Father of mercy, who gave us in Saint Damien a shining witness of love for the poorest and most abandoned, grant that, by his intercession, as faithful witnesses of the heart of your Son Jesus, we too may be servants of the most needy and rejected. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, optional memorial Mass Collect, Monday of Easter, Week VI

“Motherhood is not only biological maternity. It is spiritual maternity. There are hundreds of people all around who are desperately looking for a mother. A number of people have come to me to tell me about their problems. I listen to them. And I love them. And I say very little. But they know that I care for them. In this sense, I have become their mother.” ~Alice von Hildebrand

Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash

O God, sow your word once more in our hearts ­today; till patiently the soil of our souls; bring forth a rich ­harvest, so that all may find nourishment for body and spirit through the lives of your people. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Saturday of Easter, Week V

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Ever-living God, you have given us the water of life to drink through our risen Savior, vine, rock, Word. Make us so thirst for him that we will turn aside from all lesser thirsts, through him who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Wednesday of Easter, Week V

Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash

God of peace, you sent among us the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the victory of his cross, put to death all within and around us that is still dedicated to division and death. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Tuesday of Easter, Week V

O Lord our God, you chose to build your Church upon the faith of ordinary people made extraordinary by the companionship of your Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep us faithful to the gift which they received with such joy and handed on at such cost, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Sunday of Easter, Week V

Photo by Ricardas Brogys on Unsplash

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:1-8)

Father and Vine Grower, you planted your vine in the hardened earth of sinful humanity and caused it to grow through death to life. Unite us in Christ, in faith and love, that we may bear much fruit. We ask this in his name, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat Magazine, American Edition, Morning Prayer, Sunday of Easter, Week V

Photo by Max Harlynking on Unsplash

O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Image: Childhood of Christ | Gerard van Honthorst