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Novena to St. Michael the Archangel 

I will add to this novena as we go through it to the Feast of St. Michael

Day 1

But the angel of the Lord said to him, “Peace! Don’t be afraid. You’re not going to die.”

Judges 6:23

“I knew it [was St. Michael] by his speech and by the language of Angels and by what he told me to do that was only good.When I am baffled in some manner, because someone does not wish to credit the things that I speak on the part of God, I retire apart, and I pray to God , complaining that those to whom I speak are hard of belief. My prayer to God finished, I hear a Voice that says to me: ‘Daughter of God, go, go, go; I will aid thee go.’ And when I hear this Voice I have great joy. I would like always to hear it.”

St. Joan Of Arc

St. Michael, so many lives are inhibited or destroyed by fear. Fear keeps us from speaking up, from defending others, from moving forward, from fulfilling our purpose in our lives. Fear stunts our growth, holds back whole nations, and causes violence and hate. Pray for us, St. Michael, that we may have the clarity that comes from God about what we are to do, and in what direction we are created to grow in. May fear never hold us back from what is right.

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense 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, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .

Day 2

Michael is the
Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit,
Who at the end of the World,
will combat and destroy the antichrist,
as he did Lucifer in the beginning

St. Thomas Aquinas

Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.

Daniel 10:13b

St. Michael, when we feel overwhelmed by evil, remind us that you are near, that you are among us, that you shelter us behind your shield and defend us. Pray for us, Prince of the Heavenly Host, that we will never be consumed or overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, with prayer, and with the power of God. Accompany us when we set out to do good, or to face whatever evil we must within and without. May we remain in the grace of Our Lord and under your wings of protection.

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above.

Day 3

May the Lord rebuke you

Jude 1:9

Be angry against iniquity without forgetting your humanity. Do not quench your thirst for revenge even when the criminals have committed atrocities, but rather have as your intention healing the wounds of those sinners.

St. Augustine

St. Michael, the only words we have from you in the Scripture were to Satan, “May the Lord rebuke you.” You didn’t presume to mete out punishment yourself even though you would conquer the evil one someday. You knew everything belongs to God, even rebuking Lucifer himself. When we are carried away with our anger, with the vainglorious need to feel power over our enemies or rejoice in their humiliations, remind us that any vengeance is God’s alone, (Deuteronomy 32:35 ) and only he knows the full truth about anyone. May we consider your humility; and defer to the Lord in all things. Therein lies your glory and ours as well.

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above

Day 4

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

Psalm 91:11

You will need the help of Saint Michael living in this world!

St. Pio

St. Michael, protect and defend us in this world that sometimes feels its unraveling, bringing out the worst in everyone. Protect us from temptations against love, against truth. Protect us from confusion and the kind of doubt that leads us in the wrong direction. Pull us into the shadow of your beautiful wings and keep us close to you. Walk beside us and keep guard over us in dangers of every kind. Keep us on the royal road of prayer and service.

Pray the St. Michael prayer as above

Day 5

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

Exodus 14:14

For it is not by striving with the devil that one gains liberty, but by surrendering oneself entirely into God’s hands.

St. John of the Cross

St. Michael, pray for us when we are in God’s way, trying to confront evil on our own, or when we think force is the answer, even forceful prayers that only make us feel powerful for a moment. Teach us to step aside and allow the Lord to take his part in the fight. Then we can see his will for us. You never do anything apart from him. You never seek anything outside of his will. Let us never be deceived about our lack of self sufficiency, our need for God. With him we will do bravely, and we will conquer all our foes.

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above.

Day 6

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Mark 10:45

If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide those of the needy without waiting for them to ask you. Especially anticipate the needs of those who are ashamed to beg. To make them ask for alms is to make them buy it. 

St. Thomas of Villanova

St. Michael, in his rebellion, Satan declared, “nom servium,” or “I will not serve.” You chose the opposite. “We cannot know if we really love God but we can know if we serve our neighbor.” (Teresa of Avila)

As you are at God’s service by caring for and defending us, let us reflect your own love of God by caring for defending, serving others and in doing so, serving Jesus. Lead us to the next person who needs a kind word, something to eat, a listening heart, a wing to rest beneath. Let us take up your battle cry: “Serviam,” “I will serve!”

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above.

