Personal Information

These pages, most of which were written by Jerry after his accident and prior to his death, are his view into what happened and what he could do about it.

This is a very private view into the life of a young man who lived that life until the day he went to a better place.

PRAYERS

St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Our Father

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Act of Contrition

O My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

Into Your Hands

Into Your hands, O Lord, and the hands of Your Angels, I place and entrust this day my own soul, my relations, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all Catholic people; keep us during this day, by the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints, from the vices, evil desires, sins, and temptations of the devil, from sudden and un-provided death, and from the pains of hell. May the light of the Holy Spirit and Your grace shine in my heart. Let me ever obey Your commandments, and let me never be separated from You, Who live and reign with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer of Protection

O My God, I adore You and I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having created me, for having made me a Christian and for having watched over me this day. Pardon me for the evil I have done this day; and if I have done any good, deign to accept it. Watch over me while I take my rest and deliver me from danger. May Your grace be always with me. Amen.

Prayer for the Home

We beseech You, O Lord, visit this home, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy; let Your holy angels dwell therein so as to preserve us in peace; and let Your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for a Handicapped Child

O heavenly Father, creator of all life, You have given us the great honor of being chosen as parents of a handicapped child. Because of this blessing, we have the opportunity to grow in greater patience and deeper love than we might otherwise have done. Teach us how to make our child grow in greater love of You because of the cross our child has to bear. Your own Divine Son had to carry a cross, too. He did so lovingly and in full obedience to Your holy will. Teach our child to make this affliction a royal cross which will carry our child to heaven, where all things are made straight and every tear is brushed away. We ask this, heavenly Father, in the name of Your son, our Lord, Jesus. Amen.

Prayer of Affliction

O Lord, keep me from bitterness. It is so easy to nurse sharp bitter thoughts each dull dark hour! Against self-pity, Man of Sorrows, defend me with your deep understanding and your gentle power! And out of all this hurt of pain and heartbreak help me to harvest a new sympathy for suffering humankind; a wiser pity for those who lift a heavier cross with you.

Hospitalization Prayer

Jesus, I give You all those parts of my body which have suffered from illness. You know what it is like to endure pain. Let me see how You reshape and make that part of my body new, just as You and Your Father fashioned me with such exacting precious precision at the moment of my conception.

Give Your gift of wisdom to my Physician that He may be guided by the Holy Spirit in all he does.

Bless, too, my medication and my nurses so that their hands will become Your hands as they touch me.