Prayers Before Surgery
Praying before surgery covers both sides of the table: God's protection over the patient, and steady wisdom for the hands doing the work — St. Luke, the physician-evangelist, is the surgeons' patron.
Traditional prayers
Memorare
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Guardian Angel Prayer (Angel of God)
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
From Scripture
1The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.
2He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.
4He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.
— Psalm 90 (91), vv. 1-2, 4, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
10Fear not, for I am with thee: turn not aside, for I am thy God: I have strengthened thee, and have helped thee, and the right hand of my just one hath upheld thee.
— Isaiah 41, vv. 10, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
Psalm numbers follow the Douay-Rheims (Vulgate) numbering; the common Hebrew numbering appears in parentheses.
Pray a novena
Patron saints for this intention
How to use these prayers
Ask for the Anointing of the Sick before any serious surgery — it exists precisely for this, and hospital chaplains or any parish priest can give it, often the same day.