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Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions
PRAYERS TO THE SAINTS OF PROFESSIONS
Patrons of Professions
Accountants, Actors, Advertisers, Altar Boys, Architects, Artists, Astronomers, Athletes, Aviators, | Bankers and Money Managers, | Carpenters, Catechists, Children of Mary, Choir Boys, Charitable Workers, Clerics, Comedians, | Devotees of the Sacred Heart, Domestics, | Editors, Educators, Evangelists, | Farmers, Firefighters, | Homemakers, Hospital Workers, | Immigrants, | Lawyers, Lay People, Lectors, | Mariners, Merchants, Missionaries, Mothers, Motorists, Musicians, | Cloistered Nuns, Nurses, | Physicians, Police Officers, Preachers, Priests, Prisoners, | Reformers, Religious, Retreatants, | Scientists, Scripture Scholars, Secretaries, Singers, Social Workers, Soldiers, Spiritual Leaders, Students, Surgeons, Sweethearts, | Television Workers, Tertiaries, Theologians, Moral Theologians, | Widows, Workers, Writers, Writers of Catechisms, | Youth, |
Vatican II put into perspective the devotion to the Saints which has been a hallmark of Christians since the foundation of the Church. Among other things it said:
"It is supremely fitting, therefore, that we love those friends and coheirs of Jesus, who are our brothers and sisters and extraordinary benefactors, that we render due thanks to God for them and suppliantly invoke them and have recourse to their prayers, their power and help in obtaining benefits from God through his Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Redeemer and Savior.
"For every genuine testimony of love, shown by us to those in heaven, by its very nature tends toward and terminates in Christ who is the crown of all Saints and is magnified in them."
ACCOUNTANTS
Prayer to St. Matthew:
Dear Levi, now known as Matthew, your were first a publican, a tax collector, and then a gatherer of souls for Christ after immediately following his call. Later you wrote wonderful accounts for your Jewish brethren of what Jesus, descendant of David, said and did as Teacher and Savior. Make all accountants imitate your example in giving careful and honest accounts. Amen.
ACTORS
Prayer to St. Genesius:
Dear Genesius, according to a very ancient story when you were still a pagan you once ridiculed Christ while acting on the stage. But, like Saul on the road to Damascus, your were floored by Christ's powerful grace. You rose bearing witness to Jesus and died a great martyr's death. Intercede for your fellow actors before God, that they may faithfully and honestly perform their roles and so help others to understand their role in life thus enabling them to attain their end in heaven. Dear Angel, in his goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect, and enlighten me, and to bring me back to the right way when I go astray. Encourage me when I am disheartened, and instruct me when I err in my judgment. Help me to become more Christ-like, and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven. Amen.
ADVERTISERS
Prayer to St. Bernadine of Siena:
Dear Saint of the Franciscan Order, you were a tireless preacher of God's saving Word. By your growing love for Jesus you spread that love all around, advertising his Holy Name. Be kind to advertisers in our frantic times. Make them broadcast only what is true and what can serve the well-being of humankind, while doing all for the glory of God. Amen.
ALTAR BOYS
Prayer to St. John Berchmans:
Dear St. John, you died at a very young age but in that short time you learned to live an exemplary life as a member of the Society of Jesus. Directed by your Guardian Angel, whom you confidently invoked, you learned to be a most humble server at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Help altar boys imitate you in their service of Eucharistic celebrations as well as in their conduct with others. Amen.
ARCHITECTS
Prayer to St. Thomas the Apostle:
Dear St. Thomas, you were once slow in believing that Christ had gloriously risen; but later, because you had seen him you exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!" According to an ancient story, you rendered most powerful assistance for constructing a church in a place where pagan priests opposed it. Please bless architects, builders, and carpenter that through them the Lord may be honored. Amen.
ARTISTS
Prayer to St. Catherine of Bologna:
Dear saintly Poor Clare, so rich in love for Jesus and Mary, you were endowed with great talents by God and you left us most inspiring writings and paintings of wondrous beauty. You were chosen as Abbess in the monastery of Poor Clares at Bologna. You did all for God's greater glory and in this you are a model for all. Make artists learn lessons from you and use their talents to the full. Amen.
