The folk magic practices of Italy were heavily influenced by the religious rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. Some practitioners of Stregheria sometimes use Catholic prayers in their traditions. Other streghe simply do not.
Originally I had not planned to record any specifically Christian material on this website. After all, I don't use it, and anyone can easily look up Ave Maria or the Credo if he or she wanted to reference this material.
Eventually I decided that it might be a good idea to have some frequently used prayers available for easy access. Yet this is not an orthodox list by any standards. Some of these prayers are not necessarily used a lot in the streghe's tradition. However, I have included them because they seemed particularly well suited for use and because they are beautiful devotions.
General
From All Blindness of Heart...
From all blindness of heart, from pride,
Vainglory and hypocracy;
From envy, hatred, and malice,
And all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.
--The Book of Common Prayer
Madonna
Hail, holy queen,
Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, as children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this veil of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy toward us,
Lead us home at last.
Show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O Clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
Oh, Lady of Carmine! Who with special goodness and mercy
consider those who are devoted to you,
send me a vision and cover me with your cloak,
give me strength,
enlighten the darkness of my understanding throughout this life,
console me at the hour of my death
and present me before God as his devoted child and your servant. Amen.
On July 16, the feast of the Virgin of Carmine or Madonna del Carmine, candles are lit to request healing. In Naples, the fiesta celebrations involve fireworks from the Madonna del Carmine Church. Apparently elsewhere in Italy this feast day has a maritime connection. In Sicily, the "Madonna del Carmen" is allegedly the famous statue of the Madonna holding a female infant.
All Creation rejoices in you,
O Full of Grace,
The archangels and the race of men,
O Sanctified Temple and Spiritual
Paradise, the Glory of Virgins;
From whom God was incarnate
and became a child, our God
through the ages.
He made your body into a throne.
And your womb he made more
spacious than the heavens.
All creation rejoices in you,
O Full of Grace, glory to you!
--Eastern Orthodox Liturgy
Glory to you for the feast day of life.
Glory to you for the perfume of lillies and roses.
Glory to you for each different taste of berry and fruit.
Glory to you for the sparkling silver of early morning dew.
Glory to you for the joy of dawn's awakening.
Glory to you for the new life each day brings.
--Gregory Petrov
As the vine, I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches.
I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way
and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with
my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb My
memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me shall yet hunger; and they that drink me,
shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me shall not be confounded; and they that work by me shall not sin.
They that explain me shall have life everlasting.
--Epistle to honor the Madonna on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel,
Madonna del Carmen (Mt Carmel is said to be the site of a shrine to Ephesian Diana,
before that to Isis, and before that to
Inanna/Ishtar. It was renowned for its healing practices through dream incubation.)
She is the flower, the violet,
the blossoming rose
that gives out such a scent to
satisfy us all...
--Gautier De Coincy
Blessed Sister, Holy Mother...
Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden
Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
And even among these rocks
Sister, mother,
And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea,
Suffer me not to be separated
And let my cry come unto Thee.
--T. S. Eliot. Although this is not a traditional prayer, I thought this brief except from the prayer, Ash Wednesday, was especially suitable for the Madonna.
Come, true light.
Come, eternal life.
Come, hidden mystery.
Come, treasure without name.
Come, rejoicing without end.
Come, light that knows no evening.
Come, raising of the fallen.
Come, resurection of the dead.
Come, for you are yourself the desire that is within me.
Come, my breath and my life.
Come, the consolation of my humble soul.
Come, my joy, my glory, my endless delight.
--Saint Symeon
O love, O pure deep love, be here, be now Be all; worlds dissolve into your stainless, endless radiance, Frail living leaves burn within you brighter than cold stars: Make me your servant, your breath, your core.--Jelaluddin Rumi, brief excerpt from When Grapes Turn to Wine
Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of the Crucified,
pray for us.
Sorrowful Mother,
pray for us.
Mournful Mother,
pray for us.
Sighing Mother,
pray for us.
Afflicted Mother,
pray for us.
Foresaken Mother,
pray for us.
Desolate Mother,
pray for us.
Mother most sad,
pray for us.
Mother set around with anguish,
pray for us.
Mother overwhelmed by grief,
pray for us.
Mother transfixed by a sword,
pray for us.
