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The seven sacraments

Prayers for the Sacraments

A prayer for each of the sacraments: to prepare for them, to receive them well, and to live them afterwards.

Baptism

A Renewal of Baptismal Vows

A private devotion, not the liturgical rite: a way to renew the promises made at Baptism.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God, I mourn and lament my most sinful neglect of the sacred promise and vow which was made in my name at my Baptism. I lament my long-continued transgressions, my ingratitude, my coldness and hardness of heart. O Lord, Who art the great Searcher of hearts, and from whom no secrets are hid, in Thy presence I do most freely, fully, and unfeignedly, from henceforth and for evermore, repent of and renounce all my sins; I resolve, to the utmost of the power Thou givest me, to resist all the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh, so that I may never willingly be led by them. I do firmly believe, and will, by Thy help, continue in the belief of all the Articles of the Christian Faith; and I am resolved, in all sincerity of heart, to keep Thy holy Will and Commandments, and to persevere, through the help of Thy grace, to the end of my life. Enlighten and strengthen me, O God, by Thy Holy Spirit, to perform this my vow and covenant. Preserve me as a living and faithful Member of Thy Church, a dutiful and dear child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven; that through Thy mercy I may in Thy good time obtain the end of my faith, even the salvation of my soul. Amen.

A Manual of Prayers (1898) · pp. 410–411 ↗

Confirmation

Come, Holy Spirit

The short invocation of the Holy Spirit, the gift of Confirmation.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Traditional English text · Compare: The Raccolta (1910) · pp. 31–32 ↗

The Eucharist

A Spiritual Communion

For when you cannot receive Holy Communion: a prayer of desire for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

From St. Alphonsus Liguori, in the Raccolta (1910); the wording here differs.

Penance

Prayer before Confession

Said before going to Confession, after the examination of conscience.

Accept my Confession, O most loving, most gracious Lord Jesus Christ, on whom alone my soul trusts for salvation. Grant me, I beseech Thee, contrition of heart, and give tears to mine eyes, that I may sorrow deeply for all my sins with humility and sincerity of heart. O good Jesus, Saviour of the world, who gavest Thyself to the death of the Cross to save sinners, look on me, a miserable sinner who calls upon Thy name. Spare me, Thou that art my Saviour, and pity my sinful soul; loose its chains, heal its sores. Lord Jesus, I desire Thee, I seek Thee, I long for Thee; show me the light of Thy countenance, and I shall be saved; send forth Thy light and Thy truth into my soul, to show me fully all the sins and shortcomings which I must still confess, and to aid and teach me to lay them bare without reserve and with a contrite heart; O Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. O most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, intercede for me with Him. Obtain for me the full remission of my sins, and perfect amendment of life, to the salvation of my soul and the glory of His name. Amen. I implore the same grace of thee, O my Angel Guardian; of you, my holy Patrons, N. N.; of you, O blessed Peter and holy Magdalen, and of all the Saints of God. Intercede for me a sinner, repenting of my sins, firmly resolving to confess them, and to avoid them for the future. Amen.

A Manual of Prayers (1898) · p. 284 ↗

The Act of Contrition

Said in the confessional after the penance is given.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Traditional English text · Compare: Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (1921) · p. 6 ↗

Anointing of the Sick

A Prayer in Sickness

For the sick, and for those who care for them.

Lord Jesus, you bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Look with love on me (or on your servant) in this time of weakness. Ease all pain, calm every fear, and fill this heart with your peace. Into your hands I commend my body and soul. Amen.

Written for CatholicFides.

Holy Orders

A Prayer for Vocations

For priests, and for those discerning a call.

Lord of the harvest, send laborers into your harvest. Raise up among us men generous enough to follow you as priests and deacons. Give those you call the courage to answer, and give us all the grace to support them. Amen.

Written for CatholicFides.

Matrimony

A Prayer for Married Couples

For husbands and wives, prayed together.

Lord Jesus, grant that we may love one another as you have loved us. Make our bond faithful and fruitful, our home a place of peace, and our love a sign of your own. Keep us close to you and to each other all the days of our life. Amen.

Written for CatholicFides.

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