Prayers for the Autumn Term
The Beginning of the School Year
A Prayer for Students
Lord, Our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. Send your spirit upon us students, and fill us with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that we may devote ourselves to our studies and draw ever closer to You, the source of all knowledge. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Staff
Lord God, your spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways. Look upon us teachers. Let us strive to share our knowledge with gentle patience and endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds. Grant that we may follow Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, forever and ever.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
O Father, in the shadow of the Cross, we seek Your strength to carry our burdens.
May the sacrifice of Your Son empower us in our trials and tribulations.
Grant us the courage to face our challenges with faith, and let the love poured out from Calvary fill our hearts, guiding us to live boldly in Your grace.
Amen.
The Feast of St. Mathew (21st September)
O Glorious St. Matthew,
through the grace of God
our Father, you gave us
the Holy Gospel, which
brings us joy and life.
Inspired by your example,
I ask for your assistance
in all my needs.
Help me to follow Christ
and remain faithful to His service.
Amen.
The Feast of St. Vincent de Paul (27th September)
St. Vincent, patron of all charitable associations and father of those who are in misery, come to our assistance.
Obtain from Our Lord, help for the poor, relief for the infirm, consolation for the afflicted, protection for the abandoned, a spirit of generosity for the rich, grace of conversion for sinners, zeal for priests, peace for the Church, tranquility and order for all nations, and salvation for them all.
May we be united in the life to come, by your intercession, and experience joy, gladness, and everlasting happiness. Amen.
Feast of St. Luke (18th October)
Almighty God,
Who called St Luke the Physician,
whose praise is in the Gospel,
to be an Evangelist, and Physician of the soul:
May it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines
of the doctrine delivered by him,
all the diseases of our souls may be healed;
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
All Saints Day (1st November)
Almighty and everlasting God, You gave us Saints so that we can honor You by recognizing Your redemptive work in them. Allow me today to appreciate them for their past merits and their present prayers offered in the sight of Your divine majesty, so that my life too may become an oblation pleasing to You. Amen.
All Souls Day (2nd November)
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Lord we pray that the Church, the mother and head of all churches, gathered in the Lateran Basilica and throughout the world, may always be a true temple of God, built on Christ the cornerstone. Amen.
World Day of Prayer for the Poor (16th November)
God who cannot be bound,
flow into our hearts and minds.
Wear down our resistance to your love
and refresh us with the spirit of your compassion.
Today, as we commit ourselves once more to your work,
we ask you to show us how to hold the needs of your world
at the heart of our lives,
and to celebrate your many gifts with joy.
May your power transform our lives,
may your Spirit set us free,
and may the blessing of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with us all now and for ever,
Amen.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
that we would be close to you
by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.
Beginning of Advent (30th November)
Dear Heavenly Father, as we enter this sacred season of Advent, we seek Your presence and guidance. Help us reflect on the true meaning of this time, preparing our hearts for the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we find moments of stillness to contemplate Your love, grace, and the hope You bring. Open our eyes to the blessings of this season and the opportunities to share Your light with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Day of Prayer for Refugees (3rd December)
God, our beloved Father,
look down with mercy on us and all refugees.
Remember your son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
had to leave his homeland and flee to Egypt,
when he was a baby,
with his mother, Mary,
and foster father, Joseph.
Help us to be aware
of the fears, anxiety, pain, sorrow,
difficulties and uncertainty all refugees suffer,
and to remember that we all belong
to the same human family.
Holy Spirit,
please give us compassion and courage
to help them in any way we can.
Amen.
Feast of St Nicholas (6th December)
O good Saint Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood, of which the Gospel speaks, and teach me to spread happiness around me. You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas, open my faith to the mystery of God made man. Help us to be kind and generous of heart to all, especially those who are alone and in need. Amen.
The Immaculate Conception (8th December)
Pray, O Mother, for all of us.
Pray for humanity for those who suffers poverty and injustice,
violence and hatred, terror and war.
Help us to contemplate with the rosary
the mysteries of Him who “is our peace”,
so that we will all feel involved
in a persevering dedication of service to peace.
Look with special attention
upon the land in which you gave birth to Jesus,
a land that you loved together with Him,
and that is still so sorely tried today.
Pray for us, Mother of hope!
“Give us days of peace, watch over our way.
Let us see your Son as we rejoice in heaven”.
Amen
Prayer for Christmastime
Our Father, as we gather in the spirit of Christmas, we celebrate the gift of Your Son, Jesus. May His light shine in our hearts, filling us with love, peace, and joy. Help us to share this blessing with others, embodying Your grace in every moment of our lives. Amen
Prayers for the Spring Term
The Epiphany of the Lord (6th January)
Dear Jesus, as You led the Three Kings to You by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to You by the light of Faith. Help us to desire You as ardently as they did. Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles that keep us far from You. Amen.
