We are ushering out the "old" year and ringing in the new one tomorrow on the feast of our Blessed Mother.
What are your spiritual resolutions for the New Year? Have you taken a moment to think about it? Why not resolve to pray a Hail Mary every morning at the breakfast table after you pray your Grace Before meals, asking the Blessed Mother to guide your day?
As well, starting each day with the Morning Offering is essential. You will be offering all of your prayers, works, joys, and sufferings to Our Lord in advance of your day asking Him to transform all of it into prayers by uniting them to His passion and suffering. You can pray a simple prayer in your own words or use a formal version. Each one is pleasing to God.
For instance:
O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.
Perhaps you might want to also pray to your Guardian Angel each morning and evening asking for protection and guidance throughout the day and protection through the night.
And, exactly what is prayer? You might wonder. Yes, it's a "surge of the heart" as St. Therese has pointed out. Yet, it is also our decision to use our will which God has given us, to choose to pray. So, form those good prayer habits in the New Year. Choose to make prayer happen on a more regular basis.
Take a few moments today to ponder leaving the "old" year behind and bringing in the "new." Of course, you'll want to start by attending Mass on the holy day tomorrow (or the vigil Mass tonight).
What can you do in the New Year to please Our Lord. What will you do?
God bless you and yours!
Happy (almost!) New Year!
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| Even adding one extra daily prayer to the Blessed Mother will help to transform your New Year. |
As well, starting each day with the Morning Offering is essential. You will be offering all of your prayers, works, joys, and sufferings to Our Lord in advance of your day asking Him to transform all of it into prayers by uniting them to His passion and suffering. You can pray a simple prayer in your own words or use a formal version. Each one is pleasing to God.
For instance:
O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.
Perhaps you might want to also pray to your Guardian Angel each morning and evening asking for protection and guidance throughout the day and protection through the night.
Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, To light and guard, Rule and guide. Amen.These "prayer habits" require some effort to form, but once you have decided to carve out that essential time for prayer, and then do all you can to make it happen, you'll be off to a wonderful start--weaving prayer throughout your day--keeping that conversation going with your Creator.
And, exactly what is prayer? You might wonder. Yes, it's a "surge of the heart" as St. Therese has pointed out. Yet, it is also our decision to use our will which God has given us, to choose to pray. So, form those good prayer habits in the New Year. Choose to make prayer happen on a more regular basis.
Take a few moments today to ponder leaving the "old" year behind and bringing in the "new." Of course, you'll want to start by attending Mass on the holy day tomorrow (or the vigil Mass tonight).
What can you do in the New Year to please Our Lord. What will you do?
God bless you and yours!
Happy (almost!) New Year!
