Prayers & Inspirational

Below are prayers and quotes attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.

He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4.
Source: St. Francis of Assisi

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”

“A real friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have received--only what you have given.”

“True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.”

“Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change,
he courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”

“If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”

“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

“When you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

“Nor did demons crucify Him; it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.”

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc,
et in hora mortis nostrae.

Amen!

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.

(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying)

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

Source: "EWTN"

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Source: "EWTN"

This prayer was recited by Fr. Draper and the parish on October 31st and is reprinted here as a matter of record and for your convenience.

"Say this prayer faithfully, no matter how you feel. When you come to the point where you sincerely mean each word with all your heart, Jesus will change your whole life in a very special way. You will see!"
---Fr. Andrew Draper, T.O.R.

"The Miracle Prayer"

Lord Jesus, I come before You just as I am. I am sorry for my sins. I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your name I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give You my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever. I invite You into my life Jesus. I accept you as my Lord, God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit.

Come, Lord Jesus, cover me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I love You, Lord Jesus. I praise You, Jesus. I thank You, Jesus. I shall follow You every day of my life. Amen.

Mary, my mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all you angels and saints, please help me. Amen.

Acknowledgements and for further interest:

Website: http://frrookeyicm.org/the_miracle_prayer

Click here to listen to the Miracle Prayer recited by Father Rookey in MP3 format!

Images- Upper: Oil Painting of Father Rookey, by Andre Durand
Lower: www.frrookeyicm.org. home page