Work of God 
Articles related to the first work of God: Prayer. These include both the public prayer of the Church, private prayers, and methods of praying.
Ave Maris Stella
Hail thou star of the ocean, God’s own mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Oh! by Gabriel’s Ave Uttered long ago, Eva’s name reversing, Establish peace below. Break the captive’s fetters, Light on blindness pour; All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word divine, Born for… Read More ›
The Spirit prays through us in the Psalms
1. Before beginning the commentary on the individual Psalms and Songs of Praise, let us complete today the introductory reflection which we began in the last catechesis. We will do so by starting with one aspect that is prized by our spiritual tradition: in singing the Psalms, the Christian feels a sort of harmony between… Read More ›
Psalm 100(99): Let the world praise faithful God
1. The tradition of Israel gave the title “Psalm for the todáh” to the hymn of praise we just heard, that is thanksgiving in liturgical chant. That is why it is appropriately intoned in the morning Lauds. We can identify three noteworthy elements in the four verses of the joyful hymn, that make its use… Read More ›
Prayer for Advent
Lord, I entreat, be pleased to rescue me, for I am weak, for I was stolen away out of my homeland and, being innocent, was cast here into this pit. No, not entirely innocent, yet innocent enough in comparison with the one who led me astray. I was taken in by a life, Lord. Let… Read More ›
Psalter is ideal source of Christian prayer
1. In the Apostolic Letter Novo millennio ineunte I expressed the hope that the Church would become more and more distinguished in the “art of prayer”, learning it ever anew from the lips of the Divine Master (cf. n. 32). This effort must be expressed above all in the liturgy, the source and summit of… Read More ›
Evergreens and The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas… Read More ›
Psalm 24(23): The Lord enters his temple!
1. The ancient chant of the People of God that we just heard, resounded in the temple of Jerusalem. To be able to grasp the main thrust of the prayer, we have to keep in mind three basic affirmations. The first is the truth of creation: God has created the world and is its Lord…. Read More ›
George Washington and the First Thanksgiving
Most Americans know that George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Day proclamation, but I wonder how many have read it. Perhaps this Thanksgiving we should not only read but pray it and submit ourselves and our Nation to the God of our fathers, both Abraham and Washington. [New York, 3 October 1789] By the President… Read More ›
Psalm 96(95): “Say among the nations “the Lord reigns!'”
Over the course of several years, Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have offered a commentary of the psalms used in the Liturgy of the Hours. These are all posted on the Vatican web site, but are somewhat difficult to find. Many of them are short, easily read in a few minutes We… Read More ›
Thomas Merton: A Prayer
… Grant us prudence in proportion to our power, Wisdom in proportion to our science, Humaneness in proportion to our wealth and might. And bless our earnest will to help all races and peoples to travel, in friendship with us, Along the road to justice, liberty and lasting peace: But grant us above all to… Read More ›