HISTORY
Because his father had died leaving debts and his family was consequently homeless, Joseph Desa was an unwelcome addition when he was born in Cupertino, Italy in 1603. As a child he was slow witted and had a habit of standing with his mouth open staring into space. He also had a terrible temper, probably born of frustration. Even his own mother thought him worthless. As a young man he joined the Capuchins but was sent away because the ecstasies he experienced made him unsuitable for work. Finally he was accepted by the Franciscans who, seeing his holiness, put him forward to train for the priesthood. Joseph found the studies difficult, and the best he could do was to learn a small portion of the material he was supposed to know, and then pray that that’s what he would be asked. Whilst with the Franciscans he began to levitate in ecstasy at the mention of any holy thing and only a command from his superior could bring him to earth. He was also investigated because of his antigravitiational activities and subsequently moved into seclusion. He then had his own room and chapel and was unable to leave them. Often those in charge even forgot to bring him food but he accepted everything with humility. St Joseph of Cupertino died a holy death aged sixty. He is patron of students doing exams, travellers (especially those undertaking journeys by air), pilots, and is invoked by children, adults and the elderly who are unloved, abandoned or neglected.
PRAYERS TO ST. JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO
Dear St. Joseph of Cupertino, who by your prayer retain from God the Grace to be asked in your examination only by the question you know. Grant me the favor which I am about to take. I am restrains; I promise to make you know and loved.
Please St. Joseph of Cupertino teach me the right answer in the examination without fear and doubt. Give me a retainable mind to recall the things I have learned and reviewed previously to feel secure. Enlighten me and bless my pen, My St. Joseph of Cupertino that I will choose and write the right answer. Please stay on my side. Guide me for I trust in your divine power and knowledge.
Bless also the examiners and correctors that they will be considerate in my papers so as to aid my passing in the examination given. Thank you very much O St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for me. Give me more strength, help me to recall whatever necessary for the board questions, and please help me to avoid mental blocks.
St. Joseph of Cupertino, please help me too, that I may succeed in the examination for greater Glory of God, Amen.
EXAM PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH CUPERTINO
This powerful prayer is very effective in examinations. It has to be said before appearing in the examination. There are two variants to this prayer. Both the prayers are equally effective. You can choose any one of these:
First Prayer: O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Through Christ our Lord. St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us. Amen.
Second Prayer: O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination.
In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me O Holy Ghost enlighten me Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.
Remember, when you succeed in the exams then you should thank St. Joseph of Cupertino.
Table of contents
NINE DAY NOVENA
Prayer for a Successful Examination…Oh Great St. Joseph of Cupertino, who while on earth was given the grace of being asked in your examination only the questions you know. Please obtain for me the like favor on these examinations which I am now preparing for. In return, I promise to invoke you and make you known through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Nine days straight and say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s and 3 Glory Be’s afterwards.)
FIRST DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were an unwanted child and were thought worthless even by your own mother. Intercede for all unwanted children that they may come to know they were born out of God’s love for them. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SECOND DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were an angry, frustrated child. We pray for all who struggle to express themselves, and that you help us overcome sins of anger. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
THIRD DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you experienced no love in your family and were considered of little account by all who knew you. We pray for all who have experienced the same. May we learn to treat everyone as having the worth they have in God’s eyes. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FOURTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you suffered because you found it difficult to learn. We pray for all those who struggle at school. May they take comfort from the fact that although learning wasn’t easy for you, this didn’t stop you from becoming a saint. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FIFTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you did the best with the intelligence you did have and put the rest in God’s hands. That way you passed all your exams and became a priest. We pray for all those struggling with exams. May we also do our best in everything and trust in God to guide our lives. We pray especially for (mention your request. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SIXTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, even the thought or mention of anything holy made you levitate in ecstasy. Grant us something of the understanding and reverence for God and his saints that you had. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SEVENTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, only when your superior ordered you to, were you able to come back down to earth. May we too have a love for and obedience to the teachings of the Church. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
EIGHTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were unjustly suspected, confined to your room and neglected by those charged with looking after you. You accepted all this with humility. We pray for all those unjustly imprisoned, and that we too may have the humility to accept injustice for the love of Christ. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
NINTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, because you could levitate you are the patron of travellers, especially air travellers. We pray for all those travelling that they may safely reach their destinations. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Prayer before Exam…
Dear God,
Today I will take my examination which is so important to me though I am nervous. I’m not afraid because I know that as I write my answers it is your hands that work
And now, as I take this examination please enlighten my mind to able to answer correctly and to recall everything that I have studied. I will do my best in this exam and to you God I will entrust my fate I know that whatever will be the result, it is according to your will.
You have watched me as I worked hard to study for this exam although don’t feel very confident and that I don’t know if I am prepared I truly believe that you would give me what o deserve I deserve to pass this exam, God.
