I pray the Precious Blood prayer every morning.  I imagine a single drop of His Blood covering all of us (most still in bed sleeping), and imagine it soaking into our pores, into our soul.  Then, during the course of the day, when I forget about Him (oh!  to admit it!) I remind myself that He is within me and covering me without.

I also pray every time I pass a cemetery, which re-connects me both to God, and to our brothers and sisters in the Church Suffering.

Do you know where the custom of saying “My Lord and my God” at the elevation came from? I am curious, because I have only once heard someone else say it here in the States. I do, because I learned it when I was in Guatemala. There, at least in my town, it was said aloud and unison with the whole congregation. I almost cried thinking of doubting Thomas the first time I heard it. I knew I was in a much worse situation than Thomas, since I had been away from confession for years, and sometimes spent months without going to Mass, not to mention the life I was living. Still, I was in awe of the Lord. I think this expression of reverence helped bring me back around.

My “link” is the blind man’s appeal: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy.”

A few years ago, while driving past my parish church, I saw an amazing thing. A six foot plus young man dressed in “urban chic” i.e. oversized ripped jeans, Timberlands,  football jersey and bling, genuflected and made the Sign of the Cross right on the sidewalk on a busy street. From that moment on my husband, my still at home teenage son, and I always make the Sign of the Cross whether in the car or on foot. I have not yet genuflected on the sidewalk but hope someday I will have the courage to do that! What a witness if all Catholics would do this…
Also I was taught by Dominican nuns over 50 years ago when I made my first Communion to say the above mentioned prayer at the Consecration while making the Sign of the Cross. I have taught my sons to do the same at the time of their First Communion. And my husband who was recently received into the Church does the same.
These are small gestures with huge impact.

Crossing yourself when passing a Catholic church…is a simple yet beautiful devotion. I remember my grandfather (RIP), doing this when I was a child, telling us its because our Lord is there. I always thought the origin of reciting, “my Lord and my God” at the elevation, came from St. Pius X. Who ( i think) attached an indulgence to the practice.

I learned the “My Lord and My God” response to the consecration from the nun who taught my first communion religious ed class in 1967. Within 2 years nuns no longer taught this to kids, since, after all, Jesus is present in all of the liturgy, and in ourselves and our neighbor and just about everywhere else BUT in the Eucharist, which was just a symbol of sharing.  Those were the dark years, although the shadows started to dissipate in 19980 or so.

When people misuse Christ’s name, I cross myself—but I don’t stop talking, or doing what I’m doing. It seems to make it clear that I’m not mad at them, but I do take it very seriously. And it always makes people extremely uncomfortable, and then they stop. I guess I’m not brave enough to say anything out loud, but this seems to work too.

“Time for God”, by Jacques Philippe, has an appendix where St. Frances de Sales gives instruction to his nephew on how to pray. Explains how to put oneself in God’s presence. Excellent… In fact, the whole book is amazing.

The first time I heard “My Lord and My God” uttered during the consecration was by a noisy toddler at our former parish. I assume he was imitating one or both of his parents. I thought it was simple and beautiful, and try to say it myself during the consecration.

I read your post and I was wondering - isn’t it a bit odd to talk about children’s ideas of God in the terms of “heresy”? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t make me feel good about myself if my mom called me “Come here, my little heretic.”

If He is almighty, why couldn’t He be even under the table? Does that really challenge his unity? I don’t think so…

I also try to make the sign of the cross when passing by Churches. My mother and father, God-rest-their-souls, did this often when I was growing up and now I find myself doing so.

I try to remember to bow and to say the following prayer when the Host and Chalice are elevated, in memory and honor of the Holy Souls in Purgatory (the bowing part feels like a bit of a sacrifice because it is slightly embarrasing) but I believe that that prayer at this time can help every one of them, because what is being offered is priceless:

“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”

The “My Lord and My God” comes directly from the profession of faith of St. Thomas after Christ’s resurrection. Since a boy I have heard the phrase always in the parishes I attended (in the Midwest). Sometimes you hear people saying it out loud and strike their breasts as a sign of humility. As a priest I have always said it during the elevation, genuflection and adoration during the consecration. These are the small devotionals of parishes that can help keep belief and love for the Eucharist alive. Here in Mexico, there is a beautiful custom of blessing oneself whenever they pass in front of a Church, a crucifix, image of the Blessed Virgin. They are simple external signs of faith. But I think even more, it helps keep God’s presence in our souls and thoughts. God bless.

As a child, I was also taught to say, “My Lord and my God” at the elevation of the Eucharist.  When someone takes Jesus’ Name in vain, I silently pray, “Sorry Lord! I love You!”  I also try to make Communions of Reparation whenever I remember to do so. 

About 15 years ago, I attended a First Communion Mass but it was a disaster! Parents were talking throughout the Mass, even during the Consecration!  Some children came back with the Host still in their hands, one had bitten half, didn’t like the taste and was asking his friends, “What do I do with this, I don’t like it.”  I was horrified! Who on earth had failed these children in their preparation? I wasn’t going to go to Communion, I thought, “I’ll have to come back to Sunday Mass tonight because this is just blasphemy!”  But God had other ideas.  It suddenly came to me to make a Communion of Reparation to make up for all the atrocities I had witnessed! So I went to Communion.  As I was coming back up the aisle to my seat, I felt a strong urge to weep aloud but I fought to hold it in, and in doing so, realised it wasn’t me who was wailing inside me, but Jesus, sobbing for these little ones who were so badly prepared for the most important sacrament of their lives.  I sat down and while battling to not cry out loud, His tears streamed down my face as though they’d never stop! They mingled with my own tears.  It was then that I realised I didn’t need to go to Mass again, I had done what Jesus wanted.  It made me understand what a good and fruitful practice it is to make Communions of Reparation!

Another story I’d like to share… A friend used to often take Jesus’ Name in vain until one day I asked her, “Please don’t say that in front of me, I find it so offensive! I know you don’t mean it that way but it really bothers me.”  She accepted it and said OK.  A couple of years later, I’d noticed she hadn’t said it for ages.  She said, “I used to stop and think, is this Denise? No, it’s OK I can say it, or Yes, it is so I can’t say it, and in the end, it was easier just to stop saying it altogether.”  So maybe try that one with your own friends! :-)

My daughter also said at 5 years, ‘God is everywhere.’ Now at 20 I doubt if she would acknowledge that God is anywhere.
My advice to her is pray, although this is somewhat pointless from her perspective for the obvious reason.
From what she told me, I’m reminded of your concern of feeling God’s presence, or not, when you pray. Likewise for my daughter, so she gave it up.
In my own prayer I do not wait nor expect to ‘feel’ God’s presence. I know that He is there even more than I am (in His presence), and it is this ‘thought’of God’s presence that sustains me. 
Maybe your son’s dry showers could be overcome by telling him that to stay dirty is to take the Lord’s name in vain, as Christ wants us to be clean physically, mentally, and spiritually. Maybe explain that dirty is like a swear world.
PS. I advise to keep your hands on the wheel at all times when driving.

@ Peter and Luke T:  It’s a good thing I don’t read these comments, or I’d start to feel a little discouraged.

I looooove hearing my kids’ thoughts and discussions about God.  Yes, sometimes they’re just wrong, but I try to remember to make use of the ooportunity to teach them something/anything about God and the Church.  I love it!

Here is a reflection of Our Lord’s Scourging at the Pillar. I hope that it helps all who read it grow closer to Our Blessed Lord. God Bless.

“How often do we wonder what God’s love is? What it should feel like? What does it mean when we hear that God loves each of us more than we can ever imagine?

Reflect if you will upon Our Lord immediately after His Scourging. Left unattended for a few scant seconds or minutes sitting disoriented at the base of the pillar after being beaten so severely for a long period.

Imagine if you will that each of us is allowed to witness this spiritually in horror and feel the sadness. It’s all we can think about to bow down on our knees in homage before Him, there are no words. Our heads face down on the ground in front of Him, with our arms also extended on the ground at His Feet.

He is exhausted, battered, beaten, bleeding, naked, probably can’t even see straight because of The Blood Loss now at His Feet. Unimaginable Pain, Thirst and Lonliness. While kneeling in front of Him in homage, I try to sneak a peek up to see how He is doing.

Suddenly, He slowly lifts up His Shaking Head, recognizes me, and knows all the terrible ugliness of the mortal and venial sins on my soul. My head immediately bolts back to the ground in terrible shame and fear.

In His terrible agony, His eyes become rejuvenated and He desperately tries to reach out to Bless me. His goal only to touch my head gently, to welcome and thank me for simply being there, for my small gesture.

In spite of the terrible pain He has suffered and will continue to suffer, nothing is more important to Him in this moment than to reach out with love. To one of His lost sheep that hasn’t even been born yet.

He does not make it far when He is roughly pulled up and led to the crowning. He turns back as He is being roughly escorted away and looks at me. His look is one of being completely horrified and filled with Sorrow and Love that He has to leave. The physical torture that will occur over and over to Him in the next few hours seems of little concern compared to His Sorrow and Anxiety for having to leave one soul unattended at that moment…

This same Love applies to each of us who have ever lived.

