O God, who through the fruitful virginity
of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy to receive
the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
January 1, 2021
December 31, 2020
Dear God, thank You for making
all things new.
Thank You for all that You've allowed
into our lives this past year,
the good along with the hard things.
The coronavirus, the isolation and the unrest
of 2020 have reminded us how much
we need You and rely on Your presence
filling us every single day.
We pray for Your Spirit to lead us
each step of this New Year.
December 30, 2020
Dear Jesus,
You came to show the real meaning of life.
You came to bring forgiveness and healing to a broken world.
By your giving of yourself even to the point of death,
you save us and bring the promise of new life.
May your touch and example embolden us
in facing the challenge of the coronavirus.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
December 29, 2020
Father, you confirm the true faith
with the crown of martyrdom.
May the prayers of St Thomas Becket
give us the courage to proclaim our faith
by the witness of our lives.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen
December 28, 2020
There is a certain rhythm in our life cycle
of birth, growth, aging and death.
With the pandemic, this passing of stages
in life has been abruptly changed for so
many people.
Lord, help us at this time when our brothers
and sisters are in pain and dealing
with sickness and loss due to the
corona virus
Let us know in a deeper gift, that You are
with us; now even in this time of uncertainty
and illness.
We place this prayer in the loving hands
of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
December 27, 2020
O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,
we most fervently implore You,
through Mary Your ever-blessed Mother
and St. Joseph Your foster father,
take our children under Your special charge
and enclose them in the love of Your Sacred Heart.
They are the children of Your Father in Heaven,
created after His own image;
they are Your possession,
for You have purchased them with Your Precious Blood;
they are temples of the Holy Ghost,
who sanctified them in Baptism
and implanted in their hearts the virtues of faith, hope and charity.
O most loving Jesus,
rule and guide them,
that they may live according to the holy Catholic Faith,
that they may not waver in their confidence in You
and that they may ever remain faithful to Your love.
December 26, 2020
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr for the Faith,
filled with compassion for those who invoke you,
with love for those who suffer,
heavily laden with the weight of my troubles.
I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you
to take my present needs under your special protection.
Recommend it to our Lord Jesus.
Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
Above all, obtain for me the grace
to one day meet God face to face,
and with you and Mary and all the angels and saints
praise Him through all eternity.
O most powerful Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr,
do not let me lose my soul,
but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven,
forever and ever.
Amen.
December 25, 2020
Dear Jesus,
At Christmas you come to us as the gift of God’s very self.
You embrace us with your love that never fades, diminishes, or weakens.
Help us all to reflect your love in acts of understanding and compassion
especially for the poor and all who have less in life.
This time of pandemic is deeply challenging.
Encourage, heal and support us.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
December 24, 2020
O God, who made this most holy night
to shine forth with the brightness of the true Light,
grant we beseech You, that we who have known
the mystery of Your light on earth,
may attain the enjoyment of His happiness in heaven.
Who lives and reigns with You forever and ever.
December 23, 2020
These days there can be a feeling
of impending doom, O Lord.
Help us to trust that you will not
abandon us, while suffering flows
around the world.
Lord, let us trust in your goodness
to strengthen us in this time of pandemic
that we may know, love
and serve you with greater zeal
each and every day.
We make this prayer, in the Name
of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
December 22, 2020
Lord, Your presence makes my life whole.
Take away my pride so that I have the courage
to change the attitudes, habits and behaviors
that prevent me from being more like you.
December 21, 2020
Lord, you gave Saint Peter Canisius
wisdom and courage to defend
the Catholic faith.
By the help of his prayers
may all who seek the truth
rejoice in finding You,
and may all who believe in You
be loyal in professing their faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
December 20, 2020
O my God, because you are infinite
goodness and worthy of infinite love,
I love you with my whole heart
above all things, and for love of you
I love my neighbor as myself.
I forgive all who have offended me
and ask pardon of all whom
I have offended.
December 19, 2020
Jesus, my Lord,
I confess that I am a sinner.
But in Your goodness
You invited me to approach Your Holy Table
and to partake of Your heavenly Banquet.
Trusting in Your mercy I come to You
with confidence, albeit with it a contrite
and humble heart.
Lord, I am not worthy that You
should enter under my roof; but say
only the word, and my Soul shall be healed.
Come to me, Jesus, come to me,
and keep me in Your love
and Your grace forevermore.
Amen.
December 18, 2020
O Queen of heaven, rejoice;
for He who you deserved to bear;
is risen again as He said.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
O God, who by the Resurrection
of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ
gave joy to the world:
grant we ask You, that through His Mother,
the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys
of everlasting life.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.