ASTRONOMERS
Prayer to St. Dominic:
Wonderful Saintly Founder of the eloquent Order of Preachers and friend of St. Francis of Assisi, you were a fiery defender of the Faith and a fighter against the darkness of heresy. You resembled a great star that shone close to the world and pointed to the Light which was Christ. Help astronomers to study the stars and admire their wonderful Maker, proclaiming: "Give glory to God in the highest." Amen.
ATHLETES
Prayer to St. Sebastian:
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor's court, you chose to be also a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings, for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however, proved athletically strong and the executing arrows extremely weak. So another means to kill you was chose and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be always as strong in their faith as their Patron Saint so clearly has been. Amen.
AVIATORS
Prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino:
Dear ecstatic Conventual Saint who patiently bore calumnies, your secret was Christ the crucified Savior who said: 'When I will be lifted up I will draw all people to myself." You were always spiritually lifted up. Give aviators courage and protection, and may they always keep in mind your greatly uplifting example. Amen.
BANKERS AND MONEY MANAGERS
Prayer to St. Matthew:
Dear publican become a Saint, after once gathering taxes and tolls how wonderful was your conversion by grace when discarding your earthly possessions you followed the Poor Man of Nazareth. The Mammon of Money is still worshipped! Inspire bankers with kindness and with the desire to help where they can; for what is done to the least, to the poor, is done to Jesus, the Son of Man. Amen.
CARPENTERS
Prayer to St. Joseph:
Dear Saint, you are the Patron of the family of the Church. God chose you to be the head and protector of the Holy Family of Nazareth. You chose to do a carpenter's work which made some say about Jesus: "Is he not the carpenter's son?" Deign to bless and encourage carpenters whose work is so much like yours. Amen.
CATECHISTS
Prayer to St. Charles Borromeo:
O Saintly reformer, animator of spiritual renewal of priests and religious, you organized true seminaries and wrote a standard catechism. Inspire all religious teachers and authors of catechetical books. Move them to love and transmit only that which can form true followers of the Teacher who was divine. Amen.
CHILDREN OF MARY
Prayer to St. Maria Goretti:
Charming Saint, and true child of Mary, Mother of Jesus, you were so young but already so strong in resisting a cruel tempter and preferring to die a martyr. How greatly we need today, when chastity is often discarded, more models and intercessors like you! Multiply faithful Children of Mary for her glory and that of her Son. Amen.
CHOIR BOYS
Prayer to St. Dominic Savio:
Great model for God-loving boys and cherished pupil of the famous Don Bosco, you died prematurely, humanly speaking, but you had already attained mature spiritual wisdom. Your kindness won you many friends but your love above all sought the Master who is present in our tabernacles. His praises you eucharistically sang. Make choir boys be singers like you for the love of Jesus, our most loving Master. Amen.
CHARITABLE WORKERS
Prayer to St. Vincent de Paul:
Dear Saint, the mere mention of your name suggests a litany of your virtues: humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice. It also recalls your many foundations: Works of Mercy, Congregations, Societies. And the Church gratefully remembers your promotion of the priesthood. Inspire all Charitable Workers, especially those who minister to the poor, both the spiritually and the materially poor. Amen.
CLERICS
Prayer to St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows:
Dear Saint, your very name recalls your particular devotion to Christ the Man of Sorrows and to Mary the Afflicted Mother. You died young as a Passionist religious but left to us all an example of a life of Christ-like sacrifice. Intercede for our seminarians and young religious who are in desperate need of your patronage amid today's sensual and selfish world. Amen.
COMEDIANS
Prayer to St. Vitus:
Dear Vitus, the one thing we are certain about is that you died a martyr's death. In early times churches were dedicated to you in important places. In the Middle Ages your intercession obtained cures from epilepsy so that this disease came to be called "St. Vitus' Dance." Inspire comedians to make people dance with laughter and so bear goodwill toward one another. Amen.
DEVOTEES OF THE SACRED HEART
Prayer to St. Margaret Mary:
O Holy Visitandine, to hear your name is to recall the Sacred Heart Devotion, especially as practiced on First Fridays and in making reparation for sins. From early youth you dedicated yourself to Jesus and you exhibited fervent love for him in the Eucharist. You became his chosen vessel to spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart which has done wonders in modern times. Make all of us realize ever more Christ's words: "Behold this Heart that has so greatly loved people." Amen.
