Anna and Sofie have headed eastward to visit her mother who's recently relocated to Michigan. (A quick phone call just now confirmed the safe arrival, and Sofie's relatively good handling of the trip from her car seat in the back seat.)
Although I don't like it when my women leave town (even for such good and worthy trips as visiting family), still, since I'm pulling fourteen hour days this week (my final stint), it's a good time for them to be gone.
This morning, while Sofie nursed and went back to sleep with Anna, I prayed the morning office. (I have many more serious and critical intercessions to make of late.) I prayed for their safe travel. I would have gone down to the street and prayed over the car, but couldn't find an appropriate prayer for a vehicle. But as we all left the house together this morning (me to work, they to family), we gathered for a moment to pray. Anna held Sofie in her arms. I blessed us with a small hand cross a missionary gave me at Vespers Saturday evening, then prayed extermporaneously for their safe travel, for an angel companion to guide and guard them, and for a joyous return. I then venerated the cross, gave it so Sofie to kiss (who has learned to kiss and whom Anna and I are both teaching to kiss the icons), and then Anna, too, kissed the cross.
A great way to start the work day and to head off on a trip. The Lord be praised.
Posted by Clifton at July 26, 2004 01:12 PM | TrackBackIncase you need it in the future...
Prayer for Any Object:
O Creator and Author of mankind,Give of spiritual graces and Bestower of eternal salvation: do thou, the same Lord, sned down thy Holy Spirit, with a blessing from on high, upon this (name of object); that fortified by the might of heavenly protection, it may be potent unto bodily salvation and succor and aid, unto all who shall desire to make use of it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(then sprinkle it 3x with Holy Water, then...)
May Christ out True God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Posted by: Jim N. at July 27, 2004 12:23 PM*Giver of spiritual graces..."
Posted by: Jim N. at July 27, 2004 12:24 PM