Daily Exercises for Various States in Life.

Prayer of Married Persons.

    O God, Who didst institute marriage in paradise, and in the New Law didst raise it to the dignity of a sacrament, and Who hast called me, as I hope, thereto, I pray Thee give me grace to live therein peacefully and humbly, to suffer patiently all afflictions and trials that befall me, to rear my children piously, according to Thy will and commandments, to train the members of my family to devotion, and to banish from my house what ever is scandalous, that in and through us Thy name may be praised. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.

Prayer of a Farm-hand.

    O almighty, eternal God, Who, for the disobedience of our first parents, didst curse the earth that it brought forth thistles and thorns, Who hast said that in the sweat of our brow we should eat our bread, who hast laid it upon me for my own and for my neighbor's sustenance to cultivate the land in the sweat of my brow, I give myself to Thy divine will, and offer Thee all my bodily acts, in union with those done by my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, while He walked upon earth; I offer Thee my labor in thanksgiving for all the benefits which I have received, in satisfaction for my sins, and, finally, to obtain eternal life. Amen.

Prayer of a Servant.

    My Lord Jesus, Who didst leave the bosom of Thy heavenly Father and come into this world, not that Thou mightest be served, but to serve others, to leave us an example of humility, since it has pleased Thee to give me such station that after Thy example I should serve others, I give myself to Thy will, and will serve others as if I were serving Thee, that with the humble I may one day be exalted in heaven, and for reward receive Thee Thyself. Amen.

Prayer of a Child.

    My Lord Jesus, Who didst become a little child, and as an example for me didst grow in wisdom, years, and favor with God and man, give me grace that through true faith I may know and love Thee, and walk in the way of justice; show me, I humbly beseech Thee, the way of salvation which Thou hast made ready from eternity, that I may walk in the same by the practice of devotion, and at last come to Thee, O Jesus, Who art eternal life. Amen.

Various Prayers to Be Said with the Sick.

Psalm VI.

    O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy wrath.

    Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.

    And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but Thou, O Lord, how long?

    Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: oh, save me for Thy mercy's sake.

    For there is no one in death, that is mindful of Thee: and who shall confess to Thee in hell?

    I have labored in my groaning, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears.

    My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my enemies.

    Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

    The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.

    Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily.

Prayer for a Happy Death.

    Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee by Thy holy wounds, through which man, born in sin, is born again to eternal life, let those wounds stand open to my afflicted soul when it shall depart from this world, that the prince of darkness may not withstand it, nor the powers of the air terrify it, let Thy holy wounds protect it in the last most dangerous combat, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

How to Suffer Sickness and Death with Merit.

    The sick person should be encouraged by reminding him to unite his pains with those which Christ suffered for us in the garden and on the cross, to submit himself to the will of God, and, if it be His pleasure, to be ready to die.

    It is highly meritorious to be resigned to die according to the will of God, to unite one's death with the death of Christ, and to offer it up as a sacrifice for one's sins, and in thanksgiving for mercies received, to add thereby to one's merits in heaven.

Prayer.

    O Lord Jesus, I unite the pains which I now suffer with those which Thou didst suffer in the garden, at the pillar, in the house of Pilate, and on the cross. I also offer up to Thee my death, which I am ready to undergo according to Thy will, for my sins and for Thy greater glory, and I unite it with Thy holy death endured for me on the cross.

An Act of Faith.

    It is useful to recite in the hearing of the sick the Apostles' Creed, and to ask him afterwards whether he believes it all.

    If the sick person be weak, some good friend should encourage him to make an act of faith in his heart, and should then say:

    I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and in God the Holy Ghost.

    I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I believe that my Redeemer liveth, and that on the last day I shall rise again from the dead.

    For one thing have I besought the Lord, again I desire it, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Act of Hope.

    In Thee, O Lord, I hope, I shall never be confounded. Thou, O Lord, art full of goodness and meekness. Thou art rich in mercy to all that call upon Thee. Whosoever calls upon the name of Jesus shall be saved.

    The Lord loveth all that He hath made, and His mercy is over all His works.

    O God, show me Thy protection, that mine enemies may be confounded at seeing that Thou art my consolation and support.

    Receive my soul into Thy keeping, for to Thee have I been dedicated; deliver, O God, Thy servant, who trusts and hopes only in Thee.

    O Lord, Thou art my helper, my protector, my Redeemer. Lord, my God, delay not to assist me. In God is my strength.

    Why art thou so sad, my soul, and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope in God; I will yet give Him thanks. He is the salvation of my countenance and my God.

Act of Charity.

    I will love Thee, O God, Who art my strength, my refuge, and my Redeemer.

    For Thy glory, my God, I desire to be entirely consumed by this sickness, that so I may be a sacrifice to Thee.

