December
3
Saint Francis Xavier, priest
O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier
Won many people to yourself,
Grant that the hearts of the faithful
May burn with the same zeal for the faith
And that the Holy Church may everywhere rejoice
In an abundance of offspring.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
4
Saint John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church
Grant, we pray, o Lord,
That we may be helped by the prayers
Of the Priest Saint John Damascene,
So that the true faith,
Which he excelled in teaching
May always be our light and our strength.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
6
Saint Nicholas, bishop
We humbly implore your mercy, Lord:
Protect us in all dangers
Through the prayers of the Bishop Saint Nicholas,
That the way of salvation may lie open before us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
7
Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose
A teach of the Catholic faith
And a model of apostolic courage
Raise up in your church men after your own heart
To govern her with courage and wisdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
8
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
Grant, we pray,
That, as you preserved her from every stain
By virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,
So, through her intercession,
We too may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
9
Saint John Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
O God, who by means of Saint Juan Diego showed
The love of the most holy Virgin Mary for your people,
Grant, through his intercession,
That, by following the counsels
Our Mother gave at Guadalupe,
We may be ever constant in fulfilling your will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
11
Saint Damasus I, Pope
Grant, we pray, o Lord,
That we may constantly exalt the merits of your Martyrs,
Who Pope Saint Damasus so venerated and loved.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
12
Our Lady of Guadalupe
O God, Father of mercies,
Who placed your people under the singular protection
Of your Son’s most holy Mother,
Grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe,
May seek with ever more lively faith
The progress of peoples in the ways of justice and of peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
13
Saint Lucy
May the glorious intercession
Of the Virgin and Martyr saint Lucy
Give us new heart, we pray, O Lord,
So that we may celebrate her heavenly birthday
In this present age
And so behold things eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
14
Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
O God, who gave the Priest Saint John
An outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial
And love of the Cross,
Grant that, by imitating him closely at all times,
We may come to contemplate eternal your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
21
Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church
O God, who for the defense of the Catholic Faith
Made the priest Saint Peter Canisius
Strong in virtue and in learning,
Grant through his intercession,
That those who seek the truth
May joyfully find you, their God,
And that your faithful people
May persevere in confessing you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
23
Saint John of Kanty, priest
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
That by the example of the priest Saint John of Kanty
We may advance in the knowledge of holy things
And, by showing compassion to all,
May gain forgiveness in your sight.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
26
Saint Stephen, the first Martyr
Grant, Lord, we pray,
That we may imitate what we worship,
And so learn to love even our enemies,
For we celebrate the heavenly birthday
Of a man who knew how to pray even for his persecutors.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
27
Saint John apostle and evangelist
O God, who through the blessed Apostle John
Have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word,’
Grant, we pray,
That we may grasp with proper understanding
What he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
28
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
O God, whom the Holy Innocents confessed
And proclaimed on this day,
Not by speaking but by dying,
Grant we pray,
That the faith in you which we confess with our lips
May also speak through our manner of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
29
Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr
O God, who gave the Martyr Saint Thomas Becket,
The courage to give up his life for the sake of justice,
Grant, through his intercession,
That, renouncing our life
For the sake of Christ in this world,
We may find it in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
31
Saint Sylvester I, Pope
Come, o Lord, to the help of your people,
Sustained by the intercession of Pope Saint Sylvester,
So that, running the course of this present life
Under your guidance,
We may happily attain life without end.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.