Catholic Prayers
Easter Prayers
Blessing of Easter Baskets
Customarily, families have brought to church on Holy Saturday baskets full of the foods they are preparing to eat on Easter Sunday. Lamb cakes or lamb butter can also be used to signify the Lamb (Jesus, the Lamb of God).
Pray:
Blessing of Lamb
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. Leader: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you.
Leader: Let us pray. God, who by your servant Moses commanded your people in their deliverance from Egypt to kill a lamb as a type of our Lord Jesus Christ, and prescribed that its blood be used to sign the two door-posts of their homes; may it please you to bless and sanctify this creature-flesh which we, your servants, desire to eat in praise of you. We ask this in virtue of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. All: Amen.
Blessing of Eggs
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. Leader: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you.
Leader: Let us pray. Lord, let the grace of your blessing come upon these eggs, that they be healthful food for your faithful who eat them in thanksgiving for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. All: Amen.
Blessing of Bread
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. Leader: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you.
Leader: Let us pray. Holy Lord and Father, almighty everlasting God, be pleased to bless + this bread, imparting to it your hallowed favor from on high. May it be for all who eat of it a healthful food for body and soul, as well as a safeguard against every disease and all assaults of the enemy. We ask this of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, the bread of life who came down from heaven and gives life and salvation to the world; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. All: Amen.
If you have holy water available, these are all sprinkled with holy water. (Note, you can always get holy water at church, just ask a clergy member or staff to help you get some from the baptismal font.)
Prayer Source: Roman Ritual: Volume III, The Blessings by Philip T. Weller, The Bruce Publishing Company, 1952
The Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and you, O prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast down to hell Satan and the other evil spirits,
who prowl through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and you, O prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast down to hell Satan and the other evil spirits,
who prowl through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium
We fly to your protection, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but ever deliver us from all danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but ever deliver us from all danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen