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A Prayerful Day

“Day unto day pours forth speech; night unto night whispers knowledge” (Ps 19:3). God always speaks to us and invites us to converse with him and offer him everything that we undergo. This makes the day – and the night – a constant prayer.

As we begin our day, we lift our eyes with a watchful heart (cf. Ps 57:9), attentive to the Lord who comes to meet us in daily life, in every circumstance, amid the cares of this life (cf. Mt 6:34). We thank him for the gift of a new day and offer our work to the Lord.

We dedicate a few minutes of prayer to remind ourselves that every minute of the day is prayer. Meditation, the Angelus, the Rosary, visits to the Eucharist and spiritual communion are occasions to recover and prolong the prayerful life in the midst of the world.

The evening is reminiscent of the sunset of life and marks the end of the day. It is time to review the day, to give thanks to God and to place in his merciful hands everything that has happened (cf. Ps 32). To this we dedicate our evening prayers.

Sleep and wakefulness, work and leisure, friends and family… everything belongs to God, an occasion to recognize his presence, to proclaim it and to live in the Kingdom.

On Rising
Morning Offering
Meditation
Greeting to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rosary
Visiting the Eucharist and Spiritual Communion
Night Prayers

On Rising

Seeking God’s presence in the morning when we get up helps to set the tone of the day and the meaning of our life. To rise is to be born again, to live with a new heart and a new spirit. It is a time to lift the mind and heart to the Lord and ask him to come down into our life, to touch and awaken it.

Invocation

Christ our King!
Thy Kingdom Come!

Then we pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and make the following petition.

Opening prayer

O my Lord and my Father, inspire my thoughts, words, and actions, and accompany them with your grace, so that all my actions may begin and end according to your will and for love of you.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Morning Offering

Offering our works is a sign of offering our life. It is about becoming an offering ourselves. We propose here three vocal prayers to God and one to the Blessed Mother. We begin them with the sign of the cross to place ourselves in the presence of the Lord. You may find it helpful to incorporate a personal prayer. You can substitute the Lauds of the Liturgy of the Hours for the prayers of the morning offering. In any case, we encourage you to keep the Prayer to Jesus Christ, common to all members of Regnum Christi.

† In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer to the Father

I believe in you, my God, because you are truth itself. I hope in you because you are infinite mercy. I love you above all else because you are infinitely lovable, and because I must love you alone with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength (cf. Dt 6:5). I thank you, Father, for granting me a new day to give you glory and make your Kingdom present. Amen.

Prayer to Jesus Christ

Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to follow your path.
I give you my eyes to see as you see.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind, so that you can think in me.
I give you my spirit, so you can pray in me.
Above all, I give you my heart, so in me you can love your Father and all people.
I give you my whole self so you can grow in me; till it is you, Christ, who live and work and pray in me. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, delightful guest and consoler of my soul, artisan of our transformation into Christ, enlighten my mind to know God’s will for me. Inflame my heart to love it passionately. Grant me the fortitude I need to accomplish it as perfectly as you ask of me. Lastly, Spirit of love, grant me the grace of responding faithfully to your holy inspirations.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mother, I come before you on this new day to consecrate to you all my thoughts, words, and actions, and to ask your blessing for me, my loved ones, and all whom I encounter along my way.

Grant me the heart of an apostle of the Kingdom, and enable me to imitate the life of prayer, obedience, humility, fidelity, sacrifice and simplicity that you shared with your Son, our brother and Lord.

Mother, tell Jesus how much I want to serve him in Regnum Christi, and make his Kingdom present among all people.

Examen to prepare for the day

We take a few minutes of reflection in God’s presence to review our day’s agenda, offer him our activities, and renew our intention to live in Christ all day long.

Meditation

Meditation or “mental prayer” facilitates an intimate and personal dialogue with God. Like Jesus, we need to pray, speaking freely and listening to our Father. We do so as sons and daughters in the Son, with the Holy Spirit who comes to the aid of our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought (cf. Rom 8:26).

The Word of God must be present in our prayer, either as subject matter for meditation or as part of our conversations with the Lord. Let us recall how the disciples of Emmaus prayed and how their hearts burned within as they listened to the Lord: for Jesus led them to ponder their troubles and discover in the Scriptures the interpretive key for their life (Lk 24:13-35).

It is not enough to reflect and contemplate. Meditation is an attentive and loving dialogue with God. In order to share this intimacy, we must learn to listen to God in the silence of our soul, and to confide in him in colloquies and conversation full of faith and love. It is during these intimate conversations when, under the light and power of the Holy Spirit, our will conforms to the will of God and the decisions that guide our life emerge.

This prayer begins with the sign of the cross and an invocation to the Holy Spirit; it continues with preparatory acts to help us enter into communion with God, to share the same feelings as Jesus when he prayed. At the end of the prayer, we thank the Lord for having spent this time with him and for the fruits we have received, which are always greater than what we perceive. Finally, we ask for his grace to bring to others what he has given us.

