This page is a follow-up to this article, where I have laid out a plan for personal religious practice. I gave there an example of a general, regular ritual. I thought I'd also create a page where I could post additional rituals that I'd like to share as I develop them. I've gotten into a pattern of having ideas, using AI (ChatGPT) to turn them into an outline and fill in some specific elements, and then editing the outline in various ways. It's a very helpful partnership!
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I did this ritual yesterday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows In Starkenburg, Rhineland, MO. It combines a commemoration of several saint days and the festival of Lughnasadh/Lammas. The focus, drawing from themes connected to these festival days, was especially on holy wells and pilgrimage. I took a pilgrimage to the Shrine at Starkenburg where there is a holy well. My experience of the ritual was enhanced by the fact that a thunderstorm occurred while I was doing it (which significantly intensified certain lines about water, lightning, etc.! Just try reading St. Patrick's Breastplate and St. Francis's Canticle of the Creatures in a thunderstorm!). I altered the ritual a little in light of my location at the Shrine - I didn't light a candle or incense and I added a rosary (Glorious Mysteries). It was a wonderful experience!
Ritual at a Local Holy Well with a Focus on Travel and PilgrimageOpening:
Begin by standing near the holy well. Take a moment to center yourself and become aware of the presence of God.
Anointing and Symbolic Acts:
Making the Sign of the Cross
Anointing with Holy Water: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. I ask for Your blessing upon this sacred space. May it be a place where Your presence dwells, O God."
Lighting the Candle (or Burning Incense): "I light this candle (or burn this incense) as a symbol of Your presence with me, O Lord. May my prayers rise like incense before You."
Praying the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be: "Our Father, who art in heaven..." "Hail Mary, full of grace..." “Glory be to the Father . . .”
St. Patrick's Breastplate: "I bind unto myself today..."
Acknowledging God's Presence in Nature:
Earth (Salt): "Blessed be God who formed the earth."
Water (Water): "Blessed be God who gave us water."
Fire (Red Stone): "Blessed be God who created fire."
Air (Feather): "Blessed be God who gives us breath."
Plants, Animals, Ecosystem, Sun, Moon, Stars, etc.: "Blessed be God who created the vast diversity of life and the universe. May we always marvel at Your creation."
Canticle of the Creatures (St. Francis of Assisi): "Most High, all-powerful, good Lord..."
Acknowledging Saints and Spiritual Figures:
"I welcome the saints, especially [mention any specific saints or the saint of the day], and all who have gone before me in faith."
"I honor my Confirmation/patron saint, St. Thomas More, and others who have inspired and guided me."
Prayers for the Departed and Intercession: "I pray for those who have died, [mention names if desired], and ask for the intercession of all the saints in heaven."
Acknowledging Art and Symbolic Stories:
"I welcome the myths, symbols, stories, and art that have deepened my understanding of You, O God."
Making the Sign of the Cross
Anointing with Holy Water: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. I ask for Your blessing upon this sacred space. May it be a place where Your presence dwells, O God."
Lighting the Candle (or Burning Incense): "I light this candle (or burn this incense) as a symbol of Your presence with me, O Lord. May my prayers rise like incense before You."
Praying the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be: "Our Father, who art in heaven..." "Hail Mary, full of grace..." “Glory be to the Father . . .”
St. Patrick's Breastplate: "I bind unto myself today..."
Earth (Salt): "Blessed be God who formed the earth."
Water (Water): "Blessed be God who gave us water."
Fire (Red Stone): "Blessed be God who created fire."
Air (Feather): "Blessed be God who gives us breath."
Plants, Animals, Ecosystem, Sun, Moon, Stars, etc.: "Blessed be God who created the vast diversity of life and the universe. May we always marvel at Your creation."
Canticle of the Creatures (St. Francis of Assisi): "Most High, all-powerful, good Lord..."
"I welcome the saints, especially [mention any specific saints or the saint of the day], and all who have gone before me in faith."