Day 7

To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land,

to deny people their rights before the Most High,

to deprive them of justice — would not the Lord see such things?

Lamentations 3:34-36

St. Michael tells me that I must fight bravely against the infernal enemy. He says he is always near me, and that I must call him often.

St.Gemma Galgani

St. Michael, when we are incredulous at injustice, violence and hate, be near to us. We will never have the strength to even open our mouths without the power of the love of God. Untie from us the ropes of frozen dismay and the trap of constant outrage. Let us glimpse the flash of your sword and the glint of your shield in these moments. Remind us that our armor of God is different than any other armor. Fit us with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness. Ready us with the boots of the Gospel of peace. Hand us the shield of faith, with which we can put out the fiery arrows of the evil one. Place on our heads the helmet of salvation, arm us with the sword of the Spirit, which is the beautiful word of God, (Ephesians 6:10-18) and we will walk beside you, fighting our real enemies; the powers and principalities of darkness, lies, that assail us and make us feel powerless when we are not. We are weak, St. Michael, but the love of God will make us strong. Lead us, therefor, into battle under the banner of love.

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above.

Day 8

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,

you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the presence of the angels I will bless you.

I will adore before your holy temple.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love

which excel all we ever knew of you.

 On the day I called, you answered;

you increased the strength of my soul.

Psalm 138:1-3

“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart.  It is a simple glance directed to Heaven.  It is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy.”

–St. Therese Lisieux

St. Michael, in gratitude may we bless the Lord with you. We set everything aside for the moment to remember the mercies of God toward us. Sometimes we are feeling hopeless or despairing or upset. Remind us in these times to make a little offering at the altar of our hearts; during the sweet incense of gratitude to the Lord who has given us the sun and the moon, the stars, the trees and grass and flowers, the animals, the people we love. We are grateful to you too, St. Michael, for all the times you saved us from danger; times we know about and times we don’t know about yet. For all the times in our lives you have guided us in your secret ways or in ways we understood, for the hope we have that you will triumph in the end. In many ways we know you already do, Prince of the Heavenly Host, and we are grateful. We thank God for giving us so great a friend.

Pray the St. Michael Prayer as above.

Day 9

Let the praise of God be in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hand.

Psalm 149:6

Michael is rightly interpreted as ‘Who is like God?’ And whenever anything is to be done showing great power, Michael is believed to be sent, so that from his action and his name it may be declared that no one can do what God can do.

Pope St. Gregory the Great

St. Michael, even the praise of God from the lips of children and babies defeats the enemy, silences the foe and the rebel, (Psalm 8). Your name is a praise of God. No one can compare to him, no one and nothing can do what God does or be what God is.

Lead us, St. Michael in the praise of God as we come to the end of our novena. May we who have “set our hope on Christ…. live for the praise of his glory.” (See Ephesians 1:12). Fill our hearts with this praise that all creation shares in; all living things, even rivers, rocks, the seas, trees, mountains and hills, meadows and deserts, all bless you, the sky, the wind, the stars and planets, the galaxies, the universe and beyond. You are forever God and King, forever and everywhere.

St. Michael, when we are confronted with evil, trouble or temptation, let us recall your name, “Who is like God?” God to whom we belong forever. Amen

*Let’s join St. Michael now and all the court of heaven in the praises of God in the Te Deum

You are God: we praise you;
You are God: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
Your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
And the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
The eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
You did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
Bought with the price of your own blood,
And bring us with your saints
To glory everlasting.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you.
We praise your name forever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
And we shall never hope in vain

We can end as we have through this novena, with the prayer of St. Michael as above.

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Non-violence: Praying the news of the week September 14, 2025

Opening Invocation

For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 

Deep Focus

 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God… Rather if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:17-21

Jesus you did not use violence. You never hurt anyone. You never struck anyone. You never killed anyone. You did not tolerate injustice, greed, hypocrisy, or untruth. You confronted systemic injustice head on. This is what we are called to do.

This week was a maelstrom of violence; both violent acts and violent speech. It has been hard on nearly everyone, but especially on those who lost loved ones; eleven Venezuelan people at sea struck by an American missile, an influential political figure so divisive the division continues after his death, two children in a Colorado school shot and injured. 