DOMESTICS
Prayer to St. Zita:
Dear Follower of the Son of God, you desired to become a servant and died the death of a slave. You were not only a faithful maid-servant but a practical lover of the poor. Like Mary you could have said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord." Prompt domestics to be just and charitable, seeing in their employers children of God and setting an example for them as servants of God. Amen.
EDITORS
Prayer to St. John Bosco:
Admirable apostle of youth, founder of religious Congregations, catechist, educator, writer, and a light that shone brightly in our time, you know that one of the greatest powers today is the power of the Press. Prompt editors to be always truthful and to work for the good of human beings, thus serving the greater glory of God. Amen.
EDUCATORS
Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle:
Well-known Founder of Congregation of the Brothers of Christian Schools, orthodox and prayerful theologian, you realized the very great value of competent Christian educators. How great your wholesome influence has been! Make your followers continue to be Christ-like models for all their students who in turn will edify others. Amen.
EVANGELISTS
Prayer to St. Paul the Apostle:
Great convert and Apostle of the Gentiles, you became Christ-like and knew only Christ Crucified. Though extremely learned, you relied completely on the Wisdom received from the Spirit and taught from the abundance of your heart. Instruct modern evangelists, those who preach Christ to others. Let them realize that their actions speak louder than any words they may use. Teach them to use their talents in conveying their God-given message but to rely above all on the promptings of the Spirit. Amen.
FARMERS
Prayer to St. Isidore the Farmer:
Dear Isidore, you know how normal it is to cultivate the land for you were employed as a farm laborer for the greater part of your life. Although you received God's help materially through Angels in the field, all farmers are aided spiritually to see the wonders God has strewn on this earth. Encourage all farmers in their labors and help them to feed numerous people. Amen.
FIREFIGHTERS
Prayer to St. Catherine of Sienna:
Dominican Tertiary and Doctor of the Church, you were full of wisdom, the special gift of God, and you knew how to guide even Pontiffs, as well as how to extinguish fiery passions and restore true peace among people. How inspiring your spiritual writings and how heroic your abstemious life! Fires are today unfortunately all too common, some even caused by criminal persons. Please protect and encourage firefighters in their heroic efforts to save lives. Amen.
HOMEMAKERS
Prayer to St. Ann:
Dear Saint, we know nothing about you except your name. But you gave us the Mother of God who called herself handmaid of the Lord. In your home you raised the Queen of Heaven and are rightly the model of homemakers. In your womb came to dwell the new Eve uniquely conceived without sin. Intercede for us that we too may remain free from sin. Amen.
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Prayer to St. Camillus of Lellis:
Most wonderful Saint, your compassion for the sick and the dying led you to found the Servants of the Sick. As the Patron of nurses and hospital workers, infuse in them your compassionate spirit. Make hospitals resemble the inn in Christ's Parable to which the Good Samaritan brought the wounded man saying: "Take care of him, and I will repay you for it." Amen.
IMMIGRANTS
Prayer to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini:
How much there can be in a name is most clearly shown in you who were called Frances Xavier, thus expressing your wonderful missionary spirit. An emigrant from Lombardi in Italy, you in turn took care of immigrants. You founded the Missionary Sisters and became the first American citizen to be canonized a Saint. Make us dedicated servants of God like yourself and care for the immigrants who need your help. Amen.
LAWYERS
Prayer to St. Thomas More:
Dear Scholar and Martyr, it was not the King of England but you who were the true Defender of the Faith. Like Christ unjustly condemned, neither promises nor threats could make you accept a civil ruler as head of the Christian Church. Perfect in your honesty and love of truth, grant that lawyers and judges may imitate you and achieve true justice for all people. Amen.
LAY PEOPLE
Prayer to St. Frances of Rome:
Dear Frances, you were an exemplary wife, ever faithful to your husband. After his death, you founded and governed the Congregation of Mount Olivet, revealing your great devotion to our Lord's Passion. You faith in Angels was rewarded by frequent visions of them. Please pray for Catholics in our day that they may be as dedicated to God as you were. Amen.
LECTORS
Prayer to St. Bede the Venerable:
Careful Historian and Doctor of the Church, lover of God and of truth, you are a natural model for all readers of God's inspired Word. Move lectors to prepare for public reading by prayerfully pondering the sacred texts and invoking the Holy Spirit. Help them to read in such a way that those who hear may attain learning and edification. Amen.
