|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 2:59 pm
The [real] Confiteor I confess to Almighty God,
to blessed Mary, ever virgin,
to blessed Michael the Archangel,
to blessed John the Baptist,
to the holy apostles Peter and Paul,
and to all the angels and saints,
that I have sinned exceedingly,
in thought, word and deed:
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
blessed Michael the Archangel,
blessed John the Baptist,
the holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
all the Saints, and you, Father,
to pray to the Lord our God for me.
Amen.OR (for those of you who prefer shortcuts -_- *coughs* modernists *coughs*) I confess to Almighty God
And to you my brothers and sisters,
That I have sinned through my own fault,
In my thoughts and in my words,
In what I have done, and what I have failed to do.
I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin,
And all the angels and saints,
And you, my brothers and sisters,
To pray for me to the Lord our God.
Amen.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:47 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:46 pm
I was introduced to this one in RCIA--I like it because it's so humble and honest.
~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in face please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
-Thomas Merton, "Thoughts on Solitude"
~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:12 pm
Here's a really eye-opening self-assessment on prayer I was given, also from my RCIA. Widen your internet window if you don't have four columns below the instructions.
~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~ : : ~*+*~
Find your spiritual pathway
Instructions:
1. There are four words in each row across - choose the word that is most descriptive of you here and now (not what you would like to be someday), and circle the "5" in front of that word.
2. Pick the word that is least desciptive of you here and now, and circle the "1" in front of that word.
3. Circle the "3" next to the second most descriptive word and the "2" next to the third most descriptive.
4. Do the same for each row.
When you are finished, total up the circled numbers in each vertical column and write the sum in the box below each column.
6. The highes score represents your preferred spiritual pathway (in the explanations at the bottom half of the assessment, below the column totals).
5321 independent ... 5321 compassionate 5321 spontaneous . 5321 factual
5321 logical ............. 5321 creative .......... 5321 adventurous ... 5321 thorough
5321 straightforward 5321empathetic .... 5321 adaptable ....... 5321 systematic
5321 visionary ........ 5321 idealistic ......... 5321 self-determined 5321 dependable
5321 demanding ..... 5321 committed ...... 5321 observant ...... 5321 organized
5321 speculative ..... 5321 curious ........... 5321 enthusiastic .... 5321 realistic
5321 original .......... 5321 expressive ....... 5321 playful ........... 5321 loyal
5321 challenging .... 5321 perceptive ........ 5321 vivacious ....... 5321 responsible
5321 clever ............ 5321 friendly ............ 5321 excited ........... 5321 traditional
5321 questioning .... 5321 imaginative .... 5321 tolerant .......... 5321 detailed
5321 decisive .......... 5321 personable ..... 5321 fun loving ....... 5321 devoted
5321 tough ............. 5321 verbal ............. 5321 pragmatic ....... 5321 conscientious
5321 strategic ......... 5321 concerned ...... 5321 risk taker ....... 5321 reliable
5321 change agent .. 5321 supportive ...... 5321 troubleshooter 5321 consistent
_____ total column 1 _____ total column 2 _____ total column 3 ____total column 4
I'll put the meaning of your scores in the following posts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:18 pm
Column 1: Path of Intellect - Thomistic prayer
About 12% of the population follows this path, using the syllogistic method of Saint Thomas Aquinas known as Scholastic prayer. The main emphasis is on orderly progression of thought from cause to effect.
People of this prayer type prefer neat, orderly forms of the spiritual life, as opposed to the free-spirit, impulsive attitude of the Franciscan approach. Their spirituality is centered on the earnest pursuit of all the transcendental values: truth, goodness, beauty, unity, love, life, and spirit. Like Saint Teresa of Avila, they are willing to exert superhuman effort to achieve their goal.
Because of their disdain for second best, they seek total truth and authenticity in their lives and work hard to reach the whole truth about themselves, about God, and about sanctity. This intense pursuit of truth colors their whole spiritual life.
Book of prayer frequently call the Thomistic method of prayer "discursive meditation." In this type of prayer, one takes a virtue or fault or theological truth and studies it from every possible angle.
Change of behavior is an essential part of this prayer - it doesn't stay at the intellectual level. There is generally a bias against this type of prayer today because it was so much in vogue before Vatican II.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:24 pm
Column 2: Path of devotion - Augustinian prayer
The majority of saints are of this spiritual temperament, as well as 12% percent of the population (but half of those who go on retreats or belong to small faith groups).
