O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.
If you wish to pray before the holy Grotto in this holy prayer chapel, click in the following link:
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humour to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn't frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called "I".
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humour. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others.
Amen.
Image 'Prayer to Christ' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
Father God, You willed that Mary be at the foot of the cross, sharing in the sacrifice of Your Son.
Grant that through her intercession, we may bear within ourselves, the Image of Christ crucified and risen, and have untiring charity for the good of our brothers and sisters, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Image 'Mater Dolorosa' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
Let us pray for all miners who have died underground, and for those whose bodies still lie underground.
Church Service:
Priest: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation: "Amen."
Priest: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: I myself shall see Him with my own eyes."Job 19:25,27a
PSALM 23:
Priest and Congregation:
"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures, in which He gives me repose.
He guides me along the right paths, for His Name's sake.
Even though I walk in the valley of death, I will fear no evil,
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my foes.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Priest: "May the Light of the Redeemer Christ shine within our lives. Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "Christ, have mercy."
Congregation: "Christ, have mercy."
Priest: "Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."
Congregation: "Amen."
READING:
Priest: "A reading from the gospel of St Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16.
"I am the Resurrection and the Life, says the LORD: the one who believes in Me, even though they die, yet shall they live: and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.' " John 11;25,26
"This is the Word of the Lord."
Congregation: "Thanks be to God."
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
Priest: "Let us remember all who have died underground. We pray for those who have passed and remain in shafts underground. God our Father knows each miner by name. Miners, departed from this earth, remain safe within the Hands of the God who made each one of us.
We pray for all who braved the perils of the underground in search of a better life. We remember the sacrifices of miners who risked their lives in order to ensure shelter and sustenance for their loved ones.
We remember those trafficked into the pits of the mining industry. We remember children who laboured underground. Let us remember those who lie there, unclaimed but not forgotten by the Almighty.
We pray for the families, colleagues and friends of all who have passed underground, and ask God to help them in their grief.
We pray for all those who have suffered underground.
We take comfort in knowing that Jesus, Who is the Resurrection and the Life, will lead them into the Heavenly Kingdom. No-one is born and dies without the Father knowing. May He be merciful to all His children who were miners, especially those most in need of His Mercy."
ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST:
If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please visit the following Prayer Chapel:
Priest: "Almighty God, You sent Your only Son to our world because You loved us so much. We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His Life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life,"
Priest: "After the same manner, He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: "Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is My Blood: the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation."
(Here spiritually partake of the Body and Blood of Christ within in the Eucharist. Be assured He has come to you.)
Spend some time in silent prayer.
THE LORD'S PRAYER:
Priest and congregation: "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.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
BLESSING:
Priest: "God, our Creator and Redeemer, by Your Power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of His victory, and claiming His promises, we now leave Your servants in Your gracious keeping, in the Name of Jesus our Lord, Who died and is alive, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by Your burial did sanctify an earthly grave; bless and hallow the underground graves of miners, that they may be peaceful resting-places for the bodies of Your servants. Through Your Mercy, O Blessed Saviour, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. "
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows, like sea billows roar Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though satan should buffet, though trials should come Let this blessed assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own Blood for my soul.
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul.
He lives, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part, but the whole Is nailed to His Cross and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) Oh it is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord hasten the day when my faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul.
With thanks to Youtube
Image courtesy of Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle
