5 Powerful Reasons Catholics Pray the Morning Offering

Have you heard of the Morning Offering? 

 

Do you recite it daily with fervor? 

 

Or does it just seem like a nice thing to pray? 

 

 

THE MORNING OFFERING 

 

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 

 

I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and 

sufferings of this day 

 

for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, 

 

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of 

the Mass throughout the world, 

 

(for the salvation of souls,) 

 

the reparation of sins, 

 

the reunion of all Christians, 

 

(for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,) 

 

and in particular, for the intentions of the Holy Father.  

 

Amen.  

 

 

[Note: the phrases in parentheses are found in 

some versions of this prayer and omitted in others.] 

 

 

Here are five powerful reasons why Catholics pray the morning offering: 

 

 

1. Catholic Devotion to the Immaculate Heart Points to Mary as a Great Intercessor 

 

Mary’s words in John 2:5 at the Wedding at Cana are instructive for all time: “Do whatever He tells you.” 

 

One commonality in all approved Marian apparitions is that Mary does not claim to have power or glory. On the contrary, she is humble, meek, and always directs people to prayer and conversion of heart to her Son, Jesus. 

 

The image of Mary’s Immaculate Heart originated during the apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. By praying to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, trust is placed in her humble role as a pathway to the destination of her Son, Jesus. 

 

 

2. Offering Daily Duties and Situations to God is Rooted in Catholic Tradition and Efficacious 

 

When Catholics “offer up” something to God, the intention is union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

 

In the case of the Morning Offering, to offer “prayers, works, joys, and sufferings” of the day indicates a transformation. The blessings and trials become a day-long prayer of devotion, service, and sacrifice. 

 

 

3. The Catholic Morning Offering Honors Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

 

Worldwide, the heart represents love. God is Love. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus expresses the all-consuming, burning fire of love Jesus has for each person. He sacrificed Himself for all humanity. That includes you! 

 

To pray for the intentions of the Sacred Heart is to receive the love of Jesus into our hearts, and to give our love to Him, in return. 

 

More specifically, these are some things to keep in mind: 

 

• recognize the redemption, salvation, and sanctification accomplished by Jesus for you 

 

• look at Jesus with love and gratitude for His love, mercy, and graces He desires to pour out for each soul 

 

• draw closer to Jesus through the sacraments, namely reconciliation and the Eucharist 

 

• trust Jesus in everything 

 

 

4. Communal Prayer Is a Biblical and Central Tenet of the Catholic Church 

 

The word, “catholic” with a lower-case “c” means “universal”. 

Matthew 18:20 quotes Jesus: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 

 

When Mass is celebrated throughout the world, the same readings are used for that day. The consecration and reception of the Eucharist is the fullest expression of our share in the Divine Life of Jesus. 

 

When you attend Mass in the United States, your prayers are included with the entire body of Christ, and united with those at other parishes, other states, and other countries. 

 

As you unite the prayer of your Morning Offering with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, your prayers are magnified. 

 

 

5. The Morning Offering Helps Catholics Pray as Jesus Did 

 

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the section, “Prayer of Intercession”, begins with this: 

 

Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners. (CCC 2634) 

 

We are instructed to pray for all people: 

 

The intercession of Christians recognizes no boundaries: 

“for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions,” 

for persecutors, for the salvation of those who reject the 

Gospel. (CCC 2636) 

 

It is fitting, therefore, that the Morning Offering includes the following in its intercessions: 

 

• The salvation of souls, whether they are living or dead 

• Reparation of sins (our own and those of others) 

• The reunion of all Christians 

• The intentions of all our relatives and friends 

• The intentions of the Holy Father 

 

 

Catholic Radio Will Inspire Your Prayers and Devotions 

The Holy Spirit, present on Catholic radio and in your life, will lead you to holiness, and even intercedes for you! (Romans 8:26) 

 

As you listen to the variety of programs available, you will learn more about the Immaculate Heart of Mary, prayer offerings to God, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the significance of Holy Mass, and how to become a better prayer intercessor. 

 

You can listen online to one of our five livestreams, find your local station, or download our free app for Apple and Android.