I am happy that today you are with me for with you I will win this battle and as I close my eyes and feel presence in this examination room you out confidence to my heart. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
O come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your gifts, let my weakness be penetrated with your strength everyday, that I may state conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just. Let my charity be such, to offend no one and hurt no one’s feelings, so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me, assist me O Holy Spirit, in all the trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen in my weakness, protect me in temptations and console me in afflictions.
Graciously, hear me O Holy Spirit, and pour your light into my heart, my soul, and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness. Holy Spirit, through you make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life be with me.
I, in this short dialogue, I want to thank you for everything and confirm for once, that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desires may be, I want to be with you and my love in your perpetual Glory. AMEN
youth.dioceseofroseau.org
A large amount of information, congestionhomework, a dense schedule of lessons make it from school is not a holiday. And if to add to this the difficulties with mastering the material, poor memory and lack of ability, it is not surprising that for some people school and student years become a time of suffering and a heavy burden.
God-pleasing cause
From time immemorial, education was revered in Russia andwas valued very highly. Observing the ancient tradition, at the beginning of the academic year prayer services for students are held in all the churches. Striving for knowledge, comprehension of sciences has always been a pious business. In the Word of God it is written that poverty and dishonor come to those who reject doctrine.
History tells that the very first schools usuallywere created under the churches, and the first teachers who taught the children to read and write were representatives of the lower Christian clergy, readers, or the deacons. To read at that time did not study in alphabetical order, but in the Psalter and other biblical books. An educated person, even if he was from a poor family, rose high in the eyes of society, and he discovered the best possibilities of a device in life.
Today, the attitude towards knowledge has not changed. Almost everyone wants to get a decent education: the best gardens, schools, higher educational institutions. Parents sacrifice much to their child in the future to get a good profession. But what to do when the first September call does not cause joy, but shudder? And what is meant to be a blessing, for some reason turns into a headache and a problem. The Orthodox Church has this answer: prayers to Sergius Radonezhsky for help in studies.
When science is not given
Not many people were lucky enough to be born “seven heros inforehead, “savvy or gifted by nature. Most people still have to “gnaw the granite of science,” and it does not always succeed. First-class teachers, tutors, additional lessons can be a good help when there is a possibility, but not all of them have. And it happens that all available resources do not solve the problem.
For some it may seem ridiculous andrather frivolous, but the prayer that helps in learning, sometimes – the only means that remains available for a desperate student or student. And this is no reason to be ashamed. After all, with the name of the Lord, our whole story has been accomplished. Galileo Galilei, Hans Oersted, Isaac Newton, Mikhail Lomonosov – the list can be continued for a long time. The sad thing is that many people know them only as outstanding scientists. But first of all it was people praying to God.
There is no big difference to which of the saints to turnwith need. You can call to Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, Nicholas the Wonderworker. Most Orthodox are advised to apply with prayer for success in studies to Sergius of Radonezh. This Venerable is revered by believers as one of the strongest patrons of children who comprehend the reading and writing and science. It is not for nothing that Sergius received such recognition from the people.
Called from the womb
Sergius of Radonezh was born into a family of piousBoyars on May 3, 1314. There is a legend that before his birth, being in the womb of his mother, he exclaimed three times during the Divine Liturgy, and those present beside witnessed this. And after the birth of everyone, he astonished everyone by his fasting, after giving up his mother’s milk on Wednesdays and Fridays. His mother, being a God-fearing woman, immediately realized that the child was unusual. She noticed that whenever there was meat in her diet, the baby then refused breast milk.
From the first days of life the Monk Sergius was inatmosphere of prayer and God’s Word. And growing up, he more and more loved to be in the temple, inspired by divine services. But, surprisingly, despite the piety and humility of the boy, the letter did not obey him.
Backward in the classroom
When Sergei was 7 years old, his parents gavehe went to school at the church to learn reading and writing. Unlike other pupils, knowledge of the boy was not given at all, although his siblings, Stefan and Peter, were successful in them. Repeatedly receiving punishments from the teacher and ridicule from his comrades, he went to school with tears. Prayer was the only consolation for Sergius.
Once, fulfilling the economic assignments of hisfather, the Monk went to the field to lead the horses to the stable. In the clearing he met an unusual old man, who, kneeling beside an oak, said a prayer. By God’s foresight, having settled down to a stranger, Sergius decides to approach him and speak. He reveals to him his sadness about the ignorance of reason in comprehending the sciences and asks the old man to pray for him to study at school. The traveler blesses the boy, giving him a bundle of prosphora with the words that from now on knowledge will obey him, and he will surpass the successes of all students and others will learn. A little later, invited to the parental home, the elder again repeats the words of prophecy, adding to what was said that the great child will be before God and people.
