Saint Monica's Mission
Prayers for Our Children
These prayers are gathered for parents, grandparents, godparents, and anyone who loves a young person. Pray one each day, pray them as a family, or keep one on your phone for the moments when worry comes. A few minutes of faithful prayer, repeated over time, is exactly what Saint Monica offered.
Prayer to Saint Monica for Our Children
Saint Monica, faithful mother, you never stopped praying for the son you loved, even when he wandered far from God. Teach us your patience and your trust. Pray with us now for our children. Ask the Lord to keep their hearts pure, their minds clear, and their friendships good. When they are tempted, give them strength. When they fall, lead them home. And give us, their parents, the grace to love them as Christ loves them. Amen.
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The Three Hail Marys
A simple devotion long recommended for purity: each morning and evening, pray three Hail Marys, then add this short prayer.
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.
O Mary, by thy pure and Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy.
Parents may pray it in their child's name: "make their body pure and their soul holy."
A Parent's Prayer for Purity
Lord Jesus, You blessed the children and held them close. I place my child in Your hands today. Guard what they see, what they hear, and what they choose. Help them to know they are made in Your image and worthy of respect, and to treat others the same way. Give them the courage to choose what is good when it is hard, and the humility to return to You whenever they need mercy. Amen.
Nine-Day Novena to Saint Monica
A novena is nine days of prayer for one intention. Many families begin on August 18 so the novena ends the day before Saint Monica's feast, but it can be prayed at any time of year.
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Begin each day with the Sign of the Cross and name your intention.
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Pray the Prayer to Saint Monica for Our Children (see above).
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Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
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Close with: Saint Monica, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us.
If you'd like our community to pray the novena with you, add your intention on our Prayer Requests page.
A Prayer to St. Joseph for Chaste Thoughts and Desires
Dear St. Joseph,
You honored God through your faithful and chaste life, loving with purity and selfless devotion. I ask for your intercession as I struggle to keep my mind and desires centered on what is holy. Cleanse my thoughts from anything impure or dishonorable, and help me focus on things that bring glory to God. Teach me to respect both myself and others as beloved children of the Father. When unhealthy desires arise, give me the strength to redirect my attention toward prayer, goodness, and truth. Help me cultivate inner peace rather than allowing temptation to control my heart. Guide me to relationships marked by respect, honesty, and godly love. May your example teach me that purity is not repression, but freedom to love rightly and sincerely. Strengthen my soul so I may honor God with both my body and mind.
The Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.