MARINERS
Prayer to St. Brendan:
Dear Saint, to mention your name is to recall much traveling. It was in relation to voyages that you emerged as a popular Saint. The Irish became great travelers thus spreading their faith everywhere. Protect not only mariners but also all those who go down to the sea in ships. Amen.
MERCHANTS
Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi:
Most lovable and popular Saint, son of a go-getting and wealthy merchant of Assisi, you discarded earthly possessions for the Savior you loved so dearly and you won innumerable persons for Jesus. How greatly we need in our day unselfish and just merchants. Inspire them with the love of Christ for others and with the desire for things that endure. Amen.
MISSIONARIES
Prayer to St. Peter Claver:
Dear Saint of our modern times, you were permeated with compassion for the oppressed, for human beings sold as slaves and treated as expendable beasts. While alleviating their natural ills, and taught them the surpassing knowledge of Christ. Inspire many of our contemporaries to become self-sacrificing missionaries like you. Amen.
Prayer to St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus:
Dear Little Flower of Lisieux, how wonderful was the short life you led. Though cloistered, you went far and wide through fervent prayers and great sufferings. You obtained from God untold helps and graces for his evangelists. Help all missionaries in their work and teach all of us to spread Christianity in our own neighborhoods and family circles. Amen.
MOTHERS
Prayer to St. Monica:
Exemplary Mother of the great Augustine, you perseveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray. Amen.
MOTORISTS
Prayer to St. Christopher:
Dear Saint, you have inherited a beautiful name, Christ-bearer, as a result of a wonderful legend that while carrying people across a raging stream you also carried the Child Jesus. Teach us to be true Christ-bearers to those who do not know him. Protect all drivers who often transport those who bear Christ within them. Amen.
MUSICIANS
Prayer to St. Cecilia:
Dear Saint Cecilia, one thing we know for certain about you is that you became a heroic martyr in fidelity to your divine Bridegroom. We do not know that you were a musician but we are told that you heard Angels sing. Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people by filling the air with God's gift of music and reminding them of the divine Musician who created all beauty. Amen.
CLOISTERED NUNS
Prayer to St. Gertrude:
Model of total fidelity to the Heavenly Bridegroom and to your Cistercian Rule, the Lord was pleased to make available wonderful private revelations through you. Help religious to realize that where there is total generosity trials are usually not lacking, but there is also God's infinite love. Make all religious generous like you. Amen.
NURSES
Prayer to St. Agatha:
Dear Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church recalls in her liturgy, you heroically resisted the temptation of a degenerate ruler. Subjected to long and horrible tortures, you remained faithful to your heavenly Spouse. St. Peter, we are told, gave you some solace and so you are invoked by nurses. Encourage them to see Christ in the sick and to render true service to them. Amen.
PHYSICIANS
Prayer to St. Luke:
Most charming and saintly Physician, you were animated by the heavenly Spirit of love. In faithfully detailing the humanity of Jesus, you also showed his divinity and his genuine compassion for all human beings. Inspire our physicians with your professionalism and with the divine compassion for their patients. Enable them to cure the ills of both body and spirit that afflict so many in our day. Amen.
POLICE OFFICERS
Prayer to St. Michael:
Dear St. Michael, your name means, "Who is like God?" and indicates that you remained faithful when others rebelled against God. Help police officers in our day who strive to stem the rebellion and evil that are rampant on all sides. Keep them faithful to their God as well as to their country and their fellow human beings. Amen.
PREACHERS
Prayer to St. John Chrysostom:
Dear St. John, your oratorical gifts inspired thousands and earned you the name "golden-mouthed." Continue to inspire Christians through your writing and grant us a rebirth of Christian preaching for the spiritual renewal of the Church. Obtain from God preachers like yourself who, animated by the Holy Spirit, deserve to be called other Christs and forcefully preach the Good News. Amen.
PRIESTS
Prayer to St. John Vianney:
Saintly Pastor of Arts and splendid model of all servants of souls, you were considered not very bright but you possessed the wisdom of the Saints. You were a true pontiflex, a bridge-builder, between God and his people as countless penitents streamed to your confessional. Inspire all priests to be dedicated mediators between God and his people in our day. Amen.
