LENTEN FAMILY PRAYER / by Joe Castorino

OPENING PRAYER

An Introductory Prayer for a Lenten Retreat with St. Francis de Sales

Each day of Lent, after reciting this prayer together as a family, read one to two pages (silently or aloud) of St. Francis de Sales’ spiritual classic entitled “Introduction to the Devout Life”

Recommendation -- use the book edition by the Rev. John K. Ryan (a good translation makes all the difference)

Dearest Jesus,

King of Divine Mercy,

We place ourselves in your holy presence,

and we beseech you to inspire us

by the power of the Holy Spirit

for the glory of God the Father.

Through the sweet words of

St. Francis de Sales,

Help us to discover in a new way

The Good, The True, and The Beautiful!

Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

A Concluding Prayer for a Lenten Retreat with St. Francis de Sales

Recite this prayer as a family, each day of Lent, immediately after reading one to two pages of St. Francis de Sales’ “Introduction to the Devout Life”

Dearest Jesus,

King of Divine Mercy,

By the power of the Holy Spirit,

We resolve today to ________,

For the glory of God the Father.

O Mystical Rose,

Our Lady of Love,

Please remind us

Of the sweet scent

Of this spiritual bouquet,

And please pray for us,

That we may put this virtue

Into practice today.

Amen.