Dear Jesus, after busy days I need to rest in your love. Heal my tired and aching body. Like meeting a dear friend may your Spirit enliven me with the delight of your presence. Amen. – Columban Fr. John Comiskey
May 14, 2016
Lord, on this "commencement" day, let there be a beginning of my life. In the days of darkness, be my Light, so that in turn I can radiate your truth and your message of love, hope, and joy. In the days of blandness and of blahs, Lord, be my Salt, so that in turn I can fend off the corruption, the staleness, the mediocrity around me. In the days when I am flat on my back or fall flat on my face, Lord, be my Leaven, so that not only can I rise again, but also raise the downhearted to the celebration of your Love. Amen.
May 13, 2016
Lord, you said to your friends, "Be the leaven to the world." Bread, a staple of life, and always present at celebrations, would be dull and lifeless without the tiny bit of yeast. Without it, the dough remains inert, hard. You also told us to multiply our talents. You thus expect that we use the talents you gave us as the leaven to this world. Teach me, Lord Jesus, that alone I am insignificant, but mixed with the talents of my brothers and sisters, I can lift this world out of mediocrity. May I be a bit of leaven in the Bread of Life, and a sign of your celebration in this life and life eternal.
May 12, 2016
You said, Lord Jesus, that your disciples must be the salt to this earth. Salt gives taste to food. It decreases spoilage. It is also a healing agent. Lord, may I be the salt that takes away the blandness in the routine of living, That prevents the rottenness of hatred and greed from expanding around me, That brings compassionate healing to anguished souls I encounter. Lord, help me to be "worth my salt." And infuse your "saltiness" in me, so that i do not become "flat" and useless.
May 11, 2016
Lord Jesus, you have said that your followers must be the light to the world. Light propagates itself, dispels darkness. It sows rays of joy and hope. It is life-giving. Help me, Lord, to be a light to this world, so that my life radiates your message of love, hope, and joy. May I be the beacon leading to You those who seek truth.
May 10, 2016
How often in the down-sided moments of life we can lose our sense of fun, and scowl and frown around us. We punish others for our lack of peace and then feel a thousand times worse. Lord, help me to smile, even clown. Help me to see the sunny side of life, to bathe in the glow of your joy, so I don’t take things out on others. I don’t want to be glum. Of course life can be hard and full of woes, but help me to see your smile in the face of a flower. Amen.
May 9, 2016
Lord, I ask Your mercy and Your favor in a special way on me today. I ask the gift of healing both spiritual and physical, of all my sins, and of my illness I do so with confidence, knowing that You love me, and that You want for me what is for my best. I do so with trust, knowing that You care for me more than I care for myself, and that I am precious to You, even if within myself I feel unworthy or unloved. I ask You, Lord, to release me from any slavery to sin, any attitudes, habits, compulsions or ingrained ways of thinking, speaking or acting that keep the cycle of sin going within me, and which keep me from opening my heart, soul, mind and body to Your healing love.
May 8, 2016
Heavenly Father, you have called us into your household of faith and made us brothers and sisters in Christ. Guide us by your word that our home and places of work may reflect the faithfulness to which you have called us. Help us to see the everyday opportunities that we have to serve you by loving others. Amen.
May 7, 2016
All-loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old. We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways. We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away. We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. We remember mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. Amen.
May 6, 2016
Father in Heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege – to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary, I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your Service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
May 5, 2016
Lord, you created a beautiful world for us to dwell. Thank you for coming to us through earthly, natural means to confirm your word and accomplish your will. Help us appreciate and honor the Sacraments as tangible evidence of your promise through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
May 4, 2016
I know I cannot just strive “to save my soul.” Your call of love compels me to be open to all creation and especially to those who have less in life, the poor, the homeless, the refugee, the hungry, the imprisoned, the sick, all those in need. This seems overwhelming. Yet each act of kindness and generosity no matter how simple is important. Please bear with my reluctance and limits. Inspire my heart to burn with a freeing love for others. Amen. – Columban Fr. John Comiskey
May 3, 2016
Help me not to complain, Help me to put my trust in You. I now you see and understand all That I’m going through. You know how hard The long days and nights can be. You are my comfort, The one who understands me. Lord help me to always trust in You. Amen.
May 2, 2016
There are times when I realize I’ve complained too much And others seem to avoid me. It’s just that I feel so low at times, So exhausted, so unwell, And everthing is a real effort, It all gets too much. Lord, please help me, Help me to be patient In my trouble and sickness.
May 1, 2016
May the Spirit of God Be close to you, Renew and uplift you, Strengthen and comfort you, Pour gifts on you to heal you, Enfold you in love to protect you, Lighten your burden of illness, Bestow peace in mind and body, Guide you in the way of Christ And so lead you into glory. Amen. - Patrick Sayles SSC
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.