Mother crucified in thy heart,
pray for us.
Mother bereaved of thy Son,
pray for us.
Sighing Dove,
pray for us.
Mother of Dolors,
pray for us.
Fount of tears,
pray for us.
Sea of bitterness,
pray for us.
Field of tribulation,
pray for us.
Mass of suffering,
pray for us.
Mirror of patience,
pray for us.
Rock of constancy,
pray for us.
Remedy in perplexity,
pray for us.
Joy of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Ark of the desolate,
pray for us.
Refuge of the abandoned,
pray for us.
Shield of the oppressed,
pray for us.
Conqueror of the incredulous,
pray for us.
Solace of the wretched,
pray for us.
Medicine of the sick,
pray for us.
Help of the faint,
pray for us.
Strength of the weak,
pray for us.
Protectress of those who fight,
pray for us.
Haven of the shipwrecked,
pray for us.
Calmer of tempests,
pray for us.
Companion of the sorrowful,
pray for us.
Retreat of those who groan,
pray for us.
Terror of the treacherous,
pray for us.
Standard-bearer of the Martyrs,
pray for us.
Treasure of the Faithful,
pray for us.
Light of Confessors,
pray for us.
Pearl of Virgins,
pray for us.
Comfort of Widows,
pray for us.
Joy of all Saints,
pray for us.
Queen of thy Servants,
pray for us.
Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled,
pray for us.
Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin...
Angels are enraptured before thee.
The Blessed bow down before thee.
Michael is thy Captain.
Gabriel thy Messenger.
Raphael thy Healer.
Angels and Saints feast on thy beauty.
Delight of God,
Peerless Mary,
Thy face is heavenly beauty.
Gentle Mary, Loving Mary.
Heavenly wind,
Spring rain,
Blinding Light that overcasts the sun.
Mightier than the mountains.
You speak in divers languages.
All thy children know thy voice.
Dove of God: Thy voice is sweeter than the thrush and the lark.
Angels stay their journey to hear thee.
Your words are sweeter than honey.
Your eyes are beautiful and gentle.
We have no fear of thee.
We love thee, Mary, we love thee, we love thee.
0 Mary, beautiful, life-giving Mary.
Our joy, our Hope in our sorrows.
Our eyes and hearts are lifted to thee.
Hear us, thy children who cry to thee.
You hear the cry of your children;
You, their Mother, will hasten to help.
You gladden the hearts that mourn.
You dry the eyes that weep.
Mother of the widow and orphan.
Safe home to the outcast.
The mighty and lowly find peace before thee.
Thy smile is peace.
Medicine and healing herbs to the sick.
Sweetness in the bitterness of life.
Light to those who travel by land and sea.
Virtue to the innocent.
Flame to kindle the clean of heart.
Faithful Shepherdess, who guards the sheep and lambs.
The Promised Land, overflowing with milk and honey.
Sweet spices and heavenly perfumes that purify,
sweeter than the honeycomb.
Glory of women.
Healer of men.
Sight to the blind.
Hearing to the deaf.
Speech to the dumb.
Cool, life-giving waters to the thirsty.
Food and drink to the weary.
Whose breasts feed all men.
Thy children call to thee.
Heavenly Guide to the traveler,
0 Mary, our Mother, lead us home.
--St Lomman, Praises of Mary
O Queen of Heaven and earth, most Holy Virgin, we venerate thee. Thou art the beloved daughter of the Most High God, the chosen mother of the Incarnate Word, the immaculate spouse, the sacred vessel of the Most Holy Trinity. O Mother of the Divine Redeemer, who under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy, comes to the aid of all who call upon thee, extend thy maternal protection to us. We depend on thee, dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring mother.
(recite 1 Hail Mary)
O Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, grant that we may draw from thy treasury of graces in our time of need. Touch the hearts of sinners, that they may seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Bring comfort to the afflicted and the lonely; help the poor and the hopeless; aid the sick and the suffering. May they be healed in body and strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patient resignation and Christian fortitude.
(recite 1 Hail Mary)
Dear Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, thy compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me with thy prayers and intercession to find a remedy for my problems and needs especially for...
(State your special intentions; recite 1 Hail Mary)
On my part, O loving Mother, I will strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours.
Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me, and through thy intercession, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus. Amen.
--Catholic prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Your protection, implored Your help, or sought Your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto You, O Mother of mothers. To You I come, before You, I stand, imperfect and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Your mercy, hear and answer me.
--Catholic prayer
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to our people in a time of distress and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise: "Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find".
Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick or lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the holy Mass. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Knock
My Queen! My Mother! I give you all myself, and to show my devotion to you, I consecreate my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self. Wherefore, Oloving Mother, as I am your own, keep me, defend me, as your property and possession. Amen.
Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,-- Dana (Rosemary Scallon), Banthiorna Cnoic
All my cares and troubles cease
As I kneel with love before you Lady of Knock,
My Queen of Peace.
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb,
for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
--Orthodox Prayer
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee,
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fuit of thy womb.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us, now,
And at the hour of our death.
--Modern version of Catholic prayer, Ave Maria
Other Prayers
O Holy Spirit, You are the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity! You are the Spirit of wisdom, love, and holiness, proceeding from the Father and the Son, and equal to Them in all things! I adore You and love You with all my heart. Teach me to know and to seek God, by Whom I was created. Fill my heart with a holy fear and a great love of Him. Give me compunction and patience, and do not let me fall into sin.
Increase faith, hope, and graciousness in me and bring forth in me all the virtues proper to my state of life. Help me to grow in the four cardinal virtues, the seven gifts, and the twelve fruits.
Make me a faithful follower of Jesus, an obedient child of the Church, and a help to my neighbor. Give me the grace to keep the commandments and to receive the sacraments worthily. Raise me to holiness in the state of life to which You have called me, and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Grant me also, O Holy Spirit, Giver of all good gifts, the special favor for which I ask...
(State your request here...)
...if it be for Your honor and glory and for my well-being.
--Catholic Novena
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Oh, Holy Spirit, grant that I may participate in those gifts of Faith, Hope, and Graciousness. Decend heavenly
Dove! Make of my heart a worthy dwelling-place for You. Illumine my mind, that I may see and understand the
mysteries of life. Inflame my heart with pure love of You that I may love all God's creation. Strengthen my will,
that I may be guided by Your holy inspirations. Aid me by Your Graciousness to practice the Divine lessons of
humility, peace, honor, and wisdom.
Spirit of love! Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace! Bless my soul more and more. The greatest of your gifts is
Graciousness. Graciousness is long-suffering and is kind; Graciousness does not envy; it is not boastful; it is not
over-proud; it does not behave unseemly. It is not self-seeking, not easily provoked; Graciousness keeps no lists
of petty wrongs; Graciousness rejoices not in another's inquity, but delights in the truth; Graciousness bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
O Holy Spirit, You Giver of every good and wonderful gift, grant me, I beseech You, my personal request in this prayer.
(State your request here...)
May God's will be done in me and through me. May You be praised and glorified forevermore!
--Christian prayer, adapted by L. Leigh
Glory be to the Father, who by His almighty
--Catholic Prayer
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in rhe beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
--Catholic Prayer
I believe in the Nameless God who is Time-Space-Matter: And in myself as an actual organic part of the one
Great Nameless God.
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou wert chosen by God to be the reputed Father of
Jesus, the most pure Spouse of Mary ever Virgin and the Head of the Holy
Family. Thou hast been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly Patron and
Protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore, with the greatest
confidence I implore thy powerful assistance for the whole Church militant.
Protect, in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the sovereign Pontiff
and all the bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the
protector of all who labor for souls amidst the trials and tribulations of
this life; and grant that all nations of the earth may submit with docility
to that Church out of which there is no salvation.
Dearest St. Joseph, accept the offering I now make of myself to thee. I
dedicate myself to thy service, that thou mayest ever be my Father, my
Protector and my Guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity
of heart and a fervent love for the interior life. Grant that after thy
example, all my actions may be directed to the greater glory of God, in
union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and thy
own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and
joy of thy holy death. Amen.
--Catholic prayer
Novena to Saint Antonio for Any Need
St. Antonio, you are glorious for your miracles and for the condescension of Jesus Who came as a little child to
lie in your arms. Obtain for me from His bounty the grace which I ardently desire. You were so compassionate
toward sinners, do not regard my unworthiness. Let the glory of God be magnified by you in connection with
the particular request that I earnestly present to you.
