Prayers
Vocation Prayer to Mary, Mother of Sorrows
Hail Mary, full of grace, all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
upon hearing the prophecy of Simeon,
a sword pierced your heart.
Comfort those discerning God's call,
that to follow your Son as a Holy Cross priest, brother, or sister
is not just demanding, but joy-filled.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
you made the journey to Egypt with Joseph
to ensure your Son's safety.
Give courage and perseverance to those
who find the journey of discernment unsettling.
Assure them that God will eventually lead them safely home.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
you searched for your Son, Jesus, in the Temple.
Be with those who search for God's truth in their lives.
Lead them to the light of His will.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
on the road to Calvary your eyes of compassion
lovingly looked upon your Son.
Turn your gentle gaze upon those contemplating His footsteps.
May they be inspired by the example and witness
of a "great band of men" in Holy Cross
who walk side by side in their following of the Lord.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
at the foot of the Cross
you witnessed your Son's total giving of self to the Father.
Strengthen those who wish to abandon all in His holy name.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
you lovingly embraced the lifeless body of your Son,
Jesus Christ, after His crucifixion.
Hold close to your heart those in the Congregation
whose vocations suffer from listlessness and apathy.
Hail Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
you were present when Jesus' body was laid in the tomb.
Encourage those discerning religious life in Holy Cross
to lay their fears at the feet of your Son,
confident in the hope and promise of new life.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
may future generations of Holy Cross religious call you blessed.
Amen.
Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
O Sacred Heart of Jesus
to you I consecrate and offer
my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings,
that my entire being may henceforth only be employed
in loving, honoring, and glorifying you.
This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to you,
and to do all for your love, renouncing with my
whole heart all that can displease you.
I take you, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love,
the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation,
the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy,
the reparation for all the defects of my life,
and my secure refuge at the hour of my death.
Most Merciful Heart, by my justification before God the Father,
and protect me from his anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice,
but placing my entire confidence in you, Heart of Love,
I hope all from your infinite goodness.
Cleanse me from all that can displease or resist you.
Imprint your pure love so deeply in my heart that I
may never forget you or be separated from you.
I ask you, through your infinite goodness,
to engrave my name upon your Heart,
for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory,
to live and to die as one of your devoted servants.
Amen.
Prayer of Consecration to St. Joseph
Saint Joseph,
Head of the Holy Family,
God chose you among men
To be the protector of the Christ Child
And the guardian of the Virgin Mary.
To you whom the Church honors as her patron
We joyfully come to consecrate ourselves
And to be your adopted childen.
We feel the great need of you kind protection.
Our weakness and proneness to evil
Would cause us to perish,
But for your protecting arm.
Saint Joseph,
From heaven where you reign with Jesus and Mary,
Look upon us who promise to follow your example.
Grant that, after fulfilling our Christian duties here on earth,
We may have the happiness of dying
With your name and the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips.
Amen.
Prayer of Consecration to Mary
O my Mother and Patroness, Holy Mary,
I deliver myself to your faithful protection and your special care,
now, for every day, and at the hour of my death.
I seek refuge in the bosom of your mercy,
and I entrust my body and soul to you.
I entrust all my hopes and consolations,
all my sufferings and miseries, my life and its end
that through your most holy intercession and your merits,
all my works may be directed and performed
according to your will and that of your Son.
O my Lady! O my Mother!
I wholly offer myself to you, and to give you a proof of my love,
I now consecrate to you my eyes, my mouth, my ears, my heart,
and in a word my whole being.
Since therefore I am yours, O Good Mother,
preserve and defend me as your own possession.
Amen.