When my mother was in Catholic school, the nuns taught her to write “JMJ” on top of all of her school papers. It stands for “Jesus, Mary and Joseph”. Writing this is a form of prayer in which she offered all that she did in school to Jesus and the Holy Family. The practice encouraged devotion to the holy family, and imitation and aspiration to their life and holiness.

If you’ve ever seen Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s show, “Life is worth living”, you will see how he always wrote “JMJ” at the top of his blackboard when he used it for illustration during his show.

There are many other similar acronyms, which are a form of prayer, such as AMDG – ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam’ – ‘to the greater glory of God’, or AJPM – Ad Jesum per Mariam” – ‘to Jesus through Mary’.

Before you begin an activity (Homework, studying, paying the bills, etc.. . ), it’s a great idea to write down the acronym as you make a small prayer and invocation for assistance. Your actions are in effect offered to heaven and you are reminded to keep God in mind at all times, whatever work you happen to be doing.

Did any of you learn this as a child? I think it is so beautiful!