Everyone is wounded. We don’t know what to do anymore. It’s as if a Pandora’s box was opened and a slew of evil spirits of hatred and violence were released, swirling around and between us, causing more and more alienation, anger and confusion. But they have no power over us, because we belong to you. We are not at war with human beings but the powers and principalities of darkness, the spirit of murder, of hate and lies. Sometimes they seem so unstoppable. But it’s not true. There is no truth in them. In your tender compassion, Lord, may the dawn from on high break upon us, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

You are the Friend who we know loves us, all of us.

Let us gather our strength for love and nonviolence from you.

*Spend a quiet moment with Jesus. He is working in his mother’s garden. Join him. What is he doing? See that smile? He is glad you are here. He has something small in hand. He presses it to you heart. What is it? Seeds? A tiny star? A healing warmth? What do you feel?

Other Intercessions/headlines of this week

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18

Lord, you hear the cry of the poor. We often do not. Now they are not only being ignored or disdained, some are being rounded up like criminals or trash. An influential media figure suggested the homeless should be euthanized. He is sorry for what he said. However, it was a a shocking moment, a symptom of something so wrong with us. We pray that you purify our hearts of any part of us that looks down on the poor and unhoused. Help us to truly see them. You said they were you. Every time we see them, we have an opportunity to prove our love to you. Let us be humble in our contact with the people the world pushes aside, remembering we have so much to learn. In public discourse, which they are almost always excluded from, inspire us to speak up for them as you would have us do.

Israel attacked Qatar, continues to starve and bomb Palestinian civilians, and Russia continues to attack Ukraine. What can we do about these horrible things so far away? Bring us with you, Lord, to the foot of the Cross. Allow us to carry your Precious Blood to all who suffer violence and war to bring them healing. We kneel before you, Jesus Crucified, and prostrate ourselves in spirit. We ask you on behalf of for parents who have lost children, for children who have lost their families, for the wounded in hospitals, for the doctors without the medicine and equipment they need to ease pain and save lives, for every frightened child waiting for the next explosion, for peace, for a just and lasting, a true peace. May the bombs stop falling. May there be justice and righteousness. May your mercy pour over all. Never let us accept or normalize genocide or the weaponization of hunger.

We pray for immigrants who are still be rounded up violently and detained without due process in terrible conditions. Lord we pray for their dignity and fair treatment. We pray over our country’s need for a scapegoated group of people, that it will be healed of this so that we can love our brothers and sisters as ourselves; the love you have commanded. Guide us to any actions we must take.

Help us to love those who preach hate, those who accept it, or deny what is happening. Help us to bless and not curse our enemies, to pray for them humbly as you want us to, even as we speak out against what we must. Help us to become better rather than bitter.

We pray for an end to racism; the loud kind, or the unconscious and hidden kind; both in others and in ourselves. Help us who are not people of color to listen to those who are about these issues.

We pray for democracy, for the ideals of our constitution of liberty and justice for all.

We pray for Pope Leo XIV on this, his birthday. Bless him with long life and holiness in his strong and gentle rule over the Catholic Church, in his love for all people.

We pray that all people will grow in mercy and compassion.

“Protect us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day.”

Closing Blessing

Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.    

“With gentle words, tender and kind

Isaiah 40:1a

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense 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,

thrust into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen

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The war against ourselves

St. Teresa of Avila talked about the role of the contemplative as a standard bearer. She described the holder of the guidon of Jesus, of love, as having the one goal to hold the banner high no matter what chaos whirls around him, no matter if he is cut to pieces. If the standard bearer should fall, he must struggle to his feet again to hold high the symbol that urges on those in battle, gives them hope, lets them know their comrades are nearby when their courage flags.

I have thought a lot in the past couple of days about what was wrong with me in the midst of the chaos; meaning the violence of thought word and deed since the public murder of Charlie Kirk. I couldn’t hold the banner so much. It wobbled, as Winnie the Pooh would say of his spelling. It wobbled, shook, slipped as I took in entirely too much of what was going on. I have CPTSD and it’s important for me to guard how much craziness I absorb. Also I am an empath type person. I feel what people are feeling deeply. I don’t know about you but the last couple of days have triggered me badly. I have felt like a microcosm of the macrocosm of horror and rage, of compassion and sympathy, of fear and dread. My fight or flight has been FIGHT as usual. I too want to fill my mouth with argument along with everyone else.

St. Teresa would be the first person to say our real war is against ourselves. she advised us to return again and again to “the room of self knowledge.” Well today I am trying that.

