st. ignatius of loyola

Ask the Lord for a heart like Saint Justin’s and that of other martyrs, past and present, who professed their faith with similar courage. Then, slowly pray the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed that we say at Mass. As you pray, pause briefly at each truth you express. Let its meaning fill your heart. Renew your faith in it.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty (I believe in you, God the Father, God my father),

maker of heaven and earth (I believe in you as Creator),

of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ (I believe in you, Jesus, the Christ, and my Lord),

the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God (I believe that you, Jesus, are true God),

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation (I believe that you are my Savior)

he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate (I believe in your Incarnation)

of the Virgin Mary (I believe that you took flesh through Mary),

and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried (I believe that you died for our salvation),

and rose again on the third day (I believe in your Resurrection from the dead in power and glory)

in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father (I believe in your Ascension, that you were taken up to heaven).

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (I believe in your Second Coming at the end of time)

and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life (I believe in you, God the Holy Spirit, “Paraclete, Gift of God, living Fountain, Fire, Love, spiritual Anointing” [Veni Creator Spiritus]),

who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church (I believe that you founded the Catholic Church, the Spouse of the Lamb, our Mother).

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins (I believe in the grace and power of Baptism, of my Baptism)

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. (I believe in eternal life).

Pray the Profession of Faith like this at Mass.

Be there on the mountainside. Take your place close to Jesus. See the great crowd around you, eager to listen. Slowly read the words, and hear Jesus say them personally to you. Pause after each beatitude to consider it briefly: What does it mean? What is Jesus saying to you?

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him (you are seated there among them).

He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit (poor in spirit: humble, knowing our need for God, trusting in him), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn (mourn over sin and evil), for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (meek: gentle, not quick to take offense, patient), for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness (hunger and thirst for holiness, for new closeness to God), for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful (the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy), for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart (interiorly clean, pure, without duplicity), for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (those who reconcile people with each other and with God), for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (those who suffer for their fidelity to Christ), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If you listen to the readings at Mass in this way, with a disciple’s heart, then Jesus’s Word will become for you, as the Second Vatican Council affirms, a “strength of faith,” a “food of the soul,” and a “pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.”40

Almighty and merciful God (we lift our heart to you, loving Father, who are infinitely powerful and whose mercy knows no limits),

graciously keep from us all adversity (we pray for freedom from physical, moral, and spiritual harm),

so that, unhindered in mind and body alike (not weighed down by burdens of mind and body),

we may pursue in freedom of heart (our hearts may be truly free to pursue what is most important: a great grace!)

the things that are yours (love of God, love of neighbor, doing God’s will, living our vocations, eternal life; we ask for freedom to live in the way God desires, in the light of his Word),

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest (raise your heart on high; let it express joyful praise of God),

and on earth peace to people of good will (ask for God’s peace on this troubled earth).

We praise you (pause simply to recognize God’s love and goodness),

we bless you (pronounce his name with love and reverence; bless him for his works of love),

we adore you (lift your heart in reverent and joyful adoration of his love, his goodness),

we glorify you (express your love for God, glorify him with your heart, your words, your life),

we give you thanks for your great glory (thank him for his saving work in the world and in your life),

Lord God, heavenly King (welcome him with love as Lord, as King in your life),

O God, almighty Father (open your heart to the love and power of our heavenly Father),

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son (turn now to Jesus, our Lord, the beloved Son in whom the Father takes delight),

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father (“Behold, the Lamb of God” [John 1:36]: see the divine Lamb; behold him; draw near to him with confidence),

you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (ask with confidence for the mercy that takes away sin);

you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer (“Everyone who asks, receives” [Matt. 7:8]; present your prayer with trust in his promise);

you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us (“Therefore he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them” [Heb. 7:25]; ponder these words).

For you alone are the Holy one (acknowledge the unique holiness, goodness, and love of Jesus),

you alone are the Lord (“At the name of Jesus every knee should bend . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” [Phil. 2:10–11]: profess him as the Lord of your life.),

you alone are the Most High (“you alone”: give him this special, unequalled place in your life, in your heart.),

Jesus Christ (the Son, our Savior), with the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete, the Advocate, the Consoler), in the glory of God the Father (our loving Father in heaven). Amen.