Mary Week 9: The Holy Rosary
Last week we said Totus Tuus. I am all yours. That is a big sentence. The next step is smaller, and you can hold it in your hand.
Saint Christopher: A Frequent Flyer’s Faith
Why I Pray to Saint Christopher! “Eighteen trips in five months.” That’s what my wife blurted out the other day. To say the least, it was astonishing. That’s how often I’ve packed a bag, kissed my wife of 31 years goodbye, and waved to my youngest son (Kevin 2.0) as I walked out the door. […]
Mary Week 8: The Totus Tuus Prayer
Throughout history, saints and popes alike have turned to Mary as their greatest intercessor and guide to Jesus. Among them, Pope Saint John Paul II had one of the most profound Marian devotions, shaping his entire life and papacy. His personal motto, Totus Tuus, meaning “Totally Yours”, was inspired by St. Louis de Montfort’s teachings […]
Mary Week 7: The Sub Tuum Praesidium
Seeking Refuge Under Mary’s Protection with a Prayer of Protection and Trust The Sub Tuum Praesidium is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 3rd century. This ancient invocation was discovered in a Coptic manuscript from Egypt, making it one of the earliest recorded examples of Christian devotion to Mary. […]
Mary Week 6: The Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima
Entrusting Ourselves to Our Lady of Fatima, a Plea for Peace and Conversion The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 remain one of the most profound Marian interventions in history. Appearing to three shepherd children in Portugal, Mary brought a message of prayer, penance, and peace, urging the faithful to turn away from […]
Mary Week 5: The Magnificat
Rejoicing in God’s Blessings, A Prayer of Praise and Trust For week 5, I am going to take a different approach, instead of a prayer to Mother Mary, let’s use one of Her prayers to God as our inspiration. Because one of the greatest lessons we learn from Mary is how to rejoice in God’s […]
Mary Week 4: Reviving the Angelus Tradition
The Angelus: A Prayer of Pause and Reflection Growing up in Ireland, there was only one TV station and one radio station—RTÉ (Radio Telefís Éireann). Because Ireland was a Catholic country, these stations paused broadcasting at noon and 6 PM to play The Angelus. The moment began with the ringing of bells, followed by solemn […]
Mary Week 3: Salve Regina
Seeking kindness in the heart of Mother Mary The Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina) is one of the most beloved Marian prayers, traditionally recited at the end of the Rosary. Its origins trace back to the 11th century and are attributed to Blessed Herman of Reichenau, a Benedictine monk. The prayer expresses deep devotion to […]
Mary Week 2: The Memorare
A Prayer of Trust and Protection The Memorare is one of the most beloved prayers dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The word Memorare is Latin for “Remember,” derived from the opening line of the prayer: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary…” Attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), a French abbot, theologian, and Doctor […]
Mary Week 1: Embracing Childlike Faith
A Mother’s Love: The Foundation of Faith One of my earliest memories dances at the edge of my consciousness, shimmering like sunlight through stained glass. I was barely three or four, clutching a balloon’s string in my tiny fist, my world full of wonder and possibility. My family had taken us to Butlins, a 1960s […]
Angel of God My Guardian
“Angel of God” prayer is a love poem from God. I start my series on Angels, with the most iconic and quite frankly the 1st prayer most children are thought by their parents or school. As a Roman Catholic traditional prayer, it is mostly prayed for as intercession of the guardian angels. I was taught this prayer as a child, […]
Prayer to Saint Thomas Moore
Saint Thomas More: knight, Lord Chancellor of England, author and martyr. Was born in London, 7 February 1477-78 and executed at Tower Hill, 6 July 1535. I love St Thomas Moore because he is my Confirmation saint and when I grew up in Ireland I lived on Thomas More Road in Dublin. He was a […]
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Use a standard rosary but with the following changes: At the cross:Make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. At the 1st bead:Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of […]
Sweet Guest of My Soul
I found this exquisite little prayer in a book called the Raccolta from 1866. Raccolta, which means “collection” in Italian, is a book of prayers sanctioned by the Catholic Church back in 1807. Abbreviated from “Collection of Prayers and good works for which the Supreme Pontiffs have granted Holy indulgences.” I would like to thank […]