"I honor my Confirmation/patron saint, St. Thomas More, and others who have inspired and guided me."
Prayers for the Departed and Intercession: "I pray for those who have died, [mention names if desired], and ask for the intercession of all the saints in heaven."
"I welcome the myths, symbols, stories, and art that have deepened my understanding of You, O God."
Invocation of Saints:
St. Sidwell: "St. Sidwell, who was martyred near a holy well and whose name means 'holy spring,' pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Sidwell was an Anglo-Saxon virgin and martyr from Exeter, England, who was beheaded by her stepmother. She is remembered for her association with a holy well in Exeter, which bears her name and is believed to have healing properties.
St. Juthware: "St. Juthware, who found comfort and healing at the holy well after your martyrdom, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Juthware was an Anglo-Saxon virgin martyr, known for her piety and charity. She was beheaded by her stepbrother and is associated with a holy well in Halstock, Dorset, where miracles were reported after her death.
St. Brigid of Kildare: "St. Brigid, who blessed the wells and springs with your prayers, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Brigid of Kildare was an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries, including Kildare. She is one of Ireland's patron saints and is renowned for her miracles, including those associated with healing wells and springs.
St. Winifred: "St. Winifred, who was resurrected at the holy well and whose waters have brought healing, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Winifred was a Welsh virgin martyr whose story involves her being decapitated by a rejected suitor and then miraculously restored to life by her uncle, St. Beuno. The well where this occurred, Holywell in Flintshire, Wales, is a famous pilgrimage site known for its healing waters.
St. James the Greater: "St. James, patron of pilgrims, who was the first apostle to be martyred and who inspires the Camino pilgrimage, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. James the Greater was one of Jesus' twelve apostles and the first to be martyred. He is the patron saint of Spain, and the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) is a famous pilgrimage route leading to his shrine in Santiago de Compostela.
St. Christopher: "St. Christopher, patron of travelers, who carried the Christ child and helps us on our journeys, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Christopher is a popular saint, venerated as a martyr who is often depicted carrying the Christ child across a river. He is the patron saint of travelers and is invoked for protection during journeys.
St. Sidwell: "St. Sidwell, who was martyred near a holy well and whose name means 'holy spring,' pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Sidwell was an Anglo-Saxon virgin and martyr from Exeter, England, who was beheaded by her stepmother. She is remembered for her association with a holy well in Exeter, which bears her name and is believed to have healing properties.
St. Juthware: "St. Juthware, who found comfort and healing at the holy well after your martyrdom, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Juthware was an Anglo-Saxon virgin martyr, known for her piety and charity. She was beheaded by her stepbrother and is associated with a holy well in Halstock, Dorset, where miracles were reported after her death.
St. Brigid of Kildare: "St. Brigid, who blessed the wells and springs with your prayers, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Brigid of Kildare was an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries, including Kildare. She is one of Ireland's patron saints and is renowned for her miracles, including those associated with healing wells and springs.
St. Winifred: "St. Winifred, who was resurrected at the holy well and whose waters have brought healing, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Winifred was a Welsh virgin martyr whose story involves her being decapitated by a rejected suitor and then miraculously restored to life by her uncle, St. Beuno. The well where this occurred, Holywell in Flintshire, Wales, is a famous pilgrimage site known for its healing waters.
St. James the Greater: "St. James, patron of pilgrims, who was the first apostle to be martyred and who inspires the Camino pilgrimage, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. James the Greater was one of Jesus' twelve apostles and the first to be martyred. He is the patron saint of Spain, and the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) is a famous pilgrimage route leading to his shrine in Santiago de Compostela.
St. Christopher: "St. Christopher, patron of travelers, who carried the Christ child and helps us on our journeys, pray for us."
Brief bio: St. Christopher is a popular saint, venerated as a martyr who is often depicted carrying the Christ child across a river. He is the patron saint of travelers and is invoked for protection during journeys.
