St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the great Carmelite reformer and Doctor of the Church, lived through illness, opposition, and constant travel, yet she was known for her humor and deep peace. After her death these short lines were found written in her breviary, and they have been treasured ever since as a remedy for worry and fear. The English version below is by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The prayer is short enough to memorize and repeat slowly whenever an

St. Dymphna is the patron saint of those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and mental and emotional illness. According to her ancient story, she was a young Irish princess of the seventh century who fled her home to escape her father, who had become unstable after her mother's death. He found her at Geel, in present-day Belgium, and killed her there. Healings were soon reported at her tomb, and for centuries Geel has been known for its loving care of people with mental ill

"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) is the fourth of Jesus' Seven Last Words, cried out in the darkness that covered the land. It is the opening line of Psalm 22, a psalm that begins in anguish and ends in trust and praise. In this Word, Jesus takes on the experience of abandonment that so many people feel in grief, depression, doubt, or spiritual dryness. This brief meditation asks for faithfulness in desolation and the grace never to despair of God'

Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). This short offering takes the ordinary crosses of a day, weariness, disappointment, pain of body or mind, and unites them to Christ's Passion. St. Paul wrote that he could "fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ" for the sake of the Church (Colossians 1:24), and generations of Catholics have learned to "offer it up." Pray it in th

Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), the strength to bear trials, delays, and the faults of others without losing peace or charity. St. James writes that "the trying of your faith worketh patience," and that patience leads to a perfect and complete work (James 1:3-4). This prayer asks for that grace, and for the ability to carry our cross with Jesus and to forgive as we have been forgiven. Pray it when you are stuck in traffic, waiting for news,

Meditate briefly on Our Lady's Seven Sorrows with a Hail Mary after each sorrow. The Prayer 1. The Prophecy of Simeon. Hail Mary... 2. The Flight into Egypt. Hail Mary... 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Hail Mary... 4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary. Hail Mary... 5. Jesus Dies on the Cross. Hail Mary... 6. Mary Receives the Body of Jesus in Her Arms. Hail Mary... 7. Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb. Hail Mary... Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin, that we m

The Thirty Days' Prayer is a classic Marian devotion of petition. Begin with this traditional opening portion. The Prayer Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, hope and comfort of dejected and desolate souls: through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart whilst thine only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the Cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He had for thee, grieving in thy grief, whilst fr

St. Rita, patroness of impossible causes, teaches patience in suffering. Ask her help with this traditional petition. The Prayer O powerful St. Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to thee with confidence in my great need. Thou knowest well my trials, for thou thyself wast many times burdened with the same. To thee I have recourse, to thee I consign my petition. O glorious St. Rita, obtain for me the grace I ask, if it be for the greater glory of God and for m