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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 91811 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-08-12 20:04:41 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-08-12 20:04:41 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>By: Sr. Elizabeth Ann Sjoberg, DC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Many wear the Miraculous Medal.&nbsp;Numerous miracles, healings, and conversions are attributed to it.&nbsp;But much fewer people know the fascinating story behind this Marian Apparition and the Saint who received it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"className":""} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Catherine Labouré is the only Saint to have touched an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.</strong>&nbsp;On July 18, 1830, St. Catherine followed an angel appearing as a child to the Chapel, where the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/litany-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-litany-of-loreto/">Blessed Virgin Mary</a> appeared, seated on a chair.&nbsp;St. Catherine recounts kneeling with her hands in the Virgin Mary’s lap, “There, a period of time passed, the sweetest of my life.”&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>After telling her confessor, St. Catherine Laboure kept her identity as the Visionary secret for 46 years.</strong> The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine when she was a 24-year-old Seminary Sister (novice) at the Motherhouse of the <a href="https://daughters-of-charity.com/">Daughters of Charity</a> in Paris, France. Despite the numerous healings and miracles associated with the Miraculous Medal, no one knew who was the visionary Sister was. St. Catherine worked with the poor and elderly for another 46 years before sharing her experience with her local superior and subsequently writing down her account of the apparitions.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>The Blessed Virgin Mary predicted calamities and strife, along with hope.</strong>&nbsp;The Virgin Mary told St. Catherine, “The times are evil.&nbsp; Sorrows will come upon France; the throne will be overturned. The whole world will be upset by miseries of every kind.”&nbsp;St. Catherine recounts that the Mother of God shed tears and that her face twisted in pain.&nbsp;Then the Blessed Virgin pointed to the altar where the tabernacle was and said,&nbsp;“Come to the foot of this altar.&nbsp;Here, graces will be spread over all who ask for them with confidence and fervor.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>The Miraculous Medal was not its original name. </strong>The Blessed Virgin Mary instructed St. Catherine to have a medal made with the inscription “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”&nbsp;Mary promised that those who wore the medal and prayed for her intercession would receive special graces.&nbsp;It was originally called “The Medal of the Immaculate Conception”, however there were so many accounts of miracles by those who wore it that the people themselves began to call it the Miraculous Medal.&nbsp;At the time of St. Catherine’s death in 1876, more than a billion medals had already been made.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>The Miraculous Medal is connected to </strong><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/our-lady-of-lourdes-feast-day-prayers-novena/"><strong>Our Lady of Lourdes.</strong>&nbsp;Th</a>e Marian Apparitions to St. Catherine occurred in 1830 with the message “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” 24 years before Pope Pius IX declared the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/feast-of-the-immaculate-conception-church-teaching-prayers/">Immaculate Conception</a> as a Dogma of the Catholic Church.&nbsp;Then in 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous.&nbsp;When St. Bernadette asked who she was, Mary said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”&nbsp; Bernadette would later say, “The Lady of the Grotto has appeared to me as displayed in the Miraculous Medal.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Miraculous Medal, the only medal designed by Mary herself, is not a good luck charm or a superstition. But rather, the Medal is a reminder of Mary’s powerful intercession for our time and circumstances. May each of us heed her call to “come to the foot of the altar” and ask for God’s graces with confidence.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/miraculousmedal">Try Hallow For Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">To learn more or share your story of favors received through wearing the Miraculous Medal and Mary’s intercession, go to <a href="https://miraculousmedal.org/">https://miraculousmedal.org/</a>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Sr. Elizabeth Sjoberg is a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. She is the Vocation Director for the Daughters of Charity Province of St. Louise and cohosts the podcast “In the Company of Charity” on Spotify and <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-company-of-charity/id1437268115">Apple Podcasts</a>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-related-resources">Related Resources</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">How to pray a novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to pray the rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-marian-consecration/">How to pray Marian consecration</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Five Things You Didn’t Know About the Miraculous Medal [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => miraculous-medal-5-things-you-didnt-know [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-08-12 20:44:03 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-08-12 20:44:03 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=91811 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 90707 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-07-30 20:33:37 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-07-30 20:33:37 [post_content] => <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overview</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#life">St. John Vianney's Early Life</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#patron-saint">Patron Saint of Parish Priests</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayer">Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#pray-for-parish-priests">Pray for Parish Priests</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#free">Hallow Free for Priests</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#faqs">FAQs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-john-vianney-feast-day">St. John Vianney Feast Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Feast of St. John Vianney takes place on August 4 and offers us an opportunity to remember a saint whose life demonstrates the extraordinary power of prayer and devotion. In 2025, we also celebrated the 100th anniversity of St. John Vianney's canonization.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Known as the Curé of Ars ("Curé" is French for "pastor" and Ars was the French village he served), St. John Vianney stands as one of The Church's most inspiring examples of priestly dedication and the transformative impact of a life centered on prayer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In his beautiful encyclical Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia, <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_19590801_sacerdotii.html">published in 1959</a>, Pope John XXII wrote beautifully of St. John Vianney's impact, saying:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"It is said that St. John M. Vianney lived in the Church in such a way that he worked for it alone, and burned himself up like a piece of straw being consumed on fiery coals. May that flame which comes from the Holy Spirit reach those of Us who have been raised to the priesthood of Jesus Christ and consume us too."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Learn more about St. John Vianney and his feast day below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="life">St. John Vianney's Life </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Born in 1786 near Lyon, France, John Vianney grew up during the tumultuous aftermath of the French Revolution when practicing the Catholic faith often required courage and secrecy. Vianney grew up attending Mass when fugitive priest <a href="https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-john-vianney/">came through the area</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">His family was "poor in material possessions but rich in humanity and in faith," <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20090805.html">Pope Benedixct XVI once said</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Despite facing significant academic challenges and struggling with Latin during his seminary studies, his unwavering devotion to God carried him through to ordination in 1815. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When Father Vianney arrived at the parish of Ars, he found a community where faith had grown cold. The Church stood nearly empty, and many had fallen away from the sacraments. Through his deep commitment to <a href="/blog/morning-prayer/">morning prayer</a>, fasting, and tireless pastoral work, he gradually transformed this small village into a place of profound spiritual renewal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow For Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="patron-saint">The Confessional and the Patron Saint of Parish Priests</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">What makes St. John Vianney's story so remarkable was his extraordinary dedication to the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-go-to-confession-the-sacrament-of-penance-reconciliation/">Sacrament of Reconciliation</a>. As his reputation grew, pilgrims began traveling from across France to seek his guidance. In his later years, he would spend up to 16 hours daily in the confessional, often beginning before dawn and continuing until late evening. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">By the end of his life, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Ars <a href="https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-john-vianney/">to visit him</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Curé of Ars possessed a remarkable ability to read souls, sometimes seemingly knowing penitents' sins before they spoke them. Yet it was his profound compassion—a reflection of God's own mercy—that drew thousands to this remote French village. Through his ministry in the confessional, countless souls experienced healing and conversion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. John Vianney's life reminds us that holiness isn't reserved for the intellectually brilliant or naturally gifted. His struggles with academic learning never hindered his profound spiritual wisdom. In 1925, Pope Pius XI recognized his extraordinary example by <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/08/04/st--john--m--vianney-the-cur-of-ars--patron-of--parish-priests.html">declaring him</a> the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. And now, many seminaries (not to mention high schools) are named in his honor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In this way, St. John Vianney's legacy includes teaching and sharing the faith to many, always pointing people towards Christ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Vianney was specific about Christ," wrote <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Saint_John_Vianney.html?id=lcNJDnDAuDYC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;source=kp_read_button&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=0#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">George William Rutler in <em>The Curé D'ars Today</em></a>. "He knew that great teachers pass on teachings, but that Christ passes on himself."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow For Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prayer">St. John Vianney and Prayer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Curé of Ars left us with profound insights about prayer that remain relevant today. He understood prayer not as a duty but as the very breath of spiritual life—the essential connection between our souls and God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself," he once said. This beautiful image reminds us that prayer isn't just about asking for things but about immersing ourselves in God's presence and love.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. John Vianney <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjohnvianneysociety/photos/a.170940439585465/5788560787823374/?type=3&amp;locale=ms_MY&amp;_rdr">also taught</a> that prayer requires perseverance: "The more you pray, the more you want to pray. It's like a fish that starts by swimming near the surface of the water, then goes down deeper and plunges to the very depths." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">His words continue to inspire many today. <a href="https://archive.org/details/TheCureOfArs-SelectionsFromTheWritingsOfStJohnVianney/CureOfArsLittleCatechismEtc.all/page/n27/mode/2up">This passage</a> from his writing is equally beautiful and moving:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">My children, your heart is poor and narrow; but prayer enlarges it, and renders it capable of loving God. Prayer is a foretaste of Heaven, an overflow of paradise. It never leaves us without sweetness. It is like honey descending into the soul and sweetening everything. Troubles melt away before a fervent prayer like snow before the sun. Prayer makes time pass away very quickly, and so pleasantly that one does not perceive how it passes….</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow For Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="pray-for-parish-priests">Pray for Parish Priests</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Feast of St. John Vianney is a great reminder to us to offer up prayers for priests, both in our own communities and across the world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On Hallow, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT leads a session of prayers inviting us to pray specifically for priests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This collection includes a litany for priests, as well as a prayer written by Richard Cardinal Cushing, former Archbishop of Boston, <a href="https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?ID=197575">whose vision</a> it was "to establish a permanent residence for archdiocesan senior priests that would provide them with a real home, basic care, and the opportunity to continue priestly ministry while aging in place."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. John Vianney's life offers incredible inspiration for our own spiritual journeys. Despite humble beginnings and significant obstacles, his dedication to prayer and the sacraments transformed not only his parish but countless souls throughout France and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="free">Hallow Free for Priests</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow is pleased to offer preists, religious sisters, deacons and others free lifetime subscriptions to Hallow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">If you know someone in religious life who would like a free lifetime subscription to Hallow, please <a href="https://hallow.com/religious">share this form</a> with them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="faqs">Common Questions About St. John Vianney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1753901957942","question":["Why is St. John Vianney known as patron saint of priests?"],"answer":["St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests because of his extraordinary dedication to his priestly ministry, particularly in the confessional. Despite his academic struggles, he showed that holiness and effective ministry come through devotion and prayer rather than intellectual brilliance alone. Pope Pius XI officially declared him the patron saint of parish priests worldwide in 1925."],"jsonQuestion":"Why is St. John Vianney known as patron saint of priests?","jsonAnswer":"St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests because of his extraordinary dedication to his priestly ministry, particularly in the confessional. Despite his academic struggles, he showed that holiness and effective ministry come through devotion and prayer rather than intellectual brilliance alone. Pope Pius XI officially declared him the patron saint of parish priests worldwide in 1925."},{"id":"faq-question-1753902452147","question":["What miracles is St. John Vianney known for?"],"answer":["St. John Vianney believed that conversion from sin to grace ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/miracles-in-ars.html","children":["represented"]}}," \u0022a greater miracle than what the Lord did to raise Lazarus!