For the Feast of St. Philomena

Holy Mother Church honors St. Philomena with a feast day on August 11. St. Philomena was the thirteen year old daughter of the king and queen of a small Grecian state.  At baptism she was given the name Philomena, which means "Friend of the Light."  During a trip with her parents to Rome to discuss peace with the emperor, she was asked by the pagan emperor to marry him in exchange for peace.  However, St. Philomena refused him, having made a vow of chastity at age 11, despite her parents and the emperor trying to persuade her.  Furious Emperor Diocletian threw Philomena into prison. For 37 days he tried to get her to agree to marriage, but when she held vast to her vow, the emperor furiously increased her torments.  

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At the end of the 37 days, the Blessed Mother and the Divine Child appeared to the young girl.  Our Lady told her that she would remain three more days in the dungeon, and on the fortieth day she would undergo cruel torture.  Mary comforted Philomena and the apparition ended.  On the fortieth day Emperor Diocletian ordered Philomena to be tied to a pillar and scourged without mercy, accompanied by horrible blasphemies.  When she returned to the prison, two angels appeared to her and healed her wounds with heavenly balm.  The next morning the emperor found her stronger and more beautiful than ever.  The order was then given to tie an iron anchor to her neck and throw her into the Tiber River.  However, two angels rescued her, bringing her to the bank completely dry. The emperor ordered her to be pierced with arrows and returned to the prison.  

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Yet the next day he found her unscathed and more beautiful.  Emperor Diocletian, enraged, ordered her to be shot with arrows again, but the arrows would not leave the bows.  He next ordered the arrows to be heated red hot, but again God protected the little saint.  The arrows turned back on the archers, six of whom were killed.  People began to convert at the miracles before them.  At last the tyrant pagan emperor ordered Philomena to be beheaded.  This act ended her life on earth and sent her soul victoriously into heaven.

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St. Philomena has been named St. Philomena, the Wonder Worker due to the great number of miracles that occurred through her intercession.  St. John Vianney held a great devotion to St. Philomena, even writing a litany in her honor.  We would do well to imitate St. John Vianney, adding devotion to this powerful young Saint to our lives.  May we strive to imitate her in her faithfulness to God, her purity, her fortitude, and her love for our Lord.  

The Novena to St. Philomena should be said from August 2-August 10, to end of the vigil of her feast day.  St. Philomena, pray for us!

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Novena to St. Philomena 

 O great St. Philomena, glorious Virgin and Martyr, wonder-worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls. 

Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of heart and desire, purity of thought and affection. Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of thy persecutor, so may I pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul. 

In addition to these favours, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment. O pure Virgin and holy Martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death. Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of the Souls in Purgatory, especially those dear to me., and those most forgotten. O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen.

Hymn to St. Philomena

We praise thee Philomena 

Blest martyr and blest maid! 

Since Christ through thee works wonders 

We come to thee for aid. 

Red Rose of sweetest fragrance 

Glowing with charity. 

Yet white with lily whiteness 

Of angels’ purity. 

All Hail Saint Philomena 

Thou virgin of the Lord 

Help us to love and praise Him 

And make His Name adored. 

Be thou the guide of pilgrims 

Restore the steps that stray. 

Bring health to those who suffer 

Be thou their gladsome ray. 

Cheer those whose hope is waning 

And warm the hearts grown cold. 

Console the sad and lonely, 

Strengthen the weak and old. 

Thou well-beloved maiden, 

All girt with Heaven’s might. 

Help those who sit in darkness, 

Thou daughter of the Light. 

Make us who now implore Thee 

Loving and brave and wise. 

May we one day behold thee, 

Princess of Paradise.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena to Our Lady of Altagracia

On January 21, Holy Mother Church honors Mary under the title of Our Lady of Altagracia, also known as Our Lady of High Grace.  She is the patroness of the Dominican Order and the Dominican Republic.  The history of Mary under this title dates to the 1500s when two Spanish brothers brought her image to the island of Santo Domingo.  Later they offered it to the parish church in the city of Higuey so that all the parishioners might honor Mary.  

Popular piety states that the devout daughter of a wealthy merchant asked her father to bring her an image of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, but her father could not find one.  While he was at a friend's house relating his story, and elderly man passed by.  He took a rolled image from his pack, suggesting it was the image of which the merchant searched; it was in fact the image of Our Lady of Altagracia.  The two men eventually returned the painting to the church in Higuey, since the image refused to remain in the house, miraculously transporting itself outside each time it was taken inside.  The elderly man was never seen again.  