Simeon the Prophet told Mother Mary that a sword would pierce her heart “so that the secret thoughts of many [would] be laid bare (Lk. 2:35). I have thought about that at times of tragedy and reckoning over the last several years. It does seem that the secret thoughts of many are laid bare in the midst of tragedy, of horrific events. Mary’s heart was pierced through by her love and compassion for her Son, and really, for us too. Murder surely pierces her heart. Injustice, people doing harm to one another, these must hurt her terribly. Jesus Crucified by hate. Again and again.

I have had my PTSD triggered by the event itself; a horrible murder. A father and husband with little kids suddenly dead. I lost my first husband in a car accident when my youngest was three months old and my eldest three weeks shy of her fifth birthday. I can hardly stand to think of what Kirk’s widow is going through today and what she will go through in the days, weeks, months, years ahead of her. She will have to watch her children grieve. She will have to be there for them as her world is ending. I can’t imagine people watching video all over the world of my husband dying a gruesome death. I was surprised when the sun still rose the day after my husband died. I watched in shock as the news came on and people went to work and school and drove around as if the sky hadn’t fallen. I feel for her very much.

The secret thoughts of many have been laid bare haven’t they? I’ve been triggered by some of their reactions as well as the original event. Some people have been sanitizing the murdered man as if he had been a saint when he was a rank racist who said things every day that could get people harassed, threatened and endangered and did. His public life was all about hate. Then people I thought were sane are saying his work should be “continued,” (Gavin Newsom) or that he “did politics the right way.” (Ezra Klein).

Some have been fawning over him. Their hero is dead. Incomprehensible to me. He was horrible. Look up the things he said for yourself if you don’t believe me.

I think of St. Edith Stein’s saying that truth without love or love without truth is a destructive lie. And look. It is. Historically Black campuses have had bomb threats. The DNC had a bomb threat. Why? I guess because Kirk hated black people? Or because they assumed a black person did it? Because he hated Democrats? They assume the culprit is a Democrat? Brawls have broken out. The president wants to give the man a statue in DC and award him the presidential medal of freedom. Of course he does. He hasn’t helped with his incendiary blaming of “radical left Democrats.”

The outpouring of grief and praise for the man must be a gut punch to the people he harmed with his bullying, with his hate and his stirring up more and more hate. I know it’s a gut punch for me. My heart is the most with the vulnerable and persecuted. That’s where I think it should be. However that solidarity of mine has caused me a lot of rage over the last couple of days. A friend said, to my prayer online for peace and an end to political violence, “You’re a good person.” I replied, “Not really.” I noticed one of my kids put a laughing emoji on that. Thanks a lot Roise.

Also triggering to me is the response of people who want to skip the ugly process of truth and reckoning to get to the peace they think would come if we all decided to just get along and lay aside our differences. To me that’s fake peace. After the things I have been through I have seen enough of that. How can we love our enemies if we whitewash and sanitize what they have done? That’s fake love. It’s useless, wrong even.

I see how I have been freaking out about all this; angry, horrified, scared for our country, taking in too much of what everyone is saying and what the news is when I know that makes me so upset.

Maybe I can offer up all the wild inner agony I have had about all this to God to help someone somewhere. Mary’s piercing of the heart was co-redemptive. I can entrust my little offering of a struggling heart to her.

I pray that I’ll be able to love Kirk- who by all accounts would be an enemy of mine at least as a public figure- in the way God wants me to. Right now that seems to me to be to pray for his salvation, for a beautiful forever life with God for him. Whatever he is doing, Charlie Kirk understands more than any of us do now. He has a completely different perspective. He has encountered eternal love and life. May he embrace them, embrace him who is love and life himself with all of his heart and possess them forever. God says he will give us all new hearts instead of our stony hearts. Amen amen.

I need to ask for that for myself, too. For all of us.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”

Ezekiel 36:26
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Praying the News of the week, September 7

Opening Invocation

Give us joy for the days of our affliction, for the years when we looked upon evil.

Psalm 90:15

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 

Deep Focus

May our daughters [be] like columns adorned for a palace.