Jesus is the Perfect Savior, across the ages. Someone we would never deserve to be in the same universe with, let along within a few feet. Who shows more lob-sided Compassion for us than we ever could for Him. He has always been about welcoming souls back to Himself, no matter what; there is nothing else more important to Him, even faced with the Cross. That’s the way it was 2000 years ago and the way it is now. We can always find our way back to Him in the Mystery of His Passion, even if we never knew Him or tried to get to know Him before.

All we need to do is show up in prayer, the Mass, Devotions, and/or the Sacraments and just try to focus on Him - to believe in Him. Just give Him a few minutes, and He will do the rest. No matter His Pain, He is always vigilant and ready to reach out to us, to our dying breath, and His.”

Saying short or long prayers to Blessed Mother invariably makes me more aware of God’s presence. This is never fail.
  also, at work, I’ve had to say on more than one occasion “I find it very offensive when you take God’s name in vain.” Only once did have someone re-act belligerently but all I had to say was “Ok, well I’ll just speak with Compliance Officer about it then.” It’s federal law that, even if the offender didn’t intend to be offensive, if someone else considers a remark or action offensive, it is. I never heard another blasphemy out of the guy.

I thought that people might like this, especially if they have children approaching the age for First Confession and the Holy Eucharist; actually I think there’s a message in there for all of us.

“Three Good and Humble Hosts invited children to a Feast. The only request that the Hosts had of their guests was to wear their dazzling white shirts. Now, the children only had one special shirt like this apiece, but these shirts had grown very dirty. There was no way they could participate in such a feast and not offend their Hosts.

The children decided to seek out a person who worked at a local cleaners and ask that person to help clean their shirts and make them dazzle once again. They found this person, and he asked that the children explain how their white shirts became so dirty. The children explained and the worker listened patiently. After the person working at the cleaners understood completely, he washed the special shirts first in the washer, and then placed them in the dryer.

The shirts came out dazzling white and warm and the children were overjoyed. The person working at the cleaners asked that the children do their best to keep their special shirts clean from that point forward. The Owner of the cleaners (who happened to be one of the Hosts) was out of sight of the children and also wanted to help the children. In doing this, He instructed the worker to give the children special napkins to help prevent dirt from getting on their shirts in the future. He also instructed the worker to tell the children they were welcome back any time.

The children later attended the feast and the Three Hosts were very happy to see them, and encouraged them to eat and drink. After the feast was over and the children went back to their daily lives, they worked as hard as they could to keep their shirts clean by using the special napkins given to them by the Owner of the cleaners.

It was inevitable that the children got their shirts dirty again, because they didn’t always use the napkins. But they knew they would always be warmly received at the cleaners and receive a new pair of napkins. Gradually, the children became better at keeping dirt off their shirts and stretching the life of the napkins.

The shirts represent our souls. Dirt on the shirts represents sin. The Owner of the cleaners is God. The cleaners represent God’s Church. All of us are God’s children. The Hosts of the Feast are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Feast is the Sacrifice of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. The worker at the cleaners represents the Priest. The washer and dryer represent absolution and the Miracle of God’s Mercy and Forgiveness (provided by Jesus). The Napkins represent Grace and Prayer. Eating and drinking, represent receiving Holy Communion.

I try to make God more present in my life by teaching the children about Him. Their innocence is a pleasure to behold! On explaining the Stations of the Cross, my 4 yr old looked at Jesus on the cross and said he wanted to tickle Him. I thought that was an odd thing to say, picturing Jesus’ arms outstretched and immobile, so I asked him why? His response: Jesus looks sad and I want Him to be happy!

I commend you for making the effort to cross yourself when passing a church.  It did not become my habit until college, when I didn’t have time to stop and make a visit, but still wanted to acknowledge Who’s house I was passing.
And who the heck worries about not keeping both your hands on the wheel when driving?!?  As someone who learned to drive on a stick-shift, you realize two hands on the wheel are extremely superfluous when driving.  Holding a rosary or crossing yourself is quite a better use of your other hand.  Let he who has not removed his hand from the wheel to flip someone off cast the first stone, I say . ;)
My mum taught us to say “My Lord and My God” at the consecration, and for some reason I also say “My God and my all.” Not sure where I picked that up.
I tend to say something a bit snarky when someone takes God’s Name in vain.  They’ll say “Good God!” and I’ll say, “Yes, He is!” Or they same His Name and I ask, “Where?!?!” and look around for Him.  It gets the point across.
Something we like to do (and something my mother taught me) is to say a prayer when an ambulance or fire truck passes us while driving.  We also say a prayer when a funeral procession passes.  I like to take it a step further and say the St. Michael prayer when passing a Masonic Lodge or the local abortion mill.  Everyday reminders of our place in this world.  It’s an awesome way to teach your children, and it’s a helpful reminder that when praying anywhere, God hears us, for He is there.  Thanks for the article!

