Thanksgiving Prayers for the Family at Home

FOR APPRECIATION OF EACH OTHER

We thank you, Father, for the gift of Jesus your Son who came to our earth and lived in a simple home.
We have a greater appreciation of the value and dignity of the human family because he loved and was loved within its shelter.
Bless us this day; may we grow in love for each other in our family and so give thanks to you who are the maker of all human families and our abiding peace.

(From The Catholic Prayer Book, compiled by Msgr. Michael Buckley)

IN GRATITUDE

Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family.
Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness.
Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives.
Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.

(From The Catholic Prayer Book, compiled by Msgr. Michael Buckley.)

THANKSGIVING TABLE PRAYER

O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us.
Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today.
Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here.
Thank you for our health, our work and our play.
Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence.
Open our hearts to your love. We ask your blessing through Christ your son. Amen.

( From Celebrating Faith: Year-round Activities For Catholic Families, by Mary Cronk Farrell)

PRAYER AT HARVEST AND THANKSGIVING

O God, source and giver of all things, You manifest your infinite majesty, power and goodness In the earth about us: We give you honor and glory.
For the sun and the rain, For the manifold fruits of our fields: For the increase of our herds and flocks, We thank you.
For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, We are grateful.
Supreme Lord of the harvest, Graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, In union with Jesus, your Son, As atonement for our sins, For the growth of your Church, For peace and love in our homes, And for salvation for all.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(From Living God’s Justice: Reflections and Prayers, compiled by The Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors) Source: AmericanCatholic.org

Prayer on the Occasion of the Marine Corps 239th Birthday Ball

Prayer on the Occasion of the 239th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Heavenly Father, we turn together to You on the occasion of this evenings’ Marine Corps Ball, an outstanding gathering of military men and women of the Navy-Marine Corps family, together with their spouses and guests, to enjoy one another’s company as we celebrate the 239th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. That we may start this celebration well, we call upon You for the blessing of all present here that You may be glorified by all we say and do. With that in mind I offer the Marine Corps prayer:

“Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of thy presence and obedient to thy will.

“Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate to those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

“If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

“Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.”

We pray for all of our deployed military and their families: all who stand guard this night over our freedom and security around the globe and those who wait for them at home.

We pray for all those missing in action or prisoners of war or conflict: may we never forget them or their service and sacrifice; we ask that You grant them the spiritual anchors of faith, hope and love.

And may we never look upon the symbol of our national spirit and ideals, the eagle flying high and proud, without recalling with gratitude all of those who have given the last full measure of the sacrifice of their lives for all of us. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord. May they, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Almighty God, keep all of Your Marines, and all of us who have the honor and privilege of serving beside them, ever faithful: “Semper Fideles”! Grant to the United State Marine Corps a very happy birthday and many more: ad multos annos, United States Marines!

Amen.

Prayers for the Dead on All Souls' Day: "a place of refreshment, light and peace"

In Ancient Rome families would honor, remember and reach out to the dead through the celebration of the 'refrigerium', a picnic at the tomb which included a ritual pouring of wine as a libation offered to refresh those who had gone before them into the mystery of the afterlife.

How much more awesome that we are refreshed already now by the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has taken our human flesh with Him beyond the grave and opened heaven to us! This is the refrigerium of God, our Eucharist offered to us here and now in this world from our heavenly habitation which awaits us in Christ who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.

When the priest prays the Roman Canon at Mass, listen for the Church's reference to this lesson from her Roman past, as we beg that through our faithful prayers in Christ the dead may enjoy a place of "refreshment, light and peace".

A holy All Souls' Day to all of you.