Good Night Blessed Mother

The Catholic Man Show

I recently built a prie-dieu for my wife and I in hopes of continuing to strengthen our prayer life. Each night my wife and I kneel down and pray this prayer together. It’s a beautiful prayer to bookend the day.

Good Night To Our Blessed Mother

Night is falling dear Mother, the long day is o’er!

And before thy loved image I am kneeling once more

To thank thee for keeping me safe through the day

To ask thee this night to keep evil away.

Many times have I fallen today, Mother Dear,

Many graces neglected, since last I knelt here;

Wilt thou not in pity, my own Mother mild,

Ask Jesus to pardon the sins of they child?

I am going to rest, for the day’s work is done,

Its hours and its moments have passed one by one;

And the God who will judge me has noted them all,

He has numbered each grace, He has counted each fall.

In His book they are written against the last day,

O Mother, ask Jesus to wash them away;

For one drop of His blood which for sinners was spilt,

Is sufficient to cleanse the whole world of its guilt.

And if ere the dawn I should draw my last breath

And the sleep that I take be the long sleep of death,

Be near me, dear Mother, for dear Jesus’ sake

When my soul on Eternity’s shore shall awake.

As we make holy strategies for this upcoming year, come up with a strategy for both you and your wife.  Pick up a new devotion to a saint, pray the rosary daily together, read the Bible together, or read spiritual writings. Whatever you decide is best, just do it. Recognize the importance of structure.  While there is the risk of regular prayer patters becoming repetitive and boring, it can also create peace and order in sticking with routine. Setting aside the same time every day to pray with your wife and family can help to establish a pattern in your life. The constant reminder of God throughout the day keeps our minds focused and ingrains the posture of prayer as a daily habit. Also, don’t be afraid to try different things. Structure is good, but be warned, monotony can starve your prayer life quickly. The two must be balanced together. Try different ways of praying. Ways you may have never thought of before. Take a family walk while praying the rosary, paint a picture while listening to gregorian chant, or write a poem or love letter. Try to communicate with God throughout all your daily activities. Be creative and see what happens. If you are struggling, ask God for help. Ask for the big graces. It’s a compliment to God when you ask for the big graces.

Be a saint!

If you aren’t part of a Catholic Men’s Group – It’s time to start one! Here’s how to do it!

The prie-dieu I built out of cedar.