PRO MILITIA

ORATIO PRO FVTVRO CONIVGE ET LIBERIS

Prayer for a Future Spouse and Children

This traditional prayer for those discerning marriage asks God to prepare a virtuous spouse and grant the blessing of children. It invokes Mary as Mother most chaste, St. Joseph as guardian of the Holy Family, and St. Raphael, patron of those seeking a spouse, who guided Tobias to Sarah in the Book of Tobit. The prayer balances openness to marriage with submission to God's alternative designs.

LATINE
Domine, Creator omnium rerum,
qui matrimonium ad solatium et subsidium humani generis ordinasti:
si voluntas tua sit ut hunc sanctum statum ingrediar,
praepara mihi, quaeso, coniugem secundum cor tuum.
Illa quam mihi destinasti sit virtuosa, prudens, mitis, et firma in fide.
Simul tibi in sanctitate et iustitia serviamus omnibus diebus vitae nostrae.
Concede etiam ut liberis benedicamur,
quos in timore et amore tuo educemus,
ut sint servi tui et gloria Ecclesiae tuae.
Si vero ad alium vitae statum me vocasti,
da mihi gratiam voluntatem tuam perfecte cognoscendi et amplectendi.
Maria, Mater castissima,
ora pro me.
Sancte Ioseph, custos Sacrae Familiae,
ora pro me.
Sancte Raphael, patrone quaerentium coniugem,
ora pro me.
Amen.
ENGLISH
O Lord, Creator of all things,
Who hast ordained marriage for the comfort and support of mankind:
if it be Thy will that I should enter this holy state,
I beseech Thee to prepare for me a spouse after Thine own heart.
May she whom Thou hast destined for me be virtuous, prudent, gentle, and steadfast in faith.
May we together serve Thee in holiness and justice all the days of our life.
Grant also that we may be blessed with children,
whom we may raise in Thy fear and love,
to be Thy servants and the glory of Thy Church.
But if Thou hast called me to another state of life,
give me the grace to know and embrace Thy will perfectly.
Mary, Mother most chaste,
pray for me.
St. Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family,
pray for me.
St. Raphael, patron of those seeking a spouse,
pray for me.
Amen.
NOTA
FONS
Traditional prayer book, Preces pro statu coniugali
USUS
Discernment of marriage vocation, seeking a spouse
CONTEXT
St. Raphael guided Tobias to Sarah in the Book of Tobit, making him the patron of those seeking a spouse. His feast is September 29 (with the Archangels).