The
Greater Way of Charity
I. Beginning Prayers
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and
forever, amen.
Holy
God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Heavenly
King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fill all
things, treasury of blessings and giver of life, come and dwell within us,
cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, o gracious Lord.
Lord,
have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
II. The Way of Refuge
Our
Father, Who Art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. Lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
O
Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the Living
God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
When
I see Your image, I will treat it with the respect which You are due, for any
reverence and honor given to Your image, O Lord, is reverence being given to
You.
May I never be a cause of harm to others, O Lord, but rather, may my life be for the welfare of all in Your service.
May
I never show disrespect to Your Holy Scriptures, but rather, seek their wisdom
as a guide throughout my whole life.
May
I always show respect and reverence to all Your priests.
May I always treat them with honor because they represent You to all men
by their ordination.
May
I always take refuge in Your work, Your words, and in Your Church, from which I
receive purification, enlightenment, and the grace to do Your holy will.
May
I always thank You for the food that You give to me, and to be willing to share it
with all those who are in need.
May
my life be one of compassion. May I
always encourage others to seek You, to learn from You, and to obtain union with
You.
May
I remember You every day I live, giving You the praise and thanks.
May I always follow Your will in a life of unceasing prayer and charity,
whereby my life will radiate Your love to all.
My Lord, I believe in You and trust in You, and ask You to help me throughout all the misfortunes of life, and strengthen me in times of trial so that I will never abandon You.
Even
at the cost of my life, O Lord, let me never forsake You, Your teachings, and
Your Church. I put my life be completely in Your hands and in Your holy will.
III. The Way of Charity
and Enlightenment
My
Lord and My God,
I will try to work for the salvation of all beings.
I will try to remove all evil desires.
I will try to study and practice Your ways.
I will try to realize the way of truth.
My
Lord and My God,
However innumerable the sentient beings, I will try to help them all.
However inexhaustible the passions which lead to sin, I will try to extinguish
them all.
However immeasurable are Your ways, I will try to follow them all.
However incomparable is the truth of Christ, I will try to attain it.
My
Lord and My God,
I will try to save all beings from difficulties,
I will try to destroy all evil passions,
I will try to learn the truth and to teach others,
I will try to lead all beings towards union with You.
My
Lord and My God,
I will try to deliver all beings from suffering,
I will try to cut off all afflictions,
I will try to study all approaches to truth,
I will try to find the way to the Beatific Vision.
My
Lord and My God,
As sentient beings are numberless, I will try to ferry them across the ocean of
suffering,
As confusion is inexhaustible, I will try to uproot it,
As Your ways are without measure, I will try to know them all,
As unity with Christ is unsurpassed, I will try to actualize it fully.
IV. Concluding Prayers
My
Lord and My God,
Make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy. (Prayer
of St. Francis)
My
Lord and My God,
Make me an instrument of Your love.
Where there is ignorance, let me bring knowledge;
Where there is sin, virtue;
Where there is suffering, healing;
Where there is pride, humility;
Where there is falsehood, truth.
Through
the prayers of the Mother of God, and of all the Saints, may I attain the grace
that will enable me to know the needs of others, to be able to help them out of
their suffering, and to help lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are
in most need of Your mercy. Amen.