Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
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Prayers & Devotions



Prayer is about a relationship; a relationship with the Living God. Even Jesus during His time on earth prayed to the Father, and He being the Son. This shows us something about prayer that we would do well to take to heart. Even as the Son of God has always been in perfect Oneness with the Father from the beginning, this communion extends to all of His children on earth as well. As Jesus prayed on earth to the Father, we see an example of this communion. It teaches us about the ultimate Communion with God that we are created to share, and be as One even as the Father and the Son are One in the union of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed for all of us so that we may partake in this unity in the Holy Spirit and have eternal life. As Jesus prayed even on earth, we see that eternal life begins in this life, and through the heartfelt prayers of the faithful who share in Christ's Life, there are opened a flood gate of graces from the Heavenly Father to help us in whatever way we need, whether to heal, to love, to have peace, and so that in Him our joy may be full, even as He promised.
Let us look up to the same sky, sun, moon and stars as our Lord did when He prayed, as we pray to the same God who created them all. Let us be good and faithful stewards of this world God has created for us, and to each other. This is love, and our ultimate destiny in God, is Perfect Love.


Traditional Catholic Prayers

In the life of the Church, there have come to be many time honored devotions which the faithful have embraced such as the Holy Rosary. Prayer should always come from the heart whether it is spontaneous "informal" prayer or traditionally known prayers shared in common by many. Like poetry or song lyrics, devotional prayers composed by others, can help to inspire us because of the inspiration by which they came to be.


To our Lord Jesus

A Prayer to Christ the King
The Anima Christi
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
An Act of Consecration to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
Litany of the Passion
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus


To the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rosary Prayers - Some traditional prayers commonly said following the Rosary.
Magnificat
Angelus
Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Memorare
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary


To the Saints

Breastplate of Saint Patrick


Paidreacha as Gaeilge [Prayers in Irish]

Some of these are traditional Catholic prayers known throughout the universal Church, and others are folk-prayers which spring from Irish Catholic spirituality. They are all presented here in the Celtic language known as Gaeilge (Irish Gaelic). I've collected them from different sources. I got some of them from the book, "Ár bPaidreacha Dúchais" (Our Native Prayers), compiled by Jesuit priest, Father Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire, S.J. The book is a treasure of traditional prayers and blessings of Catholic Ireland. I wanted to include some of the prayers from this book for educational purposes, and to share some of the wealth of Irish Catholic spirituality.


Paidreacha na Maidine [Morning Prayers]

Ar Fheiceáil na Gréine - Seeing the sun


An tAifreann [The Mass]

Ag dul go dtí an tAifreann [Going to Mass]

Coróin Rí an Domhnaigh - King of the Blessed Sunday
Fíor na Croise - [The Sign of the Cross]
An Chré - [The Nicene Creed]
Ár nAthair - [Our Father]


Paidreacha a ghabhann leis an bPaidrín Páirteach (An Choróin Mhuire) [Prayers that go with the Rosary]

Ofráil an Phaidrín
Tar éis an Phaidrín - [After the Rosary]


Chun Íosa [To Jesus]

Do Chríost - To Christ
Lúireach Pádraig - The Breastplate of St. Patrick - Although this prayer of protection is attributed to St Patrick, insofar as it is he who is said to have composed it, this version focuses on Christ Himself, therefore I include it here as a prayer to Christ.


Chun Muire [To Mary]

Tá Dia láidir agus tá máthair mhaith aige. [God is strong and has a good mother.]

Sé do bheatha, a Mhuire - [Hail Mary]
Liodán na Maighdine Muire - [Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
An Magnificat
Fáilte an Aingil - [The Angelus]
An Memorare - [The Memorare]


Chun na Naomh [To the Saints]

Chun Bríde Naofa - [To St. Brigid]
Oíche Na Féile Bríde - [St. Brigid's Eve] - Saint Bríd is one of the most beloved Saints of Ireland born in (--- A.D). Her Feast Day is February 2, the day which marks the first stirrings of Spring. This beautiful prayer in her honor may be said before the eating of the evening meal on that day.


Beannachtaí agus Guíonna [Blessings and Prayers]

Altú Roimh Bhia [Grace before meals]

Altú Roimh Bhia