Promoting Education
Today, prayers to Sergius of Radonezh on the successes in thestudies are conducted in all temples and parishes. The patron does not leave unanswered students who humbly call him for help. The prelate, as he himself once experienced difficulties in understanding literacy, understands the children and does not remain silent and indifferent.
Before the image of a saint, one must ask for reasonwith a submissive heart. It will not bring the due fruit simply a mechanical ritual or rush. It is better to stay in silence for a while and adjust your thoughts to spirituality, to move away from vanity. To approach the request is necessary with faith in the grace and mercy of God.
Undoubtedly, during prayer it is better to use proven texts, but you can appeal in your own words, coming from the heart.
For the exam with prayer
Time for exams is always stressful, especially ifsubjects are complex and difficult to give in the learning process. Before a significant day, it is not superfluous to visit the church and ask for the blessing of the priest. And before the icon of Sergius of Radonezh, make a prayer for the exam.
Prayer, by its nature, always bringscalm and pacification to man. The secret sacrament takes place at this moment. That’s why after visiting the temple, many talk about the relief received. This is exactly what the excited soul of the student needs, because the grace from above will never interfere.
Sincere conversion to the spiritual will not remain without results. Students have a complete set of stories, when reading the prayer for the exam really did miracles.
Do not forget about zeal
It would be unreasonable to hope only for prayer. The efforts of a schoolboy or a student are no less important. The Reverend will help only those who have made all the effort and work themselves to master the knowledge and achieve positive assessments.
Loafers can read prayer as much as they likeSergius of Radonezh on the progress in studies, but there will be no fruits from this. The Reverend himself, before receiving the blessing of the Lord, studied the letter with diligence and perseverance, although it was not given to him. In the essay on his life tells of the considerable time that the boy spent studying, studying the books and trying to understand something.
Parental intercession
Unfortunately, life shows that most oftenThe younger generation does not seek to seek the help of saints and to say prayers. The successes of children in school are most experienced by their parents. On what only exploits sometimes do not go mother, to “pull for the ears” for a good evaluation of his beloved child.
Do not despair if the child is not happyperformance. The best help that a parent can provide is not only expensive tutors and additional courses, but also a zealous prayer for excellent study. We are talking about repeated treatment. People tend to lose their hands in a couple of days, if they do not see the results, but here permanence is very important.
Indefinitely, for several monthsIt is necessary to say a prayer to Sergius of Radonezh about the study of his son or daughter. Changes for the better can occur at any time. The saint not only blesses progress in knowledge, but also keeps the child from the bad influence of peers.
Prayers to Sergius of Radonezh on the progress in studies
Appeal for every day:
“Saint Sergius, release me, servant of God,My faults. I beg of you to grant me intercession and protection. May your generous grace illuminate my path and grant me the ability to master the teaching. I ask you, render your mercy and send me a clear memory and a clever mind. Give me confidence in their abilities. I hope with all my heart for your great mercy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”.
Application before the session or examinations:
“Oh, Saint Sergius, I appeal to you and toyour great mercy. Release me from all fears and doubts, give me the enlightenment of the mind and your holy patronage come down. Pour out your marvelous gift with a holy hand over my head and offer your prayer for the servant of God. Confusion and shyness leave me, and your intercession will give me strength to keep the right answer before my mentors. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen”.
A petition to the saint for schoolchildren and students:
“Saint Sergius, our intercessor and incessantintercessor, I appeal to you and to your wonderful power. Ask the Lord for my child and send him the clarity of mind. Give him the strength of faith and lead the way righteous. May your petition be to be honest and unassailable to help him. Grant him the strength to withstand all the trials on his way and keep his answer true and without error. Amen”.
erch2014.com
Omnipotent, Omnipresent Father, we humble ourselves before You, oh Lord, requesting Your Holy presence. Walk beside us Lord, as our exam results are approaching. The work has already been done, we placed our best foot forward, we studied hard, and we have released doubt and fear into Your hands.
Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 37:3-5, 7a Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Ease the minds of those of us who are thinking that we didn’t study as hard as we should have, dear God. Help us to be reminded that whatever the outcome, You have called us to be the head and not the tail.
Help us to be guided accordingly from thereon if we do not obtain the results we desire, knowing that if we decide to go through with it again, we would do the best that we can, trusting You along the way.
Psalm 62:1-2 – My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Give us peace in our hearts, our bodies, our minds, our souls, as we wait patiently and with confidence, knowing that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord. Let worry, fear and doubt flee at the sound of Your great name.
Grant us favor, Loving Father, in the eyes of the examiners. We put our uttermost faith and trust in You to lead us to victory, in Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen and Amen!
Psalm 8 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his son is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
christianstt.com