Psalm 144:12b

Lord, the horror these women went through as girls has sickened us. Only you know the depth of their suffering, of the damage done, how re-traumatized they are after speaking up this week. May they be believed and may they see justice in their lifetimes. May they feel protected now as they should have been then. Jesus, you have said if someone harms one of your little ones it would be better for them to be thrown in the river tied to a millstone. Your compassion is with these women. Send your mother to help them heal. May she pray for Epstein survivors, and for all survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking. May she cover them with her mantle, encircle them in her arms, strengthen and free them of their nightmares and the daily struggles they face in their woundedness. May these daughters more and more continue growing stronger, with grace and beauty like columns holding up our nation.

Lord Jesus, bring your mercy and truth to abusers that they may repent. In the mercy they receive, may they begin to live in righteousness, making amends for what they have done.

*Bring a mental image of the Epstein Survivors into the presence of Mother Mary. She has been waiting for them. Bring each one to her., one by one. What does she do? What does she say? Does she ask anything of you?

Other Intercessions/Headlines to pray over

O Lord, let your kindness rest upon us,
    for we have placed our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22

We pray that you infuse the CDC and NIH and all government agencies and officials responsible for the health of the American people with wisdom, integrity, and respect for gold standard science. We have nothing to fear from wisdom and truth or the facts the scientific process brings us, for you created it all. Bring the people discernment so we know who to trust about our health. May doctors and nurses follow truth in their care of us all.

We pray for the reasonable prosperity of our country in light of the disappointing jobs report and the unhinged economic policies, chaos and trade wars this administration inflicts on our system. May we find a way and may everyone looking for work find meaningful work that meets their needs and brings them dignity.

We pray for our trans brothers and sisters, who are your children as much as we are, that they will be safe from violence, and free from persecution from society and the law for nothing but being trans. Forgive us Lord for the unkindness and hysteria heaped on them in these dark times of intolerance and hate.

We pray for ICE that they will be led to repentance for their violence and cruelty. We pray that they will seek and find better jobs that help instead of harm others; work they can be proud of. We pray for everyone who lives in fear of them, all who are detained, and all of the deported.

We pray for our national guard and armed forces, that they will be true to their pledge to uphold the Constitution and to protect the American people. Give each of them courage and strength when the time comes to resist any illegal orders.

For the cities the president is threatening, may they be safe and free in the face of injustice, and for the people of our capital city.

We pray for our courts that they will mete out justice wisely and impartially according to the Constitution of the United States.

For a just and lasting peace for Palestine, Ukraine and all people suffering war and violence. For the Palestinian people to be saved from famine. For all who suffer malnutrition to be fed. That we ourselves who are safe and well fed will be motivated to feed the hungry and protect the vulnerable.

We pray for all enemies of justice and peace, that they will be stopped, amend their ways, and work for righteousness.

You who are Love, perfect us in love.

Closing Blessing

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.. 


Isaiah 41:10

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen

Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, Our Mother. To you we come, before you we kneel; sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but on your mercy, hear and answer them. Amen.

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Pray the News 8/31/25

Opening Invocation

He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.

Psalm 23:3

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 

Deep Focus

A voice is heard in Ramah,
    mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.

Jeremiah 31:15

How long, O Lord, how long will these mass shootings go on? How long until we stop children being gunned down in school? How long will this sickness possess our land, will this demonic scene play out? How long until our leaders listen to the people and do what is necessary so this never happens again? How many little children have to die? How many parents have to grieve for the rest of their lives? Lord, we repent in dust and ashes on behalf of our nation for the violence, for the greed, for the corruption, for our lack of priority for mental health access, and for all our faults as a people. Send your Holy Spirit on us all to bring us and all of our leaders Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord, not only to think and to pray but to do what is right. Lord, lift up the families of the dead, especially of the two little ones shot down in Church this week, Harper and Fletcher. May your Spirit of love and consolation be near all the injured and traumatized.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

*Quiet your heart and allow yourself to be led by Jesus beside beautiful and quiet water, through green fields where he lays you down to rest, then down paths of goodness and right, now across dark valleys when he is your only light, and finally out into an open place, before a beautiful table. He fills your cup with wine that spills over onto the table cloth, and fills your plate with all you could ever need. He anoints your head with fragrant oil. Let yourself be loved in this moment, knowing this love, too, spills over and fills the world.