\u0022 After his death, at least 30 physical miracles were attributed to his intercession, leading to his canonization in 1925."],"jsonQuestion":"What miracles is St. John Vianney known for?","jsonAnswer":"St. John Vianney believed that conversion from sin to grace \u003ca href=\u0022https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/miracles-in-ars.html\u0022\u003erepresented\u003c/a\u003e \u0022a greater miracle than what the Lord did to raise Lazarus!\u0022 After his death, at least 30 physical miracles were attributed to his intercession, leading to his canonization in 1925."},{"id":"faq-question-1753902619556","question":["How to pray for priests through St. John Vianney's intercession? "],"answer":["Consider this short prayer, ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://cureofars.com/coanovena","children":["via Curé of Ars Catholic Church"]}},": ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["O holy Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney, you loved God and faithfully served Him by serving His people as their priest. Now, as you are with our Father, you can continue to serve Him by presenting our petitions to Him directly. Remember the vulnerabilities, fears, and anxieties that surround us and intercede for us in all our needs, especially….(here mention your own personal request). O Priest of Ars, pray for us in a special way during this novena, we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen."]}}," You can also offer Masses, ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/","children":["novenas"]}},", or the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/","children":["rosary"]}}," for priests through his intercession."],"jsonQuestion":"How to pray for priests through St. John Vianney's intercession? ","jsonAnswer":"Consider this short prayer, \u003ca href=\u0022https://cureofars.com/coanovena\u0022\u003evia Curé of Ars Catholic Church\u003c/a\u003e: \u003cem\u003eO holy Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney, you loved God and faithfully served Him by serving His people as their priest. Now, as you are with our Father, you can continue to serve Him by presenting our petitions to Him directly. Remember the vulnerabilities, fears, and anxieties that surround us and intercede for us in all our needs, especially….(here mention your own personal request). O Priest of Ars, pray for us in a special way during this novena, we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e You can also offer Masses, \u003ca href=\u0022/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/\u0022\u003enovenas\u003c/a\u003e, or the \u003ca href=\u0022/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/\u0022\u003erosary\u003c/a\u003e for priests through his intercession."},{"id":"faq-question-1753902650966","question":["Where is St. John Vianney's shrine?"],"answer":["St. John Vianney's shrine is located in Ars, France, a small village about 25 miles north of Lyon. The Basilica of Ars contains his incorrupt body and has become a major pilgrimage site, especially for priests and those discerning vocations to the priesthood. The modest rectory where he lived has been preserved, allowing pilgrims to see the simple conditions in which this great saint lived his extraordinary life."],"jsonQuestion":"Where is St. John Vianney's shrine?","jsonAnswer":"St. John Vianney's shrine is located in Ars, France, a small village about 25 miles north of Lyon. The Basilica of Ars contains his incorrupt body and has become a major pilgrimage site, especially for priests and those discerning vocations to the priesthood. The modest rectory where he lived has been preserved, allowing pilgrims to see the simple conditions in which this great saint lived his extraordinary life."}]} --> <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753901957942"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Why is St. John Vianney known as patron saint of priests?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests because of his extraordinary dedication to his priestly ministry, particularly in the confessional. Despite his academic struggles, he showed that holiness and effective ministry come through devotion and prayer rather than intellectual brilliance alone. Pope Pius XI officially declared him the patron saint of parish priests worldwide in 1925.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753902452147"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What miracles is St. John Vianney known for?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">St. John Vianney believed that conversion from sin to grace <a href="https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/miracles-in-ars.html">represented</a> "a greater miracle than what the Lord did to raise Lazarus!" After his death, at least 30 physical miracles were attributed to his intercession, leading to his canonization in 1925.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753902619556"><strong class="schema-faq-question">How to pray for priests through St. John Vianney's intercession? </strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Consider this short prayer, <a href="https://cureofars.com/coanovena">via Curé of Ars Catholic Church</a>: <em>O holy Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney, you loved God and faithfully served Him by serving His people as their priest. Now, as you are with our Father, you can continue to serve Him by presenting our petitions to Him directly. Remember the vulnerabilities, fears, and anxieties that surround us and intercede for us in all our needs, especially….(here mention your own personal request). O Priest of Ars, pray for us in a special way during this novena, we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.</em> You can also offer Masses, <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novenas</a>, or the <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">rosary</a> for priests through his intercession.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753902650966"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Where is St. John Vianney's shrine?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">St. John Vianney's shrine is located in Ars, France, a small village about 25 miles north of Lyon. The Basilica of Ars contains his incorrupt body and has become a major pilgrimage site, especially for priests and those discerning vocations to the priesthood. The modest rectory where he lived has been preserved, allowing pilgrims to see the simple conditions in which this great saint lived his extraordinary life.</p> </div> </div> <!-- /wp:yoast/faq-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. John Vianney, pray for us!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources">More Resources</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/back-to-school-prayers-for-teachers/">Back to School Prayers for Teachers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/catholic-schools-week/">Catholic Schools Week</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/daily-prayer-prayers-for-today/">Daily Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Feast of St. John Vianney [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => st-john-vianney-feast-day [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-30 20:33:51 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-30 20:33:51 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=90707 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 90483 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-07-25 16:44:59 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-07-25 16:44:59 [post_content] => <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#who-was-st-james">Who was St. James?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#origins">Origins of St. James Day/Feast of St. James</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#celebration">Observing and celebrating the Feast of St. James</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayer">Prayer for Feast of St. James</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Feast of St. James the Apostle, honors one of Jesus' closest disciples and the first Apostle to be martyred for the faith. St. James, known also as James the Greater, was one of the "Sons of Thunder" with his brother John—a nickname that Jesus gave them that hints at their passionate, zealous nature (which is evident to any viewers of The Chosen!) Tradition holds that James was the older brother, though Scripture does not clarify this. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We celebrate the feast each year on July 25. Each year, this feast day offers us a beautiful opportunity to reflect on a man who walked closely with Christ and ultimately gave his life for the Gospel. Whether you're a longtime devotee or just learning about this incredible saint, his feast day provides a perfect moment to <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">deepen your prayer life</a> and connect with the rich traditions of our faith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="who-was-st-james">Who Was St. James the Apostle.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. James was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. He was close to Jesus, witnessing pivotal moments like the Transfiguration and being present during Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Scripture shows us a man of contrasts—someone fiery enough to earn the "Son of Thunder" nickname, yet humble enough to follow Jesus with complete devotion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. - Matthew 4:21-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">After Christ's Ascension, James preached fearlessly in Judea and Samaria before becoming the first Apostle to be martyred, beheaded by King Herod Agrippa around 44 A.D. in Jerusalem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He was the first of the original 12 to die for his faith, as we learn in the 12th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Tradition holds that before his martyrdom, James evangelized in Spain, which explains his profound connection to the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago where millions have journeyed to venerate his relics at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Though St. James has a large presence in the Gospels, the Biblical book of James is not connected to him. According to William Farina's book "<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=kNZSDwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=st.+james+martyred&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=0&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi7j86CttaOAxXnlokEHfxdMX4Q6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&amp;q=st.%20james%20martyred&amp;f=false">St. James the Greater in History, Art and Culture</a>," the New Testament's Epistle of James was written by James the Just, not St. James the Greater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="origins">The Origins and Significance of St. James' Feast Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The July 25 feast day for St. James has been celebrated since early Christian times, with <a href="https://celticcountries.com/traditions/35-james-the-patron-saint-of-galicia">some sources</a> tracing the celebration back at least to the 9th century.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">With James, we are reminded that Jesus doesn't call perfect people to follow Him. He calls us all, just as he called James</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Google Trends tells us that St. James Day is most popular in Spanish, where devotion to James is particularly strong. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Spain is home to the shrine of St. James the Great, also called the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimate destination and where St. James is believed to be buried. (James is also called "Santiago" in Spanish). Read a Hallow employee's personal journey of walking "<a href="https://hallow.com/blog/hallow-spotlight-a-spiritual-journey-on-the-camino/">The Way of St. James.</a>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">One of the most famous miracles attributed to St. James happened to a man who returned from a pilgrimage here. According to "Miracles of Saint James" by Linda Davidson, the man's son, who had been unjustly hanged, was revived after the man returned from Santiago de Compostela. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It's just one of the 22 miracles commonly associated with St. James.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Modern celebrations of St. James Day include processions, special Masses, traditional foods, and in Santiago de Compostela, spectacular fireworks displays and a unique incense burner (<a href="https://caminoways.com/botafumeiro-santiago-de-compostela">botafumeiro</a>) swinging through the cathedral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Philippines also plays host to St. James Day celebrations, with some towns going so far as to <a href="https://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/betis-to-celebrate-feast-day-of-saint-james-the-apostle">cancel school</a> in order to observe the feast day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="celebration">Ways to Observe the Feast of St. James</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">There are many meaningful ways to celebrate this special feast day:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Attend Mass</strong> - If possible, try to attend daily Mass, where the readings and prayers will focus on St. James' life and witness.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Pray for pilgrims</strong> - Offer <a href="/blog/morning-prayer/">morning prayers</a> for those currently walking the Camino de Santiago, that they might find spiritual renewal.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Learn his story</strong> - Read the Gospel accounts featuring St. James (particularly Mark 1:16-20, 3:17, 10:35-45, and Matthew 17:1-8).</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prepare a feast</strong> - In Spain, St. James Day often features seafood dishes like scallops (his symbol is the scallop shell). Consider preparing a special meal with family.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Pray for courage</strong> - Ask St. James to intercede for you, that you might have his courage to witness to Christ even when it's difficult, and to follow whatever path He leads you</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Make a donation</strong> to a charity that supports missionary work.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prayer">A Prayer Tradition for St. James' Feast</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Many Catholics pray a <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novena</a> leading up to his feast day. This is often done beginning on July 16th and concluding on July 24th, the day before the feast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow offers a number of audio-guided novenas that you might consider praying ahead of the Feast of St. James, includng the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/">Surrender Novena</a> and the Discernment Novena, led by Sr. Josephine Garrett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You can also pray this simple prayer asking for the intercession of St. James:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"St. James, chosen by Jesus to be at His side during so many significant moments of His life, pray for me that I may remain close to Jesus in my own life. Pray that I have the courage to travel whatever road Jesus leads me down. Pray that I may have the strength to encounter whatever adversity comes by way, just as you bravely faced it in your martyrdom. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources">More Resources</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">At Hallow, we're particularly moved by how St. James shows us that peace often comes through transformation. His journey from ambitious fisherman to faithful martyr reminds us that prayer changes us from the inside out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Here are some more resources to allow Jesus to transform your heart:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/st-michaels-lent/">How to observe St. Michael's Lent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-54-day-novena/">54-Day Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena">How to Pray the Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => How to Celebrate the Feast of St. James: A Guide to St. James Day [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => feast-of-st-james-day [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-25 16:45:12 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-25 16:45:12 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=90483 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 90321 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-07-23 17:30:10 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-07-23 17:30:10 [post_content] => <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#text">Jump to the Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#history">Origins and History</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#meaning">The Memorare's Meaning</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#when-to-pray">When to Pray</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#benefits">Benefits</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#faqs">FAQs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#on-hallow">Memorare on Hallow</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Pray the Memorare with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Memorare is one of the most cherished Marian prayers in the Catholic faith. It's a heartfelt reminder that we can always turn to our Blessed Mother, trusting in her unfailing help, especially in our times of need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow's guide to the Memorare will help you learn more about this popular prayer and why it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="text">The Memorare Prayer Text</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. <br><br>Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. <br><br>To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. <br><br>O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. <br><br>Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="history">Origins and History of the Memorare</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Memorare (Latin for "Remember") is often attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/07/18/dear-anxious-millennials-i-have-perfect-prayer-you">Doctor of the Church</a>. The prayer as we know it today became widely popular through the efforts of Fr. Claude Bernard in the 17th century; he distributed more than 200,000 copies of the prayer after attributing his own miraculous recovery from illness to Mary's intercession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Found in a <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=IbcRAAAAYAAJ&amp;pg=PA433&amp;dq=memorare&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=0&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiL1df9utGOAxVqmokEHY5KOcMQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&amp;q=memorare&amp;f=false">19th century Irish magazine</a>, this prose, sort of a mix between a poem and a prayer, reflects post the popular of the Memorare at this time, and its close connectiont to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who first became a mong at Citeaux Abbey:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Memorare! Through the ages,<br>Lightning saint and sinner low,<br>Touching heroes, poets, sages,<br>With a deeper spirit-glow,<br>Comes the prayer of Mary's Bernard,<br>Potent now, as long ago,<br>When it rose like incense heavenward<br>From the groves of dark Citeaux</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Memorare, O Maria!<br>That it never hath been known<br>Earthly pleading, Mater pia,<br>Rose unheeded to thy throne.<br>Hear us, then, who kneel before thee,<br>With a long that fain would grow<br>To the love that Bernard bore thee<br>In the cloisters of Citeaux</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://hallow.com/saints/francis-de-sales/">St. Francis de Sales</a>, famous for his <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/salesian-spirituality-guide/">Salesian spirituality</a>, highly recommended the Memorare, and it has remained a cherished prayer for countless Catholics seeking Mary's powerful intercession. The prayer beautifully expresses our confidence in approaching our Blessed Mother, knowing she will carry our petitions to her Son.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In more recent times, the Memorare prayer has <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/commission-protection-minors-global-south-safeguarding.html">inspired the name</a> of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors's (PCPM) program called the Memorare Initiative, which aims to collaborate with local Churches worldwide in to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It's a fitting name, given the text of the prayer helps us to call upon Mary for her protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The prayer is as relevant today as ever. In the 2025 Jubilee Year, <a href="https://salinadiocese.org/office/jubilee-year-of-hope-2025/a-million-memorares-for-hope/">one American diocese</a> launched "A Million Memorares for hope," with the goal of "deepening our diocese’s prayer life and fostering a spirit of hope."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Pray the Memorare with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="meaning">Understanding the Memorare's Meaning</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Memorare begins with a powerful statement of confidence: "never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection... was left unaided." This isn't just poetic language—it's a profound theological truth about Mary's role in our spiritual lives. As the mother of Jesus, Mary has a unique relationship with Christ and a special place in our prayer life.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we pray the Memorare, we're acknowledging both our own need for help ("sinful and sorrowful") and our complete trust in Mary's maternal intercession. Unlike the <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">Hail Mary</a>, which begins with the angel Gabriel's greeting, the Memorare immediately places us in a position of seeking Mary's assistance with complete confidence in her care.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-to-pray">When to Pray the Memorare</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Some of the beauty of the Memorare is its simplicity and versatility: It's easy to pray and can be offered up in any number of situations:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>During times of urgent need</strong> - The Memorare is particularly powerful when facing difficult decisions or seemingly impossible situations.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>As part of a daily Marian devotion</strong> - Many Catholics include the Memorare in their <a href="/blog/morning-prayer/">morning prayer</a> routine.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Before bed</strong> - The prayer makes a beautiful addition to your <a href="/blog/night-prayer-bedtime/">night prayer</a> routine.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>In a novena format</strong> - Some traditions involve praying the Memorare nine times in a row as an "emergency novena." St. Teresa of Calcutta was known to pray what she called her "<a href="https://hallow.com/blog/mother-teresa-prayers-emergency-novena/">Flying Novena</a>" — nine Memorares in a row followed by a tenth in thanksgiving for the favor received.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>As part of the Rosary</strong> - Some people add the Memorare at the beginning or end of their daily <a href="/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">Rosary</a>.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="benefits">The Spiritual Benefits of Praying the Memorare</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Mother Theresa <a href="https://catholicmessenger.net/2022/06/mother-teresa-the-fruit-of-prayer/">once said</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Like all prayer, the memorare can help us grow in faith. Regularly praying it helps us develop a deeper relationship with Mary, who leads us to her Son, Jesus. This prayer reminds us that we're never alone in our struggles. Just as Mary stood at the foot of the Cross during Jesus's greatest suffering, she stands with us in our moments of need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In Mary, we have a mother who understands human suffering and brings our needs directly to her Son.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="faqs">Commonly Asked Questions About the Memorare</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1753218085564","question":["Is the Memorare prayer in the Bible?"],"answer":["The Memorare isn't directly from Scripture, but its theology is deeply biblical. It reflects Mary's intercessory role, which we see at events like the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) where Mary brings needs to Jesus."],"jsonQuestion":"Is the Memorare prayer in the Bible?","jsonAnswer":"The Memorare isn't directly from Scripture, but its theology is deeply biblical. It reflects Mary's intercessory role, which we see at events like the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) where Mary brings needs to Jesus."},{"id":"faq-question-1753218105828","question":["Can non-Catholics pray the Memorare?"],"answer":["Anyone can pray the Memorare who feels drawn to Mary's intercession. While Marian devotion is most prominent in Catholic and some Orthodox traditions, all are welcome to seek Mary's prayers."],"jsonQuestion":"Can non-Catholics pray the Memorare?","jsonAnswer":"Anyone can pray the Memorare who feels drawn to Mary's intercession. While Marian devotion is most prominent in Catholic and some Orthodox traditions, all are welcome to seek Mary's prayers."},{"id":"faq-question-1753218118316","question":["How is the Memorare different from other Marian prayers?"],"answer":["Unlike prayers like the Hail Mary which begin with praise, the Memorare immediately expresses confidence in Mary's help and presents our petitions. It's particularly focused on seeking Mary's intercession in times of need."],"jsonQuestion":"How is the Memorare different from other Marian prayers?","jsonAnswer":"Unlike prayers like the Hail Mary which begin with praise, the Memorare immediately expresses confidence in Mary's help and presents our petitions. It's particularly focused on seeking Mary's intercession in times of need."}]} --> <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753218085564"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Is the Memorare prayer in the Bible?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The Memorare isn't directly from Scripture, but its theology is deeply biblical. It reflects Mary's intercessory role, which we see at events like the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) where Mary brings needs to Jesus.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753218105828"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can non-Catholics pray the Memorare?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Anyone can pray the Memorare who feels drawn to Mary's intercession. While Marian devotion is most prominent in Catholic and some Orthodox traditions, all are welcome to seek Mary's prayers.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1753218118316"><strong class="schema-faq-question">How is the Memorare different from other Marian prayers?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Unlike prayers like the Hail Mary which begin with praise, the Memorare immediately expresses confidence in Mary's help and presents our petitions. It's particularly focused on seeking Mary's intercession in times of need.</p> </div> </div> <!-- /wp:yoast/faq-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="on-hallow">Incorporating the Memorare into Your Prayer Life</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Memorare is a simple prayer to memorize and incorporate into your daily routine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow can also help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On the Hallow app, there are several different sessions of the Memorare available--same prayer, different voice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to standard Hallow voices like Francis and Abby, you can also pray the Memorare in sessions led by Jonathan Roumie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow also offers the Memorare with audio from Fr. Patrick Peyton, known as "Rosary priest." Fr. Peyton, who died in 1992, was declared venerable in 2017 by Pope Francis and his known for his tremendous work popularizing the rosary and prayer within families.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/Iusn2ZIDdVb">Pray the Memorare with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-related-resources">Related Resources</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/angelus-prayer-how-to-pray/">How to pray the Angelus prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-marian-consecration/">How to pray Marian Consecration</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => How to Pray the Memorare [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => memorare-prayer-how-to-pray [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-23 17:30:25 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-23 17:30:25 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=90321 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 87285 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-06-18 16:39:53 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-06-18 16:39:53 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>By Kathryn Krueger</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salesian-spirituality-table-of-contents">Salesian Spirituality: Table of Contents</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#overview">What is Salesian spirituality?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#history">History of Salesian Spirituality + Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#writings-of-st-francis">Writings of St. Francis</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#universal-holiness-and-sacred-heart">Universal Holiness and the Sacread Heart of Jesus</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#six-themes">Six Themes of Salesian Spirituality</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayers">Salesian Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>More Resources</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Francis de Sales died more than 400 years ago, yet his impact spans the world in the 21st century.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He is the patron of numerous religious orders and the namesake for dozens of schools, churches and other organizations around the globe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">But perhaps his greatest impact today is felt through Salesian spirituality, which continues to shape the faith lives of many, bringing them closer to God through “little virtues.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Learn all about Salesian spirituality below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="overview">What is Salesian spirituality?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In a nutshell, Salesian Spirituality is living with the continual awareness of being in God’s presence, following His will in the ordinary circumstances of your life, and living the gospel values through the little virtues.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Francis de Sales was a masterful spiritual director who wanted to help people of all walks of life learn to love God and to allow Jesus to be seen through them. He counseled St. Jane de Chantal, who was a new widow, to lean into raising her children while developing her desire to someday be a religious sister.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He helped numerous people learn to not be fastidious in a prayer routine but rather to accept with gentleness and humility that they needed to care for the people in their lives, to be kind and generous to those who irritated them, and to courageously ask and do what God asked of them in their lives.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">To be sustained these actions, of course, require a deep prayer life, but it is a flexibility of heart and presence that St. Francis encouraged when a prayer routine needed to be adapted, similar to how Jesus adapted to the needy crowds when He would try to step away for prayer time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="history">History of Salesian Spirituality and the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal met in Dijon France in 1604, by 1610 they co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. St. Francis de Sales wrote Introduction to the Devout Life in 1609 and Treatise on the Love of God in 1616.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While he passed away in 1622, St. Jane went on to found over 80 monasteries by the time she passed away in 1641. Their holy friendship paved the way for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our Church, when it was particularly needed in post-reformation Europe, that we now refer to as Salesian Spirituality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Since then St. Francis was named a Doctor of the Church, often called the Doctor of Divine Love. The Visitation Order received the gift of the promulgation of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through His appearances to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673-1675.