Wednesday

Wednesday’s Morning Offering

Dear Jesus,
most beautiful Bridegroom of my soul,
I offer this Wednesday in Your honor.

I honor Your holy life,
Your perfect goodness,
and the blessed way You walked on earth.

I also honor the patron saints
of this year, this month, and this day,
and all the saints remembered today.

I thank You
for lovingly calling souls
to eternal happiness with You in Heaven.

I thank You
for every holy light within my soul,
every good inspiration,
and for the gracious protection
You give to me and to all people.

Give me heavenly wisdom,
deep humility,
and steadiness in doing good.

Convert poor sinners,
guide the leaders of the Church
and the leaders of the world.

And grant me the virtues I need most,
especially the wisdom to know
what is right and pleasing to You.

Forgive me for every sin
that has come from my mind,
my heart, or my will.

Forgive my ingratitude
toward You
and toward my fellow man.

Forgive every breaking
of Your commandments
and the commandments of Holy Church.

And have mercy on anyone
whom I may have led the wrong way.

Amen.

This prayer comes from a very small and beautiful Catholic prayer book printed in Augsburg, Germany, in 1776, titled Auserlesenes Gebethbüchlein, meaning “A Choice Little Prayer Book.” It includes morning and evening prayers, prayers for Confession and Holy Communion, litanies, and other daily devotions. First prepared for the young nobility of Austria and later published for all Catholics, the book contains old German blackletter pages, delicate devotional engravings, and Church approval pages showing the prayers had been examined and approved in Augsburg in 1752. Nearly 250 years later, these prayers are being gently translated into clear English by Sister Mary Claire for Kathy at Camp Littlemore Farm, so they may once again be prayed slowly and reverently.