Other Intercessions/headlines of this week

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17

We pray for Kilmar Abrego Garcia and that the deep wrongs and injustices heaped on him be righted. We all know he is detained for purely political reasons. Defend him, protect him, and may the truth come roaring like a lion on his behalf before the whole world. If he can’t be safe here may a safe country offer him asylum. Someone must help this man and his family. Let it be you and if it can be us show us the way.

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

We pray for those separated from loved ones by deportation, detention, and forced self deportation, and for all who live in fear of ICE. Lord protect, defend and encourage them. Show us how we can help them and stop this violence. We ask that you send a spirit of compassion and repentance on those who participate in mass deportations, abuse and detention in terrible places. Not only do we beg you to fill them with your merciful love, but to forgive them and let them know the power of your Divine Mercy.

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

We know our president, who has caused and engaged in much evil, cruelty and harm, has been ill and is elderly and frail. We do want him to be stopped from committing any more evil acts but we do pray for his salvation, whatever that will take for him. Before it is too late, grant him the grace of insight and repentance that he can know and not refuse you and your mercy. We pray he will know the joy of forgiveness and transformation in this lifetime or at least at the moment of his death.

Come Holy Spirit, Come.

As war drags on for Ukraine, and slaughter and famine in Palestine, we ask for a just and lasting peace for those places and everywhere there is violence, starvation and war. May the people be fed and be able to live in peace and freedom. May there be healing for survivors and mercy for the dead. We pray for the conversion of Russia so that she will stop spreading her errors throughout the world. We pray for Israeli government to act with mercy and justice. We pray for all nations who have contributed to this mayhem and horror, or stood by while it happened and did not help, to step up, to speak and to act.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

We pray for an end to the attempts of the federal government to occupy major cities ruled by the presidents’ political rivals. We pray for DC to be self ruled in peace, and for the threatened city of Chicago as the city prepares. Protect the people and the rule of law, we pray.

Come Holy Spirit, come.

Lord, we are living through dark times and each of us has our part to play in bringing light and ending the violence and the violation of human rights, the destruction of our democracy and the hatred, greed and nihilism that fuels all this. We are scared a lot. We ask that you grant us the knowledge of your will for us and the power to carry it out. May the knowledge of you fill the earth as water fills the sea.

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Closing Blessing

 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen

Come, Holy Spirit,

Come by means

of the powerful intercession

of the Immaculate Heart

of Mary,

thy well beloved spouse.

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My new book soon to be released: Meeting the One Who Loves You; St. Teresa of Avila’s Way of Prayer

Last summer I finished the manuscript for a little book about the Prayer of Recollection of St. Teresa of Avila. This summer it will be released. My goal was to teach the prayer in an engaging and accessible way. Lots of people know Lectio Divina as a contemplative Christian method of prayer and rightly so, but few people know the Prayer of Recollection from the Doctor of Prayer, St. Teresa of Jesus. The only book I could find exclusively about the prayer was just a series of Teresa’s quotes about it. So I wrote one myself.

Saint Teresa said she never knew what it was to pray with satisfaction until the Lord himself taught her what she named “The Prayer of Recollection.” Meeting the One Who Loves You teaches this method of prayer step by step, along with its underpinning concepts, in a friendly, personal way.

Saint Teresa of Ávila taught that the sacred humanity of Jesus is our way to him. She believed in the power of prayer, even the simple inner silence of contemplative prayer — spending time with Jesus and loving him.

Wherever you are in life and in your walk with God, fear not. Only good can come of learning this prayer and making it an important part of your daily life. Saint Teresa knew the transforming love of God in prayer, and consequently, she lived a life of extraordinary richness. If you have a desire to pray more deeply, to grow exponentially in love, and to be connected to God more profoundly, then this prayer is perfect for you.

The release date is Monday, August 25. You can find it at osvcatholicbookstore.com, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles , and other places you find books! Go get one and if you buy it on Amazon be sure and leave a review!

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Pray the News 8/24/25

Opening Invocation

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 

1 John 4:16

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 

Deep Focus

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

Psalm 146:7

Our hearts cry out to you for justice. God you see the people of Gaza starving to death because the government of the state of Israel won’t let food or aid in. Lord this is a travesty. The world watches in horror. Israelis and people around the world protest. The U.N. declares a famine. It is man made. Little children are dying while food waits at check points close by, held up. 2000 people including children have been killed trying to seek food at military aid stations. Oh God we need you. Our president supports this and the Israeli leader has no intention of letting Gaza live. What can we do now? Tell us. Speak, Lord. Your servants who are well fed are listening for how we can share. Your children who are dying cry out. Hear us all. Time is running out. Only you are God who hold the hearts of all and every grain of sand. Break through to us. Free Palestine. Feed Palestine. Heal Palestine. And heal the hearts of the oppressors that they will oppress, bomb and starve these people no longer. Open the way.