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And in 1875,&nbsp; Mother Marie de Sales Chappuis convinced Blessed Father Louis Brisson to found the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Salesian Spirituality has continued to grow through these orders and the founding of other orders, such as the Salesians of Don Bosco (1859), the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (1875), the Salesian Sisters (1872), and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/salesianspirituality">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="writings-of-st-francis">The Writings, Practical Guidance, and Spiritual Guidance of St. Francis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Eventually, St. Francis turned his letters of spiritual direction into the book <em>Introduction to the Devout Life</em> which was very successful as tapping a desire of many lay people to learn how to live a devout life. He went on to write and publish <em>Treatise on the Love of God</em> as a deeper dive into the potential levels that a soul can ascend in its relationship with God.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He was a big proponent of offering the beginning of each day to God, gathering the anticipated and the unanticipated events of the day and offering to lean into whatever happened that day to God’s glory and asking for God’s help.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/ignatian-spirituality-and-the-spiritual-exercises/">Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Then at the end of the day, St. Francis encouraged a <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-examen/">daily examen</a> to take a proverbial walk through the events of the day, reflecting on the places a person was aligned with God and the places the person was not, then finally offering thanksgiving and petition for God’s help in the future. Then St. Francis advocated a good night’s sleep, restful in God’s loving arms. He told his directees not to be dragged down by anxiety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="universal-holiness-and-sacred-heart">Universal Holiness and the Sacred Heart of Jesus</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Salesian spirituality’s universal call to holiness and reliance on the loving heart of God was born amidst the challenging circumstances of post-reformation France and Savoy. St. Jane’s own brother was kidnapped by Calvinists who threatened her Catholic, magistrate father to change his religious views.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Francis had a faith crisis in his college years in Paris, as he listened to Calvinist teaching about predestination. St. Francis was fearful that he might not be able to spend eternity with God, but he offered a prayer of submission, saying that he would love God in the present moment, and would leave the future to God.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He said a <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/memorare-prayer-how-to-pray/">Memorare</a> in front of a statue of Our Lady of Good Deliverance. His fears were eased and he was forever changed to be gentle with all souls seeking God and to be convinced of the all-loving heart of Jesus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In fact, St. Francis would write to St. Jane about exchanging her heart with Jesus. The image of offering one’s own heart over to Christ and allowing His infinite love to flow through a person was a recurring analogy in St. Francis and St. Jane’s teaching.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the next generation, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation sister, received the apparition of Jesus, showing more tangibly the image of His <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-sacred-heart-novena/">Sacred Heart</a> and asked her to share the message of His overwhelming love with the world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Salesian Spirituality takes its image and its direction from the Heart of Jesus. The exchange of hearts with Our Beloved Jesus is what gives us the grace and strength to love others in our midst and in our world.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This is a spirituality that has inspired saints from St. Vincent de Paul to St. Thérèse of Liseaux. Some people are called to lives of <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/contemplative-prayer-imaginative-prayer/">contemplation</a> and prayer in a monastery and others are called to active lives of service in the world. God works with every soul in every circumstance. God deeply loves each person and calls each of us to Himself. When we say yes to that call, He can send us on a mission to share His love in a profound way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="six-themes">Six Themes of Salesian Spirituality</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Visitation Salesian Network of the schools originally formed by the Order of The Visitation of Holy Mary recognizes six major themes of Salesian Spirituality. These themes demonstrate the particularly interior spiritual life that we are invited to in a personal relationship with God that then extends in external fruitfulness. The image demonstrates how the majority of the spiritual life is a heart-to-heart exchange with God. The natural fruits of living the ‘little virtues’ become an external sign of living the Gospel values that become new seeds implanted in the hearts of other people.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-god-is-love">God is Love</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">God’s plan of the Incarnation brought Mary to respond in immediate service to her cousin Elizabeth in the encounter of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56). After their exchange, Mary proclaims the Magnifcat, extolling God’s loving generosity both in the scope of salvation history to all people and in the intimate relationship with her as an individual. The very basis of Salesian spirituality is a belief and trust in an all loving God. He loves us each as our unique selves, He fastened his image into each of us, and He calls us into imitating Him by complete self -gift to the other, obedience to him, outpouring of help and support to others, and ultimate unity with Him and with each other through our relationships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-following-god-s-will">Following God’s Will</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We don’t know what Mary expected for her life, but it probably wasn’t for an angel to tell her she would be God’s son’s mother. The angel also mentioned Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and Mary took that as a life circumstance she was called to support and honor, so she went off in haste, living in the present and doing God’s will. Salesian spirituality is open to listening to the voice of God and calls us to humbly respond. St. Francis de Sales gives particular attention to listening to God’s will both through His “signified will” and the “will of God’s good pleasure.” The signified will of God comes to us through the Bible, the teachings of the Church, encyclicals, and other general principles that are important rules of life. The Will of God’s Good pleasure comes to us through the circumstances of our lives. For example, if we carry a particular sickness or have a particular family obligation, that informs what we can and cannot do in our lives. Listening to these two aspects of how God reveals His will to us is an essential part of discernment and obedience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-call-to-holiness">Universal Call to Holiness</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Mary was an unwed teenage mother and Elizabeth was a barren old lady, both of whom would have been looked down upon in their society. But we see that God used those people to share his grace most abundantly with the world. Everyone is called to live a holy life. God wants us to join him in heaven, so we are all called to be saints. That means holiness can and should be developed and lived in any walk of life.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-in-god-s-presence">Living in God’s Presence</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Elizabeth immediately responded with joy when she felt her son respond to Jesus’ presence. Elizabeth was attuned to God’s working in her life and was able to respond immediately and with tremendous joy. As God is our best friend and lives within us as well as all around us, we are always in God’s presence. Keeping that awareness in mind allows us to more easily withdraw to conversations with God in our heart and to maintain a spirit of continual prayer, even within a busy lifestyle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/salesianspirituality">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-live-jesus">Live Jesus</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Mary literally brings Jesus to Elizabeth. We are meant to be carriers of Christ’s life to a world in need of His loving presence. The Sisters of the Visitation’s motto is “Live Jesus!” Ultimately, we are meant to allow God’s life to be so thoroughly in us that Jesus lives through our thoughts and actions. Others should see Christ alive in our world because of how we live in accordance with God’s will for us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-virtues">Little Virtues</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. In this time, Mary would have helped Elizabeth get ready for the birth of her son, probably doing most of the chores around the house while Elizabeth was in her third trimester of pregnancy. In these quiet, little ways, Mary and Elizabeth would have shared a holy friendship and prepared for their motherhoods. We develop the habit of great virtue by taking the moments presented to us to grow in “little virtues.” Most of us won’t be called to heroic acts of virtue but we are all called in the everyday moments to act with humility, patience, gentleness, kindness, thoughtful concern for others, joyful optimism, examples of little virtues. In fact, a lifetime of virtue in all of the quiet moments amounts to a heroic gift of self.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prayers">Salesian Prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Below are a handful of common Salesian prayers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-live-jesus-0">Live Jesus</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Live, Jesus, Live ... so live in me</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">That all I do be done by thee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And grant that all I think and say</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">May be thy thoughts and words today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direction-of-intention-st-francis-de-sales">Direction of Intention (St. Francis de Sales)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Oh my God, I give you this day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">I offer you now all of the good which I shall do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">I promise to accept for love of you all of the difficulty which I shall meet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner most pleasing to you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayer-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-st-margaret-mary-alacoque">Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">O Heart of Love, I put all my trust in you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For I fear all things from my own weakness,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">but I hope for all things from your goodness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carrying-christ-by-ruth-mary-fox">Carrying Christ (by Ruth Mary Fox)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Into the hillside country</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Mary went, carrying Christ,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And all along the road</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Christ she carried</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Generously Bestowed His grace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On those she met.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">I pray that I may carry Christ,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For it may be</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">That some would never know of Him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Except through me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayer-to-st-joseph-from-st-francis-de-sales">Prayer to St. Joseph from St. Francis de Sales</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">we beseech you through the Heart of Jesus Christ,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">grant to us your fatherly protection.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">O you whose power reaches all our necessities</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">&nbsp;and who knows how to make possible the most impossible things,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">&nbsp;open your fatherly eyes to the needs of your children.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the confusion and pain which press upon us,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">we have recourse to you with confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Deign to take beneath your charitable guidance this important and difficult affair,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">the cause of our worries, and make that its happy outcome serve for the glory of God&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">and the good of his devoted servants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources">More Resources</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Learn more about <a href="https://www.visi.org/spiritual-life/salesian-spirituality">Visitation Order and Georgetown Visitation</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Kathryn Krueger is the Director of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center and Co-host of the podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0qNdv6wTaewHSbPwgXmf9v" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nurturing the Mind and Heart</a>.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Salesian Spirituality: Guide to Salesian prayers and the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales,  St. Jane de Chantal and the Visitation Order [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => salesian-spirituality-guide [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-23 17:51:39 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-23 17:51:39 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=87285 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 83752 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-05-08 23:40:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-08 23:40:11 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church elected its new pope, and for the first time in history, an American sits in the chair of St. Peter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A.&nbsp; was elected among his fellow brother cardinals to the papacy, taking the new Pope Leo XIV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Get to know the new pontiff and learn how you can pray for and with him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-xiv-early-life">Pope Leo XIV - Early Life</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Louis and Millie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">His father was an educator; his mother, a librarian. He and his two older brothers grew up heavily involved in their parish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Early on, he felt a calling to the priesthood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“And, even as a young teenager, he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go,” <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish">said a childhood friend</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Philadelphia and later graduated from Villanova with a Bachelors of Science.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/OhyD7rKndTb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-xiv-s-religious-life">Pope Leo XIV’s Religious Life</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 1977, at 22, he entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine (Augustinians) and later made his vows in 1981.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Before long, Pope Leo XIV began what would end up being a major hallmark of his time as a priest: service to the people of Peru.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Beginning in 1985, he worked as a missionary in Chulucanas, Peru, a small town in the northwestern part of the South American country. A few years later, he began a decade-long stint in Trujillo, Peru, a coastal city.