The Chair of Unity Octave

The Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome is celebrated on January 18th. This important Feast was instituted, in part, in response to the ridiculous rumor spread by ignorant Protestant heretics that St. Peter had never come to Rome. Yet, following his seven year reign in Antioch, St. Peter did in fact travel to Rome to establish his See, and there shed his blood for our Crucified Savior. This Feast also enshrines the solemn dogma of Papal Infallibility, and the Supreme Apostolic Authority conferred upon St. Peter by Our Divine Lord. St. Paul the Apostle likewise came to Rome towards the close of his apostolic career, and was also martyred there for Christ. The Feast of his Conversion is observed on January 25th. Holy Mother Church has always united her praises for the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter, with Her veneration for the zeal and holiness of St. Paul, a "vessel of election" for the spread of the infant Church. Thus, She has reserved eight days of solemn prayer--from the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul--for the observance of "The Chair of Unity Octave"; eight days of solemn prayer for the Apostolic Catholic Church.

These eight days of solemn prayer for Unity possess a doctrinal significance which is of critical importance. As Catholics know, one of the chief essential "Marks" (or visible qualities) of the Church established by Christ is that Unity for which He prayed at the Last Supper. As Jesus asked "that they may be one...", His prayer was immediately granted by the Eternal Father, as it was the request (on the very eve of His death) of His Only Begotten Son, to Whom nothing is refused. Therefore, His Church has now, and will always have, that Unity (or oneness) of teaching, worship, and government which is so evidently a sign of truth, "the same yesterday, today, and the same forever." It was for this reason that Christ established Peter as "the Rock", or Foundation of His Church, against which the Gates of Hell could never prevail.

Consistent with Christ's words, therefore, the only unity for which the Church and her faithful children can pray, is that which results from the conversion of those who are outside the One, True Fold of the Church. Thus, each of the days of the Chair of Unity Octave is dedicated to prayers for the conversion of some poor segment of mankind which is still "walking in darkness," imploring that they may open their hearts to God's grace, and return to the true Shepherd of their souls. This is the exercise of true charity. To imagine, as do the liberal ecumenists of our day, that we can achieve "unity" by pretending that those outside the Church do not stand in desperate need of conversion, is to deny the foundation of Christ's True Church, and to renounce the very reason for the heroic apostolic labors and martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

The Church also prays for that unity which draws her faithful children closer together in a spirit of humility and charity, by their fervent living of the great "law of love" taught by Jesus Christ Our Lord. Finally, we are exhorted to pray and to work for that unity which results from our own humble obedience, respect, and loyalty to the Apostolic Authority of the Church, which will, in fulfillment of Christ's promise, remain with us, even unto the consummation of the world.

THE CHAIR OF UNITY OCTAVE PRAYERS

DAILY PRAYERS
(January 18-25)

Eternal Father, by Thy infinite mercy, and by the infinite merits of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, make Thyself known and loved by all souls, since it is Thy will that all should be saved. Glory be to the Father...

Through the sacred mysteries of human redemption, send, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest, and spare Thy people. Eternal Word Incarnate, Redeemer of the human race, convert all souls to Thyself, since for them Thou wast obedient, even to the death of the Cross. Glory be to the Father...

Through the merits and intercession of Thy most holy Mother, and all the Angels and Saints, send, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest, and spare Thy people. O Holy Spirit of God, by the infinite merits of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, diffuse Thy most ardent and all powerful charity in all hearts, that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd throughout the world, and that all may come to sing Thy Divine mercies in Heaven forever. Amen. Glory be to the Father...