This 15th century Spanish painting depicts a nativity scene with Mary looking upon Infant Jesus with love and gentleness.  She is clothed with a blue mantle, which is covered in gold stars.  The image has been crowned by both Pope Pius XI and Pope John Paul II.

The following novena is a beautiful prayer to the Blessed Virgin under the title of Our Lady of Altagracia.  Although, as a novena, the prayer would be prayed from January 12- January 20, it can also be recited anytime as a prayer to honor Our Lady and ask for her intercession.

Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Altagracia 

Preparatory Prayer 

O Dear Mother, Most Sweet Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness! Look at us here, prostrated in your presence wishing to offer you this novena in testimony of our love, and in thanksgiving for the innumerable favors we have received from your hands. You are our Advocate and, like beggars, we come to present our needs to you. You are our Teacher, and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all the love of our hearts. Receive, Dearest Mother, our praise and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen. 

Supplications 

1.- O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, pure and immaculate since your conception! We beg you to bless our children, preserving their innocence and increasing their love for purity. (Hail Mary…) 

 2.- O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, Admirable Mother, who in your little house of Nazareth, served as a model for Christian mothers and wives. We ask you to bless our homes so that the sanctity and holiness of marriage will flourish in them. (Hail Mary…) 

3. O Sweetest Mother of Altagracia, you who had the joy of receiving in your arms the body of your Most Holy Son who died on the cross for us, we beg you to come to our aid at the our of our death, so that by dying with the name of Jesus on our lips and hearts, we can fly to the glory of your maternal arms. (Hail Mary...)

Final Prayer 

Most Holy Virgin of Altagracia, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the continuous blessings you pour down on us. From your hands and from your maternal heart we receive, each day, the sustenance given to us by our Heavenly Father. You are our defender when we are in danger, our aid when we are in need, and our hope in the sacrifices proper of our Christian life. Through your Immaculate Heart we want to sing a song of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings he has given us. We promise you, O Mother, gratitude and fidelity. You will reign forever in our homes and our town where we will venerate you as our Lady and Mother by growing in all your virtues. Make us worthy of being called your children so that serving God and you in this world, we will obtain the highest grace you bring to us: a holy death that will open to us the gates of heaven.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena for the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

  Holy Mother Church honors St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, on October 3.  She is well-known for her life of simplicity, her love of serving God, and her zeal for souls.  The following prayer is a novena asking for the intercession of St. Therese.  To end the novena on the vigil of her feast day, October 2, one should begin praying it on September 24.

"You know well enough that our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them."--St. Therese of Lisieux

"I have given nothing but love to God, and He will repay with love.  After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses."  --St. Therese of Lisieux

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Novena in Honor of the Little Flower

 After the Special Prayer for each day, say the Concluding Prayers given at the end of the Novena. Thoughts for the day are taken from the words of the Little Flower. 

 Prayers to be said each day:

+ Holy Ghost, come and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Divine love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.  

+ Let Us Pray: O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. O my God! I believe in Thee: do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in. Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more. 

+ Then make an Act of Contrition.

+ Prayer:  O Lord Who hast said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the virgin, blessed Therese, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen. 

SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY

First Day:

St. Therese, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach thee with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before thee my desires, and beg that through thine intercession they may be realized. Did thou not promise to spend thy Heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from thee. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: CONFIDENCE IN GOD. "We can never have too much confidence in the good God Who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for. What offends Jesus, what wounds His Sacred Heart, is lack of confidence in Him. If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him."

Second Day:  O dear little Saint, now that thou seest the crucified Jesus in Heaven, still bearing the wounds caused by sin, thou knowest still more clearly than thou didst upon earth the value of souls, and the priceless worth of that Precious Blood which He shed to save them. As I am one of those children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces I need in order to profit by that Precious Blood. Use thy great power with our Divine Lord and pray for me. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: SIN. "The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee. By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least voluntary fault. Yes, even if I had on my conscience a possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow should go and throw myself into the arm of my Saviour. The remembrance of my faults humbles and makes me afraid to rely on my strength. which is nothing but weakness." 