    Blessed art thou, O queen of heaven and earth! Oh, that thy name may be praised and venerated from the rising to the set ting of the sun.

    The sick person must be often reminded to ask forgiveness of all whom he has offended, and to forgive from his heart all who have offended him. St. Augustine, in his last illness, called for the seven penitential psalms, and said them devoutly. For he had been accustomed to say that no one, however piously he might have lived, ought to depart from this world without penance. Every sick person should follow this example and say these psalms, or, in case of being too weak, cause them to be re cited for him by another.

    It is useful to sprinkle the sick at times with holy water.

The Memorare.

    Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

The Salve Regina.

    Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

    V. Make me worthy to praise thee, holy Virgin.

    R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

    V. Blessed be God in His saints.

    R. Amen.

Prayers for Various Occasions.

A Prayer for the Church, the Pope, the Civil Authorities, etc.

    We pray Thee, O almighty and eternal God, Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name.

    We pray Thee, Who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our chief bishop, N., the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His Church; our own bishop [or archbishop], N. [if he is not consecrated, our bishop-elect]; all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

    We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his ad ministration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion, by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy, and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.

    We pray for his Excellency the Governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

    We recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow-citizens throughout the country, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life be admitted to those which are eternal.

    Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed, who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relations, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to the Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

In Any Necessity.

    O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, give ear to the fervent prayers of Thy Church, that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain. Through, etc.

In Any Tribulation.

    O Almighty God, despise not Thy people who cry unto Thee in their affliction, but for the glory of Thy name turn away Thine anger, and help us in our tribulations. Through, etc.

In Time of Famine or Pestilence.

    Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, an answer to our hearty supplications; and, Thy wrath being appeased, turn away from us this famine [or pestilence], that the hearts of men may know that these scourges proceed from Thine anger, and cease by Thy mercy. Through, etc.

For Forgiveness of Sins.

    O God, Who rejectest none that come unto Thee, but in pity art appeased even with the greatest sinners who repent, mercifully regard our prayers in our humiliation, and lighten our hearts, that we may be able to fulfil Thy commandments. Through, etc.

For Heretics and Schismatics.

    O almighty and everlasting God, Who hast compassion on all, and wouldst not that any should perish, favorably look down upon all those who are seduced by the deceit of Satan, that, all heretical impiety being removed, the hearts of such as err may repent, and return to the unity of Thy truth. Through, etc.

For Our Friends.

    O God, Who, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, hast poured into the hearts of Thy faithful the gifts of charity, grant to Thy servants, for whom we implore Thy mercy, health both of body and soul, that they may love Thee with all their strength, and cheerfully perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee. Through, etc.

For the Sick.

    V. Heal Thy servants, O Lord, who are sick, and who put their trust in Thee.

    R. Send them help, O Lord, and comfort them from Thy holy place.

    O almighty and everlasting God, the eternal salvation of them that believe in Thee, hear us in behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we humbly crave the help of Thy mercy, that, their health being restored to them, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Church. Through, etc.

For the Dead.

    O almighty and eternal God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all, whom Thou fore-knowest shall be Thine by faith and good works, we humbly beseech Thee that they for whom we have determined to offer up our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come hath already received them out of their bodies, may, by the clemency of Thy goodness (all Thy saints interceding for them), obtain pardon and full remission of their sins. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

For a Husband or Wife.

    O God, Who hast ordained and sanctified the holy estate of matrimony for replenishing the earth, for mutual consolation, and as a type of the union of Christ and His Church, give me grace both thankfully to accept its blessings, and carefully to fulfil its duties. I beseech Thee continually to bless our union, and to enable us to live together in peace and love, in the faithful discharge of all our duties to Thee and to one another. Deliver us from every evil temper, from every heedless action, which may in any way weaken or embitter the sacredness of that tie by which Thou hast bound us together, and which can never be severed. Make me faithful and affectionate, studious to please, and ready to deny my own will and inclination in all things. Let not the trials and crosses of this life induce me to murmur, nor any earthly blessings cause me to forget Thee, the Author and Giver of all; but by patience and meekness, by prayer and thankfulness, may all things be sanctified unto me, and fit me for eternal union with Thee, through Jesus Christ, etc. Amen.

A Prayer for Parents, for Themselves and for Their Children.

    O Father of mankind, Who hast given unto me these my children, and committed them to my charge, to bring them up for Thee, and to prepare them for everlasting life, assist me with Thy heavenly grace, that I may be able to fulfil this most sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give, and what to withhold; when to reprove, and when to forbear; make me to be gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful; and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and excess of severity; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety; so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the unity of the blessed angels and saints, where Thou, O Father, with Jesus, Thy only-begotten Son, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one God, forever and ever.

    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. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving Thee here, may come to rejoice before Thee hereafter. Through the merits of the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth. Amen.