Prayers & Scriptures

Novena Prayer to Mary, Mother of Carmel
Mary, Mother of Carmel, channel of God’s tenderest mercy
to all who seek your refuge and advocacy,
with confidence I place myself at your feet.
I ask that you guide my efforts
to be open to God’s Word as revealed in the life,
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your Son.
I desire to follow your example of humble submission to God’s will,
even as I now place my needs and desires before you.
(Pause to mention request/need silently.)
I thank you for the many blessings
that I have enjoyed through your intercession on my behalf to your Son.
Continue to be with me in my experiences of joy and sorrow,
my times of challenge and peace
and in all the ordinary moments of my life.
With confidence I ask all in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Patroness of Haiti
Mother of Perpetual Help, today we face so many difficulties. Your picture tells us so much about you. It reminds us to reach out and help those in need. Help us understand that our lives belong to others as much as they belong to us.

Mary, Model of Christian love, we know we cannot heal every ill or solve every problem. But with God’s grace, we intend to do what we can. May we be true witnesses to the world that love for one another really matters. May our daily actions proclaim how fully our lives are modeled after yours, Mother of Perpetual Help.

We come to you today as your loving children. Watch over the people of Haiti and take care of the Little Sisters and Brothers of the Incarnation. As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms, so take them in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment to help them. For God who is mighty has done great things for you. Intercede for them, dear Mother. We ask you for aid, protection and restoration in Haiti and relief from the suffering that has resulted from the earthquake in the country dedicated to your patronage.

Scriptures

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23

Teresa of Avila
Teresa is a Carmelite and Doctor of the Church who gives us a great deal of insight into prayer. Prayer Reflection:

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hand but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion
is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.

For Relatives and Friends:

Eternal God,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body.
Give them peace, comfort and joy.
Give them your constant encouragement
and guide them throughout their lives.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
(Revised from the Roman Missal)

Prayer Requests
We pray for you and your needs in a general, however, we would like to pray for you and your needs and concerns personally. If you wish to share a prayer request with us please contact us.