This method uses creative imagination to transpose the world of scripture to our situation today - as if the scripture passage is a personal letter from God addresed to each one of us (like Saint Augustine picking up Romans 13 and reading a message pointed directly at him).
The essential element of this spirituality, going back to New Testament times (Jesus, Saint Paul, the early Church fathers), is experiencing a personal relationship with God. Because they read between the lines and catch what is inexpressible and spiritual, those who follow the path of devotion best understand symbols and their use in the liturgy.
This path concentrates on meditations that loosen the feelings and expand the ability to relate to and love others. The stress is on the love of self, others, and God.
Those on this path can follow the four steps of the Lectio Divina: listen to what God says in scripture; reflect prayerfully and apply it to today; respond to God's word with personal feelings; remain quiet and stay open to new insights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:29 pm
Column 3: Path of service - Franciscan prayer
About 38% of the population are this spiritual type - but far fewer of this type come to church regularly.
Like Saint Francis of Assisi, those who follow the path must be free, unconfined, and able to do whatever their inner spirit moves them to do. They don't like to be tied down by rules.
One thinks of Saint Peter impetuously jumping into the water to join Jesus as a typical action of this type.
Franciscan spirituality leads to acts of loving service, which can be a most effective form of prayer. The gospel stories of Jesus have a special appeal, particularly the Incarnation of God in the life of Jesus, which is the center around which Franciscan life and spirituality revolve.
Franciscan prayer is flexible and free-flowing, making full use of the five senses, and it is spirit-filled prayer. Those on this path can make a meditation on the beauty of a waterfall, flower, meadow, mountain, or ocean - all of God's creation.
There is more stress in prayer on the events of Jesus' life than on his teaching. Like Saint Therese of Lisieux, prayer is done with total concentration - as if this is the most important thing to be doing this moment. Therese did all tasks knowing that each was a part of the total harmony of the universe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:36 pm
Column 4: Path of asceticism - Ignation prayer
More than half of churchgoers practice this type of prayer of Saint Ignatious of Loyola. It involves imagining oneself as part of a scene in order to draw some practical fruit from it today.
This spirituality goes back to the Israelite way of praying in 1000 B.C., to remember and immerse oneself in an event, thus reliving and participating in the event in a symbolic way.
This is how Ignatius meditated on the Nativity scene: "I will make myself a poor, little, unworthy servant, and as though present, look upon them, comtemplate them, and serve them in their needs with all possible homage and reverence. Then I will reflect on myself that I may reap some fruit."
His preoccupation with order was evident in his Spiritual Exercises, which, writes Thomas Clarke in Playing in the Gospel, aimed at overcoming "disorderly affections, so that the retreatant mayb make a decision that is in keeping with God's will."
According to Clarke, "Most souls who are willing to endure the discipline of 30 day of intense prayer activity of the Spiritual Exercises are rewarded with an unforgettable spiritual experience that frequently changes the whole direction of their lives."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:32 am
That's pretty cool. ^^
Perhaps you want to make a new thread for that..
(..that -was- menat to be a compliment...)
