January 14, 2024

second Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Fr. Jonah Teller, OP

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

Fr. Jonah here, filling in for Fr. Boniface while he’s away visiting family (though he’ll be back by the time this is printed). 

During Mass there are some prayers that the priest says quietly, spoken only to God, often while other things are happening. These prayers are often quite lovely, and I wanted to share the text of one that is prayed during the Agnus Dei (“Lamb of God”). While everyone else is singing or reciting the Agnus Dei, the priest says quietly to Our Lord, present in the Eucharist:

         Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,

       who, by the will of the Father

         and the work of the Holy Spirit,

         through your Death gave life to the world,

         free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,

         from all my sins and from every evil;

         keep me always faithful to your commandments,

         and never let me be parted from you.

It’s a beautiful way to prepare to receive Our Lord at Holy Communion and a good reminder of the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

Peace,

Fr. Jonah