Morning prayers San Miguel High School October 2016
PRAYER Hold in high esteem the holy exercise of mental prayer, since it is the foundation and support of all the virtues, as well as the source of the light and grace we need both to sanctify ourselves and to discharge the duties of our employment. Do you ever begin any work, pass from one action to another, leave the exercise room or dormitory, or enter there, without saying some prayer? Do you allow a considerable time, half an hour or an hour, to pass without saying some prayer, even if only to raise your heart to God? John Baptist de La Salle, Collection of Various Short Treatises, 55, 83. There can be no doubt that De La Salle considered prayer to be one of the foundations of the schools that he established with the early brothers. Prayer remains one of our essential Lasallian supports, even over 320 years later: Praying with the Scriptures or praying the Scriptures is fundamental to anyone s Christian life... It is a profoundly Lasallian way of praying (Secretariat Being Brothers Today, Reading Reality in Light of the Word: Lectio Divina for Lasallians). In order that we may pray as a unified community, we continue the San Miguel and Lasallian tradition of common morning prayer in our first class period of the day. This booklet provides us with our prayers for the month, as well as a reflection on the prayer that we use multiple times a day: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. While this booklet provides our first morning prayer, you are welcome to use the theme of the morning prayer, or portions of the morning prayer, for your prayers for the rest of your classes during the day. Teachers are urged to use these prayers creatively. Let students lead the prayer, or share reading a prayer. A pdf version of the booklet is found on the Campus Ministry website, so you can copy and paste the prayer and project it on a smartboard. Perhaps you could create a powerpoint for the prayer, or use art or music to enhance the prayer theme. Also, where a student is the creator of the prayer (authors are identified unless the campus minister wrote the prayer), please take a minute to thank the student for their contribution. If you would like to submit a prayer(s), you are welcome to do so! Live, Jesus, in our hearts! Campus Ministry 1 October 2016
A LASALLIAN PRAYER Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God Voicing this little prayer is a tradition that has been followed by graduates of San Miguel High School, and every other Lasallian school throughout the world it is the traditional prayer of all Lasallians. This prayer, or rather, this invitation, derives from St. John Baptist de La Salle himself, who prescribed that it be invoked at certain times throughout the school day. It is significant that, in the Founder's time, it was used in the school situation as a reminder usually voiced by a student, to the teachers and students of the significance of what they were doing in the educational enterprise. Remembering that we are in the holy presence of God during prayer and work can help us accomplish great things. At San Miguel, we share De La Salle's enthusiasm for prayer, and we constantly remember, and grow in our awareness of, the holy presence of God. Let's take a moment to look at the parts of this prayer. The late Lasallian scholar, Brother Luke Salm, FSC, wrote about this prayer in these words: A moment's thought might open up the implications of what the brief exhortation is asking us to do. Let us remember. The word remember presumes that one is not addressing the presence of God for the first time. It implies that we have forgotten something, and of course we have. In the business of running a classroom or a school, in the rush to get to a staff meeting on time, or while preparing to participate in a workshop, God can hardly be at the forefront of our immediate concerns. Time out, then, to remember what and Who is central to the entire enterprise. We are in the holy presence. We means each one of us, individually and together as a community. We also implies that we are persons and therefore the presence is a personal presence. Personal presence differs from the way we are present to things (the furniture) or even to other people with whom there is no personal relationship. Our awareness of the presence of God is... a person to person presence... And the presence is holy, in another word awesome, because of the Person to whom we are present is holy and we are made holy by recalling it. The holy presence of God. We, who are limited in space and time, are being asked to grasp in faith and experience as real the presence of God who is outside space and time; God who is present not only to us, but to God's entire created universe; the God who is absolute mystery and at the same time is at the very ground of our existence; the God whose very self is communicated in grace to us who are God's rational creatures. To remember the presence of God in that sense puts us in touch with the source of our identity as human persons and with the ultimate goal that is our eternal destiny. (Adapted from LaSalle University Office of Mission Integration, LaSalle University and its Catholic Lasallian Mission, quoting Salm, address at Manhattan College, September 8, 2004)
Monday, October 3 Lord God, you inspired the prophets and those who wrote for us the stories of scripture, giving them the means to set forth your truth in the spoken and written word. In the same way, we ask for the inspiration of your Spirit to speak to each other with words of wisdom, kindness, and compassion, always seeking to include, to care for each other, and love you in all things. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is your love made flesh. (Adapted from a prayer by Marco Cota, class of 2015) Tuesday, October 4 (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) Lord, you helped St. Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love. May we who imitate that love receive the love of Christ and share it for the salvation of all mankind. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Adapted from the Opening Prayer and Prayer after Communion from the Feast of St. Francis, Roman Missal, 2d ed.) Wednesday, October 5 (Memorial of Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos) A reading from the gospel according to Luke: Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples. He said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.
