Isaiah 65:17-21

 Isaiah 65:17-21 (or Micah 7:7-9)

Thus says the LORD:

Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;

The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create;

For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight;

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people.

No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying;

No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,

or an old man who does not round out his full

lifetime;

He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought

accursed

They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

Responsorial

Psalm 30 (or Psalm 27)

Psalm

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LorD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O LorD, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. R.

Sing praise to the LorD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will.

At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. R.

"Hear, O LorD, and have pity on me,

O LORD, be my helper."

You changed my mourning into dancing;

O LORD, my God, forever will 1 give you thanks. R.

Prayer to the Blessed Sacrament

 My Lord Jesus Christ, for the love which You bear to men, You remain night and day in this Sacrament full of compassion and of love, awaiting, calling, and welcoming all who come to visit You. I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the Altar: I adore You from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank You for all the graces which You have bestowed upon me and in particular for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me your holy Mother Mary for my advocate, and for having called me to visit You in this chapel. I now salute 

Your most loving Heart: and this for three ends: 
1. In thanksgiving for this great gift; 
2. To make amends to You for all the outrages which You receive in this Sacrament from all Your enemies; 
3. I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are the least revered and the most abandoned. 

My Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I grieve for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. I promise with Your grace never more to offend You in the future. 
Now, miserable and unworthy though I be, I consecrate myself to You without reserve; 
I give You my entire will, my affections, my desires, and all that I possess. From now on dispose of me and of all that I have as You please. All that I ask of You and desire is Your holy love, final perseverance, and the perfect accomplishment of Your will. I recommend to You the souls in purgatory; but especially those who had the greatest devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to You all poor sinners. 

My dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Your most loving Heart; and I offer them, thus united, to Your eternal Father, and beseech Him in Your name to vouchsafe, for Your love, to accept them. 
Amen. 

- by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Divine Mercy Chaplet

 1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners
O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayers

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).

Psalm 51: Miserere (Repentance)

 Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 

My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge. 

O see, in guilt was I born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. 

O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may revive. 

From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.

 O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. 

For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse; my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

 In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, holocausts offered on your altar. Amen.

Acts of Contrition

 ACTS OF CONTRITION

From the Order of Penance

1. O MY GOD, I AM SORRY

O my God, I am sorry and repent with all my heart for all the wrong I have done and for the good I have failed to do, because by sinning I have offended you, who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid the occasions of sin. Through the merits of the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ, Lord, have mercy.

2. REMEMBER, LORD, THE COMPASSION

Remember, Lord, the compassion and mercy you showed long ago. Do not recall my sins and failings. In your mercy remember me, Lord, because of your goodness. (Ps 25 [24): 6-7)

3. WASH ME, O LORD

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. I acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always. (Ps sI [so]: 4-5)

4. FATHER, I HAVE SINNED

Father, I have sinned against you and I am not worthy to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner. (Lk 15: 18; 18: 13)

6. LORD JESUS, WHO OPENED

Lord Jesus, who opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the inhal woma resus, later his denial, confirmed Peter in your love, hear my plea forgine almy sins, renew me in your love, and grant that I may live in perfect communion with my brothers and sisters and so proclaim your salvation to all.

7. LORD JESUS, WHO CHOSE

Lord Jesus, who chose to be called the friend of sinners, through the mystery of your Death and Resurrection, free me from my sins. May your peace grow strong in me, that I may bear the fruits of charity, justice, and truth.

8. LORD JESUS CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world, through the grace of the Holy Spirit be pleased to reconcile me with your Father; cleanse me in your Blood from every fault and make me fully alive to the praise of your glory.

9. HAVE MERCY ON ME, O GOD

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your merciful love; turn your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt; create a pure heart in me, O God, renew an upright spirit deep within me.

10. THE JESUS PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

11. 0 MY GOD, I AM HEARTILY SORRY

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sin because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God who are real good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resole with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

12. 

My God, I am sorry for all my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, 

I have sinned against you,

whom I should love above all things.

Please help me, to do penance,

to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

My God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Infant of Prague Prayer

O Holy Infant Jesus of Good Health, I believe in the Infinite Goodness of Your Heart. Mercifully help me in my present necessity.

Holy Infant Jesus of Good Health, I hope in the Boundless Mercy You show to those who humbly look up to You for help. Mercifully hear my petition and grant me the favor of Your kind help.

Holy Infant Jesus of Good Health, I love You with all my heart. I entrust and consecrate myself to Your Most Loving Heart. Do hear my plea, I implore You, and mercifully extend to me Your Helping Hand.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be)

PRAYER

Most Amiable Child Jesus, You Who said: "Ask and you shall receive," graciously hear my petition and grant me the favor I ask of You, if it be for Your Greater Honor and Glory and for the good of my soul. Amen.

Epiphany House Blessing

 It is a beautiful blessing, one that brings many graces upon those who practice it in faith and is an added protection against any spiritual enemies that may be lurking around.

How to bless your home with Epiphany chalk

Once you acquire the blessed chalk, either a priest or another member of the household can bless the home in the following manner (adapted from the Roman Ritual):

Upon entering the house [or at the front door]:

Priest/Head of Household: Peace be to this house.
All: And to all who dwell herein.
Priest: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

During the Magnificat, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed.

All: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

After this is completed:

All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

Priest: 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. And lead and lead us not into temptation,
All: But deliver us from evil.
Priest: All they from Saba shall come
All: Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Priest:
Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.
Priest: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee– Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.

Priest: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany/holy water and incensing it.

Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for example

20 C+M+B 2x

with the “20 “being the millennium and century, the “C” standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the “M” standing for Melchior, the “B” standing for Balthasar, and the “2x” standing for the decade and year, for example ’23, ’24, ’25, etc. 

It is also popularly believed that the Kings’ initials stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”).