Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary  

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be  

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Act of Faith

O MY GOD, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Act of Hope

O MY GOD, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and Life Everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Charity

O MY GOD, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Act of Contrition

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.

Or

Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins; the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed for so long, and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour. I know my sins have wounded Thy Tender Heart, O My Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through the most bitter Passion of My Redeemer. Amen.O My Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host – by the Divine Power of God – cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Fatima Morning Offering

O JESUS, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings, all that this day may bring, be they good or bad: for the love of God, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for all the sins committed against the Sacred Heart and the Immae Heart of Mary. Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

Eternal Father, source of all good, I come to you with a heart-felt desire to do what  Jesus has commanded when he said, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; ask  the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Mt. 9:37-38)

I therefore beg You, O Lord of the harvest, to send worthy laborers to the vineyard of  your Church and world, and especially to (name of diocese or religious institution).  See how we often wander in darkness of faith and knowledge of you for lack of sufficient  shepherds to guide us. Inspire many young people from our midst to offer themselves  generously to the call of the priesthood and religious life. Renew also our diocese  and religious institutions, our schools, parishes and families so that they may be  fitting channels for the growth of new and holy vocations.

Hear this our prayer, for united with Mary, the Mother of all priestly and religious  vocations, we offer it to you in the name of Jesus, Your Son and our  Eternal High Priest. Amen. -Fr. John P. Grigus, OFM

Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord, We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, Do whatever He tells you (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. 
Amen

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

HOLY HOUR WITH BENEDICTION
Wednesday: 7:15 PM

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Monday: 7:15 PM
After 9:00 AM Mass on Monday holidays

FATIMA PRAYER CELL
Wednesday: After 9:00 AM Mass

HOLY ROSARY
Monday – Friday: After 9:00 AM Mass

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS
Begin at 8:30 AM
Learn more about this devotion to Our Lady of Fatima

STATIONS OF THE CROSS 

Fridays during Lent:  7:30 PM

Use your Rosary to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

• Make the Sign of the Cross.
• Pray one Our Father , one Hail Mary and the Apostles Creed.
• On the “Our Father” beads pray the following…

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

• On the 10 “Hail Mary” beads pray the following…

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

• Repeat “A & B” for all five decades.
• Conclude with…

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world .

• Repeat “C” praying it three times.
• Close with the Sign of the Cross

For more information, see also The Divine Mercy Web Site. 

The Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima is a Church approved Catholic Lay Association, more than 50 years old, founded to spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima.  For more information, please visit the Apostolate’s website here.

The St Lawrence Fatima Prayer Cell meets on Wednesday mornings after the 9:00 AM Mass.  If you would like more information, or are interested in joining us, please email us: office@stlawrencealex.org.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!

As the Mother of our Lord Jesus and as our model Saint, the life of Mary is celebrated on many days throughout the year.  These feasts explore the profoundness of her life and her complete and total commitment to the Will of God.  Our Lady holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics; she is our Mother, our Intercessor, our Advocate, our Protector, and the Mother of God!

Below are some of the feast days of Mary.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a Holy Day of Obligation.  It was given to Mary during the Council of Ephesus in 413. It celebrates the fact that Jesus, fully human was also a Divine person. Mary is not just the Mother of Jesus, but the Mother of God.  The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrates the day in which Mary Most Holy, revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes, France in 1858.  Mary asked for a shrine to be erected and venerated in the place known as ‘Massabielle’ in the town of Lourdes.” This Feast is celebrated on February 11th.

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

On the feast of the Annunciation, we celebrate the moment when Mary received the message from the Angel Gabriel… ” Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” and told her she would conceive from the Holy Spirit and bear a Son, Jesus( read Luke 1:26-38). The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25th.

FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL

Our Mother of Good Counsel has been called the Madonna of the Popes. Pope Leo XIII deserves to be ranked among the great lovers of this devotion. He established the white scapular worn by her servants, and his motto is like a watchword to the clients of Mary: “Children,” he told the faithful, “follow her counsels!” To all she gives what is most needed to help us in this vale of tears; she gives us her Good Counsel . This Feast is celebrated on April 26th.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

This feast is celebrated on the date of the first Apparition of Our Lady to the three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917.  When speaking with Bernadette, Mary told her, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” The feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in 1930; it was added to the Church’s worldwide calendar in 2002.  This Feast is celebrated on May 13th.

FEAST OF THE VISITATION

Mary, having heard that her cousin Elizabeth had conceived also, left her home to spend three months helping Elizabeth. When she arrived, Mary sang her song of praise, known as the Canticle of Mary of Magnificat (Luke 1: 39-56). The Feast of the Visitation is celebrated on May 31st.

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The solemnity of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation.  This feast celebrates that at the end of her life, Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15th.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.  This feast celebrates that Mary was conceived without original sin in aspect of the merits of Jesus Christ. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Blessed Juan Diego as an “Aztec Princess” in 1531, near now what is known as Mexico City. Mary’s message was one of love, compassion and hospitality. Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as the Patron Saint of the Americas. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th.  **Please note: since the church building here at St. Lawrence was dedicated on December 12, we can only offer the Mass of the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church on that day and not the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

St Lawrence provides a free subscription to FORMED.org, where you can discover all the best Catholic content in on place.   This website is an online library of Catholic study programs, Bible studies, eBooks and movies that provides Catholics the opportunity to learn about our Faith and to grow in our knowledge and love of Christ.  Formed.org is maintained by the Augustine Institute, a private Roman Catholic graduate institution that aims to answer Pope John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization.

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For the “Pick of the Week” or recommendations for the month, see below

Sign of the Cross

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salve me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Iesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et iube me venire ad te,
ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te
in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Pater Noster (Our Father)

PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in
terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte
nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Salutatio Angelica (Ave Maria/Hail Mary)

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in
mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta
Maria, Mater Domini nostri, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc,
et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen

Glory Be

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Apostles Creed

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad infernos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

Lamb of God

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis..
Anus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven)

Regina caeli laetare, Alleluia; Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia; Resurrexit sicut dixit, Allelluia; Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia, Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

The gift of an Apostolic Blessing, formally inscribed on parchment and sent from Rome, is a traditional means of marking milestone events such as Wedding anniversaries, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations and significant birthdays.  These parchments are produced by the Holy See’s Office of Papal Charities, or Elemosineria Apostolica, which is charged with exercising charity to the poor in the name of the Holy Father.  Since the time of Pope Leo XIII, the production of these parchments has served as an important means of funding charitable works.  Papal Blessing Parchments may now be ordered online directly from the Elemosineria Apostolica using their website, www.elemosineria.va (click on “Papal Blessing Parchments”).  A number of beautiful formats are available for each type of event.