[State your petition here.]
As a pledge of my gratitude, I promise to live more faithfully in accordance with the teachings of the Church,
and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you loved and still love so greatly. Bless this resolution of
mine that I may be faithful to it until death.
St. Antonio, consoler of all the afflicted, pray for me.
Unfailing Prayer to Saint Anthony
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.
O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God
and Charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on
earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on
your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in
trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore
of you to obtain for me [petition.] The answer to my prayer
may require a miracle. Even so, you are the saint of
Miracles.
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full
of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the
Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and
the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
Novena to Sant' Antonio to Find a Lost Article
Sant' Antonio, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things,
grant that I may find [name the item] which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind,
the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I
may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God,
my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
Rhyming prayers to St. Anthony (St, Tony)
to Find a Lost Article
Something's lost and can't be found
Dear St. Anthony, I pray
Tony, Tony, turn around.
Prayer to Santa Lucia, Patron of Eye Ailments
Relying on your goodness, O God, we humbly ask You, through the intercession of Santa Lucia, virgin and
martyr, to give perfect vision to our eyes, that they may serve for Your greater honor and glory. Santa Lucia,
hear our prayers, and obtain our petitions.
Holy Saint Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles,
near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special
patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and
humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in
my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause
you to be invoked. Saint Jude, pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.
Lord... Your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which You
have prepared in the sight of every people. A light to reveal You to the nations and
the glory of Your people. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Raphael the Archangel
Glorious Archangel Saint Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom
and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of
sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young
Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God," I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities
of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor {mention your petition} and the
great grace of purity of prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saint Raphael of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, angel of health,
the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victim of disease,
and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways
Spirit Protector, who always protects me, my loved ones and my friends, help me! Give guidence to
those who assist me with solutions to my life's problems and give comfort to my soul. Reveal to me what
I must do tomorrow, and give strength and courage to my afficted spirit. Make my problems disappear
and restore my faith. Amen.
--Christian prayer
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Amen.
--Catholic Prayer
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows
lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is
hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.
Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest,
and peace at the last. Amen.
--Book of Common Prayer
Prayer for the President of the United States
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We
commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided
by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant
to the President of the United States, all elected officials,
and to all in authority, wisdom
and strength to know and to do what is best. Fill them with the
love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful
of their calling to serve this people; we ask for this blessing through
Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
--Prayer from an Indepence Day celebration flyer, circa early 1970's. This
American prayers reminds me of the prayers for the genius spirit of Caesar.
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Episcopalian Prayer
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with oppression, terror,
disease, or injustice as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Grant that everyone of us
may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land. Strengthen those who labor establishing equal
protection of the law and fair opportunities for all. Help all your children to eliminate cruelty and
hate crimes towards our neighbors and kin. Grant this Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake lived as the poor, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
--21st Century Ecumenical Christian Prayer
Prayer for Knowledge of God's Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with
all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and
the infinite complexity of living creatures: We marvel at its wonders and delight in its beauty.
Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your ever changing world and the secrets of evolving life,
we may come to understand you more truly, and deepen our connection with you that we more surely
fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--20th Century Christian Prayer
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
-Francis of Assisi
Prayer for a Deeper Sense of Fellowship with All Living Things
O God, grant us a deeper sense of fellowship with all living this, our little brothers and sisters to whom
in common with us you have given this earth as home. We recall with regret that in the past we have acted
high-handedly and cruelly in exercising our domain over them. Thus, the voice of the earth which should
have risen to you in song has turned into a groan of travail. May we realize that all these creatures also live
for themselves and for you - not for us alone. They too love the goodness of life, as we do, and serve you
better in their way than we do in ours. Amen.
--Saint Basil the Great, 4th century Caesarea, Bishop, Doctor
Comfort and Aid (traditional Celtic)
I am here abroad,
--Celtic Prayer
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
--Celtic prayer
May you have warm words
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth who art everywhere and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings,
and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
O most holy Trinity: Have mercy upon us. O Lord: cleanse us from our sins. O Master: pardon our transgressions.
