At the end of the day take a few moments to thank God for the many blessings he has given you throughout the day, ask pardon for the times you were not faithful to him, and invoke his protection for the night, putting yourself, your friends and family members, and others who need your prayers wholly under his care. 

Reflect a bit on how well you fulfilled the resolution you made in your meditation, and renew your intention for the next day if need be. 

An effective way to prepare yourself for the following day's meditation is to call to mind the theme of your meditation the night before. 

 

SUGGESTED PRAYERS FOR THE END OF THE DAY 

Begin with the sign of the cross. 

My Lord and my God, I thank you with all my heart for the countless gifts you have given me, especially for creating and redeeming me, for calling me to the Catholic faith, for choosing me to be an apostle among my brothers and sisters, for freeing me from so many dangers of soul and body, and for all the special favors you have granted me today. Lord, in your goodness enlighten my mind so I can know my faults, and give me the grace to be truly sorry and sincerely mend my ways. 

Take a few moments to review the day in your mind, thanking God for the good that you find there, and humbly, confidently asking his forgiveness for your failings. Do this reflection in an atmosphere of prayer and confidence in God's love and mercy; avoid the trap of discouragement by humbly acknowledging your need for God's grace. The following questions may help you: 

How did I live my friendship with Christ today? Did I pay attention to him? Did I take time to pray? Did I listen to my conscience? 

How did I live my relationship with others? Did I think of them, speak of them, and treat them as Christ would? Did I play favorites? Did I hurt or offend anyone? Did I give a good example? Do I need to forgive or ask forgiveness from anyone? 

How did I fulfill God's will for me today? Did I carry out my responsibilities as a student in a way that was pleasing to God? My responsibilities as an apostle of Christ? Did I give in to laziness? Did I waste time? Did I give in to self-indulgence, or did I try to please God and follow Christ in every moment? Did I take advantage of opportunities to defend and spread the gospel? 

To renew your commitment to follow Christ more closely, and to put the past day into his hands, you may find the following Act of Contrition helpful. 

Father, with all my heart I regret offending you. I am sorry for insulting your infinite kindness with my ungrateful behavior. Forgive me, Lord; take pity on me. By the power of your mercy, overcome my sinfulness in what I have thought and said, done and left undone. Give me the grace to sincerely mend my ways. I firmly intend never to offend you again. Father, strengthen my weak will. With your grace help me to love and serve you, and become more fully the image of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

You can finish up with the following prayers, entrusting all your needs and those of the entire Church to God. Reciting the Creed is a good way of thanking God for your Catholic faith, and asking him to give you the strength you need always to bear witness to it and to stay faithful to it. 

Our Father?
Hail Mary? 

 

CREED 

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge
the living and the dead,
and his Kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one, holy, Catholic
and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

 

PRAYER BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP 

Visit this house, we beg you, Lord, and banish from it the deadly power of the evil one. May your holy angels dwell here to keep us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

All good children say goodnight to their mothers before going to bed. Likewise, it is a longstanding Church practice for Christians each night to consecrate themselves to the loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother in the order of grace. The following prayers can be used. 

NIGHTLY CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN 

During Ordinary Time (Salve Regina): 

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 

From Advent through February 2nd (Alma Redemptoris Mater) 

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen
yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners. 

From February 2nd until Easter (Ave Regina Caelorum) 

Hail, Queen of heaven, beyond compare,
to whom the angels homage pay;
hail, root of Jesse, gate of light,
that opened for the world's new day.
Rejoice, O Virgin unsurpassed,
in whom our ransom was begun,
for all your loving children pray
to Christ, our Savior and your Son. 

During Easter time (Regina Caeli) 

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia!
for Christ, your Son and Son of God,
has risen as he said, alleluia!
Pray to God for us, alleluia!