Third Day:  Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to Heaven and God. Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like thee may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: THE USE OF GOD'S GIFTS. "How much benefit have I received from the beauties of nature, bestowed in such abundance. How they raise me to Him Who placed such wonders in this land of exile which is only to last a day. O sparkling nature, if I did not see God in thee, thou wouldst be naught but a great tomb. With Thy little hand which caresses Mary, Thou sustaineth the universe and bestow life; and Thou thinkest of me, O Jesus my little King. I do not wish creatures to have one atom of my love. I wish to give all to Jesus, since He has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness."

Fourth Day:  Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths of thy soul an unchanging peace because thou didst seek only God's Will, ask for me complete conformity to that adorable Will in all the trials and disappointments of life. If the favors I am asking during this Novena are pleasing to God, obtain them for me. If not, it is true I shall feel the refusal keenly, but I too wish only God's Will, and pray in the words thou didst use, that it "may ever be perfectly fulfilled in me." Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: ABANDONMENT TO GOD. "I fear only one thing -- to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that Thou choosest. The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us. I can demand nothing with fervor, except the perfect accomplishment of God's will in my soul. O my Beloved, I offer myself to Thee, that Thou may perfectly accomplisheth in me Thy holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path."

Fifth Day:  Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of thy religious life thou didst think only of denying thyself in all things so as to follow Jesus perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life. Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations, that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more. Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: PATIENCE IN SUFFERINGS. "I do not fear trials sent by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is His loving hand which causes it. When we are expecting nothing but suffering, we are quite surprised at the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure. Far from resembling those beautiful Saints who practiced all sorts of austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to those about me, but considering these deeds as nothing."

Sixth Day:  St. Therese, Patroness of the Missions, be a great missionary throughout the world to the end of time. Remind our Master of His Own words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Thy zeal for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for souls, and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom Jesus is yet unknown, may be brought to know, love and follow Him. Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: ZEAL FOR SOULS. "Let us work together for the salvation of souls. We have only the day of this life to save souls and to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love. I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my soul, this beautiful Heaven which awaits me, in order that He may vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers. I cannot perform brilliant works; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood. But what matter? My brothers work in place of me, and I, a little child, keep very close to the royal throne. I love for those who are carrying on the warfare. My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world."

Seventh Day:  O little martyr of Love, thou knowest now even better than in the days of thy pilgrimage that Love embraces all vocations; that it is Love alone which counts, which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will with His. All thou didst seek on earth was love; to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved. Use thy power in Heaven to make us love Him. If only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others; we shall pray much for souls. We shall no longer fear death, for it will unite us to Him forever. Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of God, to give Him pleasure, to love Him so well that He may be pleased with us as He was with thee. Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: LOVE OF GOD. "I will love God alone and will not have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures, now that my heart perceives what He has in store for those who love Him. What attracts me to the Kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord, the hope of loving Him as I have so desired and the thought that I shall be able to make Him loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him forever. When Christ said, 'Give Me to drink,' it was the love of His poor creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love. Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the Tabernacle expressly for you, for you alone. Remember that He is consumed with a desire to come into your heart."

Eighth Day:  Dear St. Therese, like thee I have to die one day. I beseech thee, obtain from God, by reminding Him of thine own precious death, that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love for Him. May my last words on earth be "My God, I love Thee." Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: DEATH. "It says in the catechism that death is nothing but the separation of the soul and body. Well, I have no fear of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God. I am happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me, far more than I can here below. Life is not sad; it is very joyous. If you say, "This exile is sad," I understand you. We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which will end; it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this beautiful name."

Ninth Day:  Dear little St. Therese, by love and suffering while on earth, thou didst win the power with God which thou doth now enjoy in Heaven. Since thy life there began, thou hast showered down countless blessings on this poor world; thou hast been the instrument made use of by thy Divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of thee to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. Thou art especially the little missionary of love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on thee, and upon the world through thee. Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through thine intercession. Amen. 

Thought for the day: THE MISSION OF THE LITTLE FLOWER. "I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request. I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not impossible, since the Angels, though always enjoying the Beatific Vision, watch over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world. I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy Divine glance on a great number of little souls. I beg Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love." 

CONCLUDING PRAYERS 

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray: Grant O Lord God, we beseech Thee that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and through the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be freed from present sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness, through Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, Who didst inflame with Thy Spirit of Love, the soul of Thy Servant, Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love Thee and make Thee much loved. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena for the Expectation of Mary

                                                               

A prayer fitting to recite during Advent is the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This prayer, also a novena, begins on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve. It brings to mind the Expectation of Mary as Christ's birth draws near. The feast of the Expectation of Mary is historically celebrated on December 18 and is one of the Church's most ancient Advent festivals of our Lady. This prayer reminds the faithful to honor Mary for her Fiat to our Lord and praises our God for His Incarnation. As we wait for the birth of our Lord on Christmas, may we also be mindful of our Lady's joyful waiting, for she also eagerly awaited Him, her Son and her God, Whom her entire being adored and desired to serve in all things. 