PRISONERS
Prayer to St. Dismas:
Dear St. Dismas, you cooperated with the grace that was yours in suffering the same fate as the Divine Master. You repented for your sins and believed, and you heard the Savior say: "Today you will be with me in paradise." Obtain for prisoners the same grace to repent of their wicked ways, and obtain the same reward, eternal life with Christ. Amen.
REFORMERS
Prayer to St. Basil:
Dear St. Basil, you lived among Saints, your parents and your best friend, Gregory Nazianzen. You were an inspirer of true monastic life and a reformer of priests and laity. Help all those who work for moral reform in our turbulent age. Give them a true knowledge of Jesus so that they will draw all people to him. Amen.
RELIGIOUS
Prayer to St. Teresa of Avila:
O wonderful daughter of Spain, you taught us to walk the way of Christian perfection which is the way of the Cross. You inspired innumerable men and women by your writings as well as your conduct, deserving the title of Doctor of the Church. Ever faithful to St. Peter's successors, inspire fidelity to religious vows on the part of those who have taken them and make them ever true to their vocations. Amen.
Prayer to St. Benedict:
Dear St. Benedict, you are a "blessing" indeed, as your name indicates. Practicing what you preached, you founded the monastic tradition of the West by joining prayer to labor for God, both liturgical and private prayer. Help all religious to follow their Rule and be true to their vocation. May they labor and pray for the world to the greater glory of God. Amen.
RETREATANTS
Prayer to St. Ignatius of Loyola:
Dear Founder of the Society of Jesus, a wound you received as a soldier led to your becoming a spiritual soldier for Christ. By reading the lives of the Saints, you changed your life and achieved Sainthood. You learned to appreciate the value of prayer and became a master of the Spiritual Exercises, which greatly fostered retreats. Help all who make retreats to imitate your example by becoming true followers of Jesus. Amen.
SCIENTISTS
Prayer to St. Albert the Great:
Dear Scientist and Doctor of the Church, natural science always led you to the higher science of God. Though you had an encyclopedic knowledge, it never made you proud, for you regarded it as a gift of God. Inspire scientists to use their gifts well in studying the wonders of creation, thus bettering the lot of the human race, and rendering greater glory to God. Amen.
SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS
Prayer to St. Jerome:
Master of unworldliness and founder of monasteries, you had a deep love for God's inspired Word and were a most careful translator of the Sacred Scriptures. Your single-mindness in seeking God's glory is a perfect model for all exegetes. Inspire them with respect for the sacred text as well as for Tradition and the Church's Magisterium. Help them to impart to all the true meaning of the Word of God. Amen.
SECRETARIES
Prayer to St. Genesius:
Dear Bishop and Historian, faithful to sound doctrine and fearless defender of the Faith, you were a careful historian and preserver of valuable documents. Imbue secretaries with a sense of your exactitude and genuine concern for detail. In carrying out their appointed tasks, may they also attend to their spiritual duties and give glory to God in all things. Amen.
SINGERS
Prayer to St. Gregory the Great:
Great Doctor of the Church, you called the Pope "the servant of the servants of the Lord." You were outstanding as a moralist and liturgist, and you introduced the renowned "Gregorian Chant" into the liturgical celebrations of the Church. Inspire singers to realize that they have a gift of God and should use it for the good of others. Help all Christians to sing joyfully at the Eucharist and so celebrate it as the community of God. Amen.
SOCIAL WORKERS
Prayer to St. John Francis Regis:
Zealous worker for souls, you wrought many miracles and labored for all classes of people, but especially to convert the Huguenots. To you St. John Vianney of Ars attributed both his vocation and his spiritual successes. Make social workers go about doing good not as mere humanitarians but as messengers of Christ who have a supernatural love for their clients. Amen.
SOLDIERS
Prayer to St. Martin of Tours:
Dear well-beloved Saint, you were first a soldier like your father. Converted to the Church, you became a soldier of Christ, a priest and then Bishop of Tours. Lover of the poor, and model for pagans and Christians alike, protect our soldiers at all times. Make them strong, just, and charitable, always aiming at establishing peace on earth. Amen.
SPIRITUAL LEADERS
Prayer to St. Ephrem:
Doctor of the Church and Saintly Deacon, you were called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit" because of the power of your mystical works. Cast out of home by your pagan father, you met St. Basil, a truly spiritual father, and became a light in the world as the instrument of the Holy Spirit. Endow our spiritual leaders with a little of your mystical and spiritual sense so that they may lead us unerringly to Christ. Amen.
