PENITENTIAL PRAYERS

Litany of Penitential Saints | The Seven Penitential Psalms | The Thirty First Psalm| The Sixth Psalm | Thirty Seventh Psalm | The Hundred and First Psalm | The Hundred and Twenty ninth Psalm | The Hundred and Forty Second Psalm |

Introductory Prayers (Written by Fr. C.P. Fox, Vincentian)

O' Just Father, Lord GOD, Holy and always to be praised, the hour is come for thy servant to be tried. O' Father, worthy of all love, it is fitting that I thy servant should at this hour suffer something for Thee. O' Father, always to be honoured, the hour is come that thy servant should be slighted and humbled, that he should be afflicted with sufferings, so that he may rise again with thee in the dawning of a new life and be glorified forever in Heaven. O' Holy Father, Thou hast so appointed, and such is Thy Will, for this is a favour to thy friend that he should suffer and be afflicted in this world for the love of Thee. It is good for me, O' Lord, that Thou dost now humble me, that I may bear what pleaseth Thee and that I may cast away from me all pride and presumption. It is to my advantage that shame doth now cover my face, that I may wisely seek my comfort from Thee rather than from men.

Thanks be to Thee that Thou dost not spare me in my sufferings but dost now bruise me with bitter stripes, inflicting pains and distress, O' Heavenly Physician of souls, who dost wound and heal us, who dost bring us down and then raise us up again. Thy discipline is on me, and Thy rod shall instruct me. Behold, Father, I am in Thy hands. I bow myself under the scourge of Thy correction.

Strike Thou my back and my neck that I may bend my crookedness to Thy Will, that I may walk at Thy beck at all times. To Thee I commit myself and all that is mine to be corrected by Thee. For it is better to be chastised in this world rather than in hell or Purgatory. Do with me then according to Thy good pleasure. This is what I desire. Despise not my sinful life so clearly known to Thee.

O' Lord Jesus Christ, as a sign of my desire to be a co-victim with Thee in Thy Sacred Passion, on the Cross and in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I now kiss devoutly the instrument which is about to cause me pain (now kiss the rope) and this pain in my body I willingly accept in union with Thy Most bitter pains which Thou didst endure for me in Thy Sacred Passion and Death; and this penance of mine I bare entirely on Thy infinite Merits. For in doing it I reject entirely any motives of self-satisfaction or vanity and I wish only to be more like Thee, and to have a deeper and yet always a subordinate share in Thy great redemptive act performed for love of me on Mt. Calvary. Thus my motives in accepting willingly the pain of this scourging, are:

* to make reparation in my own flesh for all my personal sins and for the sins of the whole world. * for better self conquest and ability to conquer temptations. * to draw down ever more of Thy graces and blessings on myself and others, on Thy Holy Catholic Church and especially on those who most need these graces and blessings, and including these my special intentions (Pause to name them).

As for my own body, its wicked inclinations have all too often led me into sin against Thee, O' Jesus; and so it is only right that this body of mine should now pay with sharp pain for all the sins which it has caused me to commit. Therefore I have deserved nothings but stripes, welts and punishments, because I have greviously and often offended Thee and sinned in many different ways. Indeed, what have I deserved for my sins but hell and everlasting fire? In truth I confess that I am worthy of all scorn and contempt and it is not fitting that I should be named among Thy devout servants, and though it goes against me to hear this, yet for truth's sake I will condemn myself for my sins; and by Thy grace, O' Jesus, I will now willingly accept punishment in my body for them. O' Mary, My Heavenly Mother and Model in reparation, though sinless Thyself, Thou didst suffer beneath Thy Divine Son's Cross on Mt. Calvary in reparation for all these sins of mine and for the sins of others. For all these sins help me now to suffer sharp pain in my body. O' all ye holy Saints of GOD, who so often scourged yourselves in penance as I am now about to do and whose names I am about to invoke in the following Litany, help me to scourge my body, never from vanity or self gratification, but only from the same sublime motives which led you to do it and thus to have a greater share in Christ's redemptive Passion as you did.

O' My Jesus, I unite this pain of mine, which my sins well deserve, to Thy most bitter torments O' Lord, here burn, here cut, but spare me for eternity. My Jesus Mercy! My Jesus Mercy! Mercy my Jesus! (Repeat this short invocation during Scourging). 

LITANY OF PENITENTIAL SAINTS

Litany of Penitential Saints, known by positive evidence to have chastised their bodies, asking them to aid us by their prayers to do the same.

Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us.

RESPONSE AFTER EACH INVOCATION: Have mercy on us

GOD the Father of Heaven GOD the Son, Redeemer of the World GOD the Holy Spirit Holy Trinity, One GOD

RESPONSE AFTER EACH INVOCATION: Pray for us

Holy Mary, Our Model in reparation for sin My Guardian Angel, who always leads me away from sin and towards greater virtue St. Paul the Apostle, help me to chastise my body and to bring it into subjection as you did of your own body (1 Cor 9:27)

RESPONSE AFTER EACH INVOCATION: Help me to scourge my body only to please GOD and to draw down His graces on myself and others as you did

St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Nicholoas of Tolentino St. Francis Borgia St. Francis of Assisi St. Aloysius Gonzaga St. Francis De Chantal St. Robert Bellarmine St. Dominic Loricatus St. Peter Canisius St. Stanislaus Kostka St. Francis Xavier St. John of the Cross St. Vincent Ferrer St. Thomas of Villanova St. Mary Magdalene De Pazzis St. Thomas Aquinas St. Alphonsus De Liguori St. Joseph Cupertino St. Francis De Sales St. John Vianney St. Peter Damian St. Bernadine of Sienna St. Vincent De Paul St. Charles Borromeo St. Dominic (The Dominicans) St. John Baptist De La Salle St. Peter Celestine St. Gerard Majella St. Peter of Alacantara St. Louise De Marillac St. Therese of Lisieux St. Rose of Lima St. John of Avila St. Therese of Avila St. Paul of the Cross St. Cajetan Lamb of GOD, Who takes away the sins of the world Spare us O' Lord Lamb of GOD, Who takes away the sins of the world Graciously hear us, O' Lord Lamb of GOD, Who takes away the sins of the world Have mercy on us

O' Jesus, you said, many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much (Luke 7:47).

Let us pray

O' Almighty and Eternal GOD, who dost wish that all souls do penance and confess their sins, be converted rather than be lost, turn away the anger of Thy indignation from me Thy sinful servant and at the sight of my body being chastised and scourged, as it is now about to be mercifully set me, and those for whom I pray, free from the hateful influences of the devil, forgive our sins; and weaken more and more the power of those temptations which so often attack us, and would drag us down again into the very sins which we now so much deplore. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

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The Scourging now takes place. Afterwards, the 7 Penitential Psalms are recited including any other prayer. The Scourging should always begin with prayer and end in prayer.

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THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS

The Antiphon: Remember not, O' Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents; and take not revenge for our sins.

THE SIXTH PSALM Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation; nor chastise me in Thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O' lord, because I am weak; heal me, O' Lord, because my bones are troubled. And my soul is troubled exceedingly; but Thou, O' Lord, how long? Turn, O' Lord, and deliver my soul; save me, for Thy mercies sake. For there is none in death that is mindful of Thee; and who will confess to Thee in hell? I have been tired with groaning: every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled with fury; I am grown old amidst all my enemies. Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping . The Lord hath heard my petition: the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be troubled exceedingly; let them be turned back, and ashamed very speedily.

Glory be to the Father...

THE THIRTY FIRST PSALM

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin: and in whose spirit there is no guile. Because I have been silent, my bones have grown old, whilst I cried out all the day. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened. I have acknowledged my sin to Thee: and my injustice I have not concealed. I said, I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and Thou hast forgiven the impiety of my sin. For this shall every one that is holy pray to Thee, in a seasonable time. Yet, in The deluge of many waters, they shall not come near Him. Thou art my refuge from the tribulation which hath surrounded me; my joy, deliver me from them that encompass me. I will give Thee understanding, and instruct Thee in the way Thou shalt go. I will fix my eyes upon Thee. Do not become like the horse and mule which have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast the jaws of those who do not approach Thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner; but mercy shall encompass Him that hopeth in the Lord. Be joyful in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.

Glory be to the Father...

