The Pope’s Monthly Intention
For mental health ministry – Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illness.
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St Thérèse of Lisieux • Feast 1 October
Prayer of Invocation
O glorious Saint Thérèse, whom almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I implore your Miraculous Intercession. So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a ‘Prodigy of Miracles … the Greatest Saint of Modern times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good upon earth … of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses.
Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfill your plea’ to be made known everywhere’ and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen.
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The Guardian Angels • Feast 2 October
Our angel is not only with us; he also sees God the Father. He is in relationship with Him. He is the daily bridge, from the moment we arise to the moment we go to bed. He accompanies us and is a link between us and God the Father. The angel is the daily gateway to transcendence, to the encounter with the Father: that is, the angel helps me to go forward because he looks upon the Father, and he knows the way. Let us not forget these companions along the journey.
Pope Francis Angelus 2 October 2018
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Morning Reflection Prayer for Self-Confidence
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of a new day. As I begin this morning, help me to remember that my worth is found in You and not in the opinions of others or in my own doubts. Fill my heart with confidence, not pride, but the quiet assurance that I am created with purpose and loved without condition. Help me to recognise the gifts You have placed within me and give me the courage to use them wisely.
When fear or insecurity tries to take hold, remind me that I do not walk alone. Strengthen my mind, guide my words, and help me face each challenge with faith rather than worry.
Teach me to believe in the person You are shaping me to become. May I carry myself with kindness, speak with confidence, and trust that Your plans for me are good.
Today, let me walk with peace, knowing that I am enough because I am Yours. Amen.
Our Lady of Silence Abbey
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Holy Hour
‘Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are preceded by a personal encounter with Him.
Theological insights are gained not only from between two covers of a book, but from two bent knees before an altar.
The Holy Hour becomes like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul and fetid atmosphere of the world.’
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
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Daily Prayer – Prayer for Missionaries
Lord our God,
loving Father,
we humbly pray to you
for our beloved missionaries,
heralds of the Gospel.
May our prayers
reach their hearts
that they may feel our love,
our strength,
our faith.
May our prayers
reach their hearts
that they continue
with your zeal
the mission
you entrust them with.
May their presence
in their community
be a reminder
of your presence among us.
Amen.
Missionary Society of St Columban
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‘The Rosary is my favourite prayer’
St John Paul II • Memorial 22 October
Years ago, I read a little spiritual gem called The Secret of the Rosary by St Louis de Montfort and learned about the abundant graces and even miracles that have been attributed to the Rosary. Many saints who were devotees of the Rosary attested to this, as well. Even in our modern day, Our Lady and Jesus are knocking on the doors of human hearts through this beautiful prayer. I have a few friends who were adamantly anti-Catholic yet converted to the Church after being introduced to the Rosary. We must never underestimate the showers of graces we receive when praying it.
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Quotes from St Teresa of Avila
Feast 15 October
‘It is foolish to think that we will enter heaven without entering into ourselves.’
‘Love turns work into rest.’
‘The closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes.’
‘Thank God for the things that I do not own.’
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