About the prayers & selected artwork:
Divine Praises
The Divine Praises is a prayer of adoration, proclaiming the holine3ss of God and His works, often recited after Benediction in Eucharistic Adoration, to praise and Honour God.
It was composed in 1797 in reparation for blasphemy and profane language. It seems to me that this prayer of “right praise” is needed now more than ever!
Artwork: Song of Angels, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1669, oil on canvas - Public Domain. As Mary holds and protects her beloved Son, the angles surround her and praise the Blessings of God and the Immaculate Conception.
Anima Christi
This is a prayer that seeks spiritual cleansing, protection, and unity with Christ. It originated in the 14th century, and is often prayed after receiving Holy Communion (Eucharist) to deepen ones connection with Jesus, invoking His passion, body, and blood for sanctification.
Artwork: Christ Crucified, Diego Velazquez, 1632, oil on canvas, Madrid - Public Domain. This beautifully raw depiction of the Crucification can evoke a sincere movement of our hearts to unite ourselves with Christs Cross, and to remember His ultimate, unconditional and selfless love for us.
Flame of Love
The Flame of Love Prayers seek to blind Satan, save souls, and ignite our love for Jesus and Mary. originating from alleged messages to Elizabeth Kindelmann in the 1960’s (Hungary), it emphasizes prayer, fasting, and Mary’s intercession to renew the world.
Artwork: Assumption, 1617, oil-on-canvas, Reni Guido, Unknown location - Public Domain. We are called to unite ourselves to Jesus like Mary - Mother Mary’s humble posture and eyes fixed on heaven as she ascends to God.
Holy Spirit
Saint John Paul II’s prayer to the Holy Spirit, taught by his father, seeks guidance, wisdom and renewal of faith. It emphasizes the spirits role in leading believers to truth and was foundational in John Paul II’s spiritual development.
Artwork: Holy Spirit, Corrado Giaquinto, 1750, oil on canvas, Italy - Public Domain. This painting centers around the descent of the Holy Spirit, bright, beaming and progressing towards us, with the churb angles opening us the clouds to ‘make way’.
Sacred Heart Novena
The Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus seeks grace, conversion, and divine assistance, originating with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s 17th-Century revelations. Promoted by Saint Padre Pio, it emphasizes trust in Jesus’ love and mercy for transformative intercession.
Artwork: Stained glass window of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain - Public Domain). The center of this stained-glass window is glowing with gold, as Jesus points to His Sacred Heart He extends His other arm towards us, inviting us to open up to His gentle, loving and most Sacred Heart.