THIRTY SEVENTH PSALM

Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy anger. For Thy arrows are fastened in me, and Thy hand has been heavy upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of Thy wrath: there is no peace in my bones, because of my sins. My iniquities are grown above my head; and like a heavy burden, they are become heavy upon me. My sores are putrified and corrupted: because of my foolishness. I am miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day. For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared in the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee; and my groaning is not hidden from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me; and the light of my eyes itself is not with me. My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood up against me. And they that were nearest to me stood afar off; and they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day. But I, as a deaf man, did not hear; and was as a dumb person that opens not His mouth. For in Thee, O' Lord, have I hoped; Thou wilt hear me, O' Lord my GOD. For I said, lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me; and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. For I am prepared for scourges, and my sorrow is continually in my sight. For I will declare my iniquity, and think of my sin. But my enemies live and are become stronger than I; and they that hate me unjustly are multiplied. They who return evil for good, detracted me, because I followed goodness. Forsake me not, O' Lord my GOD; depart not from me. Come unto my aid, O' Lord, the GOD of my salvation.

Glory be to the Father... FIFTIETH PSALM Have mercy on me, O' GOD, according to Thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquity. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. To Thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before Thee; that Thou mayest be justified in Thy words, and mayest overcome when Thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, Thou hast loved truth; the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast made manifest to me. Thou wilt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: Thou wilt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. To my hearing Thou wilt give joy and gladness; and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O' GOD; and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast me not away from Thy face; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach thy ways to the unjust; and the wicked shall be converted to Thee. Deliver me from blood, O' GOD, the GOD of my salvation; and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. Lord, Thou wilt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would, indeed, have given it; with burnt offerings Thou will not be delighted. A sacrifice to GOD is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and humbled heart, O' GOD, Thou wilt not despise. Deal favourably, O' Lord, in Thy goodwill with Sion, that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then wilt Thou accept a sacrifice of justice, oblations, and whole burnt-offerings; and shall they lay calves on the altar.

Glory be to the Father...

THE HUNDRED AND FIRST PSALM O' Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee. Turn not away Thy face from me: in what day soever I am in tribulation, incline Thy ear to me. For my days are vanished like smoke; and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten, and my heart is withered like grass; because I forgot to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning, my bones have cleaved to my flesh. I am become like a pelican of the wilderness: I am become like a night raven in the house. I have watched, and am become as solitary as a sparrow upon the house-top. My enemies upbraid me all day; and they that praise me, swore against me. For I did eat ashes as bread, and mingle my drink with my tears. Because of Thy wrath and indignation; for having lifted me up, Thou hast cast me down. My days have declined like a shadow; and I am withered like grass. But Thou, O' Lord, remainest for ever; and Thy memory from generation to generation. Thou wilt arise and have mercy on Sion; for the time to have mercy on it is come. For the stones thereof have pleased Thy servants; and they shall pity on the earth thereof. And the Gentiles shall fear Thy name, O' Lord; and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord hath built Sion; and He will be seen in His glory. He hath regard to the prayer of the humble; and hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written unto another generation; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. Because He hath looked forth from His high sanctuary; the Lord from Heaven hath looked down upon the earth. That He might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that He might unbind the children of them that are slain. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion; and His praise in Jerusalem. When the people assembled together; and kings to serve the Lord. He answered Him in the way of His strength: declare unto me the fewness of my days. Call me not back in the midst of my days; Thy years are from generation to generation. In the beginning, O' Lord, Thou didst found the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou remainest: and all shall grow old, like a garment. And as a vesture thou wilt change them, and they shall be changed. But Thou art always the same; and Thy years shall not fail. The children of Thy servants shall continue; and their seed shall be directed for ever.

Glory be to the Father...

THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH PSALM From the depths I have cried unto Thee, O' Lord; hear my voice. Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my petition. If Thou wilt observe iniquities, O' Lord, Lord, who shall sustain it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness and by reason of thy law I have expected Thee, O' Lord. My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Glory be to the Father...

THE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND PSALM Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Thy truth; hear me in Thy justice. And enter not into judgment with Thy sight no man living shall be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath humbled my life to the earth. He hath made me dwell in darkness, as those who have been dead of old: and my spirit is in anguish: my heart is troubled within me. I remember the days of old, I meditated on all Thy works: on the works of Thy hands did I meditate. I stretched forth my hands to Thee; my soul is to Thee as earth without water. Hear me quickly, O' Lord, my spirit hath fainted. Turn not away Thy face from me; lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; because I have hoped in Thee. Make the way known to me wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to Thee. Deliver me from my enemies, O' Lord; to Thee have I fled, teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my GOD. Thy good spirit will conduct me in the right way; for Thy name's sake, O' Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice. Thou wilt bring forth my soul out of tribulations; and in Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy my enemies. And Thou wilt destroy all that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Glory be to the Father...

The Antiphon: Remember not, O' Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents; and take not revenge for our sins.


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