Prayers
Question
The Holy Mass
Answer
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is *the* perfect prayer. There is no better way to pray than by offering your prayers, as well as the sacrifices, trials, joys, and works of your daily life, at the Mass and uniting them to Our Lord's sacrifice upon the Cross. The other prayers below this are wonderful, and we really do hope you pray for them for us - but if you do nothing else, we implore you to remember us at Mass and especially offer prayers for us then. The perfect time to do this is during the Presentation of the Gifts, when the bread and wine are brought forward. That isn't just a convenient way of getting the bread and wine to the altar; it's meant to signify the offerings of your life! Think about the words the priest says afterwards: "Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice *and yours* may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." Your life is meant to be offered on that altar, too! So, when you are next at Mass, we implore you to make an effort to offer to God everything from your week, and pray for as many petitions as you can. The Mass has infinite value - don't be shy in praying for yourself and others! If you feel so inclined, we would especially be grateful beyond words for you putting in a petition at your church to have a Mass said for us!
Question
The Rosary
Answer
A typical rosary takes 15-20 minutes to pray and walks one through a meditation of five "mysteries", or important events, in Jesus's earthly life. It has always been an integral part of our relationship, and we make a sincere effort to pray a rosary together every day. Undoubtedly, without the Blessed Mother's intercession, we would not be getting married! For information on how to pray the rosary, please see https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ Don't have time for a full rosary? No worries, we're firm believers in the power of one Hail Mary! Offer the following prayer faithfully and lovingly for us: 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.
Question
Saints Louis & Zélie Martin Prayer
Answer
You may recognize this prayer from the back of your invite! We especially ask that you pray it as a novena, once a day for nine days. The best day to begin this novena is October 2, as it will then conclude on October 10, the day before our wedding - but don't let us stop you from praying it more than that! God of eternal love, You gave us Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of Saint Therese, as an example of holiness in marriage. In all the duties and trials of life, they remained faithful to You and to Your commandments. They desired to raise their children to become saints. May their prayers and example help Christian life to blossom in our world today. If it be Your Will, we ask that You pour out Your grace upon Kyle and Emily in their marriage so that they may imitate the virtues of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us! The two mentioned in this prayer, Louis and Zélie, were declared saints by Pope Francis in 2015. They are the first spouses in Church history to be canonized together! Better known as the parents of the famous Saint Therese of Lisieux, Louis and Zélie were married in 1858 and bore nine children, five of whom survived to adulthood. These five daughters all went on to become Carmelite nuns. Together, Louis and Zélie lived a very beautiful Christian life, and St. Therese would go on to describe them as "more worthy of heaven than of earth." Today, the Catholic Church reveres them as patrons of married couples, and we have chosen them as special models and intercessors for our own marriage!
Question
Saint Joseph Prayer
Answer
Earlier this year, in May, the two of us completed a consecration to St. Joseph together! Having lived much of his life in the company of Jesus and Mary, he serves as a perfect model of Christian life, especially that of domestic life. We ask that you offer the following prayer to him for us: Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not, O Guardian of the Redeemer, my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.