*Spend a few moments with the Holy Spirit now, flowing through you like gushing water to reach the ruins of Gaza, breaking every barrier, going past every tank, crossing the lines of soldiers who are blocking the way to the aid. With him, become a sweet rain of grace on the people. There is bread in your hands. Feed them all. Now let The Lord bring you the ones who need him most. Let the Spirit guide you in your prayers for them, your words to them, your touch of comfort.

Other Intercessions/Headlines to Pray Over

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, and to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn

Isaiah 61:

*We give thanks to you, God of freedom and love, for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to his family. The administration is already trying to deport him to Uganda on Monday. So as we sit with our gratitude and happiness for him and his family after all he has been through, we ask that you protect him, Lord. We especially ask for the prayers of St. Michael the Archangel to shield and defend him in his path forward. Give wisdom to his lawyers and helpers. Confuse and defeat those who would harm him. Let there be justice and peace for this man and all others like him.

*We give thanks to you, Lord, that the terrible detention center of Alligator Alcatraz has been ordered to close for environmental reasons. We are so happy about this for that reason and because of the people detained in that abusive place. We all needed something good to happen and those detained need freedom and human dignity. Please continue to help them. We know there will be appeals.

*Our racist president and his administration continue their offensive against Black Americans by erasing their history and even denying it. Lift up your black children, Lord. May the truth of slavery be preserved. May the excellence of black people be lifted up and allowed to shine. May this latest wound inflicted not only on them but on our country by doing this be healed. Let nothing escape your eye. You restore all things. Restore whatever is being destroyed, in the name of all who went before who suffered slavery and racism and do still. Silence those who have set out on this erasure and denial. May the truth come roaring like a lion, defending itself.

*We pray for a free and fair election in 2026. May our country return to its Constitutional values. May we grow closer and closer to the ideals of democracy, equality and freedom.

*We bring the federal occupation of our capital city to you. We read of the threats of our authoritarian president to expand this assault on other cities who voted against him and try to give sanctuary to immigrants. We ask you to stop this, to stop it through us, the people. Show us a way to defeat this. Give light to the minds of the National Guard so they remember their commitment is to us and the Constitution. Give us all courage to do whatever we are supposed to do in the face of this frightening and infuriating turn of events.

*We pray for Epstein and Maxwells victims, that they will know healing and see justice. We pray that the media, society and the law will put their suffering first.

*For an end to wars and violence all over the world, especially in Ukraine and Gaza. May there be lasting and just peace. For this we ask the intercession of the Queen of Peace, Our Lady.

*Lord, you are close the poor and the homeless. You have said you are them. How dare we destroy what little they have and send them – where? In DC this is happening and it happens around our country. Christ have mercy on them and on us this is so wrong, especially since it’s harsh and thoughtless policies that have largely made them homeless to begin with. We have treated you like dirt, Lord. Help us set this right. We pray for all of them. Protect them and give them the peace and the love and the dignity they deserve.

Closing Blessing

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
 Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Psalm 103: 19-22

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen

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Pray the News 8/17/25

Opening Invocation

Come to me, all you who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Mt. 11:28-30

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 


Deep Focus

When I called, you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul.

Ps. 138:3

Oh God, we are often overwhelmed and frightened these days. The sickening cruelty, the scary authoritarian moves, the destruction of constitutional norms, the bowing to our enemies, all of this horrifies and shocks us. Helpless rage at times consumes us. Other times we just have to turn it all off. But we were born for this time. We are alive now for a reason. Show us our path in these dark days, and renew the strength of our souls. With you we can climb any mountain, scale any wall, walk any path. With faith, with prayer let us be supported and guided. Take us into your Sacred Heart, the center and core of all things. May our prayer deepen that we may draw from you, Source of all life. May we never hurt anyone and may we never be afraid of anyone so that we may know your will and be able to carry it out.