Prayer to the Queen of the Apostles

Queen of the Apostles, and all ye Angels and Saints, pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest and spare His people, that we may all rejoice with Him and the Father and the Holy Ghost forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Immaculate Mother of God, Queen of Apostles, I know that the Divine precept, by which I am bound to love my neighbor as myself, obliges me to procure by every possible means, not only my eternal salvation, but also that of my neighbor. But I confess that, through my sins, I am not worthy of the grace to labor effectually and constantly for the eternal salvation of my soul and of the souls of my relations and neighbors; much less am I worthy of the grace to promote good works, and to increase the means, both spiritual and temporal, of restoring faith and rekindling charity among Catholics, and propagating the truth throughout the world. Do thou then, O Mother, obtain for me this grace through the mercy of God and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ; and in union with the heavenly court and all the just, who are or will be in the Church of God, from henceforth I intend to offer these same merits of Jesus as a thanksgiving, in anticipation of this grace obtained by thee for us, as thou didst obtain it for the Holy Apostles.

And so, trusting in thy powerful intercession, I resolve from henceforth to use whatever I have from God of power, talents, learning, riches, position, health, sickness, or sorrow, for the greater glory of God and the salvation of my soul, and that of my neighbor, more especially by working for the propagation of piety and the true holy Catholic Faith throughout the world. And when all other means to this end fail me, I will never cease to pray that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd. By so doing, I hope to reach Paradise, there to enjoy the fruit of the Apostolate of Jesus Christ for all eternity. Amen. Hail Mary thrice; Glory be. (Plenary indulgence once a month -- Pope Leo XIII; 200 days, once a day during Octave; plenary at end of Octave.)

"That all may be one as Thou, Father, in Me and I in Thee, that they may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me."

V. I say to thee, that thou art Peter.
R. And upon this rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said to Thy Apostles: "Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you"; regard not my sins, but the Faith of Thy Church, and do Thou grant it peace and unity, Who livest and reignest, God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen. (200 days, once a day during Octave; plenary indulgence at end of Octave.)

Prayer to St. Peter

O glorious St. Peter, who, in return for thy lively and generous faith, thy profound and sincere humility, and thy burning love, wast honored by Jesus Christ with singular privileges, and, in particular, with the leadership of the other Apostles and the primacy over the whole Church, of which thou wast made the foundation stone, do thou obtain for us the grace of a lively faith, that shall not fear to profess itself openly, in its entirety, and in all its manifestations, even to the shedding of blood, if occasion should demand it, and to the sacrifice of life itself in preference to surrender. Obtain for us likewise, a sincere loyalty to our Holy Mother, the Church; grant that we may ever remain most closely and sincerely united to the Heir of thy Faith and thy Authority, the one, true, visible Head of the Catholic Church, that mystic Ark outside of which there is no salvation. Grant, moreover, that we may follow, in all humility and meekness, Her teaching and Her counsels, and may be obedient to all Her precepts, in order to be able here on earth to enjoy a peace that is sure and undisturbed, and to attain one day in Heaven to everlasting happiness. Amen.

V. Pray for us, St. Peter the Apostle.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, Who hast given unto Thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the power to bind and loose, grant that we may be delivered, through the help of his intercession, from the bonds of all our sins, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. (500 days.)

"My God, make us to be of one mind in truth and of one heart in charity." (300 days -- St. Pius X.)

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, Mary, thou seest the attacks that are everywhere made by the devil and the world upon the Catholic Faith, in which, by God's grace, we intend to live and die, in order that we may attain to eternal glory. Do thou, the Help of Christians, renew thine ancient victories and save thy children. They entrust to thee their firm purpose never to enroll themselves in societies hostile to our holy Religion; do thou, who art all holy, present to thy Divine Son our good resolutions, and obtain for us the grace we need to be unshaken in their observance, even to the end of life. Console the visible Head of the Church, sustain the Catholic Episcopate, protect the clergy and people who proclaim thee Queen; by the power of thine intercession hasten the day when all nations shall be gathered at the feet of the chief Shepherd. Amen. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us! (500 days.)

