For a Single Person
Jesus, my Lord, Who became man and graced us with the beauty of Your life and with the example of faith, purity and love; help me, I pray, to love You with all my mind, heart and soul, and to live according to Your teachings.
Strengthen me when temptations strike, that I may remain pure in thought and steadfast in virtue, doing only things that are pleasing to You. Guide me to live Your will and not my own as I look to the future.
Grant me faith, courage and love, that I may serve You in holiness all the days of my life, through the prayers of the Mother of God and of all the Saints. Amen.
For a Married Person
O merciful God, we beseech You ever to remind us that marriage is holy, and that we must keep it so. Grant us Your grace, that we may continue in faithfulness and love. Increase in us the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, forgiveness and peace; that no resentment, quarrel or strife may come between us. Grant us to see our own faults and not to judge one another. Keep our bond of love always new. Gladden our lives with joy, so that with one heart we may praise You. Finally, by Your mercy, count us worthy of everlasting life, for You are our sanctification and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
Parents’ Prayer For Children
O Holy Father, eternal God, from Whom all goodness and blessings flow, I humbly pray to You for my children.
Preserve them in Your grace to the end of their lives and sanctify them, that Your name be glorified in them.
Guide me also by Your grace that I may raise my children for the glory of Your holy name and for the service of others.
Grant me the necessary means to this end, together with patience and fortitude.
Lord, enlighten them with the light of Your Wisdom that they may learn to love You with all their heart, soul and mind. Instill in their hearts a fear of evil so that their ways may be without sin. Adorn their souls with Your virtues that they may prosper in holiness and grow in Your favour. May their guardian angels ever be with them and protect them. And if at any time they should sin against You, do not turn away from them, but be merciful to them and awaken in them the spirit of contrition.
Give them the goodness of the earth and everything necessary for eternal salvation. Protect them from misfortune, anger, privation, and from the snares of the devil all the days of their lives.
O Lord, grant me joy and happiness in my children. Enable me to appear with them at Your awesome Judgment and there, without fear, to say: “Here I am, Lord, with the children You have given me.” That, together with them, praising Your great goodness and eternal love, I may glorify Your most holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
Child’s Prayer for Parents
O Lord and Saviour, You have taught us to honour our fathers and mothers, and to show love and obedience to them.
From the depths of my heart, I fervently pray to You, beloved Jesus, my God, hear my prayer. Bless my parents who have raised me with the help of Your grace. Protect them from all evil, harm and sickness. Grant them faith, health and joy.
Bless all their works that they may honour You all the days of their lives. Amen.
When a Child is Born
Lord and Saviour, born of the holy Mother of God and placed in a manger as an infant, I (we) thank You for the birth of this child and for the joy of a new person coming into the world. Bless and protect [him/her], for You have brought [him/her] into being. You have shown to [him/her] the physical light of day. Grant that in due time [he/she] may be made worthy of the spiritual light of Baptism and be counted among Your holy flock. For You, Lord, are our life and light, and to You I (we) give praise and glory for ever. Amen.
A Mother’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
Father, through Jesus Christ my Saviour, that You have graciously brought me through the hours of labour and birth and have given me this child. I accept this child, O Lord, as a gift of trust from You. Let Your goodness and mercy be upon us. Keep us in Your protection. Restore me to the strength that I may properly care for my baby. Grant me wisdom by Your Holy Spirit that I may teach my child to love and serve You according to Your Holy Word. Graciously receive this little one into Your kingdom through the Mystery of Holy Baptism; and let it be Yours in time and eternity. Amen.