The Mom Weekly Volume 41: May 14, 2024
I thought about titling this weekly “In Praise of Oddly Worded Prayers” because, as you will see, The Traveling Prayer fits into that category. But the story of some of the other prayers, and why I find them endearing, is for another time.
Dad may have more details to share, but I think he purchased a small Franciscan prayer around the time we first moved to Peoria. And for some reason, the prayer of “use by traveling” for “automobile” became “our thing” as we began any trip, usually trips back East to visit grandparents. And by now it’s a core memory. But I thought that I would offer it here so we can all have it on hand, and not just for the UK hiking advance team on the road (and in the skies!).
An important note: the more you prayer a particular prayer, especially an oddly worded one, can highlight serious truths.
For instance, the phrase “after all the successes and failures of this life” has become much more meaningful to me as I get older. As I think back about all the successes and failures in my own life — heck, even the successes and failures of every day! — it makes me realize how important it is the play the “long game.” There are going to be successes. There are going to be failures. What’s important is to keep on after the failures and after the successes.
Remember how much I love you,
Mom
The Traveling Prayer
Lord God, be well disposed to our prayers, and bless this vehicle with your holy hand. Appoint your angels as an escort over it, who will always shield its passengers and keep them safe from accidents. And as once by your deacon Philip, you bestowed faith and grace upon the Ethiopian seating in his carriage and reading Holy Writ, so also now show the way of salvation to your servants, in order that, strengthened by your grace and every intent upon good works, they may obtain, after all the successes and failures of this life, the certain happiness of life everlasting. Amen.
Interesting/notable:
An Open Letter to Student Protestors
shared with me by one of my sisters.
Against Sunscreen Absolutism
An action item: Memorize The Traveling Prayer
You may have already memorized the Traveling Prayer, but if not, why not give it a try? If you already know it, then consider working on another prayer. There may be prayers you A few ideas:
Prayer to the Holy Spirit–Pentecost is this Sunday!
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel (at this link, there is a different version just below the “classic” one that I find interesting)
What are you doing this weekend?
So, now that it’s Tuesday, what are you planning for the weekend? I’m going to suggest trying to cover four “F”s to get ideas flowing:
*faith—when are you going to Mass?
*friends—what friends will you see or connect with?
*food—any fun recipes you plan to try, or restaurants you plan to visit?
*fun—anything interesting you are going to play, watch, or do this weekend? Now’s the time to think it through, and put it on the calendar (even informally).