Prayer to St. Nicholas

Glorious St. Nicholas, our special patron, from thy throne in glory where thou dost enjoy the presence of God, turn thine eyes in pity upon us, and obtain for us from Our Lord the graces and helps that we need in our spiritual and temporal necessities. Be mindful, likewise, O glorious and saintly Bishop, of our Most Reverend Bishop, of Holy Mother Church, and all of the remnant faithful. Bring back to the right way of salvation all those who are living steeped in sin and blinded by the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the afflicted, provide for the needy, strengthen the fearful, defend the oppressed, give health to the infirm, cause all men to experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with the Supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen. Pater, Ave, Gloria.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed Nicholas;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, Who hast glorified blessed Nicholas, Thine illustrious Confessor and Bishop, by means of countless signs and wonders, and Who dost not cease daily so to glorify him, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, being assisted by his merits and prayers, may be delivered from the fires of Hell and from all dangers, through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (300 days.)

(Insert here the special prayers for each day of the Octave)

Prayer to Sts. Peter and Paul

O Glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul, we earnestly beseech thee to intercede with Our Divine Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who founded the one, true, holy Catholic Church to lead us to salvation, on behalf of the remnant flock of faithful Clergy, Religious and laity. Do thou, O glorious St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, implore the Heart of Our Divine Redeemer to guide and sustain our Most Reverend Bishop in guiding and governing the remnant Catholic flock; to grant to all faithful members of the Church the precious gift of perseverance; and to grant also that every member of the Church will grow daily in their love and fervent practice of their holy Catholic Faith.

O glorious St. Paul, who was converted while persecuting God's holy Church, do thou implore the merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary to convert and bring back to the true Catholic Church all those who have gone astray throughout the world.

Finally, O glorious Saints Peter and Paul, do thou implore Mary, the Immaculate Queen of the Apostles, to make every member of Christ's remnant Church fervent apostles in zealously spreading the true Catholic Faith, and loyally supporting and defending the holy Catholic Church against all of Her enemies and detractors; through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Daily Prayer to St. Joseph

O glorious St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, we implore thee during this Chair of Unity Octave, to obtain from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the preservation of our remnant Catholic Community and all its members, from all division, dissension and discord. Do thou, faithful guardian of the Holy Family, grant that our spiritual family shall ever be united in the bonds of faith and charity, and shall remain always of one heart, mind and soul in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph, special protector of our Community, do thou guide, bless and protect us against the attacks of all our enemies and detractors; through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Closing Hymn: Faith of our Fathers.

Prayers for the First Day of the Octave
January 18th

FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE PAGANS and INFIDELS

Let us Pray: Have mercy on us, Lord of Heaven and earth. Look upon us and send Thy fear upon the nations which have not sought Thee, or, even worse, have persecuted Thy Divine Son in His Apostles and missionaries. Grant that they may know that there is no other God than Thee, and may finally be converted to Thy Holy Catholic Church, and proclaim Thy greatness. Shorten the time, and be mindful of the end, that they may spread abroad Thy wonderful deeds and all the ends of the earth may fear Thee.

V. Rejoice, all the earth.
R. And serve the Lord in gladness.

Let us Pray: Almighty, everlasting God, Who seekest not the death but the life of the sinner, receive favorably our prayer and deliver the pagans from the worship of idols and bring them into the fold of Thy One, True Church, to the praise and glory of Thy Name. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (300 days.)

Let us Pray: O God, the everlasting Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers were made by Thee and formed in Thine own Image and Likeness. Remember that Jesus, Thy Son, endured a most bitter Death for their eternal salvation. Permit not, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy Son should be any longer despised by unbelievers, but do Thou graciously accept the prayers of thy faithful children, and of thy One, True Church, the Immaculate Spouse of Thy most holy Son, and be mindful of Thy mercy. Grant that the infidels may renounce their pernicious idolatry and wicked unbelief, that they too may some day know Him Whom Thou hast sent, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our Salvation, our Life, and Resurrection, by Whom we have been redeemed, to Whom be glory for endless ages. Amen. (500 days.)