STUDENTS
Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas:
Wonderful theologian and Doctor of the Church, you learned more from the Crucifix than from books. Combining both sources, you left us the marvelous Summa of theology, broadcasting most glorious enlightenment to all. You always sought for true light and studied for God's honor and glory. Help us all to study our religion as well as all other subjects needed for life, without ambition and pride in imitation of you. Amen.
SURGEONS
Prayer to Sts. Cosmas and Damian:
Dear twin brothers, you both died as witnesses to the Lord you loved. Sometimes you miraculously healed the ailing bodies of your fellow human beings. You also managed to cure the souls that suffered from unbelief and sin. Help surgeons in their delicate work, especially when there exists more danger than usual. Remind them to invoke often the Lord of Life while not forgetting to do their part to save or better the lives of their patients. Amen.
SWEETHEARTS
Prayer to St. Valentine:
Dear Saint and glorious Martyr, who are so popular with lovers, be kind to those whom we love and to us. Teach us to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving. Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other. Let them love each other in God and God in each other. Amen.
TELEVISION WORKERS
Prayer to St. Clare of Assisi:
Dear St. Clare, inspired by St. Francis, you became a poor nun for the sake of Jesus, and established the "Poor Clares." We are told how greatly you cherished Christ present in the Sacrament of the Altar. Is the Mass not a kind of television of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross? Help all television workers to broadcast the truth and draw away from falsehood and evil. Amen.
TERTIARIES
Prayer to St. Louis of France:
Admirable Catholic King and devoted family man, you raised eleven children of God, personally served the poor, and respected human rights. You founded "houses of God" and provided an example for religious by your fidelity. Inspire tertiaries to live their vocation and thereby give an example of Christian love to others in the world. Amen.
THEOLOGIANS
Prayer to St. Augustine:
Beloved Saint of our age, you were at first wholly human-centered and attached to false teachings. Finally converted through God's grace, you became a praying theologian, God-centered, God-loving, and God-preaching. Help theologians in their study of revealed truth. Let them always follow the Church Magisterium. as they strive to communicate traditional teachings in a new form that will appeal to our contemporaries. Amen.
MORAL THEOLOGIANS
Prayer to St. Alphonsus Liguori:
Precise and orthodox theologian, Master in theology of conduct, how greatly we need today theologians who are humble, prayerful, and eager to spread Christian conduct all around. You wrote much about the path to perfection and the means to follow the Teacher of all, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Inspire our theologians to help the countless people who look to them for guidance in life's conduct. Amen.
WIDOWS
Prayer to St. Elizabeth of Hungary:
Dear Saint, you were always poor in spirit, most generous toward the poor, faithful to your husband, and fully consecrated to your Divine Bridegroom. Grant your help to widows and keep them faithful to their heavenly Lord. Teach them how to cope with their loss and to make use of their time in the service of God. Amen.
WORKERS
Prayer to St. Joseph:
Dear Patron of God's Church, you are honored by her as the Worker, the humble carpenter of Nazareth. According to St. Teresa of Avila, you are universal in your intercessions. Inspire workers of all kinds to walk ever in your footsteps as faithful servants coupling charity with justice and becoming true followers of Jesus. Amen.
WRITERS
Prayer to St. Francis de Sales:
Most loving and lovable Saint, you preached to thousands with the pen, introducing them to "the devout life." You wrote sublimely about God's love and made countless converts by your Christ-like kindness. Make writers realize the power of the Press and inspire them with your zeal for spreading truth. Help them to write honestly no matter what the subject, so that they will really contribute to bringing about God's Kingdom. Amen.
WRITERS OF CATECHISMS
Prayer to St. Peter Canisius:
Dear Doctor and Defender of the Church, to you the Master must have said: "Well done, composer of books which have taught and inspired countless persons in many lands." Help those who compose catechisms to communicate the true teachings of Christ in ways that can be understood by our contemporaries so that they will be moved to follow Jesus. Amen.
YOUTH
Prayer to St. Aloysius:
Dear Christian youth, you were a faithful follower of Christ in the Society of Jesus. You steadily strove for perfection while generously serving the plague-stricken. Help our youth today who are faced with a plague of false cults and false gods. Show them how to harness their energies and to use them for their own and others' fulfillment, which will redound to the greater glory of God. Amen.