PRAYER APOSTOLATE
At the core of the mission of Stabat Mater is its Prayer Apostolate, the online prayer network of the foundation. The Apostolate is committed to praying for the creators of the images, sounds, words, buildings, landscapes, and performances in today’s culture. We want to know the needs of artists in all art forms so we can ask Our Blessed Mother for graces for them, their families, and their benefactors. We shall implore the Holy Spirit to guide their work, fill their needs, and attract many souls to Christ and His Church. Through this simple effort, we believe we can advance the Culture of Life.
One way you are asked to participate in the Prayer Apostolate is to offer prayers for the requests we receive on our website (and which we will send out to you regularly via email if you sign up to join the prayer network). Any artist, family member, or benefactor can submit a prayer request and know that there will be people praying for that intention. Additionally, each month a small group of "Prayer Artists" will pray for a different need or occupation. For example, January – all painters, February – all sculptors. March – all printmakers, April – all architects, etc. There are many, many occupations!
Other ways to participate in the Apostolate:
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Recite the Stabat Mater Prayer for Artists daily.
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Offer Masses, Rosaries, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Chaplet of Beauty, the Stabat Mater Beauty Chaplet, or simply the name of Jesus, for artists.
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Offer sacrifices for artists in the spirit of “Advancing the Culture of Life."
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Encourage connections between artists and benefactors.
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Encourage the study of Christianity and art, particularly the 2,000-year artistic heritage of the Catholic Church.
STABAT MATER PRAYER FOR ARTISTS
Terry Vogeler, Cross, Stafford's Meadow Farm, Montalba, Texas, 2016. Photo by J. Kirk Davis, 2017
Dearest Lord, you have set aside a vocation for each of us. We ask you to guide those whom you have called to be artists to endeavor to participate in the renewal of beauty in our culture through the use of their vocation. We ask you for a renewal of a bond between the world of art and the world of faith.
May artists brave the culture and bring Christ to all God’s children through their gift, the gift of an artistic vocation. We thank you for the beauty of your creation and ask for your blessing upon all artists that they may awaken in all people a knowledge of your love and omnipotence. We love you God and we praise you. Amen.
OTHER DEVOTIONS
Prayer to Saint Catherine of Bologna
O incomparable Saint Catherine aflame with love for Christ Crucified, you merited in life the choicest favors, and after death you continue to shine with many marvels. That your body for over five centuries remains incorrupt is undoubtedly a sign of the glorious power you have in Heaven. Protect me always from every danger to body and soul. I beg you to obtain for me from the Lord this favor:____________.
May the fruit of your protection be for me a strong faith, a precise fulfillment of my Christian duties, a constant spirit of sacrifice, and above all, the purity of heart for whom is reserved eternal joy in the beatific vision of God. Amen.
Chaplet of Beauty
Sign of the Cross
Opening Prayer (optional):
Oh Beauty, terrible and fierce that lies hidden in the wood of the cross. Oh Beauty, sublime and infinite that bursts forth on Easter morn. Open our hearts to transform our world.
Our Father - Hail Mary - Apostles’ Creed
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Oh Lord, you have given us all unique gifts. Bless those given the vocation of artist.
Repetition: Oh Lord, open our hearts to transform our world. -
Oh Lord, our hearts yearn to know your Truth. We ask for the courage as artists to bring your Truth.
Repetition: Oh Lord, open our hearts to transform our world. -
Oh Lord, you have shown us that we must suffer and serve to follow you. We ask for graces to enable us to persevere and endure.
Repetition: Oh Lord, open our hearts to transform our world. -
Oh Lord, you shower great blessings upon us every day. We ask that we can reflect in some small way your great Love and generosity.
Repetition: Oh Lord, open our hearts to transform our world. -
Renew in us, Oh Lord, an awareness of your Presence. Because it is only through you, Oh Beauty, that our lives have meaning.
Repetition: Oh Lord, open our hearts to transform our world.
Prayer after 5 decades, said 3 times:
Lord, as the master artist, your creations surround us; let your beauty overwhelm us.
Closing Prayer (optional):
Oh Beauty, terrible and fierce that lies hidden in the wood of the cross. Oh Beauty, sublime and infinite that bursts forth on Easter morn. Open our hearts to transform our world.
Stabat Mater Beauty Chaplet
Opening prayers:
Our Father - Hail Mary - Glory Be
Artistic vocation
1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.”
Renewal of beauty/culture
Ezekiel 36:26
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Create bond to God / Awaken others to beauty
Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old.
Call to fortitude – Bravery to vocation/Bravery in culture
Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Thanksgiving
Psalm 150:1-2
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds.
Closing prayer:
Repetition:
Psalm 150:1 –– Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary
Luke 1:47 –– And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
Romans 8:28 –– And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him
Stand With Me, Mary
Stand with me
As confusion swirls around me
As self-doubt settles upon me
As inspiration overtakes me
As my skill and talents ebb and flow
As projects end and begin
As the world gives praise or condemnation
Stand with me, Mary
As you stood at the foot of the cross
Support me, encourage me, lead me to your Son.
PRAYER FOR PRIVATE DEVOTION
God our Father, you instilled in your servant Antoni Gaudí, architect, a great love for your Creation and a burning desire to imitate the childhood and passion mysteries of your Son. Grant, by the power of the Holy Spirit that I also may learn to dedicate myself to a well-done work and glorify your servant Antoni, granting me, through his intercession the favour I request (here make your petition). Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, grant us peace and preserve the family (three times).