The Baptism of the Lord
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed Him to be Your Son, anointing Him with the Holy Spirit: grant that we may be faithful to our call as Children of God, listening to you, guided by Your Spirit, to fulfill our unique and definite purpose. Amen
Prayers for Christian Unity (18-25th January)
Loving God, In this fractured world we are called to be instruments of unity. We are called to be a people of prayer, and during this season we pray for greater unity within and between churches, and between Christians of all traditions. Bless us with love for each for each other, with a desire to understand our differences and to live in peace and harmony together. Be with Christians around the world as we pray together that all may be one so that the world may believe. In the name of your son Jesus, Amen.
Presentation of the Lord (2nd February)
Heavenly Father, on this Feast of the Presentation of Christ, I recall the gift Mary and Joseph gave to the world by offering baby Jesus to You in the temple.
I offer up to You all the children in my family.
I place them into Your perfect will and I turn their futures over to You.
Help me to let go of my ideas of what they should do with their lives, and show me how to guide them into the purposes for which You created them. Help me to learn from the example of the Blessed Mother, whose heart was pierced by the sword of her Son’s pain, how to always trust in Your plans. Holy Family, pray for us.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes (11th February)
Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.
Ash Wednesday
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Beginning of Lent
Dear God, as I begin this season of Lent, I ask for a renewed faith in Your promises. Strengthen my trust in You and help me focus on Your love and guidance throughout these 40 days. May this journey lead me to a deeper connection with You. Amen.
The Feast of St. David (1st March)
God our Father, you gave Saint David to the people of Wales to uphold the faith: encouraged by his example, may we joyfully hold fast to the things which lead to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever.
Mother’s Day Prayer
On this special day dedicated to mothers, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and love. We thank You for the precious gift of motherhood and for the women who have embraced this calling with faith and devotion.
Feast of St. Patrick (17th March)
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.
Feast of St. Joseph (19th March)
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
The Feast of the Annunciation
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Word,
You became Incarnate as man in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You, through whom the universe was created,
Began your earthly course in the womb of a humble and chaste Virgin.
At the annunciation of this miracle,
Mary responded in faith: “let it be done to me according to your word.”
May we, who are made new creatures by your grace,
Respond with such faith when you call us to your service.
Amen.
Prayer for Holy Week
Lord God, I give you thanks, at the start of this holy week, this week to remember Jesus’ passion and death, and I am distracted by many things. Turn my eyes now to the One who comes in your name, the one who opens the gates of righteousness, the one who answers when we call. Thank you for shining your light upon me, and for sending your Son to us, in human frailty, to walk the road we walk. Open my eyes that I may see him coming, and may praise him with a pure heart, and may walk in the way of his suffering, and share also in his resurrection. Amen.
Prayer for Easter
“Heavenly Father, our hearts are so full of joy today. You feel so near to us on this most special celebration of Easter. May the love we feel this morning stay with us the rest of the day and always. Amen.”
Prayers for the Summer Term
Prayer for St. George’s Day (23rd April)
God of hosts,
who so kindled the flame of love
in the heart of your servant George
that he bore witness to the risen Lord
by his life and by his death:
give us the same faith and power of love
that we who rejoice in his triumphs
may come to share with him
the fullness of the resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (1st May)
St. Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support. Amen
The Ascension
God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and our hope.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Vocations Sunday
Loving God, you call all who believe in you to service in your Church. We ask that you inspire young people to choose the way of life that you have planned for them. Help them to respond generously and courageously to your call. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Diocesan Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians (18th May)
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
to thee we entrust our needs and petitions.
Be our refuge in every danger,
our comfort in every sorrow,
and our guide on the path of holiness.
Obtain for us through thy intercession
the grace to persevere in faith and charity,
so that, under thy maternal care,
we may reach the joy of eternal life.
Amen.
Most Holy Trinity
O Most Holy Trinity, Almighty God, we adore You, who give life and vigor to every creature and who shed light eternal where there is darkness. We offer you our hearts, our souls, and our whole being, today and on the days to come, that we may offer perfect praise and love to your glorious Name. Amen
Mary, Mother of the Church (9th June)
Mother, Help our Faith,
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord.
Christ, Eternal High Priest
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest,
You offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the Cross
and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
gave Your priestly people a share in Your redeeming sacrifice.
Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests.
Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood
may be ever more conformed to You, the Divine Master.
May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience.
Let them be shepherds according to Your own Heart,
single-minded in service to You and to the Church
and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life.
Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother and ours,
draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care
to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Father’s Day (15th June)
Father God, We pray today for the health and well-being of our fathers and father figures. We know that life on this side of heaven is quite fragile in truth, but we also know that You have precise and perfect timing set out for each day of our lives. Please grant the men that hold such important roles in our lives good health.
May their bodies be strong, and may their spiritual hearts grow even stronger with each passing day as they grow closer to You. Please bless them with long and vivacious years, full of beautiful memories. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Nativity of John the Baptist (24th June)
Almighty God, by Whose providence Your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of Your Son, our Savior, by preaching repentance:
Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Saints Peter and Paul
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God,
that we may be sustained
by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul,
that, as through them you gave your Church
the foundations of her heavenly office,
so through them you may help her to eternal salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
