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Saint Teresa of Avila

Also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus, she was born on March 28, 1515 in Avila, Spain. She entered the Carmelite Convent in 1535. She developed her love for mental prayer when her health failed and she became invalid for three years. In 1555, she underwent a religious awakening and in 1558, she considered the restoration of the Carmelite life.

She is one of the mystics of the Catholic Church and an author of spiritual classics. The Carmelite Reform also originated from her. She was eventually elevated to doctor of the Church in 1970.

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Psalm 103:13

Verse:

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” - Psalm 103:13

Prayer For Compassion

Lord, thank you for all you do for me. Thank you for your provisions in my life. You have given me so much that in some ways I feel spoiled by you. I feel comforted and well cared for by you. I cannot imagine my life in any other way. You have blessed me beyond what I could have imagined, in spite of me not deserving all these blessings. I thank you for that. Let me be what others need, Lord. This is all I ask. Use me as a vessel of compassion to a world in need. In your Holy Name, Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://prayerist.com/prayer/compassion

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St. Callistus I

Saint Callistus was initially a slave in the imperial Roman household and he was imprisoned more than once. After his release, he eventually became superintendent of the Christian burial ground. Then he was ordained by the Pope as a deacon. He became the Pope’s advisor and friend.

He was elected as Pope by the majority which earned him a rival, St. Hippolytus. He was accused by his rival for being too lenient. Apparently, Saint Callistus held marriages between free women and slaves which was contrary to the Roman law and also had a lenient policy towards those who temporarily denied their faith during the period of persecution. Saint Callistus, just like Peter, was also commemorated as a martyr.

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Deuteronomy 5:11

Verse:

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” - Deuteronomy 5:11

Prayer To Follow God

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truths that it contains. Lord, I know that throughout the history of the world, man has sought to discredit and distort biblical truth. Give me a teachable spirit and help me to read Your Word with wisdom and discernment. Provide teachers who do not distort the inspired text, through their own denominational biases or flawed understanding. Correct any biases I may have, and may Your Holy Spirit protect me from any half-truth or part-truths, that may distort my understanding, and guide me into all truth, I pray. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Deuteronomy

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Saint Edward the Confessor

Edward the Confessor was the king of England from 1042 to 1066. His rule over England was known to be peaceful and good. He was able to keep the kingdom together during his 24 years of reign.

Edward became interested in his religious affairs and built St. Peter’s Abbey at Westminster. He had a reputation for piety, and after his death his reputation grew. He was praised for his prophecies and there were some miracles that were attributed to him. He was canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. And in 1163, the translation of his relics were attended by the leaders of the kingdom.

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Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is an annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the City of Zamboanga. The festival, also referred to as Fiesta Pillar is celebrated month-long every October and on every 12th of the month, people gather pay homage the patroness. The Zamboanguenos are known for their fervent devotion to Our Lady of the Pillar or better known to them as ‘”Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar” because of the miracles believed she performed as inscribed in history books on Zamboanga. The Spaniards enshrined her image at the elevated part of the frontispiece which used to be the entrance of Real Fuerza de Senora Virgen del Pilar, a fort-turned-shrine in Her honor.

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Matthew 4:19

Verse:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” - Matthew 4:19

Prayer To Follow God

Lord Jesus, teach us to be the servants you have called us to be. Help us to walk in humility, and to stand firm in our faith no matter how difficult the road becomes. Thank you that because of you we will only ever know the shadow of death- death will never have victory over our lives! Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness to my family and me. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://prayerist.com/prayer/faithfulness

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Blessed Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis was born in Milan and grew up in a wealthy family. His family was not exactly religious but he received his first communion. He would always pray before the tabernacle as well as before and after every mass. His models were Bernadette Soubirous, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, Dominic Savio, and St. Francis of Assisi, among others.

At school, he helped his friends whose parents were getting a divorce, he also defended students from bullies. He volunteered to help the city’s homeless and destitute. Blessed Carlo Acutis was known to be a computer geek, he spent four years creating a website dedicated to cataloguing every reported Eucharistics miracle around the world.

He was diagnosed with leukemia and died in 2006. He was beatified in 2020.

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Proverbs 12:25

Verse:

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” - Proverbs 12:25

Prayer For Cheering Up

Loving Lord, I know that in Your presence is the fullness of joy and at Your right hand are joys for ever more. Thank You for the joy I have in You, through the blood of Jesus Christ my Saviour, and thank You Father, for the peace and love and hope that I receive from You so freely as Your eternal gift of grace to all Who trust Jesus as Saviour. How it rejoices my heart and guards my mind, with each passing day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://prayerist.com/prayer/joy

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Saint Maria Soledad Torres Acosta

Born on December 2, 1826, Saint Maria Soledad was the second of five children. She had a simple childhood although she had poor health. In 1851, she joined the new Institute of the Servants of Mary with a purpose of caring for the sick in their own homes. She became the 7th of the founding group and finally took the name Sister Maria Soledad.

After spending five years into the ministry, Saint Maria Soledad was appointed as Superior and took charge of the Congregation when Father Michael left for his missions. She became the Foundress and Mother of the Servants of Mary. She overcame many challenges throughout her leadership in the Congregation. It eventually grew in number. In 1875, they began a ministry in Havana, Cuba. It received Papal approval in 1876. Saint Maria Soledad governed for 35 years.

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