Questions for reflection/silent prayer: 1) How do you show respect for all persons by forgiving those who have wronged you? 2) How do you make God s name holy in your life? Thursday, October 6 (Memorial of Bl. Marie Rose Durocher) May we be helped, O Lord, we pray, by the prayers of Mary, the most holy mother, whose rosary we are honor this month, that we may draw strength from the mysteries which we reverence and obtain the effect of the sacraments which we have received. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Traditional prayer, Novena for the Memorial of the Holy Rosary) Friday, October 7 (Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo. Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres. Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores, ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. ( Ave Maria, trad.) Monday, October 10 Yesterday, the Brothers of the Christian Schools recognized the feast day of Saint Brother Jaime Hilario and the Brother Martyrs of Turon. May we remember and pray in recognition of the Christian witness that these brothers, martyrs for their faith in Christ, provide to us. Manuel Barbal Cosan was born on 2 January 1898 in Enviny,
a small town at the foot of the Pyrenees in northern Spain. Known for his serious nature, he was only 12 years old when, with the blessing of his devout and hardworking parents, he entered the minor seminary of the diocese of Urgel. He soon developed hearing problems and was advised to return home. Convinced that God was calling him, he was overjoyed in 1917 to learn that the Institute of the Brothers would accept him in the novitiate at Irun, Spain. After sixteen years in various teaching assignments, his hearing problems forced him to abandon the classroom to work in the garden at the house of formation at San José, in Tarragona. In July of 1936 he was at Mollerosa on his way to visit his family at Enviny when the civil war in Spain broke out. Recognized as a Brother, he was arrested and jailed. In December he was transferred to Tarragona and confined in a prison ship with several other brothers. On 15 January 1937 he was given a summary trial. Though he could have been freed by claiming to be only a gardener, he insisted on his identity as a religious and thereby sealed his doom. He was brought to the cemetery known as the Mount of Olives on 18 January to face execution. His last words to his assailants were, To die for Christ, my young friends, is to live. When two volleys failed to meet their mark, the soldiers dropped their rifles and fled in panic. The commander, shouting a gross insult, fired five shots at close range and Brother Jaime fell at his feet. Almighty and merciful God, with the offering of his life you made your servant, Saint Jaime Hilario, an outstanding witness of faith. Grant that by his example, we may always live under the guidance of your Spirit, and with the intention of pleasing you in all things. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. (Taken from lasalle.org and cbmidwest.org) Tuesday, October 11 (Memorial of St. Pope John XXIII) Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, "Peace to you," grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses
of truth, justice, and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace. May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters. May longed for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all. (St. Pope John XXIII) Wednesday, October 12 God of perfect peace, violence and cruelty can have no part with you. May those who are at peace with one another hold fast to the good will that unites them; may those who are enemies forget their hatred and be healed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Opening prayer, Mass for Peace and Justice, Roman Missal, 2d ed.) Thursday, October 13 Dear Lord, help us to find the time to pray and to remember you in our lives. With so many things going on,we sometimes feel that we barely have the time to breathe. Grant us the ability to accomplish all that needs to be done. Keep us focused on the task at hand, and help us to understand what is really important in life. Later in our lives, these books, tests, and papers will be forgotten. But the good that we do, the people we have touched in one way or another, the memories that we create, will last a lifetime. Although schoolwork cannot be tossed aside like we sometimes wish it could, help us to find the time, or rather, to make the time, to affect others around us in a way consistent with your will. Thank you for your presence in our lives, and continue to bless our San Miguel family. Lord, we love you, praise you, and thank you. (Adapted from The Day Awaits)