Over the course of watching many a “What not to Wear” with me, my 2-year-old developed the unfortunate habit of saying “Oh my God.”  My husband and I decided whenever we heard it said (on tv or in person) we would add “be with us” on the end (“have mercy on us” was an option, but way over the baby’s head).  I think that it works well, if instead of expressing hostility or coming off as touchy, you just act as if that person intended to pray all along.  I was hoping that if we did it consistently enough my children would hear it as an echo in their heads throughout their lives whenever someone took the Lord’s name in vain.  Alas, we don’t know many people who do.  However, my sister did date a culturally Jewish guy who would often exclaim “Je-sus!” to which she would chime in “Mary and Joseph!”  He always found that infuriating, but she pointed out that even if he didn’t believe in Jesus, Mary and Joseph, she needed all the help she could get with him.
For other daily reminders, my husband wears a sturdy rosary in his pocket everyday.  He rarely actually prays it, but it is a constant reminder as he pulls his phone out of his pocket, or has to shake his keys loose.

We pray “My Lord and my God” at the elevation of the Host.  When the priest elevates the chalice, we repeat “My Lord and my God,” but add, “Lord, be mindful of Thy poor creature, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy Precious Blood.”  Those words make me keenly aware of God’ presence.

At the elevation, I also pray, “My Lord and My God!” and add, thank you for all You have given us, all You have done for us.  Help us, heal us, protect us. When the Precious Blood is lifted up, I pray, “O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. Lord, cover us in Your precious, saving, sacred Blood and shower us with Your mercy.” Right before receiving the Eucharist, I pray, “O Mother Mary, please make a worthy place in my heart to receive your Divine Son.”

I pray the “My Lord and My God!” in a low catechetical whisper in the ear of whichever kid (of mine) is nearest to me at the elevations in the Mass, too. (I think seeing it on those cool older versions of holy cards got my attention as a new convert back when.) My DH always crosses himself when passing a Catholic church and the kids have almost all caught on. I think they feel safer when I am driving if I do cross myself too, rather than if I not.

Here is a story- my number ten is kind of an independent thinker and a year or so ago- I think when he was about six, we were at Mass- and he has never enjoyed the Mass- he way prefers cartoons or playing outside, anything other than being still and quiet and praying to God. So he gives me a run for my money all the time- mostly to see how I will react. So we are sitting in the pew and he all the sudden asks me as if it just dawned on him- and I forget the precursor conversations that led to this revelation- so forgive the detail-less version here—he says, ” You mean you can CHOOSE to be Catholic?” Without missing a beat I reply, ” Yes. Or YOU can choose to go to hell.”  He’s one of those kids you kind of have to put it that way for him, fuller expressions of truth about our Protestant roots, dear non-Catholic Christian family members, and various states of souls can be fleshed out later. I’m not sure which one of us is the real ‘heretic’ in this circumstance :o). (I know some readers, if they read the comments would be aghast at my methods, but I call this the maternal prerogative.)

Nothing beats catapulting one into the presence of God more than abject need for patience, grace, and more sleep, but apart from the “Oh Help!” ejaculation offered a million times a day in a large family, other smaller phrases zip up often when jarred from interior thoughts, or prompted by holy images and Catholic books lying around the house-” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Grant me peace and patience!” I made that one up and use it alot- then personal integrity issues often compel me to listen for a millisecond in case they choose to weigh in with wisdom on the spot. And I tend to carry on with my Guardian angel when I am in an ornery or plaintive mood about the hassles of my vocation/apostolate- he is pretty forebearant, but usually has comments or ideas to impart about more virtuous courses for all concerned.  For moms living totally in the moment, which is the case for many of us with little kids or alot of kids-I find God and His mom can be very accommodating with the One-Minute-Intercession method, until such a time as the more preferable and higher, prepared and planned for time of prayer state is executed.
but I am definitely on the B team-JF

Simcha, maybe you or one of your readers here can help me.  There is a group of people at our church that says “My Lord and My God” at the elevation of the host and then they mumble something else at the elevation of the chalice.  I have the hardest time being patient with them, because I was always taught that the Consecration is a time for silent adoration.  With 4 kids 7 and under, it’s the one time at Mass that it is completely quiet, it feels like I am out of time and into eternity with Him for a brief moment.  Even my babies notice that this is a moment where EVERYTHING is quiet and still, and they look to see what has gotten everyone’s attention.  So hearing these mumbled prayers is just like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.  I feel yanked out of adoration of Jesus and dragged into someone else’s prayer.  I struggle with getting angry at this, and try to be patient, but I fail every time.  And it’s the only Mass we can go to with our kids, so I can’t just go to a different Mass.  Help!