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ever obedient to the assignments he was given, the then-Robert Francis Prevost returned to Chicago in 1999 and two years later became the Prior General of the Augustinians, the superior over the entire order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 2015, he returned to Peru after Pope Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo, one of Peru’s largest cities, with more than a million people in the diocese. Pope Francis visited Peru in 2018 and spent time with Bishop Robert Francis Prevost. In 2023, Pope Francis called him to Rome to serve as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Now, he serves as the Bishop of Rome, responsible for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-xiv-s-spirituality">Pope Leo XIV’s Spirituality</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Leo XIV’s spirituality is shaped by the fact that he’s an Augustinian, following in the footsteps of St. Augustine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“We as Augustinians, again as a mendicant order, I think are called to live in a simple life at the service of others and in a special way to reach out to those who are poor, the poor in society today which includes of course those who are monetarily poor but there are many other kinds of poverty in today's world,” he said in an interview years ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He also talks about how experiencing God must involve others. Experiencing God is not an individual activity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“It's not just about me and my experience of God, either. You might have people say, ‘Well, I have an experience of God, and I don’t have to do anything else.’ Well then, that’s probably not an authentic experience of God, because as we know from the Gospels, as we know from the Apostolic letters, if you love God, you also need to be showing that by loving your neighbor, and the two go hand-in-hand,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da-mLQLrTwQ">said in a 2012 interview</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/OhyD7rKndTb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-the-name">Pope Leo: The Name</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor in name was Pope Leo XIII, pope from 1878 to 1903, one of the longest papacies in history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Leo XIII is <a href="https://www.osvnews.com/who-was-pope-leo-xiii-the-father-of-social-doctrine/">considered</a> the “Father of Social Doctrine,” shaping the future of Catholic social teaching that followed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He was also known as the “Pope of the Workers,” thanks to his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In choosing this name, Pope Leo XIV could be showing a commitment to the working class and the poor, consistent with the Augustinian charisms.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-xiv-quotes">Pope Leo XIV Quotes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Here are some inspirational quotes from Pope Leo XIV before he became pope:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom. But rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them, and to look for ways that he can better live the Gospel message in the midst of his people.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine, the way of living our faith, but we risk forgetting that our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ and to bear witness to our closeness to the Lord. This comes first: to communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus. It means that we ourselves are living it and sharing this experience."</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“We can all be missionaries of the Gospel.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“The fundamental thing for every disciple of Christ is humility.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pope-leo-xiv-addresses-the-world-for-the-first-time">Pope Leo XIV Addresses The World for the First Time</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In his first Urbi et Orbi address as the Successor of Peter, Pope Leo XIV spoke of the love and peace that comes from God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome - the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Read his full address <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xvi-peace-be-with-you-first-words.html">here</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/OhyD7rKndTb">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayers-for-pope-leo-xiv">Prayers for Pope Leo XIV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pray for Pope Leo XIV, or pray in the Augustinian tradition from which he comes, with some of these prayers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Holy Spirit Prayer of St. Augustine:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/st-rita-novena/">St. Rita Novena</a>. St. Rita was an Augustinian Nun who was canonize by Pope Leo XIII.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/st-monica-novena/">St. Monica Novena</a>. St. Monica, mother of Augustine, is a remarkable model of faith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pray this simple prayer for Pope Leo XIV’s papacy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Heavenly Father, You have entrusted Pope Leo XIV with Christ’s Church. Bless him, protect him, keep his heart soft amid the stresses and challenges he will undoubtedly face, so that he’s open to the Spirit guiding him–and all of us–towards the future of the Church, a future that sees us loving more deeply and treating those around us with greater charity, in the spirit of Augustine. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pray-for-the-new-pope-on-hallow">Pray for the New Pope on Hallow</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Join thousands of Catholics around the world in praying for the new pope on Hallow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Pope Leo XIV (former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost): Get to Know the New Pope [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => pope-leo-xiv-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-08 23:41:37 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-08 23:41:37 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=83752 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3999 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2025-04-08 13:38:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-08 13:38:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Where, if not in the Divine Mercy, can the world find refuge and the light of hope?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Pope Saint John Paul II</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"id":25334,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Divine-Mercy-1920x960-v1-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-25334"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><meta charset="utf-8">The Divine Mercy Chaplet, also known as the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, is a powerful prayer in which we ask for God’s mercy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#what-is-divine-mercy-chaplet">What is the Divine Mercy Chaplet? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#why-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">Why do we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#when-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">When to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#How-to-Pray-the-Divine-Mercy-Chaplet">How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Related-prayers">Related prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="what-is-divine-mercy-chaplet">What is the Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Origin of the Chaplet&nbsp;</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/faustina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Faustina Kowalska</a>, a humble and kind Polish nun, and revealed to her the depths of His mercy. St. Faustina entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, but she passed away just thirteen years later from tuberculosis in 1938. Throughout her life of holiness, she continually received revelations from Jesus and diligently wrote down what He told her in her diary. St. Faustina was canonized by St. (Pope) John Paul II on April 30, 2000. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 1935, an angel appeared to St. Faustina, and she heard the call to pray for mercy. The next day, Christ appeared and urged her to pray the Chaplet herself and with others at the hour of death. She wrote down this revelation in her diary:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>St. Faustina's Diary</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Divine Mercy Chaplet can be prayed with traditional <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">Rosary</a> beads, though to do so isn't necessary. The Chaplet only takes a few minutes, and thousands of Catholics around the world pray it every day to ask for God's mercy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="why-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">Why do we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for mercy — in our own lives and in our neighbors, too. And we also pray to remind ourselves that we must rely on God; we must recognize our weakness and replace our anxieties and worries with abounding trust in God. We pray so that we might honestly live out the words "Jesus, I trust in You."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Those who sincerely say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears … There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Saint (Pope) John Paul II (Krakow, Poland - June 7, 1997)</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">When to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You can pray the Chaplet at any time, but here are three times that are especially impactful when praying for God's mercy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:columns --> <div class="wp-block-columns"><!-- wp:column {"width":"33.33%"} --> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:33.33%"><!-- wp:image {"id":8051,"width":"288px","height":"512px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","align":"center","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-6-16-2021_story-8-copy-576x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8051" style="width:288px;height:512px"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pray the Divine Mercy Novena (pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for nine days straight) with Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, on Hallow. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></div> <!-- /wp:column --> <!-- wp:column {"width":"66.66%"} --> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66.66%"><!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>After Mass</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer that extends the offering of the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/eucharist-holy-communion-adoration-prayer/">Eucharist</a>, so it is especially appropriate to use it after receiving Holy Communion at Mass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Before the Feast of Mercy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Chaplet may be prayed at any time, but our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to recite it as a <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novena</a> during the nine days before the Feast of Mercy (the first Sunday after Easter). He then added: "By this Novena, [of Chaplets] I will grant every possible grace to souls." (St. Faustina's Diary, 796)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>At 3:00 </strong>p.m.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">3:00 p.m. is known as the “hour of great mercy” in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday. Similarly, people often pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/">Stations of the Cross </a>at this time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></div> <!-- /wp:column --></div> <!-- /wp:columns --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="How-to-Pray-the-Divine-Mercy-Chaplet"><strong>How to Pray</strong> the Divine Mercy Chaplet</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/how-to-block {"hasDuration":true,"minutes":"20","jsonDescription":"\u0026lt;meta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022\u003eUsing regular Rosary beads (or your ten fingers), follow this structure:","steps":[{"id":"how-to-step-1663344940083","name":["Begin with the sign of the cross. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Begin with the sign of the cross. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663344985079","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Prepare your heart and mind. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. "]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003ePrepare your heart and mind. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eYou expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. \u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345077797","name":["Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"On each of the three small beads, pray: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)"]}}],"jsonName":"Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eOn each of the three small beads, pray: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eO Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345192404","name":["Pray an Our Father."],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Pray an Our Father.","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eOur Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345224600","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Pray a",{"type":"strong","props":{"children":[" Hail Mary"]}},". "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003ePray a\u003cstrong\u003e Hail Mary\u003c/strong\u003e. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345239468","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Pray the Apostle’s Creed"]}},". "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/","children":["Holy Spirit"]}},", born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePray the Apostle’s Creed\u003c/strong\u003e. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eI believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/\u0022\u003eHoly Spirit\u003c/a\u003e, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345261637","name":["First decade"],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["On the first large bead:"]}}," in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/","children":["Our Father"]}}," for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["On the ten small beads: "]}},"In a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}}],"jsonName":"First decade","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn the first large bead:\u003c/strong\u003e in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/\u0022\u003eOur Father\u003c/a\u003e for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eEternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn the ten small beads: \u003c/strong\u003eIn a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345699877","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Repeat this pattern f"]}},"our times. "],"text":["For each decade: begin with the ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["\u0022Eternal Father\u0022 "]}},"prayer, and then pray, ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["\u0022For the sake\u0022"]}}," ten times. "],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRepeat this pattern f\u003c/strong\u003eour times. ","jsonText":"For each decade: begin with the \u003cem\u003e\u0022Eternal Father\u0022 \u003c/em\u003eprayer, and then pray, \u003cem\u003e\u0022For the sake\u0022\u003c/em\u003e ten times. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345769448","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"After five decades, pray for mercy. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Repeat the following prayer three times: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)"]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eAfter five decades, pray for mercy. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eRepeat the following prayer three times: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHoly God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345944623","name":["Close your time in prayer. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Let us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}}],"jsonName":"Close your time in prayer. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345965525","name":["Conclude with the sign of the cross. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Conclude with the sign of the cross. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"}],"defaultDurationText":"Time needed:"} --> <div class="schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block"><p class="schema-how-to-total-time"><span class="schema-how-to-duration-time-text">Time needed: </span>20 minutes. </p><p class="schema-how-to-description"><meta charset="utf-8">Using regular Rosary beads (or your ten fingers), follow this structure:</p> <ol class="schema-how-to-steps"><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663344940083"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Begin with the sign of the cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663344985079"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Prepare your heart and mind. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. </em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345077797"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/>On each of the three small beads, pray: <br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345192404"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Pray an Our Father.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345224600"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Pray a<strong> Hail Mary</strong>. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345239468"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>Pray the Apostle’s Creed</strong>. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/">Holy Spirit</a>, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345261637"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">First decade</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>On the first large bead:</strong> in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/">Our Father</a> for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: <br/><br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.</em><br/><br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>On the ten small beads: </strong>In a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:<br/><br/><em>For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)</em><br/></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345699877"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>Repeat this pattern f</strong>our times. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">For each decade: begin with the <em>"Eternal Father" </em>prayer, and then pray, <em>"For the sake"</em> ten times. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345769448"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>After five decades, pray for mercy. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Repeat the following prayer three times: <br/><br/><em>Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345944623"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Close your time in prayer. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Let us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.</em><br/><br/></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345965525"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Conclude with the sign of the cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.</em></p> </li></ol></div> <!-- /wp:yoast/how-to-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On Hallow, you can pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet (10, 12, and 14-minute options) or the Divine Mercy Novena led by Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, which consists of praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for nine consecutive days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You may also be interested in praying the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-trust/">Litany of Trust</a>, written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb">Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":8103,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Night-Pray-Blog--1024x536.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8103"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We look forward to praying with you. May God’s mercy be with you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Related-prayers">Related prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-humility/">How to Pray the Litany of Humility</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">How to Pray the Hail Mary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/7-sorrows/">How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/">How to Pray the Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena: How to Pray [post_excerpt] => Pray for mercy with the prayer Jesus gave St. Faustina in 1935. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2019/09/23/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ https://hallow.com/2020/05/01/how-to-pray-novenas/ https://hallow.com/2020/03/17/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/ https://hallow.com/2020/02/12/how-to-pray-our-father/ https://hallow.com/2022/01/19/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/ https://hallow.com/2021/02/10/7-sorrows/ https://hallow.com/2021/08/03/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/ [post_modified] => 2025-04-15 20:39:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-15 20:39:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=3999 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 11136 [post_author] => 18 [post_date] => 2025-03-02 06:08:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-02 06:08:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ash-wednesday-2025-the-start-of-the-lenten-season">Ash Wednesday 2025: The start of the Lenten season</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><span style="font-size: revert; color: initial;">Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/lent-comes-to-reawaken-us-pope-francis/">Pope Francis</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Table of Contents</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#definition">What is Ash Wednesday? </a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Origin</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do I need to be Catholic to receive ashes?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#date">When is Ash Wednesday in 2025?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#importance">Why is Ash Wednesday important? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#receiving-ashes">Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where do the ashes come from? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where do the ashes go? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>What do the ashes symbolize?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where to get ashes near you</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#fasting-rules">Fasting on Ash Wednesday</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Why do Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Age requirement </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meals</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayers">Ash Wednesday Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#observance">How else can I observe Ash Wednesday? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="definition">What is Ash Wednesday?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 2025, like in every year, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>. It always falls six and half weeks before Easter, beginning the Lenten season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday this year takes on an even more somber tone due to the condition of Pope Francis. Christians around the world continue to pray for him as he battles his serious health issues that have kept him in critical condition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Last year on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszhKqN25mU">presided over a liturgy</a> that included the distribution of ashes. The Vatican has already announced that Pope Francis will not lead any liturgies on Ash Wednesday in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Origin </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dates</a> back to the 11th century. Yet, the tradition of receiving ashes has even earlier roots — to the ancient Hebrew custom of clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/ashwednesdayblog">Begin Lent with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Bible does not explicitly detail this first day of Lent, but there are many instances of this repentant act in the Old Testament, such as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+16%3A15&amp;version=NRSVCE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Job 16:15</a>, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and have laid my strength in the dust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><p><em>Job 16:15</em></p></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">and the New Testament, such as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A13&amp;version=NRSVCE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke 10:13</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><meta charset="utf-8">Luke 10:13</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Across many religious traditions, ashes signify the mortality of our human bodies. Genesis 3:19 tells us, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:pullquote --> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>By the sweat of your face<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;you shall eat bread<br>until you return to the ground,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;for out of it you were taken;<br>you are dust,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and to dust you shall return.</p><cite>Genesis 3:19</cite></blockquote></figure> <!-- /wp:pullquote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">In the early Christian Church, public <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-go-to-confession-the-sacrament-of-penance-reconciliation/">penance</a> for people who had sinned including wearing ashes and sackcloth. As the Church grew and evolved, this practice lessened. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This long tradition — of externally recognizing ourselves as sinners seeking <meta charset="utf-8"><a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&amp;gid=609&amp;calcid=53508&amp;calpgid=61&amp;pgid=13299&amp;crid=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewal</a> with God — ultimately transformed into what we now know as Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-ash-wednesday-a-catholic-holy-day-of-obligation-in-2025">Is Ash Wednesday a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation in 2025?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday is <em>not</em> a <a href="https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-1246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holy Day of Obligation</a> for Roman Catholics, yet receiving ashes is a universal practice among Christians to begin their Lenten journeys. Most Catholic parishes offer Ash Wednesday Mass, and in some places, it is possible to receive ashes without attending Mass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do I need to be Catholic to receive ashes?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="date" class="">You do not need to be Catholic to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Several other traditions within Christianity also share this act of repentance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-is-ash-wednesday-in-2025">When is Ash Wednesday in 2025?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="importance" class="">This year, Ash Wednesday falls on March 5, 2025. <strong>SEE MORE:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/when-is-lent/">When is Lent in 2025?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why is Ash Wednesday important? </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday awakens us to Jesus’ entry into the desert preceding his death. Before Easter, however, we must prepare our hearts for his Resurrection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="receiving-ashes" class="">We begin our season of preparing our hearts for Easter by recognizing our brokenness and need for <a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&amp;gid=609&amp;calcid=53508&amp;calpgid=61&amp;pgid=13299&amp;crid=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conversion, </a>a turning of our hearts to God. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":11185,"width":"675px","height":"482px","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"center","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/photo-1589395937646-cc70671eca60.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-11185" style="width:675px;height:482px"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where do the ashes come from?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/palm-sunday/">Palm Sunday</a> is the Sunday before Easter. It symbolizes Christ’s return to Jerusalem after spending 40 days in the desert. In the Catholic tradition, we receive palm leaves, which have been blessed, to hold onto during Mass and bring home. The leftover palms from Palm Sunday are then burned and saved for the next Lenten season. So, this year’s ashes are from the palms of Palm Sunday of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where do the ashes go?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It is typical to receive ashes on your forehead in the Sign of the Cross. Similar to taking communion at Mass, you usually process toward the altar to get ashes. The priest will make the Sign of the Cross and say one of two things:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return."</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What do the ashes symbolize?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The ashes symbolize our mortality. They are a physical reminder that our bodies will decay, but our souls will live on in eternal life. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fr. Antony Kadavil further <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflects</a> on the symbol of the cross of ashes on our foreheads, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote" id="fasting-rules"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The cross of ashes means that we are making a commitment – that we are undertaking Lent as a season of prayer and penitence, of dying to ourselves. It also describes our human condition: it says that we are broken and need repair; that we are sinners and need redemption. Most importantly, it tells us that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to carry our crosses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><meta charset="utf-8">Fr. Antony Kadavil</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Where to get ashes nearby </strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Most Catholic churches will expand their liturgical schedule on Ash Wednesday. There are many options for finding ashes on Ash Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow has a full breakdown for <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/where-to-get-ashes-on-ash-wednesday/">where to get ashes</a> for Ash Wednesday in 2025, including an interactive map that can help you locate a church to receive ashes from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/ashwednesdayblog">Pray more. Find peace. Get Hallow.</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fasting on Ash Wednesday</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">There are only two obligatory days of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Catholics are also instructed to abstain from meat on each Friday during Lent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">What to Give Up for Lent</a> | <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">Lent Fasting Rules</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why do Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fasting is a sign of repentance and helps us embody our spiritual hunger for Christ, who himself fasted in the desert for forty days preceding his death and Resurrection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Age requirement</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Catholic Church <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">requires</a> able members from age 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday. The obligation to abstain from meat applies to those 14 and older. