Preces - The Roman Catholic Tradition - The Opus Dei Preces

The Opus Dei Preces

In the Catholic prelature Opus Dei, the Preces are a special set of prayers said by each member every day.

The Preces is a daily vocal prayer said by members of the Roman Catholic prelature of Opus Dei. It is also called "Prayers of the Work." Preces is the Latin word for "prayers."

The prayer was originally composed by Josemaría Escrivá in December 1930. It was the first common activity of the members of Opus Dei in history. Escrivá commented, "Since the heart of Opus Dei has to be like this, it is clear that the Lord wanted that we start with prayer. Prayer will be the first official act of the members of the Work of God." Escrivá in accordance to what he preached in The Way 86, about "using the psalms and prayers from the missal" for one's prayer, composed the prayer putting together phrases that he took from established liturgical prayers, and from the psalms. The prayers have undergone several changes through time.

The Preces, which is called "the universal prayer of the work", is described by one journalist as including "blessing of everyone from the Pope to Virgin Mary to the prelate of Opus Dei". John L. Allen describes its contents as follows: "invocations to the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Guardian Angels, and Saint Josemaría, then prayers for the Holy Father, the bishop of the diocese, unity among all those working to spread the gospel, the prelate of Opus Dei and the other members of the Work, and invocations to Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Peter, Paul, and John (the Patrons of Opus Dei)".

I will serve!

V. To the Most Blessed Trinity.

R. Thanks be to you, God, thanks be to you: true and one Trinity, one and highest Deity, holy and one Unity.

V. To Jesus Christ the King.

R. Lord our Judge; Lord our Law-giver; Lord our King: he himself will save us.

V. Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.

R. Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.

V. Rise, O Christ, help us.

R. And save us by your name.

V. The Lord is my light and salvation: whom shall I fear?

R. If my enemies surround me, my heart will not be frightened; when danger arises against me, in him will I hope.

V. To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix.

R. Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, to speak for our good, when you stand in the sight of the Lord.

V. To Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. God made you like the Father of the King and Lord over his household: pray for us.

V. To the Guardian Angels.

R. Our Holy Guardian Angels, defend us in danger lest we perish in the Great Judgment.

V. To our founder Saint Josemaría.

R. Intercede for your children so that, being faithful to the spirit of Opus Dei, we may sanctify our work, and win souls for Christ.

V. Let us pray for our Most Blessed Pope, N.

R. May the Lord protect him, enliven him, and make him happy on earth, and deliver him not into the hands of his enemies.

V. Let us pray for the (Arch)bishop of this diocese.

R. May he stand courageously and tend your flock, O Lord, in your sublime name.

V. Let us pray for the unity of the apostolate.

R. That all may be one, as you, Father, and I are one; that they may be one, as we are one.

V. A kingdom divided against itself will be destroyed.

R. And a city or house divided against itself will not stand.

V. Let us pray for our benefactors.

R. Deign to grant them, Lord, life everlasting on account of all of their good works in your name. Amen.

V. Let us pray for The Father (the current Prelate of Opus Dei).

R. Your mercy, O Lord, be upon him from eternity to eternity: for the Lord guards all those who love him.

V. Let us pray for our brethren in Opus Dei, living and dead.

R. Make safe, my God, your servants that hope in you.

V. Send them, O Lord, your help from your holy place.

R. And from Sion watch and keep them.

V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord.

R And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come to you.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

O God, who is rightfully ever merciful and forgiving: hear our prayers. Enkindle, O Lord, our bowels and hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may serve you with a chaste body and please you with a clean heart.

Direct, we beseech you, Lord, our actions by your inspirations, and further them by your assistance, so that every word and work of ours may begin always from you and by you be likewise ended. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Grant us, all powerful and merciful Lord, joy with peace, a life of penance, time for true contrition, grace and the consolation of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance in Opus Dei.

V. Saint Michael.

R. Pray for us.

V. Saint Gabriel.

R. Pray for us.

V. Saint Raphael.

R. Pray for us.

V. Saint Peter.

R. Pray for us.

V. Saint Paul.

R. Pray for us.

V. Saint John.

R. Pray for us.

Father, bless us.

The Lord be in your hearts, and upon your lips, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

V. Peace.

R. Forever.