Although the tradition of morning prayers dates back to ancient times, the devotion which Catholics call the Morning Offering wasn’t a formalized prayer until 1844, when Jesuit Father Francois Xavier Gaulrelet penned the prayer that is still used today as Catholics around the globe begin their day by offering it to God through Father Gaulrelet’s prayer.
Mystical Revelations of the Morning Offering Prayer
St. Mechtilde (1241-1298) a nun and mystic of thirteenth century, had visions of Christ and reported that He appeared to her to tell her: “When you awake in the morning, let your first act be to salute My Heart.” Sr. Josefa Menendez (1890-1923) also had a similar revelation in which Jesus instructed “When you awake, enter at once into My Heart, and when you are in it, offer My Father all your actions.”
The Church Encourages Catholics to Say the Morning Offering Prayer
Catholic spirituality encourages the practice of focusing attention on God at the start of every day and then remembering, throughout the day, that God is always present in the world. Pope John Paul II encouraged all Catholics to pray the Morning Offering, saying that this prayer is “of fundamental importance in the life of each and every one of the faithful.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church also encourages daily prayers, saying that “The Tradition of the Church proposes to the faithful certain rhythms of praying intended to nourish continual prayer. Some are daily, such as morning and evening… [These] are also basic rhythms of the Christian life of prayer” (CCC 2698).
How to Pray the Morning Offering
The Morning Offering is meant to be prayed upon waking, and then renewed throughout the day with simple short prayers called “ejaculations” or “aspirations” such as: “My Lord and my God,” “Lord, that I might see,” “Jesus, you are my hope and my strength,” or any other words of devotion to God.
The Morning Offering begins with the sign of the cross, made with the right hand by touching the forehead, middle of the chest, left shoulder and right shoulder while saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Then the Offering is said:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of our Holy Father this month. Amen.
Catholics everywhere pray the Morning Offering in order to bless their day, refresh their soul, and connect to God’s wisdom, guidance and love.
Francine Morrissette - Francine Morrissette is a freelance writer from southern Maine who has published articles on a wide range of topics including health, ...
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