Let us pray: O Mary, most clement, refuge of sinners, listen to our prayers, and beg of Thy Son that God Almighty may take away iniquity from the hearts of pagans; that abandoning their idols they may turn to the living and true God, and Christ, His only Son, our Divine Lord.

V. Be all confounded, who adore graven images;
R. And who glory in their idols.

Let us pray: O God, Whose will it is that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth: we beg Thee to send laborers into Thy harvest and grant them to speak Thy word with all confidence; that Thy word may be spread and be glorified, and that all people may know Thee, the only true God, and Him Whom Thou hast sent, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee forever, unto ages of ages. Amen. (3 years indulgence.)

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who alone art the Savior of the whole human race, Who "rulest from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth," mercifully open the treasures of Thy most Sacred Heart to the inhabitants of China, Mongolia, Japan, India and the other Asian countries, who still sit in darkness and the shadow of death, that through the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Immaculate Mother, and of St. Francis Xavier, they may abandon their idols, and prostrating themselves before Thee, may be united to Thy holy Church, Who livest and reignest, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Savior of the whole human race, "Who reignest from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth," open Thy most Sacred Heart in mercy to those souls in Africa, and their descendants throughout the world, who still sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Immaculate Mother, and of St. Joseph, her most glorious spouse, they may abandon their idols of every form, and prostrating themselves before Thee, be admitted into Thy holy Church, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers for the Second Day of the Octave
January 19th

FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS

Let us Pray: O God, Who dost also manifest Thy omnipotence by mercy and compassion, listen to the prayers we offer up for the enlightenment of the perfidious Jews, that they may acknowledge the light of Thy truth, Which is Christ, and may be saved from their blindness. Grant, we beseech Thee, all-powerful God, that the remnant of the Jewish people may walk in the way of salvation; and by following the preaching of the blessed John, Thy Precursor, they may safely come to Him Whom he foretold, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord. Amen. (300 days.)

Let us Pray: Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people. Of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may It now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life. Amen. (200 days.)

Let us Pray: God of goodness and Father of mercies, we beseech Thee, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and by the intercession of the Patriarchs and holy Apostles, to look with compassion upon the remnant of Israel, so that they may come to a knowledge of our only Savior, Jesus Christ, and share in the precious graces of Redemption. Amen.

Prayers for the Third Day of the Octave
January 20th

FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE MUSLIMS

Let us Pray: O Jesus, true God and true Man, Redeemer of the whole world, we beseech Thee through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to turn Thine eyes of mercy on those peoples who for so many centuries have been enslaved beneath the cruel yoke of Islam. Grant that they may no more scorn Thy most holy Name nor insolently persecute and enslave the Christian nations. With one ray of Thy light disperse the darkness in which they dwell, that renouncing the evil teachings of Mohammed, they may be brought to the baptism of regeneration, that in the confession of the One True Faith they may adore and glorify Thee, the Eternal Word, made Man for our salvation, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Virgin most powerful, loving helper of the Christian people, how great thanks do we not owe thee for the assistance thou didst give our fathers, who, when they were threatened by the Turkish infidels, invoked thy maternal help by the devout recitation of Thy Rosary! From Heaven thou didst see their deadly peril; thou didst hear their voices imploring Thy compassion; and their humble prayers, enjoined by the great Pope, Saint Pius the Fifth, were acceptable unto thee, and thou camest quickly to deliver them. Grant, dear Mother, that in like manner the prolonged sighs of the holy Bride of Christ in these our days may come to thy throne and engage thy pity; do thou, moved anew to compassion for Her, rise once again to deliver Her from the many foes who encompass Her on every side.

Rise, then, O Mary, incline thyself to hear the prayers of the whole Catholic world, and beat flat to the ground the pride of those wretched men, who in their insolence blaspheme Almighty God and would destroy His Church, against which, according to the infallible words of Christ, the gates of Hell shall never prevail! Let it be seen once more that when thou dost arise to protect the Church, Her victory is sure. Amen.