O Holy One: visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
--St. John Chrysostom
Lord! Can't you see I am weary
--Anna Akhmatova, an excerpt from a tranlation of her 1962 poem, "Last Rose" It is quite possible that the
orginal was never intended as a prayer, but these lines feel like a useful prayer so I have included it.
O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ
hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom and its
righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send
us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain
and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to
our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
--Book of Common Prayer
Prayer for the Harvest of Lands and Waters
O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all
things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters,
and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go
forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy
loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and
save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that women and
men everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
--Book of Common Prayer
The food which we are about to eat
May it give us strength, health, joy.
And may it increase our love.
--Unitarian Grace
The bread is pure and fresh,
--African Grace
Thank you for the food before us,
--20th century children's poem before meals
All shall be well, and all shall be well,
--atributed to a portion of a prayer of Julian of Norwich
An Invocation of the Archangels
Before me stands the Archangel Gabriel
Italian folk magic is strongly influenced by Catholism. Indeed many traditional practioners grew up in
households in which the Catholic devotions and prayers were intermixed with little spells or
magico-religious practices.
This form of invoking the four archangels is only one of many forms. To my knowledge, it is not the exact
method used by any Italian family tradition. I do know that some streghe do invoke the archangels for
protection in prayers that are probably similar.
Some modern streghe practioners invoke four grigori or watchers to guard their circle.
Acorrding to Thomas Heywood, The Hierarchy of the Blessed Angels, 1635, the "Angels of the Four Winds"
are Michael over the east, Uriel over the south , Raphael over the west, and Gabriel over the north. The angels
of the four elements are sometimes said to be Cherub over air, Seraph or Nathaniel over fire, Tharsis or
Tharsus over water, and Auriel over earth. These angels, or archangels, of the winds and elements are often identified with the
grigori in modern occultism.
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
--Numbers 6:24-26
Said the Holy One to Israel, "I have told you that when you pray, you should do so in
the synagogue in your city. If you cannot pray in the synagogue, pray in your field.
If you cannot pray in your field, pray in your house. If you cannot pray in your house,
pray on your bed. If you cannot pray on your bed, meditate in your heart."
--Mdrash Psalms 4:9
As people of the Jewish faith have been persecuted--sometimes quite brutally
(inquisition, pogroms)--for a number of centuries, they have gained some important
wisdom about how to survive. Pray where you can and when you can. Pray with
community and friends when possible. If it's not safe to meet with friends or
community, pray in a field. Should it prove too dangerous to do that, pray quietly
in your house or on your own bed. If it is not even possible to do that,
meditate silently in your heart. What wonderful advice.
power and love created me in the
image and likeness of God.
Glory be to the Son, who by his Precious Blood
delivered me from death, and opened
for me the gates of heaven.
Glory be the Holy Spirit, who sanctified me by the
grace I recieve daily from God's bounty.
Glory be to the three adorable Persons of the Holy Spirit
now and forever. Amen.
--John Hargrave, Young Winkle, 1925.
St. Antonio, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me.
St. Antonio, whom the Infant Jesus loved and honored so much, pray for me. Amen.
Please, St. Anthony, look around.
Bring it back, without delay.
Something's lost and must be found.
--Catholic prayer
--Catholic prayer adapted from Luke
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
and serve You in all humility.
I am here in need,
I am here in pain,
I am here in straights,
I am here alone.
O God, aid me.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet to you,
Deep peace of the shinning stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
Amen.
On a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill
All the way to your door.
--Celtic prayer
Of this rising and dying and living.
Take it all, but once more grant me
To sense the freshness of this crimson rose.
Is Earth, Water and Sun, compounded though the alchemy of many plants.
Therefore Earth, Water and Sun will become part of us.
This food is also the fruit of the labor of many beings and creatures.
We are grateful for it.
The water is cool and clear.
Lord of all life, be with us,
Lord of all life, be near.
The friends beside us,
And the love between us.
The end. Eat.
And all manner of things shall be well.
and the Apostle John
to bear witness and protect.
On my right hand stands the Archangel Michael
and the Apostle Matthew
to bear witness and protect.
Behind me stands the Archangel Uriel
and the Apostle Mark
to bear witness and protect.
On my left hand stands the Archangel Raphael
and the Apostle Luke
to bear witness and protect.