Mornington Church

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Domini est salus, Domini est salus,
Christi est salus
salus tua, Domine,
sit semper nobiscum.
(Lorica of St. Patrick)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come, before you I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy, hear and answer.
Amen

PRAYERS FOR AN END TO THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS:

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you,
Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross
you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide,
so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return
after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection,
O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas
we who are put to the test
and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

(Prayer composed by Pope Francis meditating on the Painting of Mary called "Salus Populi Romani"  (Salvation of the Roman People).  In 593AD, the Icon was carried through Rome by Pope Gregory I in a procession of prayer praying for an end to the Black Plague)

For those who cannot receive communion, a beautiful tradition in the Church is to make a Spiritual Communion ... using these words:

My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.