Prayers for the Fourth Day of the Octave
January 21st

FOR THE CONVERSION OF
THE SCHISMATIC ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Let us Pray: O Lord, Who hast united all nations in the confession of Thy Name, we pray Thee for our formerly Catholic brethren of the East. Mindful of the eminent place they once held in Thy Church, we beg of Thee to inspire them with the desire to occupy it again, so as to form with us one single Fold, under the guidance of one and the same Shepherd. Grant that they, together with ourselves, may be penetrated with the teaching of those holy Doctors of the Eastern Church, who are also our Fathers in the Faith, and submit themselves in all humility to the voice of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, Who so dearly desires to feed the lost sheep and lambs who have wandered from the Fold. Grant that the spirit of peace and charity, which is the mark of Thy presence with the faithful, may hasten the day in which our prayers may be united with theirs, so that every people and every tongue may acknowledge and glorify Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen. (300 days)

Let us Pray: O Mary, Mother of mercy and Refuge of sinners, we beseech thee, be pleased to look with pitiful eyes upon miserable heretics and schismatics, especially those pitiful souls once united with us in our former community and congregation who have now separated themselves from the true Church. Thou who art the Seat of Wisdom, enlighten the minds that are miserably enfolded in the darkness of ignorance and sin, that they may clearly know that the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ, outside of which neither holiness nor salvation can be found. Finish the work of their conversion by obtaining for them the grace to accept all the truths of our holy Faith and to submit themselves to the true Bishops of Thy Church, the successors of Thy Apostles; that so, being united with us in the sweet chains of Divine charity, there may soon be one only fold under the same one Shepherd; and may we all, O glorious Virgin, sing forever with exultation: Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world. Amen. Three Aves. (500 days.)

Prayer to St. Therese for the Conversion of Russia

O Loving and compassionate Saint, deign to comfort our former brethren in Russia, the victims of a long and cruel persecution of the true Church of Christ; obtain for them the graces of conversion to the Catholic and Apostolic Faith and perseverance therein; progress in the love of God and true love of their neighbor. Bestow upon them a loving confidence toward the most holy Mother of God; prepare for them someday holy priests who shall make reparation for the blasphemies and sacrileges committed against the Holy Eucharist; grant that a love of chastity, especially in the young, and every Christian virtue may once more flourish amongst them, to the end that their nation, being delivered from all slavery and repression, may return freely to the one Fold entrusted by the loving Heart of the Risen Christ to St. Peter and his Successors, and taste at length the joy of glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost in the bosom of our Mother, the Catholic Church. Amen.

Prayers for the Fifth Day of the Octave
January 22nd

FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE PROTESTANT SECTS

Prayer to St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Protomartyr
of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith

O Glorious St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, who courageously withstood the vicious opposition of the enraged Protestants whom thou didst so forcefully refute, while winning thousands of former Catholics back to the one, true Fold of Christ; obtain for us an abundance of thy ardent love of the holy Catholic Faith, and thy burning zeal for souls, which led thee to embrace joyfully thy cruel martyrdom by vicious Protestant soldiers, at the command of a Calvinist minister. By the holy indignation whereby thou didst repulse their threats and demand for thy apostasy, obtain for the remnant Catholic faithful a spirit of earnest zeal in our fervent prayer for the conversion of all who have embraced the errors of Protestantism. Implore the Hearts of Jesus and Mary to dispel the vicious errors which keep them from the Immaculate Heart of the great Mediatrix of All Graces, that they may quickly experience the abundant graces of conversion to the one true Catholic Church of Her Divine Son, and final perseverance in grace, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for the Sixth Day of the Octave
January 23rd or February 27th

FOR THE CONVERSION OF
THE PERNICIOUS FREEMASONIC AND OCCULT SECTS

Let us Pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, we implore the clemency of Thy Sacred Heart on behalf of those souls, made in the image and likeness of God, but most miserably deceived by the treacherous snares of Freemasonry and other satanic sects, and going more and more astray in the way of perdition. Let not the Church, Thy Spouse, any longer be oppressed by the domination of this Luciferian cult; but, appeased by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, and the prayers of the just, be mindful of Thy infinite mercy; and, in spite of their perversity, cause these very men to return to Thee, that they may bring consolation to the Church by a profound humility, a most abundant penance, making reparation for their wicked persecution against the Kingdom of God on earth, the Holy Catholic Church, and thus secure for themselves a glorious eternity; Who livest and reignest, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen. (100 days, once a day.)

Let us Pray: Omnipotent and Eternal God, Who desirest that none should perish, look upon the souls deceived by the snares of the devil that the hearts of these who have gone astray may again be restored to health. Hear the prayers which we offer for the willful blindness of these unbelievers, that recognizing the light of Thy truth, which is Christ, they may be delivered from darkness. Stretch forth Thy hand over this nation, which has embraced the wicked errors of Freemasonry, that our countrymen may finally acknowledge Thy power over them; that they may know Thee as we know Thee, for there is no God but Thee, O Lord, and no other true Religion but the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith, to which we submit ourselves with our entire being, imploring the conversion of our nation. Hear the prayers of Thy faithful servants, that all who inhabit our country may know that Thou only art God, Who beholdest from age to age. Amen.

V. May the peoples confess Thee, O God.
R. May all nations acknowledge Thee.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, Whose will it is that all men should be saved and that none should perish, look upon the souls that have wickedly elevated themselves to the divinity, through the foul abomination of Freemasonic thinking and philosophy, and humble their prideful hearts, in order that they may put aside all the perverseness of heresy, and, being truly repentant, may return to the unity of Thy truth. Through Christ Our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers for the Seventh Day of the Octave
January 24th or February 28th

FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE AMERICANISTS, MODERNISTS,
HERETICAL APOSTATES OF THE VATICAN II SECT,
AND ALL FALSE "TRADITIONALISTS"

Let us Pray: O Mary, Mother of mercy and Refuge of sinners, we beseech thee to look with pitying eyes upon the miserable heretics and apostates of the Vatican II sect and all the false "traditionalists." Do thou, who art the Seat of Wisdom, illuminate their minds, wretchedly involved in the darkness of ignorance and sin, that they may know the true, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church to be the only true Church of Jesus Christ, out of which no sanctity, or even hope of salvation can be found. Humble their proud minds and hearts, that grace may enter, for God despises the proud, and gives His grace only to the humble and to the meek. Obtain for them the grace to accept, with humble and childlike faith, every truth of our Holy Catholic Faith. Finally, complete their conversion by causing them to submit themselves to the true Catholic Hierarchy, that they may be united with us in the bonds of Divine charity. May we, O glorious Virgin, all sing exultingly forever, "Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world." Amen. (Ave Maria, three times)

Let us Pray: O Mother of Sorrows, standing at the foot of the Cross, with trusting hearts we turn to thee, in these hostile and unbelieving days, to implore thine intercession on behalf of those who are separated from the one true Church of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, especially those who have been led by the devil into the heretical sects of Modernism, Americanism, Vatican II, and all the false "traditionalists." By the clear knowledge thou dost possess of the bitter sufferings of our Crucified Redeemer and the shedding of His most Precious Blood, the Price of our salvation, we offer thee our supplications to obtain the grace of the True Catholic Faith for those who are outside the one true Fold of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul
Eighth Day of the Octave of St. Peter's Chair at Rome
January 25th

PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

O glorious St. Paul, who, from being a persecutor of the Christian name, didst become its most zealous Apostle, and who, to carry the knowledge of Jesus, our Divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth, didst joyfully suffer prison, scourgings, stonings, shipwreck and all manner of persecutions, who didst finish thy course by shedding the last drop of thy blood: obtain for us the grace to accept, as favors bestowed by the mercy of God, the infirmities, sufferings and misfortunes of this life, that we may not grow slack in our service of God by reason of these vicissitudes of our exile, but that we may rather show ourselves all the more devoted, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

V. Pray for us, St. Paul the Apostle.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, Who has taught the multitudes of the Gentiles by the preaching of blessed Paul the Apostle: grant unto us, we beseech Thee, that we who keep his memory sacred, may feel the might of his intercession before Thee. Through Christ Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, forever and ever. Amen. (500 days -- plenary if recited daily for one month.)