The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Drop down the dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain the Just One! Let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior!" (Isaiah 48:8). 

O Lord, how wonderful You are everywhere in the world! You have made for Yourself a worthy dwelling-place in Mary!

***Recite 1 Glory be. 

"Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). "Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou has found grace with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus" (Luke 1:30). 

***Recite 1 Hail Mary. 

"The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and, therefore, the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. But Mary said: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word'" (Luke 1:35). 

***Recite 1 Hail Mary. 

Holy and immaculate Virgin, how shall I praise you as I ought? You have borne in your womb Him Whom heaven could not contain. You are blessed and worthy of veneration, Virgin Mary, for you became the Mother of the Savior while remaining a Virgin.

***Recite 1 Hail Mary. 

Mary speaks: "I sleep and my heart watches . . . I to my Beloved, and my Beloved to me, who feeds among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:2). 

Let us pray. Grant, we beg of You, Almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the old yoke of sin, may be freed by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son for which we long. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen. 

+ Sing or Recite the following hymn,

"Alma Redemptoris Mater" 

Mother of Christ, 

Do hear your people's cry, 

Star of the deep 

And portal of the sky. 

Mother of Him 

Whose hand your glory made, 

Sinking, we strive, 

And call to you for aid. 

Oh, by that joy 

Which Gabriel did bestow; 

O Virgin first and last, Y

our tender mercy show. 

Let us pray. O God, You willed that Your Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the message of an angel; grant us, Your humble servants, that we who truly believe her to be the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with You. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

  Holy Mother Church celebrates the traditional feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on November 27.  Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830, requesting that the young nun get a medal made and distributed from the image that also appeared to St. Catherine.  After much difficulty St. Catherine successfully fulfilled our Lady's request, and thus the Miraculous Medal became known, with Our Lady's words in remembrance:  "Persons who wear it will receive great graces especially if they wear it around the neck."

In 1927 the following novena was created by the Vincentian Order as a way to thank Mary for her great intercession in their needs.  It was written by combining prayers from the Raccolta, the Memorare, the Miraculous Medal prayer, and one of St. Alphonsus Liguori's prayers.  Originally it was written to be prayed before the Marian feast days of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Lourdes, our Lady, Help of Christians, and the Assumption.  The novena spread quickly, and in 1930 Vincentian Fr. Skelly extended the novena to become a perpetual novena to our Lady, with it being recited (with the additional prayers below) every Monday of the year to shower our Lady with our love.  This perpetual novena has continued unbroken for 90 years.

This year on the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal let us honor our dear Mother with prayer and words of thanksgiving.  While we wear the Miraculous Medal, given to us by Mary herself, near our hearts, let us remember to truly give Mary our hearts, to turn from the world and strive to imitate her in serving and worshiping our Lord.

Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

[All stand and sing] "The Lourdes Hymn"

Opening Prayer:

Priest: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. 

People: Amen.

Priest: Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. 

People: And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. 

Priest: Let us pray. O God Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. 

People: Amen.

Priest: O Mary, conceived without sin, 

People: Pray for us who have recourse to Thee. [3 times] 

Priest and People: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast vouchsafed to glorify by numberless miracles/ the Blessed Virgin Mary,/ immaculate from the first moment of Her conception,/ grant that all who devoutly implore Her protection on earth,/ may eternally enjoy Thy presence in Heaven,/ Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,/ livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen. O Lord Jesus Christ,/ Who for the accomplishment of Thy greatest works,/ hast chosen the weak things of the world,/ that no flesh may glory in Thy sight,/ and Who for a better and more widely diffused belief/ in the Immaculate Conception of Thy Mother,/ hast wished that the Miraculous Medal/ be manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure,/ grant, we beseech Thee,/ that filled with like humility,/ we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen.     Recite Memorare. 

Priest and People: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,/ 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,/ we fly unto Thee,/ O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother./ To Thee do we come;/ before Thee we kneel/ sinful and sorrowful./ O Mother of the Word Incarnate,/ despise not our petitions,/ but in Thy mercy hear and answer them. Amen. 

