Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Terrific Idea for the Catholic Home

I came across a post over at First Herald (the same has Around the World with Our Lady) that has a great idea for practicing the Catholic faith in our homes. I hope to start this "walking Litany" into our home ASAP possibly adding it as an extension to our morning prayers or our start of the school day prayers. The simple nature of the prayers and the short songs will make this appealing to young children and not consume too many of the precious moments from the already "busting at the seams" mornings. I know these minutes will bring extra graces to our family! We have numerous statues and pictures around the house. I hope to incorporate other prayers into the practice, such as the Prayer Before a Crucifix, some of the more common ejaculations (ex., "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us" and "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine!"), and weave in the Liturgical Year also. The secret will be to keep it short, interesting, and fun! A great resource for prayers can be found at Fisheaters and at Marian Prayers and Catholic Online.
Here is what I have in mind:
Begin at the crucifix with the Prayer Before the Crucifix, and proceed to one of our statues of Mary, say appropriate short prayer intention and sing chorus of common hymn. Then announce the liturgical feast day, pray a short prayer/ejaculation to appropriate saint, and move to a selective liturgical picture and say appropriate prayer, and lastly, kneel at the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart pictures for ending prayer (maybe Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity) and conclude with chorus of liturgical hymn. I will change the "visits" that way we can visit different statues and pictures throughout the week and keep it short and interesting.

Examples from First Herald:

Our Lady of the Annuciation
We pray that more people will say yes to God.
Song: Gabriel's Message
Our Lady of Fatima
We pray for devotion to Our Lady and for the repentance of sinners. We pray in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Song: Immaculate Mary (Fatima version)
Our Lady of Good Counsel
We pray for teachers and parents.
Song: Alma Redemptoris Mater
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom
We pray for students and all who need truth.
Song: Hail Holy Queen

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