For All Branches Of The Armed Forces

Prayers for Soldiers: (To St. Sebastian)

O St. Sebastian, brave in battle and strong in faith, who gave a perfect example of courage in fighting for your country and your God alike, though thy intercession help the soldiers who like you fight for the country they love. Help them, that it can be said of them, as it was said of you, "He was a good soldier." Make them strong and brave, ready to give their best for that cause for which their country fights. You were found perfect in the testimony you bore of your faith in Jesus Christ. Grant that the same may be said of those who wear our country's uniform, that they too, strong in battle, may be strong also in faith for which you died. Preserve them from the wounds, and dangers of battle and bring them safely home. AMEN.

Prayers for Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen: (To St. Brendan)

O St. Brendan, named "Patron of Seafarers," help those who fight our battles on the waters. You were fittingly called "God's Voyager," because you spread His Gospel by long and dangerous voyages and gave that Gospel of salvation to many. As our fathers were brought through the Red Sea and carried in safety through the overflowing waters so grant your intercession our sailors, marines, and those who guard our nation's coasts may be preserved from all dangers of the sea, may be protected on their course and come safely into port. AMEN.

Prayers for Aviators: (To St. Theresa)

O Little Flower of Jesus, pray for those who fight our battles in the air. O Theresa, who didst say, "After my death I will let fall a shower of roses," and who has let these roses fall as favor to those who sought thy aid, through thy powerful intercessions help our country's aviators. Turn your eyes kindly toward them as they wing their way through God's firmament. Preserve them from all the dangers of battle, help them with the graces they most need, and grant that they be brought home safely to their families and friends. Though Christ, Our Lord. AMEN. Our Lady of Loretto, pray for them.

Prayers for Relatives of Service Men

Grant, O Lord, to those homes from which have come our country's defenders, the peace which You alone can give. Make those at home strong to meet their trails, to overcome the pain of loss, to meet bravely whatever You have in store for them. Make them proud that they are giving their own to fight for what they think is right. Grant that all the graces they stand in need of may be theirs, that they may serve as best within them lies. Make them see Thy good and gracious purpose working in all the trials which Thou wilt send upon them. Grant that whatever sacrifices you have in store for mothers and fathers, wives and sweethearts, sons and daughters, may be as well and bravely borne as Your Own Immaculate Mother bore her loss at the foot of the Cross. AMEN.

A special thanks to "Soldiers' and Sailors' Holy Hour" by Father Connelly of Pittsburgh