† In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preparatory Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love

These acts are made in direct dialogue with God briefly and spontaneously, without having to resort to written formulas. They introduce us to prayer because they themselves are the essential content of prayer, which consists in believing, hoping, and loving. We offer some helpful words and images from the Gospel, although each person will gradually discover their own and adapt them to the changing rhythm of their own personal relationship with God and his Word.

Faith: be aware that you are in the presence of Almighty God, talking with him.

“Our Father.”

You might recall the moment when Jesus says to doubting Thomas: “Put your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” To which Thomas responds, in words that express his renewed faith: “My Lord and my God” (Jn 20:27-28).

Hope: trust in God as your supreme good, your Savior, the one from whom you confidently hope to receive grace and help in your weakness.

“Thy Kingdom come.”

You might recall the moment when the prodigal son returns to the house of his father, who receives him in a manner foreshadowing life in the Kingdom: “Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found” (Lk 15:22-24).

Love: be aware that God is your Father, and you are his beloved child. Address him like a child to their father and listen to him.

“Thy will be done. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

You might recall the moments of fraternal sharing between Jesus and his disciples; or at the house of Lazarus in Bethany; or the supreme moment of his total self-giving, with Mary and John, at the foot of the Cross.

Ask Christ and Mary to help you make the most of the meditation.

At the end of the meditation, give thanks to God. You can use the closing prayer.

Greeting to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary accompanies us all day long with her quiet, motherly presence. We direct our prayer to her at certain times of the day, particularly by praying the Angelus or the Regina Cæli and the Rosary.

The Angelus and Regina Cæli are like a small liturgy of the hours that the Church recommends for those who do not have time to interrupt their activities. For a few minutes, usually at noon, we remember with Mary some mysteries of Christ’s life.

The Angelus is prayed all year round, except during the Easter season.

Angelus

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary;
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary…

And the Word was made flesh,
And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary…

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (Three times)

The Regina Cæli is prayed during the Easter Season (from Easter Sunday until noon on the Saturday following Pentecost).

Regina Caeli

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia!
For the Son you were privileged to bear, alleluia,
Is risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray:

O God, who gave joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (Three times)

In Regnum Christi, we traditionally entrust ourselves to our Guardian Angel at the end of the Angelus or Regina Caeli.

Prayer to my Guardian Angel

Angel sent by God to guide me, be my light and walk beside me; be my guardian and protect me; on the paths of life direct me. Amen.

Rosary

Reciting the Rosary is traditionally a meditative prayer. Begun by western Christianity, it corresponds in some way to the prayer of the heart or the Jesus Prayer, typical of eastern Christianity. Regnum Christi invites members to pray at least one mystery of the Rosary every day, either in a group or in private.

The Rosary is a time for Mary to step into our lives, gifting us her consolation, example, and intercession. This prayer brings peace to the soul, instills faith, and renews trust.

Intertwined among the Our Fathers, the Hail Marys and the Glory Bes run the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, passion, and resurrection as seen through the eyes of the Virgin Mary. In this way, we allow the Mother of God to be the one to form within us the very sentiments of the Heart of her Son. If while praying the Rosary we become distracted, simply return to the prayer confidently to recover our place and fervor, remembering the mysteries celebrated and the persons for whom we are praying.

Praying the Rosary in a Group

When the Rosary is prayed as a group, the guide announces each mystery and the general intention; five of the participants announce the group’s specific intention for each decade.

There are, at present, many legitimate ways of beginning the Rosary in different parts of the Church and following different customs. They should all appropriately prepare the mind for contemplation. It is common practice to recite the Apostles’ Creed.

Guide: † In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Guide: We will offer the Rosary for…

Apostles’ Creed

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 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.

Then, for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be are prayed. After each biblical passage, one of the participants says the intention for that mystery.

The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)

Guide: Today, we will contemplate the joyful mysteries.
Guide: The first mystery: The Annunciation.
Reader: Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).
Guide: The second mystery: The Visitation.
Reader: Mary entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth (Lk 1:40).
Guide: The third mystery: The Nativity.
Reader: And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn (Lk 2:7).
Guide: The fourth mystery: The Presentation in the Temple.
Reader: Mary and Joseph took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Lk 2:22).
Guide: The fifth mystery: The Finding in the Temple.
Reader: After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Lk 2:46).

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

Guide: Today, we will contemplate the luminous mysteries.
Guide: The first mystery: The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan.
Reader: And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).
Guide: The second mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana.
Reader: Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him (Jn 2:11).
Guide: The third mystery: Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God.
Reader: Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).
Guide: The fourth mystery: The Transfiguration.
Reader: While he was praying, he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light (Lk 9:29; Mt 17:2).
Guide: The fifth mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist.
Reader: I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever (Jn 6:51).