Devotion to the Five Wounds of Our Lord
Act of Contrition
As I kneel before Thee on the cross, most loving Saviour of my soul, my conscience reproaches me with having nailed Thee to that cross with these hands of mine, as often as I have fallen into mortal sin, wearying Thee with my base ingratitude. My God, my chief and perfect good, worthy of all my love, because Thou hast loaded me with blessings; I cannot now undo my misdeeds, as I would most willingly; but I loathe them, grieving sincerely for having offended Thee, Who art infinite goodness. And now, kneeling at Thy feet, I try, at least, to compassionate Thee, to give Thee thanks, to ask Thee pardon and contrition; wherefore with my heart and lips, I say:
To the Wound of the Left Foot
Holy wound of the left foot of my Jesus, I adore Thee; I compassionate Thee, O Jesus, for the most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for the love whereby Thou laboured to overtake me on the way to ruin, and didst bleed amid the thorns and brambles of my sins. I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, in atonement for my sins, all of which I detest with sincere and bitter contrition.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
To the Wound of the Right Foot
Holy wound of the right foot of my Jesus, I adore Thee; I compassionate Thee, O Jesus, for the most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for that love which pierced Thee with such torture and shedding of blood, in order to punish my wanderings and the guilty pleasures I have granted to my unbridled passions. I offer the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity, and I pray Thee for grace to weep over my sins with hot tears, and to enable me to persevere in the good which I have begun, without ever swerving again from my obedience to the divine commands.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
To the Wound of the Left Hand
Holy wound of the left hand of my Jesus, I adore Thee; I compassionate Thee, O Jesus, for the most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for having in Thy love spared me the scourges and eternal damnation which my sins have merited. I offer to the Eternal Father the pain and love of They most holy humanity: and I pray Thee to teach me how to turn to good account my span of life, and bring forth in it worthy fruits of penance, and to disarm the justice of God, which I have provoked.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
To the Wound of the Right Hand
Holy wound of the right hand of my Jesus, I adore Thee; I compassionate Thee, O Jesus, for the most bitter pain which Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee for Thy graces lavished on me with such love, in spite of all my most perverse obstinacy. I offer to the Eternal Father all the pain and love of Thy most holy humanity; and I pray Thee to change my heart and its affections, and make me do all my actions in accordance with the will of God.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
To the Wound of the Sacred Side
Holy wound in the side of my Jesus, I adore Thee; I compassionate Thee, O Jesus, for the cruel insult Thou didst suffer. I thank Thee, my Jesus, for the love which suffered Thy side and Heart to be pierced, so that the last drops of blood and water might issue forth, making my redemption to overflow. I offer to the Eternal Father this outrage, and the love of Thy most holy humanity, that my soul may enter once for all into that most loving Heart, eager and ready to receive the greatest sinners, and never more depart.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
Amen.
(Sorry about the length.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:41 pm
The Divine Mercy Chaplet
This prayer is composed of five decades, followed by a closing prayer.
Begin each decade with...
Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world.
Then pray ten times for each decade...
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Close by praying three times...
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:20 am
A prayer my Mom taught me:
Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
One often said at family prayer meetings:
Holy Spirit,
we ask for an outpouring of your graces, blessings and gifts,
upon those who do not believe, that they may believe;
Upon those who are doubtful or confused, that they may understand;
Upon those who are lukewarm or indifferent, that they may be transformed;
Upon those who are constantly living in the state of sin, that they may be converted;
Upon those who are weak, that they may be strengthened;
Upon those who are holy, that they may persevere.
Amen.
Also, some of the best prayers can be found in the Psalms. For instance: Psalm 51 is excellent when one seeks forgiveness for wrong-doing. I often go to the Psalms when I cannot find the words to express my needs and thoughts to God.
Here are some others:
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe all the truths that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches; I believe these truths, O Lord, because Thou, the infallible Truth, hast revealed them to her; in this faith I am resolved to live and die. Amen.
Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Thy promises, I hope that, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, Thou wilt grant me pardon of my sins, and the graces necessary to serve Thee in this life and to obtain eternal happiness in the next. Amen
Act of Love
O my God, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things, because Thou art infinitely good and perfect; and I love my neighbour as myself for love of Thee. Grant that I may love Thee more and more in this life, and in the next for all eternity. Amen
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they deserve They dreadful punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ and, most of all, becuase they offend Thine infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never to offend Thee again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin. Amen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:25 am
^^
I like the Acts, but I can never remember them.
I do like interjections, though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:20 am
Neither can I. sweatdrop But then that is what pockets and slips of papers engraved with prayers are for. xd Outside the standard prayers (being the ones said in Mass and the Hail Mary, who I doubt any practicing Catholic could ever forget), the Come Holy Spirit Prayer Mom taught me is the only one I tend to remember. Perhaps because she recited it nearly every night in my childhood?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The old Irish priest at my church, who is now retired, often reminded me that the best prayers are often the simplest: Jesus, I know you're here.. A simple and solid reminder that we are truly never alone. Christ is always with us, His Spirit alive in us. It is a prayer that is easy to say in one's head as one wanders about the place in various activities.
Jesus, I know you're here. Hold me close tonight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:07 pm
Nemithena That's pretty cool. ^^
Perhaps you want to make a new thread for that..
(..that -was- menat to be a compliment...) Yeah I know what you meant ^_^. Thanks Nemi; I think I will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:18 am
one i try to say every morning and its very simple and short:
Lord,
Help me to remember that nothing will happen to me today that you and I together cant handle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
