Grotto of the Holy Companions

The Grotto of the Holy Companions is a beautiful space for prayer, meditation, devotion, and reflection. Students and the broader St. Xavier community will be drawn to the grotto and will deepen their relationship with Jesus through Mary. The Grotto of the Holy Companions bolsters our collective invitation to prayer, meditation, and contemplation for the student body. This quiet place in the heart of our campus offers students a place to discern, reflect and pray as they transform into academically accomplished Men for Others who are prepared to successfully carry out God’s plans for their lives while also serving as leaders in our rapidly changing world.

Lighting a Votive or Vigil Candle

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Lit for intercessions or to remember a loved one, these candles burn day and night as a sign of the impassioned prayer of those who lit them.

The term “votive” comes from the Latin word votum, which means a vow, pledge or religious undertaking or promise. It can also mean a prayer. The term “vigil” comes from the Latin vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching." Lighting of votive and vigil candles is traditionally accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. Catholics light candles to pray for their deceased loves ones, the sick, the health and welfare of family and friends, and for the needs of our worldwide family. Such an offering is indicative of seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed.

Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's prayer and showing solidarity with the person on whose behalf the prayer is offered.

By lighting candles we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." We not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the one light of Christ. In burning candles, our prayers rise up to Heaven day and night. Prayers for a saint's intercession are also common because of their friendship with God in heaven.

Collection of Prayers When Lighting a Candle

Prayer Before Lighting a Candle

Father in heaven, the light of Jesus and the love of his Mother
has dispersed the darkness of hatred and sin.
Accept this candle and let the light of your truth
guide me to your kingdom.

Inflame my heart with your grace;
keep me in the radiance of your truth;
fill my heart with your divine love.

And please help me in my needs __________ (mention your petition)

Grant this through Christ our Lord and through the intercession of his Mother.

Amen.

Our Father……

Hail Mary……

Glory Be……

Prayer when Lighting a Candle I

Blessed Lord, and my beloved Mother, Mary,
accept this burning candle as a sign of my faith and love for you.

Like this candle, I am ready to be used in your service,
without asking why and to what purpose.

Even as this candle, I wish to stand in your presence
to be consumed in the light and warmth of your love.

Please hear my prayer and, if it is your will, grant my petition.

But above all make me loyal and faithful to you
in all circumstances of my life.

Amen.

Prayer when Lighting a Candle II

Lord you are the light of the world.

May your light guide and comfort us. We ask you to bless this candle, and more importantly bless the person who lit the candle. May these lights serve to remind them of your presence. Light brings comfort, warmth and hope. May this comfort, warmth and hope touch the hearts and lives of those seeking comfort during difficult times.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer when Lighting a Candle III

Lord, may this candle which I light illuminate all my difficulties and decisions. May this candle be a fire that burns away all my pride, selfishness and all my other sins. May this candle be a flame that warms my heart and incites me to love.

Lord I cannot stay long in this Church, but in lighting this candle I leave a symbol of myself which I want to give to you in love and praise. Help me, Lord, to prolong this prayer during the activities of this day.

Amen.

Prayer for Strength

Lord, every day I need you,
but especially this day.
I need some extra strength
to face whatever is to come.

This day,
more than any other day,
I need to feel you near me,
to fortify my courage
and to overcome my fear.

By myself I cannot meet
the challenge of the hour.
I need you to sustain me
in all that life may bring.

And so, dear Lord,
hold my trembling hand.
Be with me, Lord this day,
so that I may know
your guiding hand
at work in everything,
and know your guiding presence
with me always.

Amen.

Prayer in Time of Mourning

Praised be God,
the Father of mercies,
and the God of all consolation.

He comforts us in all our afflictions
and enables us to comfort
those in times of trouble.

Lord Jesus, listen to our prayers.
Look with love on your people
who mourn and pray
for their loved one.

Thank you, Father, for all the blessings
You give us in this life.

Help us to comfort each other
until we all meet in Christ to be one with you
and our loved ones,
where there will be no more sorrow,
no more weeping, no more pain,
but only peace and joy
for ever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer Before Study

Lord, give me peace of mind as I study.

Help me focus on my books and notes,
and keep me from all distractions.
Guide me to make the best use
of this time that is available to me.
Help me to understand what I am studying,
and to remember it when the time comes.

Thank you for the ability to be able to study
and for the many gifts and talents you have given me.
Help me always to use them in such a way that
they honor you and do justice to myself.

Amen.

Prayer Before An Exam

Dear Lord,
As I take this exam,
bring back to my mind everything
I have studied and be gracious with
what I may have overlooked.

Help me to remain focused and calm,
confident in the facts and in my ability,
and firm in the knowledge that
no matter what happens today
you are there with me always.

Help me, not only with this test,
but with the many tests of life
that are sure to come my way.

Amen.

Praying the Rosary

Why Pray the Rosary?

“Mary is indeed the mother of the Society (of Jesus)” – Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ

Jesuits and those connected to their spiritual traditions and institutions have long expressed a particular devotion to Jesus’s mother, Mary. St. Ignatius would frequently ask Mary to “place him with her Son” and would experience great consolation when this grace was granted to him. In the centuries since then, countless people formed in the Jesuit tradition have developed close relationships with Mary as the one best suited to point us to Jesus.

The rosary is a long-cherished prayer, rooted in Scripture, that can draw us closer to Mary and, in turn, her Son. Its gentle repetition allows us to enter into restful, contemplative prayer. The rosary can be prayed on one’s own or with a group.

How to Pray the Rosary

1. Opening

Begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Pray the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Next, say an Our Father:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then, say the Hail Mary three times:

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Next, say the Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

2. Decades

Proceed to the first set of ten beads on your rosary, referred to as a “decade.” Begin each decade by announcing a mystery (listed below), then pray an Our Father. Then, pray a Hail Mary on each bead. End with a Glory Be.

After a decade is complete, you can say the Fatima Prayer:

"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy." Repeat this process five times until you have made your way around the rosary beads.

3. Closing

After the five decades, recite the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Finally, conclude with this prayer:

Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon

these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

List of Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Birth of our Lord
The Presentation in the Temple
The finding of Jesus in the temple

Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

The Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding Feast of Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Crowning of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven

Other Prayerful Resources

The Daily Examen

Listen and Pray Along

Pray As You Go – A meditative prayer flowing from the Gospel reading of the day’s Mass. A ministry of the Jesuits

Imagine – Listen and engage in imaginative Ignatian contemplation. A ministry of America Media; a ministry of the Jesuits of the United States and Canada

Join in the daily Rosary with Holy Family’s School of Faith

Join in the daily Rosary with Bishop Robert Barron

Scripture

Apps to Assist with Prayer and Faith

Hallow – The #1 Catholic app draws together an immensity of prayers, music, and lectures from across the spectrum of our Christian faith.

Sacred Space – A daily reflection inviting one into prayer flowing from the Gospel of the day’s Mass. A ministry of the Irish Jesuits.

Ascension (Catholic App) – Fr. Mike Schmitz and others bring you “The Bible in a Year” podcast and much more.