*Spend a few minutes with Jesus now, closing your eyes in stillness and silence. He wants to take you somewhere. Follow him through the corridors or your heart, down down until you come to an open place. There is an altar here with a river flowing from it. You see it is lined with beautiful trees. Let Jesus pick some of the leaves for you and feed them to you. Allow him now to cup his hands and give you water from the river to drink. What do these leaves, this water, taste like? How does it feel when he wraps his fragrant cloak over your shoulders? Maybe you feel stronger now. Maybe the fear drains from you. Maybe not. Maybe this will come later when you need it most.

Other Intercessions/Headlines to Pray Over


The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal; Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds.

Sirach 25:21

Lord, may our communities gather to stand up for the rights and dignity of the unhoused in their midst, to defend and help them, to shed light on the systemic causes of their destitution as well, to mitigate and eliminate those.

Lord, enlighten the people.

Come Holy Spirit to ensure the justice and fairness, the freedom and hope of our elections and our faith in them. Protect them from interference and manipulation.

Lord, enlighten your people.

That we will grow as a people in compassion and discernment of wisdom and justice, we pray.

Enlighten your people, Lord.

For the starving and bombed people of Gaza and everywhere else, we pray that the world will stop tolerating this crime against humanity and do what is right.

Enlighten your people, Lord.

For Ukraine, for a just and lasting peace.

Enlighten your people, Lord.

For those who are being abused and denied their rights in detention, and those who live in fear of it, we pray

Enlighten your people, Lord.

Open the eyes of the American people to this authoritarian danger, Lord, before it is too late, we pray

Enlighten your people, Lord.

Strengthen us to defend the weak, the persecuted, the vulnerable we pray.

Enlighten your people, Lord.

Jesus, you have said we must pray for our enemies, so we pray for the enemies of justice and love, that they will be truly converted in mind and heart.

Closing Blessing

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. Amen.

*Today I am going to add a prayer I love and pray often. It may be useful to you too in times like these. I have it memorized so I can reflect on it when I can.

May I open my eyes every morning with the Holy Name on my lips.

May I see God everywhere in everyone.

May I never hurt anyone, and may I never be afraid of anyone.

May I be inspired to choose persuasive words, loving language, creative and positive thoughts, to carry peace and good will throughout the world.

May my meditation deepen, that I may draw from the Source of all life.

May I fall asleep at night with the Holy Name on my lips,

To heal my wounds, and prepare me for another day of service.

Amen.

Eknath Easwaran

*Reader, please feel free to add your own prayers to these in the comments if I have missed a news story that got to you this week. 


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Praying the News of the week, August 10, 2025

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

Opening invocation

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.

1 John 4:7a

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Deep Focus

We pray especially for Gaza, where a man made famine is unfolding and 217 people, many of them children, died of starvation this week. To our horror, aid continues to be blocked, and people who come for food to the military controlled aid stations are often shot. Lord, hear the cries of these people, and the cries of our own hearts against this murderous injustice in front of a seemingly helpless world. Open the way for food and medical supplies to flood into Gaza, and open the hearts of those opposed, that they might be filled with mercy.

Spend a few minutes in simple silence with God. Feel what you feel about Gaza’s situation, all of it. Let it be here for God to do something with it. Don’t worry about words. Just be as open as you can in silence and trust, letting yourself be a channel for the outflow of his divine will into this world, for his transforming love to come through you.

*You may notice a quiet change in how you feel as you do this. Even if you don’t, God remains God and you can trust he is working through you right now.

Other Intercessions/Headlines to pray over

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

Matthew 7:7

For those who live in fear of ICE, that they will be protected, treated with dignity and justice, and for those standing up for them, we pray.

Lord hear our payer.

For those detained by ICE, especially those being harmed and abused, Oh God deliver them.

Lord, Hear our prayer.

For those in the path of wildfires, that they and the fire fighters will be safe.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For Ukraine, for a just and lasting peace.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the defeat of authoritarian leaders and governments all over the world, we pray.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the victims of Epstein and Maxwell, that they will be heard, believed and respected. May there will be justice and restoration for them.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Jesus, you have said we must pray for our enemies, so we pray for the enemies of justice and love, that they will be truly converted in mind and heart.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Photo by Israel Torres on Pexels.com

Closing Blessing

Let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:24

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. Amen.

*Reader, please feel free to add your own prayers to these in the comments if I have missed a news story that got to you this week.

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