O holy martyrs, who died for your faith as loyal servants of God, thank you for your courage and sacrifice, which helped to enable the Gospel to reach me. Intercede on my behalf that I may grow in courage and faith, that I may be steadfast in my devotion to God even in the face of death. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy Apostles, those who were first called by Jesus to be His followers, you demonstrate what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Intercede on my behalf that I may be more disposed to the Spirit you received at Pentecost, so that I may be eager to grow as a disciple of Christ. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy angels, who have been steadfast servants of God since before the world was formed, watch over us and guide us in our everyday lives that we may grow in holiness. Intercede on my behalf that I may grow in fortitude to always choose to follow God as you have. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, be my mother and guide me to a life of holiness that I may one day join you and your Son in Heaven for all eternity. Intercede on my behalf that I may be a student of your humility and purity. I ask that you place before your Son my petitions.

Today we honor those holy men and women who have gone before us in faith and have done so in a glorious way.  As we honor these great champions of faith, let’s reflect upon who they are and what role they continue to play in the life of the Church.  The following excerpt is from Chapter 8 of My Catholic Faith!:

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who were discontent in life because of the deadly sin of greed.

Reflect, today, upon how willing you are to be merciful to others in need.  Are you willing to give without expectation of repayment from them?  If so, you will find far greater blessing in this selfless act than in anything else for which you obtain worldly recognition.

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who were slow to fulfill Your will for them because of the deadly sin of sloth.

Reflect, today, upon a simple question: How far am I willing to go to see Jesus?  Are you willing to do anything you have to, so as to see Him, hear Him and be with Him?  It may take an act of humility and you may have to act in a radical way.  Doing so will call out to the heart of our Lord and He will respond to you with much generosity just as He did to Zacchaeus.

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who had a vengeful heart because of the deadly sin of wrath.