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Meals </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="observance" class="">Fasting allows for one full meal and two smaller meals (that combined do not equal a full meal), with an expectation to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday. Exemptions are available for those with special physical needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="prayers" class="">In certain situations, bishops can offer a formal dispensation, allowing Catholics to eat meat. This <a href="https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/catholics-can-eat-meat-during-lent-nj-bishop-says-were-sacrificing-enough-for-coronavirus.html">happened</a> in some dioceses during the initial outbreak of Covid-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ash Wednesday Prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday, as the first day of Lent, is a great time to begin a renewed commitment to prayer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday prayers can include <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">saying the rosary</a>, the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-lectio-divina/">Lectio Divina</a> or beginning with <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent prayers</a> for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How else can I observe Ash Wednesday?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to fasting and attending Mass (or a service where ashes are distributed), you can recognize Ash Wednesday through prayer and almsgiving—the other two pillars of Lenten observance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In prayer, consider listening to the Daily Gospel or engaging in Spiritual Writing to discern what you’d like to focus on in your relationship with Christ this Lent. If you’re not sure where to start, we guide you through both of these prayer methods, in addition to many others, on Hallow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Updated on March 2, 2025</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"opacity":"css"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> [post_title] => Ash Wednesday 2025 - The First Day of Lent [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => ash-wednesday [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2021/02/15/ashtag2021/ https://hallow.com/2019/09/23/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ https://hallow.com/2022/02/05/lent-prayers/ [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:02:13 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:02:13 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=11136 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 31186 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-03-02 01:53:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-02 01:53:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Along with prayer and almsgiving, fasting is one of the three pillars of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In a <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071030_lent-2008.html">message for Lent in 2008</a>, Pope Benedict XVI described these as “specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">A decade earlier, <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/john-paul-ii/">St. (Pope) John Paul II</a> described Lent as a “commitment to a new life, inspired by Gospel values,” moving away from selfishness and drawing closer to the path Christ.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">That path, according to Pope John Paul II, can be summarized in the words of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, with fasting consisting of moderation in food and lifestyle as “a sincere effort to remove from our hearts all that is the result of sin and inclines us to evil.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Prayer and almsgiving may be easier to fully grasp than fasting, for which the Church has provided specific rules and guidelines to help shape our Lenten journey towards renewal. In 2025, Hallow’s <a href="https://hallow.com/pray40/">Pray40</a> Lent prayer challenge focuses on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Here’s an overview of common questions about Lent fasting rules to guide your observance in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lent-fasting-rules-frequently-asked-questions">Lent Fasting Rules: Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1675558433476","question":["What Is Fasting?"],"answer":["In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have."],"jsonQuestion":"What Is Fasting?","jsonAnswer":"In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558441583","question":["What are the Lent fasting rules?"],"answer":["On ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/","children":["Ash Wednesday"]}}," and ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/","children":["Good Friday"]}},", fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent."],"jsonQuestion":"What are the Lent fasting rules?","jsonAnswer":"On \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/\u0022\u003eAsh Wednesday\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/\u0022\u003eGood Friday\u003c/a\u003e, fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558449152","question":["What are the Lent rules on abstinence?"],"answer":["In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals."],"jsonQuestion":"What are the Lent rules on abstinence?","jsonAnswer":"In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558459616","question":["At what age do you start fasting for Lent?"],"answer":["Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance."],"jsonQuestion":"At what age do you start fasting for Lent?","jsonAnswer":"Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558478338","question":["Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?"],"answer":["Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast."],"jsonQuestion":"Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?","jsonAnswer":"Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558495217","question":["When is fasting over?"],"answer":["Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169","children":["Paschalis Solemnitatis"]}}," recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”"],"jsonQuestion":"When is fasting over?","jsonAnswer":"Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169\u0022\u003ePaschalis Solemnitatis\u003c/a\u003e recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”"},{"id":"faq-question-1675558511688","question":["Can you eat meat on Good Friday?"],"answer":["On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/","children":["Easter Triduum"]}},", which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. "],"jsonQuestion":"Can you eat meat on Good Friday?","jsonAnswer":"On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/\u0022\u003eEaster Triduum\u003c/a\u003e, which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. "},{"id":"faq-question-1675558535376","question":["Do Sundays count for fasting?"],"answer":["It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision."],"jsonQuestion":"Do Sundays count for fasting?","jsonAnswer":"It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558558032","question":["Are fish frys OK?"],"answer":["Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. "],"jsonQuestion":"Are fish frys OK?","jsonAnswer":"Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. "},{"id":"faq-question-1675558576655","question":["Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?"],"answer":["No. Abstinence refers to food. ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html","children":["Some parish birth records"]}}," from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice."],"jsonQuestion":"Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?","jsonAnswer":"No. Abstinence refers to food. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ca href=\u0022https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html\u0022\u003eSome parish birth records\u003c/a\u003e from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558599376","question":["What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?"],"answer":["Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food."],"jsonQuestion":"What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?","jsonAnswer":"Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558619663","question":["What are the fasting rules around alcohol? "],"answer":["The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. "],"jsonQuestion":"What are the fasting rules around alcohol? ","jsonAnswer":"The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. "}]} --> <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558433476"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What Is Fasting?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558441583"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the Lent fasting rules?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">On <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/">Ash Wednesday</a> and <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/">Good Friday</a>, fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558449152"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the Lent rules on abstinence?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558459616"><strong class="schema-faq-question">At what age do you start fasting for Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558478338"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558495217"><strong class="schema-faq-question">When is fasting over?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169">Paschalis Solemnitatis</a> recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558511688"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can you eat meat on Good Friday?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/">Easter Triduum</a>, which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558535376"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Do Sundays count for fasting?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558558032"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Are fish frys OK?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558576655"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">No. Abstinence refers to food. <br/><br/><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html">Some parish birth records</a> from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558599376"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558619663"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the fasting rules around alcohol? </strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. </p> </div> </div> <!-- /wp:yoast/faq-block --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/lentfastingrules">Pray and Fast with Hallow this Lent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-helpful-lent-resources"><strong>More Helpful Lent Resources</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/what-to-give-up-for-lent/">What to Give Up for Lent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/where-to-get-ashes-on-ash-wednesday/">Where to Get Ashes on Ash Wednesday</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/">Holy Week Guide</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Lent Fasting Rules: Catholic Rules for Fasting During Lent in 2025 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => lent-fasting-rules [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:09:23 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:09:23 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=31186 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 17160 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-03-01 03:32:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-01 03:32:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-table-of-contents-things-to-give-up-for-lent"><strong>Table of Contents</strong>: Things to Give Up for Lent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayer-fasting-almsgiving">Lent's 3 Pillars: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#kids-fasting">Fasting Ideas for Kids/Teens</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#adult-fasting">Fasting Ideas for Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#kids-prayers">Prayer Ideas for Kids/Teens</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#adult-prayers">Prayer Ideas for Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#almsgiving-ideas">Almsgiving/Donation Ideas for Kids and Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#catholic-charities">Catholic-Affiliated Charities</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="intro" class="">When <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/">Ash Wednesday</a> draws near, Catholics and other Christians seem to fall into two distinct groups when it comes to what to give up for <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The first group takes it down to the wire: Tuesday night, continuing an internal dialogue trying to figure out what Lenten sacrifice to make. It’s a conversation they have every year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And it may includes lines you’ve said yourself in past years:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“I never know what to give up for Lent!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The second group is dialed in on the start of Lent, ready to activate “Lent autopilot” and prepare to give up the same thing as last year. And two years ago. And <em>every</em> year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lent is more than just “giving something up” and <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">fasting</a> from meat on Fridays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">In fact, Pope Francis challenges us to think about fasting as something more powerful than we normally consider it, <a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/02/26/190226d.html">describing it</a> as “learning to change our attitude towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to ‘devour’ everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the emptiness of our hearts.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">How often do we get caught up in our own wants and needs, lose sight of the heart of the matter, and fail to embrace the true meaning of our lives in this world! Lent is a time of truth, a time to drop the masks we put on each day to appear perfect in the eyes of the world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2023/documents/20230222-omelia-ceneri.html">Pope Francis - Ash Wednesday homily in 2023</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">However, Lent can be an unhealthy time for those who struggle with scrupulosity, or it can be overwhelming to people who are already in a time of suffering. For some, the best Lent might be to make sure they get at least 7 hours of sleep or making the commitment to attend therapy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">At the start of Lent, we should ask ourselves - what pulls me away from loving God, loving others, and loving myself well? How can I incorporate acts of sacrifice, acts of giving, and acts of prayer that will help me love as God loves?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Giving thought to observing Lent is important. Whether you wait until the last minute to decide or you’ve known your Lenten sacrifice since <em>last</em> Lent, it’s worth spending time to thoughtfully consider how to make the most of your experience this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Because observing Lent is so much bigger than what you “give up.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/whattogiveupforlent">Commit to Prayer this Lent. Start Praying with Hallow.</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prayer-fasting-almsgiving">Lent’s 3 Pillars: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we hunger–whether it be for food, technology, comfort–it can be a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>John 6:35</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we sacrifice things that this world tells us we need, it can remind us that only God can truly satisfy our spiritual hunger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lent’s three pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving–meaning that we’re called to do more than just abstain from a particular food or activity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It involves not only what we’re willing to give up, but what we’re willing to take on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we think about what to give up for Lent, we ought to also think about what sort of commitment to prayer and ability to be charitable that we can hold ourselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow provides numerous options for stepping up prayer during Lent. In the app, Hallow offers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Gospel reflections</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Rosary prayers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Saint prayers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-night-prayer/">Night Prayer</a> from Liturgy of the Hours</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">All of these options can help us commit to prayer during Lent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to fasting and prayer, almsgiving is equally important during Lent, helping us deepen our relationship with God while working to build God’s kingdom here on earth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Francis sums up the powerful impact that almsgiving has:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Charitable giving makes us more human, whereas hoarding risks making us less human, imprisoned by our own selfishness" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20191007_messaggio-quaresima2020.html">Pope Francis, Lent Message 2020</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Anyone can practice almsgiving, which is not limited to simply donating money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Rather, practicing almsgiving can also mean donating one’s time in service, perhaps volunteering or serving those in need. Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 25:40 that in serving those in need, we are serving him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez recognizes, there are unique spiritual gifts to directly encountering Christ in those around us in need that we can’t experience by simply making a donation from afar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“So you say you love the poor? Name them.” - Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ideas for What to Give Up for Lent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">With the three pillars of Lent in mind, Hallow has suggestions for meaningful ways to observe Lent in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lent Fasting Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="kids-fasting" class=""><strong>Kids / Teen Fasting Ideas </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite toy or game&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fast from social media for a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite snack</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Drink only water at school&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite chair at home or seat at school</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go without headphones/air pods for a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Play your favorite game, focusing on helping others instead of winning</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Allow others to pass in front of you in the lunch line&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="adult-fasting" class=""><strong>General Ideas for Lenten Sacrifices</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up coffee (or only brew it at home)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up alcohol</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up certain social media sites, or limited them to certain days/time of day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up electronics after a certain time in the day (i.e., no screens after 8 p.m.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sleep without a pillow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wake up without hitting the snooze button</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shower without hot (with only lukewarm) water</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Keep the thermostat several degrees cooler&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Park in the back of the parking lot and say a prayer as you walk to the grocery store</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Abstain from reading gossip/rumor sites&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lent Prayer Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="kids-prayers" class=""><strong>Kids/Teen Prayer Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray on the way to school</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Play Guess the Saint each day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pick a relative each day and pray for that person&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Call a grandparent after church and discuss the Gospel/homily</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to bed five minutes early and spend extra time talking with God&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Research the name of your church and learn about its origins</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pay special attention to the intercessions at Mass and choose one to pray for during the week</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Explore <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-with-kids/">Hallow Kids</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to confession</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Research organizations that support Catholic youth like <a href="https://lifeteen.com/">LifeTeen</a> and <a href="https://nfcym.org/">National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="adult-prayers" class=""><strong>Adult Prayer Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Subscribe to a daily prayer newsletter (<a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?pgid=9441&amp;gid=609&amp;cid=21893">Notre Dame</a> and the <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tNwi9GA">Jesuits</a> both offer good options)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Each morning, scroll through the contacts on your phone. Randomly stop and say a prayer for whichever person you land on</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spend a few minutes with Scripture each day&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Start the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/bible-in-a-year-with-father-mike-schmitz/">Bible in Year podcast</a> with Fr. Mike Schmitz on Hallow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend daily Mass once a week</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend or pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/">Stations of the Cross</a> every Friday&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Invite a friend to attend Mass with you&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Join the Bible study group at church</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend Adoration of the Eucharist</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to confession</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">Rosary</a> once a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-examen/">Daily Examen</a> on Hallow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Join Hallow’s <a href="https://hallow.com/pray40/">#Pray40 Lent Challenge</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="almsgiving-ideas">Lent Almsgiving/Charity/Donation Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Kids/Teens/General Almsgiving Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spend time volunteering as a family</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Allow kids to be the one to place money in the basket during the offertory at Mass</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Introduce children to a charity and explain to them how and why to donate to it&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Have children identify a toy they are willing to donate to Goodwill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Help children identify an article of clothing they can donate and explain that their donation can be a blessing to someone in need</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Create a jar to collect change to donate</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Donate food to a food bank</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Donate a service (free homework tutoring, free professional assistance, etc)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give a smile to someone you pass who may be living on the street (instead of ignoring them)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Follow new charities on social media and engage with their posts&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Support a business that advertises in your parish bulletin&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="catholic-charities">Catholic-Affiliated Charities to Consider Donating to</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://crosscatholic.org/">Cross Catholic</a></strong> - Supports clean water initiatives in some of Africa’s poorest communities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.catholicextension.org/">Catholic Extension</a></strong> - Works in solidarity with people in America’s poorest regions to build up strong Catholic faith communities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.crs.org/">Catholic Relief Services</a></strong> - Carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="http://www.gabrielproject.org/"><strong>Gabriel Project</strong> </a>- Offers hope and assistance to any woman experiencing a crisis pregnancy.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.ncea.org/">National Catholic Educational Association</a></strong> - Strengthens Catholic school leaders and educators to help support the future of Catholic education.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.marysmeals.org/">Mary’s Meals</a></strong> - Provides meals to children in poverty, in recognition of Mary raising Jesus in poverty.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.kofc.org/en//index.html">Knights of Columbus</a></strong> - Fraternal service order of Catholic men that has been active since 1882.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/cpages/home">Young Catholic Professionals</a></strong> - Inspires and empowers young professional Catholics to work in witness for Christ.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/whattogiveupforlent">Pray with Hallow on Lent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>MORE:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent Prayers for 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => What to Give Up For Lent in 2025: Practical Fasting Ideas for Lent [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => what-to-give-up-for-lent [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2022/02/06/ash-wednesday/ https://hallow.com/2020/03/17/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/ https://hallow.com/2020/05/20/how-to-pray-with-kids/ [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:19:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:19:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=17160 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 77665 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-02-21 03:02:48 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-02-21 03:02:48 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fasting and prayer have a strong connection, particularly during the season of Lent. Along with almsgiving (charity), fasting and prayer make up the pillars of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ultimately, Christians seek to fast from sin; prayer and building our relationship with God, can also help us fast from a life of sin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">There are standard <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">Lent fasting rules</a> that Catholics follow, but many people fast during other liturgical seasons, including <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/st-michaels-lent/">St. Michael's Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While different diets have become popular in recent years, fasting is a spiritual practice, not a dietary one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">“Christian fasting is not concerned with losing weight,” <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-reflection-on-lenten-fasting">said Rev. Daniel Merz on the USCCB website</a>. “It is a matter of prayer and the spirit. And because of that, because it is truly a place of the spirit, true fasting may well lead to temptation, and weakness and doubt and irritation.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Perhaps Pope John Paul II said it best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Furthermore, fasting, that is, the mortification of the senses, mastery of the&nbsp; body, confer on prayer a greater efficacy, which man discovers in himself. He discovers, in fact, that he is "different", that he is more "master of himself", that he has become interiorly free,”<a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_19790321.html"> said Pope John Paul II</a>. “And he realizes this in as much as conversion and the meeting with God, through prayer, bear fruit in him.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Below are some prayers written by Hallow to help aid your spiritual journey of fasting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="http://Prayers to pray while fasting.">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayers-for-fasting-at-the-start-of-lent-nbsp">Prayers for Fasting at the start of Lent&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, may my small sacrifice open a space in my heart for You to fill. As I begin this Lenten journey, give me strength to be consistent in my fasting as I give up (name what you are giving up for Lent). May I think of Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, to strengthen me in the days ahead. In His name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Heavenly Father, on Ash Wednesday, we are reminded “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” May I be filled with the spirit of humility as I embark upon my Lenten sacrifice. As I fast from food and (name what you are giving up for Lent), I pray that this small sacrifice reminds me that You are in control. May it help me trust in You more, reminding me that You offer us true food and true drink–and the promise of heaven. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayers-for-fasting-from-food">Prayers for Fasting from Food</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">God of all creation, I come before you today in solidarity with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are fasting today. I pray that as my hunger increases, so may my faith. As my diet lessens, so may my doubt in You. As my body aches for its next meal, may my soul long even more intensely to be filled with Your spirit. You are all I need. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, as I fast today, I pray that you lift up my brothers and sisters who will go hungry today and who struggle to eat on most days. In my own fasting, strengthen me to serve my brothers and sisters. May my fasting make me better appreciate what I have and renew my commitment to feeding the hungry. In Your name I pray. Amen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">God, may my fasting unite me with You. May my fasting help me surrender myself, my day, and my life to You. May the sacrifice I’m making not fill me with pride, but instead, humility and a greater dependence on You. I love You, Lord. Be with me now and always. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general-fasting-prayer-for-any-time">General Fasting Prayer for Any Time</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, in my fasting, may I detach from the comforts, sins and temptations of this world and unite myself to Christ. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="http://Prayers to pray while fasting.">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fasting-in-the-bible">Fasting in the Bible</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The roots of fasting date back to the Bible and trace all the way through the Old and New Testaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We hear of the merits of fasting early on in the book of Tobit:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Prayer with fasting is good. Almsgiving with righteousness is better than wealth with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold, for almsgiving saves from death, and purges all sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life, but those who commit sin and do evil are their own worst enemies." (Tobit 12: 8-10)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Isaiah also mentions fasting extensively:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:6-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The clearest example of fasting in the Bible, however, comes from Jesus and His fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." (Luke 4:1-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Early Christians practiced fasting, and it’s been a constant practice in the Church ever since.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself” - <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20081211_lent-2009.html">St. Peter Chrysologus </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources-from-hallow">More Resources from Hallow</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/what-to-give-up-for-lent/">What to Give Up for Lent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-strength/">Prayers for Strength</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Prayers for Fasting: Fasting Prayers for Lent and Other Times [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => prayers-for-fasting [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-22 00:35:31 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-22 00:35:31 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=77665 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )