Sorrow: The Meeting of the Women of Jerusalem with Jesus carrying the Cross [Luke 23:27-31].
Fifth Sorrow: The Watch of the Mother of Jesus as he dies on the Cross [John 19:23-30].
Sixth Sorrow: The Taking of the Body of Jesus from the Cross [Mark 15:42-46].
Seventh Sorrow: The Burial in the Tomb [John 19:40-42].

Sites with Prayers and Devotions

• National Shrine of Saint Francis
  
• Our Lady of Guadalupe
• St Therese - the little flower A daily reflection
• 
  

 

Prayer of Adoration

We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ,
in all Your Churches throughout the whole world,
and we bless You,
because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
Amen.

Prayer before the Cross

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart,
and give me true faith
certain hope
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord,
that I may carry out
Your Holy and True Command.
Amen.

Prayer of Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is error, truth;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Pater Noster
Pater Noster,
qui es in caelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum.
Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,
sed libera nos a malo.
Amen


Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Your wounds, hide me.
Separated from You, let me never be.
From the evil one, protect me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And close to You, bid me.
That with Your saints I may be
Praising You forever and ever. Amen.

Salve Regina
SALVE, Regina,
mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.
Amen
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And, do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

“Our whole being should be seized with fear,
the whole world should tremble
and Heaven rejoice,
when Christ, Son of the Living God
is present on the altar in the hands of the priest.
What wonderful majesty!
What stupendous condescension!
O sublime humility!
O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the whole universe,
God and the Son of God,
should humble Himself like this
and hide under the form of a little bread,
for our salvation.”
St. Francis of Assisi


“I prayed to the Lord
that He might show me when I am His servant
and when I am not,
for I want to be nothing but His servant.
And now the gracious Lord Himself
in His mercy is giving me this answer;
‘Know that you are in truth My servant
when you think, speak and do things that are holy,”
St. Francis

St. Francis’ Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, O Lady, Holy Queen, Mary, Holy Mother of God: you are the Virgin made Church chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven whom He consecrated with His Most Holy Beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in whom there was and is all fullness of grace and every good.
Hail His Palace!
Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!

And hail all you holy virtues which are poured into the hearts of the faithful through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, that from being unbelievers, you make them faithful to God.
Amen.


Angelus

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary;
W. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, fill of grace…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
W. Be it done unto me according to your word.
Hail Mary, full of grace…
V. And the Word was made flesh;
W. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace…
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
W. That we may be made worthy of the promises of
Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

Regina Coeli   English

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia!
The Son whom you did merit to bear, alleluia!
Has risen as He said, alleluia!
Pray for us to God, alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
W. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia!

Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant that we may obtain through His Virgin Mother, Mary, the joys of eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

St. Francis’ Words to the Priests

Listen to this, my brothers:
If it is right to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary
because she bore Him in her most holy womb;
if St. John the Baptist trembled and was afraid even to touch
Christ’s Sacred Head;
if the tomb where He lay for only a short while is so venerated;
how holy and virtuous and worthy should not a priest be;
he touches Christ with his own hands,
Christ Who is to die now no more but enjoy eternal life and glory ,
upon Whom the angels desire to look (1Pet 1:12).
A priest receives Him in to his heart and mouth
and offers Him to others to be received.

Remember your dignity, then, my priest brothers.
You shall make and keep yourselves holy,
because God is holy (Lev 11:44)..
In this mystery God has honored you above all other human beings,
and so you must love, honor and revere Him more than all others.

St. John Mary Vianney on Priests

“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”
“A good shepherd, a pastor after God’s heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy.”
“O, how great is the priest! … If he realized what he is, he would die… God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at his voice, to be contained within a small host…”