Prayer against Loneliness

Sometimes, you just feel a little lonely. Being so close to Finals, not knowing what do with my future (the discerning thing is getting more and more annoying and more and more confusing), pushing away some of my friends, and generally freaking out about the complicated state of my life in tribulation, have all led me to feel a little (understatement) lonely. Its like a dull heartache and it hurts. But in spite of all of this, I have hope...we have hope. The Church offers us many avenues out of our loneliness. St. Rita, patron saint of Impossible cases and against loneliness. Our Guardian Angels. The Blessed Sacrament in the sacrifice of the Mass or during a Holy Hour of Adoration. The Liturgy of the Hours. One of my favorite prayers against loneliness, however, is one I've only recently discovered. It is attributed to St. Raphael the Archangel, patron saint of Happy Meetings:

O Raphael, lead us toward those we are waiting for, those who are waiting for us!  Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings, lead us by the hand toward those we are looking for!  May all our movements, all their movements, be guided by your light and transfigured by your Joy.  Angel Guide of Tobias, lay the request we now address to you at the feet of Him on whose unveiled Face you are privileged to gaze.  Lonely and tired, crushed by the separations and sorrows of Earth, we feel the need of calling to you and of pleading for the protection of your wings, so that we may not be as strangers in the Province of Joy, all ignorant of the concerns of our country.  Remember the weak, you who are strong–you whose home lies beyond the region of thunder, in a land that is always peaceful, always serene, and bright with the resplendent glory of God.  Amen.

 We have hope. No matter how dark our loneliness, the light of Christ shines through and cuts the darkness like a blazing sword, guarding our heart from despair. We are blessed for we have hope.

Peace and blessings to those who are lonely. By the intercession of St. Rita and St. Raphael, may the Almighty Father, author of life, lift you from despair and set your feet upon steady ground, through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.