night prayers

Prayer intentions are always open. ♡

Send me your intentions, and I’ll keep them in my nightly prayers. If you’d like, I can also ask for the intercession of a specific saint.

O Good Shepherd, you never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. I ask you to bring (name) back to the practice of the Faith, and to remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving your abundant mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of your holy Church. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, their Guardian Angels, their Patron Saints and the ever-prayerful St. Monica, may you pardon their sins and unshackle them from whatever hinders their freedom to come Home. For you, O Good Shepherd, have loved us to the end and offered yourself to the Father for the salvation of all. Amen

Tonight, through the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the loving intercession of Our Blessed Mother and all the Guardian Angels, let us offer our prayers for these intentions:

• For our Guardian Angels, in gratitude for their constant protection, guidance, and faithful companionship.

• For the safety of a mother and her daughter, that they may overcome the trials they are facing. May their Guardian Angels intercede for them and keep them under God’s loving protection.

• For all those affected by a devastating fire, especially those who have lost their homes or loved ones, that Our Blessed Mother may comfort the grieving, intercede for all who suffer, and that Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His infinite mercy, may protect them, strengthen them, and fill their hearts with His peace.

• For the conversion of a beloved person, that their heart may be opened to God’s grace, and that they may come to know, love, and faithfully follow Our Lord Jesus Christ.

• For the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela, especially those who have been injured and those who have passed into eternity. May the Lord grant healing to the wounded, comfort to the grieving, and eternal rest to the souls of the departed.

Why do Catholics honor the Holy Angels on Tuesdays?

In Catholic tradition, Tuesday has long been associated with devotion to the Holy Angels. While this is not a doctrine or obligation of the Church, it is a beautiful custom that has been embraced by many Catholics over the centuries.

The Angels in Sacred Scripture ✞︎

From Genesis to Revelation, Sacred Scripture reveals the constant presence of the Holy Angels in God’s plan of salvation. They announce His will, protect His people, strengthen the faithful, and ceaselessly worship Him. From the Angel who guided Tobit, to St. Gabriel announcing the Incarnation, to the angels rejoicing at Christ’s Resurrection, they faithfully serve the Lord and His Church.

The Church’s Teaching on the Holy Angels

The Church teaches that angels are purely spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and serve His saving plan for humanity (cf. CCC 328–336). Every believer is entrusted to the care of a Guardian Angel, whose mission is to guide, protect, and lead each soul toward Heaven.

The Saints’ Devotion to the Holy Angels

Throughout history, countless saints fostered a deep devotion to the Holy Angels. St. Padre Pio often spoke of the help of his Guardian Angel, encouraging others to rely on theirs in times of need. St. Frances of Rome was granted extraordinary graces through her Guardian Angel, while St. Gemma Galgani frequently described receiving comfort, guidance, and correction from hers.

Our Lady, Queen of Angels

The Blessed Virgin Mary is honored by the Church as the Queen of Angels. Throughout salvation history, the angels have served God’s plan through her—from St. Gabriel announcing the Incarnation to the angel who strengthened Christ, her Son, in Gethsemane. As their Queen, Mary leads the heavenly hosts in perfect obedience to God and invites us to imitate their humility and fidelity.

The Angels Constantly Worship God

The Holy Angels stand before the throne of God in perpetual adoration. At every Holy Mass, Heaven and earth are united as we join the angels in singing: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.”

Every Mass is a participation in the heavenly liturgy, where the angels eternally glorify the Most Holy Trinity!

The Guardian Angels

God, in His providence, entrusts every person to the care of a Guardian Angel. These heavenly companions never abandon us, silently protecting us from danger, inspiring us toward virtue, and presenting our prayers before God. The Church encourages us to cultivate a loving friendship with our Guardian Angel through daily prayer and trust.

St. Michael and the Heavenly Host

Among the angels, St. Michael the Archangel holds a special place as the defender of God’s people and the leader of the heavenly armies. His victory over Satan reminds us that evil will never triumph over God’s kingdom. The Prayer to St. Michael remains one of the Church’s most beloved prayers for protection against spiritual evil.

A Beautiful Tuesday Tradition

Tuesday is a day especially dedicated to honoring the Holy Angels. It is an opportunity to thank God for their constant protection, ask for the guidance of our Guardian Angel, seek the powerful intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, and entrust ourselves to Our Lady, Queen of Angels. May we unite our hearts with the heavenly hosts in praising the Lord and strive to imitate their perfect obedience, humility, and love for God.

Tonight, through the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the loving intercession of Our Blessed Mother, let us offer our prayers for these intentions:

✠ For the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially those who are most forgotten and have no one to pray for them, that God’s infinite mercy may soon bring them into the joy of His heavenly presence.

✠ For a marriage that is being torn apart, that God may restore love, fidelity, healing, and hope, strengthening husband and wife through the grace of the sacrament.

✠ For the conversion of someone dear, that the Holy Spirit may soften their heart, dispel all spiritual blindness, and draw them back to Christ.

✠ For the survivors of the earthquake in Venezuela, that the Lord may grant them strength, consolation, protection, and every grace they need in the midst of suffering.

✠ For those who lost their lives in the earthquake, that Christ, who conquered death, may welcome them into His mercy and grant them eternal rest.

Eternal Father, I unite these intentions to the perfect sacrifice of Your Son. Receive this humble prayer for the glory of Your Holy Name, and teach us to trust always in Your loving and holy will.

Why do Catholics pray for the souls in Purgatory on Mondays?

In Catholic tradition, Monday has long been dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. While this devotion is not a doctrine or obligation, it is a beautiful custom embraced by many Catholics throughout the centuries.

The Church teaches that the souls in Purgatory are assured of Heaven, yet they undergo a final purification before entering the presence of God (cf. CCC 1030–1032). Since they can no longer merit for themselves, we can help them through our prayers, sacrifices, indulgences, and above all, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The Saints’ Devotion to the Holy Souls

Throughout history, many saints have encouraged this devotion. St. Gertrude the Great frequently prayed for the Holy Souls, and St. Faustina Kowalska wrote in her Diary about visiting Purgatory and being asked by the souls to pray for them.

Our Lady’s Call to Pray for the Departed

Several approved Marian apparitions also emphasize praying for the departed. At Fátima, Our Lady encouraged prayer, sacrifice, and reparation for sinners. During the apparitions, when the children asked about a young woman named Amélia, Our Lady replied that she would remain in Purgatory “until the end of the world,” reminding the faithful of the reality of Purgatory and the importance of praying for the dead.

What Scripture Says

Scripture likewise encourages this practice:

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.”

— 2 Maccabees 12:46

The Holy Souls can no longer pray for themselves—but you can.

Today, offer a Rosary, attend Holy Mass if you are able, make a small sacrifice, or simply pray for them. Every prayer offered with love is an act of mercy.

One day, by God’s grace, those souls will rejoice in Heaven and intercede for those who remembered them on earth.