The Eighth Day of the Chair of Unity Octave
January 25th

FOR A GREATER SPIRIT OF HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE, CHARITY
AND TRUE UNITY AMONGST THE FAITHFUL

Prayer for Concord and Union

Our Lord and our God, to Thee, united by the most strong and sincere fraternal love, we offer our hearts; we pray that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament may be our daily food for body and soul, that Jesus may be the central object of our love, as was that of Mary and Joseph; and lastly, we pray that sin may never disturb our union in Thy Mystical Body on earth, that union which will endure with Thee, Mary, and Joseph, and all the Saints, forever in Heaven. Amen. (300 days, once a day)

Fervent Prayer for Perseverance

O my Redeemer, will that terrible moment ever come, when but few Christians shall be left who are inspired by the spirit of faith, that moment when Thine indignation shall be provoked and Thy protection shall be taken from us? Have our vices and our evil lives irrevocably moved Thy justice to take vengeance, perhaps this very day, upon Thy children? O Thou Author and Finisher of our Faith, we conjure Thee, in the bitterness of our contrite and humbled hearts, not to suffer the fair light of Faith to be extinguished in us. Remember Thy mercies of old; turn Thine eyes in compassion upon the vineyard planted by Thine own right hand, and watered by the sweat of the Apostles, by the precious blood of countless Martyrs and by the tears of so many sincere penitents, and made fruitful by the prayers of so many Confessors and innocent Virgins. O Divine Mediator, look upon those zealous souls who raise their hearts to Thee and pray without ceasing for the maintenance of that most precious gift of Thine, the true Catholic Faith. We beseech Thee, O God of justice, to hold back the decree of our rejection, and to turn away Thine eyes from our vices and regard instead the adorable Blood shed upon the Cross, which purchased our salvation and daily intercedes for us upon the altars. Ah, keep us safe in the One, True, Holy Catholic Faith. Let sickness afflict us, vexations waste us, misfortune overwhelm us! But preserve in us Thy holy Faith; for if we are rich with this precious gift, we shall gladly endure every sorrow, and nothing shall ever be able to change our happiness. On the other hand, without this great treasure of Faith, our unhappiness would be unspeakable and without limit! O good Jesus, Author of our Faith, preserve it pure within us; keep us safe in the bark of Peter, faithful and obedient to his successor and Thy Vicar here on earth, that so the unity of Thy holy Church may be maintained, holiness fostered, the Holy See protected in freedom, and the Church universal extended to the benefit of souls. O Jesus, Author of our Faith, humble and convert the enemies of Thy Church; grant true peace and concord to all of the remnant Catholic faithful; strengthen and preserve us in Thy holy service to the end, that we may live in Thee, and die in Thee. O Jesus, Author of our Faith, let us live for Thee, and die for Thee. Amen. (St. Clement Mary Hofbauer; 500 days, once a day)

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph

O most powerful Patriarch, St. Joseph, Patron of that Universal Church which has always invoked thee in anxieties and tribulations; from the lofty seat of thy glory, lovingly regard the Catholic world. Let it move thy paternal heart to see the Mystical Spouse of Christ and His Vicar, weakened by sorrow and persecuted by powerful enemies. We beseech thee, by the most bitter suffering thou didst experience on earth, to wipe away in mercy the tears of the Reverend Pontiff, to defend and sustain Him, and to intercede with the Giver of peace and charity, that every hostile power being overcome and every error destroyed, the whole Church may serve the God of all blessings in perfect liberty: ut destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis Ecclesia secura Deo serviat libertate. Amen. (100 days, once a day)

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