Monday, October 17 (Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch) Yesterday, the Lasallian world rejoiced in the canonization of Blessed Brother Solomon LeClerq, whose feast we celebrated on September 2. Interestingly, while the Church declared Brother Solomon to be a saint yesterday, today is the 90th anniversary of the day he was beatified. Saint Brother Solomon remains a great model for us. As Brother Superior General has written, The example set by our Brother must push us to follow Christ day after day. Although we are not called to give a bloody witness we are called anyway to do this in the terrible day to day task of our apostolic life. Let us pray in recognition of Saint Brother Solomon: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank you for the gift of St. Brother Solomon to our Institute. We pray that his example of humble service and fidelity inspire us to live our own commitments in the same manner. Show us the ones who are in need of our talents and presence. Grant us the generosity, wisdom, and courage to respond accordingly. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. (Mandy Dujunco, FSC) Tuesday, October 18 (Feast of St. Luke) Lord of the harvest, bless young people with the gift of courage to respond to your call. Open their hearts to great ideals, to great things. Inspire all of your disciples to mutual love and giving for vocations blossom in the good soil of faithful people. Instill those in religious life, parish ministries, and families with the confidence and grace to invite others to embrace the bold and noble path of a life consecrated to you. Unite us to Jesus through prayer and sacrament, so that we may cooperate with you in building your reign of mercy and truth, of justice and peace. (Pope Francis)
Wednesday, October 19 (Memorial of Sts. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues) Lord, you have trusted us to look after something precious; may we guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Lord, give us a revelation of how precious everything you have given us is; and not take it for granted. (Adapted from themodernmonk.net) Thursday, October 20 (Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross) Lord, it's good to be actively concerned about the abuse of human rights elsewhere, but let us not lose sight of the mistreatment of others closer to us. We readily condemn slavery, but help us to liberate those we know who are overburdened. We condemn torture, but alert us when we are tempted to use cruel words and actions. Lead us always to respect each individual and grow in appreciation that those who think differently from us can hold equally valid views. Enlighten us so that we do not jump to conclusions about people, or be judgmental. Lord, help us to grow in respect for all people. (Nicholas Hutchinson, FSC, Walk in My Presence, vol I) Friday, October 21 Mary, bridge of peace, guide to pilgrims, inspiration to poets, comfort to the oppressed, light to those who wander in darkness, we praise you and ask to be one with you. United with you, we will be one with God, making peace with every person of the globe. United with you, we too will feel the mystery of Christ's peace,
alive within us. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray with us. (Edward Hays, in The Fire of Peace) Monday, October 24 (Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret) A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the church at Ephesus: Brothers and sisters: Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Questions for reflection/silent prayer: 1) How is the way that you live a model for younger brothers, sisters, or students? 2) In what ways do you share the compassion and mercy of God that you receive? Tuesday, October 25 God of all power, ruler of the universe, you are worthy of glory and praise. At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our home.
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. But we turned against you, and we turned against one another. Again and again, you called us to return. Through the prophets and sages you revealed your righteous law, and showed your mercy and forgiveness. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, incarnate of the Virgin Mary, to open for us the way of freedom and peace. By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed. May we, blessed by your constant care for us, find our way back to you through your Son, Jesus Christ. (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer) Wednesday, October 26 This day, Father, may my eyes be opened to see the beauty in all that is ordinary yet special around me. May the glory of all that you have made remind me of your presence and lead me closer to you. (Nicholas Hutchinson, FSC) Thursday, October 27 Oh, Lord my God, you called me from the sleep of nothingness merely because of your tremendous love. You want to make good and beautiful beings. You have called me by name in my mother s womb. You have given me breath and light and movement and walked with me every moment of my existence. I am amazed, Lord God of the universe, that You attend to me and, more, cherish me. Create in me the faithfulness that moves you, and I will trust you and yearn for you all my days. (Joseph Tetlow, SJ, Fordham at Prayer)
Friday, October 28 (Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude) Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. ( Salve Regina)