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)

Guide: Today, we will contemplate the sorrowful mysteries.
Guide: The first mystery: The Agony of in the Garden.
Reader: He was in such agony, and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground (Lk 22:44).
Guide: The second mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar.
Reader: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged (Jn 19:1).
Guide: The third mystery: The Crowning with Thorns.
Reader: And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak (Jn 19:2).
Guide: The fourth mystery: The Carrying of the Cross.
Reader: And carrying the cross himself, Jesus went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha (Jn 19:17).
Guide: The fifth mystery: The Crucifixion and Death.
Reader: There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle (Jn 19:18).

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)

Guide: Today, we will contemplate the glorious mysteries.
Guide: The first mystery: The Resurrection.
Reader: Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised (Lk 24:5-6).
Guide: The second mystery: The Ascension.
Reader: As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven (Lk 24:51).
Guide: The third mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit.
Reader: Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4).
Guide: The fourth mystery: The Assumption.
Reader: Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled (Lk 1:45).
Guide: The fifth mystery: The Coronation of Mary.
Reader: A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1).

After the fifth mystery, an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be are prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father.

After these prayers, the Hail Holy Queen and the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary are prayed.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

God, our Father in heaven.
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world.
God the Holy Spirit.
Holy Trinity, one God.

Holy Mary.
Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God.
Most honored of virgins.
Mother of Christ.
Mother of the Church.
Mother of mercy.
Mother of divine grace.
Mother of hope.
Mother most pure.
Mother of chaste love.
Mother and virgin.
Sinless Mother.
Dearest of mothers.
Model of motherhood.
Mother of good counsel.
Mother of our Creator.
Mother of our Savior.
Mother of Regnum Christi.
Virgin most wise.
Virgin rightly praised.
Virgin rightly renowned.
Virgin most powerful.
Virgin gentle in mercy.
Faithful virgin.
Mirror of justice.
Throne of wisdom.
Cause of our joy.
Shrine of the spirit.
Glory of Israel.
Vessel of selfless devotion.
Mystical Rose.
Tower of David.
Tower of ivory.
House of gold.
Ark of the covenant.
Gate of heaven.
Morning Star.
Health of the sick.
Refuge of sinners.
Comfort of migrants.
Comfort of the afflicted.
Help of Christians.
Queen of angels.
Queen of patriarchs and prophets.
Queen of apostles and martyrs.
Queen of confessors and virgins.
Queen of all saints.
Queen conceived without sin.
Queen assumed into heaven.
Queen of the Rosary.
Queen of the family.
Queen of peace
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
O God, whose Only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rosary in Private

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed

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.

An Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be are prayed for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity,

We then say the name of the mystery to be contemplated, followed by a personal intention. Pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be at each mystery.

The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)

The Annunciation.
The Visitation.
The Nativity.
The Presentation in the Temple.
The Finding in the Temple.

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)

The Agony in the Garden.
The Scourging at the Pillar.
The Crowning with Thorns.
The Carrying of the Cross.
The Crucifixion and Death.

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)

The Resurrection.
The Ascension.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit.
The Assumption.
The Coronation of Mary.

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan.
The Wedding Feast at Cana.
Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God.
The Transfiguration.
The Institution of the Eucharist.

After the fifth mystery, pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and a Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father.

After these prayers, the Hail Holy Queen and the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary are prayed.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Visiting the Eucharist and Spiritual Communion

It is good to accompany Christ in the Eucharist and to converse spontaneously with him. In Regnum Christi, we have the tradition of visiting the Eucharist upon arriving at a place where the Blessed Sacrament is present. When it is not possible to visit Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist, a spiritual communion can be made by reciting this or a similar formula:

Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Night Prayers

At the day’s end, we have the opportunity to seek God’s perspective on the day, recognizing his action in us and in the circumstances and events of the day. Where have we responded generously to him? Where have we failed to collaborate with him? Just as the day is an image of life, the night is an image of our final encounter with our merciful Lord.

You can use the prayers presented in this book or pray Compline, a part of the Liturgy of the Hours prayed at the end of the day.

Examination

† In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Petition for Light

My Lord and my God, who are all goodness and infinite mercy, I thank you with all my heart for the countless gifts you have granted me, especially for creating and redeeming me, for calling me to the Catholic faith, for choosing me to make Christ’s Kingdom present among my brothers and sisters, and for freeing me from so many dangers of soul and body. Enlighten my understanding to see where You were acting in my life today, where I drew closer to you and where I turned further away.

It is time to review the story of God’s love for us: We contemplate the good we have done, to discover with faith and gratitude God’s action. We interiorly reject the evil we have committed and embrace the Father’s will. We ask him to keep us in his heart and bring us into his Kingdom. And we invoke his help to continue our journey, confident in his grace.

Antiphon

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace.

Canticle of Simeon

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled:
Mine own eyes have seen the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations
And the glory of your people, Israel.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Conclusion

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

RC PRAYER BOOK INDEX