Reading and Reflection:
Scripture Reading: John 4:13-14 - "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of holy wells as sources of physical and spiritual nourishment.
Scripture Reading: John 4:13-14 - "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of holy wells as sources of physical and spiritual nourishment.
Special Focus of the Day - Holy Wells, Travel, and Pilgrimage:
Prayer for Blessing the Water: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, Creator of the universe. In Your mercy and love, You have provided us with the waters of the earth. We ask Your blessing upon this water, that it may be a source of healing and grace. Through the intercession of St. Sidwell, St. Juthware, St. Brigid, St. Winifred, St. James, and St. Christopher, may this water bring us closer to You and remind us of Your ever-present love. Amen."
Water Ritual:
Dip your fingers into the holy well's water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead.
Sprinkle the water around the well while reciting: "May this water bring blessings, healing, and protection. Through the power of God and the intercession of the saints, may it cleanse and sanctify this space."
Pilgrimage Reflection:
Reflect on the significance of pilgrimage in your spiritual journey. Consider how pilgrimage is a journey towards God, marked by steps of faith and devotion.
Give thanks for the protection and guidance of St. James and St. Christopher on all journeys, both physical and spiritual.
Lughnasadh/Lammas Reflection:
Reflect on the connection between holy wells and Lughnasadh, a time of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the harvest. Consider how water nourishes the earth and enables the growth of crops. And consider the bread that comes from the earth to sustain us, and which also becomes the Bread of Life for us in the Eucharist, as the wine becomes the Precious Blood.
Give thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the sustenance provided by the waters of the earth.
Prayer for Blessing the Water: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, Creator of the universe. In Your mercy and love, You have provided us with the waters of the earth. We ask Your blessing upon this water, that it may be a source of healing and grace. Through the intercession of St. Sidwell, St. Juthware, St. Brigid, St. Winifred, St. James, and St. Christopher, may this water bring us closer to You and remind us of Your ever-present love. Amen."
Water Ritual:
Dip your fingers into the holy well's water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead.
Sprinkle the water around the well while reciting: "May this water bring blessings, healing, and protection. Through the power of God and the intercession of the saints, may it cleanse and sanctify this space."
Pilgrimage Reflection:
Reflect on the significance of pilgrimage in your spiritual journey. Consider how pilgrimage is a journey towards God, marked by steps of faith and devotion.
Give thanks for the protection and guidance of St. James and St. Christopher on all journeys, both physical and spiritual.
Lughnasadh/Lammas Reflection:
Reflect on the connection between holy wells and Lughnasadh, a time of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the harvest. Consider how water nourishes the earth and enables the growth of crops. And consider the bread that comes from the earth to sustain us, and which also becomes the Bread of Life for us in the Eucharist, as the wine becomes the Precious Blood.
Give thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the sustenance provided by the waters of the earth.
Singing and Chanting:
Sing or chant hymns or songs that celebrate water and pilgrimage, such as “All Who Are Thirsty,” from John Michael Talbot.
Sing or chant hymns or songs that celebrate water and pilgrimage, such as “All Who Are Thirsty,” from John Michael Talbot.
Closing:
Bidding Farewell: "I bid farewell to this sacred time of worship and to all whom I have welcomed into it. May I carry Your presence with me always, O God."
Salve Regina or Anima Christi: "Hail, Holy Queen..." "Soul of Christ, sanctify me..."
Final Prayer for Blessing: "May your blessing, Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come upon me and remain with me always. Amen."
Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Bidding Farewell: "I bid farewell to this sacred time of worship and to all whom I have welcomed into it. May I carry Your presence with me always, O God."
Salve Regina or Anima Christi: "Hail, Holy Queen..." "Soul of Christ, sanctify me..."
Final Prayer for Blessing: "May your blessing, Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come upon me and remain with me always. Amen."
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Published on the feast of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
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