The following prayers are excerpted word-for-word from The Raccolta , a manual of indulgences, prayers, and devotions officially authorized by the Holy See. We are using the 1957 Benzinger Brothers edition, which was republished in 2004 by Loreto Publications and Preserving Christian Publications. This edition is a high quality exact photo reproduction of the original, which bore the Imprimatur of Francis Cardinal Spellman.
All the numberings, titles, and notes on indulgences at the end of the prayers, as well as the prayers themselves, are exactly as they appear in this official edition.
These beautiful prayers appear in the section of The Raccolta entitled, “For the Conversion of Non-Catholics.”
630
To obtain the reunion of the Christians of the East
O Lord, who hast united the various nations in the confession of Thy name, we pray Thee for the Christian peoples of the East. Mindful of the high place they held of old in Thy Church, we beg of Thee to inspire them with an ardent desire to regain that place, in order to form, with us, one only fold under the guidance of one and the same Shepherd. Grant that their hearts may be docile to hear the voice of their holy Doctors, who are likewise our Fathers in the faith. Let a spirit of concord and charity, which is a sign of Thy presence among the faithful, hasten the day when our prayers shall be united to theirs, so that every nation and every tongue may acknowledge and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
An indulgence of 500 days.
A plenary indulgence once a month, on the usual conditions, for the daily recitation of this prayers (Apostolic Brief, April 15, 1916; S.P. Ap., May 22, 1937) .
631
Invocation for the Conversion of Russia
Saviour of the world, save Russia.
An indulgence of 300 days (S.P. Ap., Nov. 24, 1924)
632
Prayer to Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus for the Conversion of Russia
O loving and compassionate Saint, deign to comfort our Russian brethren, the victims of a long a cruel persecution of the Christian name; obtain for them perseverance in the faith, progress in the love of God and of their neighbor, and in confidence toward the most holy Mother of God; prepare for them holy priests who shall make reparation for the blasphemies and sacrileges committed against the holy Eucharist; grant that angelic purity, especially in the young, and every Christian virtue may once more flourish amongst them, to the end that this noble people, being delivered from all slavery and returning freely to the one fold entrusted by the loving Heart of the Risen Christ to Saint Peter and his successors, may at length taste the joy of glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in the fellowship of the holy Catholic Church. Amen.
An indulgence of 300 days.
A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is said devoutly every day for a month (S.P. Ap., Aug. 19, 1929)
Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow, Russia, photo by A. Savin, WikiCommons