 

Novena Prayer: 

Priest and People: O Immaculate Virgin Mary,/ Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother,/ penetrated with the most lively confidence/ in Thy all-powerful and never-failing intercession,/ manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal,/ we Thy loving and trustful children/ implore Thee to obtain for us/ the graces and favors we ask during this Novena,/ if they be beneficial to our immortal souls,/ and the souls for whom we pray./ [Here privately form your petitions.] Thou knowest, O Mary,/ how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of Thy Son! Who hates iniquity./ Obtain for us then/ a deep hatred of sin/ and that purity of heart/ which will attach us to God alone/ so that our every thought, word and deed! may tend to His greater glory./ Obtain for us also/ a spirit of prayer and self-denial/ that we may recover by penance/ what we have lost by sin/ and at length attain to that blessed abode/ where Thou art the Queen of Angels and of men. Amen. 

An Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Priest and People: O Virgin Mother of God,/ Mary Immaculate,/ we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to Thee/ under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal./ May this Medal be for each one of us/ a sure sign of Thy affection for us/ and a constant reminder of our duties towards Thee./ Ever while wearing it,/ may we be blessed by Thy loving protection/ and preserved in the grace of Thy Son./ O most powerful Virgin,/ Mother of our Savior,/ keep us close to Thee/ every moment of our lives./ Obtain for us, Thy children,/ the grace of a happy death;/ so that in union with Thee,/ we may enjoy the bliss of Heaven forever. Amen. 

Priest: O Mary, conceived without sin, 

People: Pray for us who have recourse to Thee. [3 times] 

All stand and sing: "Hail, Holy Queen."

God bless!

+JMJ+

Thirty Day Prayer to Mary

 It has long been a custom in the Church to say this prayer of petition on 30 consecutive days. It is also recommended as a Lenten devotion as well as for all Fridays of the year.  With September being dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, it is a fitting month to ask for her intercession through this prayer.

Thirty Day Prayer to Mary

Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart whilst thy only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the Cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He hast for thee, while from His Cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of His beloved disciple, Saint John, take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty and need; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries. 

Thou art the Mother of Mercies, the only refuge of the needy and the orphan, of the desolate and afflicted. Cast therefore an eye of pity on this sorrowful child of Eve, and hear my prayer; for since, in just punishment of my sins, I find myself surrounded by a multitude of evils, and oppressed with much anguish of spirit, where can I fly for more secure shelter, O loving Mother of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than under the wings of thy maternal protection? Listen, therefore, I beseech thee, with an air of pity and compassion, to my humble and earnest request. 

I ask it through the infinite mercy of thy dear Son: through that love and humility with which He embraced our human nature, when through thine own obedience to the Divine Will, thou didst consent to become His Mother, and Whom after nine months, you didst bring forth from thy chaste womb, to visit this world, and bless it with His presence. 

I ask it, through the anguish of mind of thy beloved Son, our dear Savior, on Mount Olivet, when He besought His Eternal Father, to remove from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of His future passion. I ask it, through the three-fold repetition of His prayers in the Garden, from whence afterwards in sorrow thou didst accompany Him to the scene of His death and sufferings. In ask it, through the laceration of His sinless flesh, caused by the cords and whips with which He was bound and scourged, when stripped of His seamless garments, for which His executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it, through the scoffs and ignominies by which He was insulted; the false accusations and unjust sentence by which He was condemned to death, and which He bore with enduring patience. I ask it, through His bitter tears and bloody sweat; His silence and resignation; His sadness and grief of heart. I ask it, through the Blood which trickled from His royal and Sacred Head, when struck with the scepter of a reed, and pierced with His Crown of Thorns. I ask it, through the excruciating torments He suffered, when His hands and feet were fastened with nails to the tree of the Cross. I ask it, through His unbearable thirst, and bitter potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it, through His dereliction on the Cross, when He exclaimed: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me? 

I ask it, through His Mercy extended to the good thief, and through His recommending His precious Soul and spirit into the hands of His Eternal Father, before He expired, saying: "It is finished." I ask it, through the Blood mixed with water, which issued from His Sacred Side when pierced with a lance from whence a flood of grace and mercy has flowed to us. I ask it, through His immaculate life, bitter passion and ignominious death on the Cross, at which even nature itself was thrown into convulsions by the bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the temple, the earthquake and darkness, of the sun and the moon. 

I ask it, through His glorious victory over death, when He arose again to life on the Third day, and through the joy which His appearance for forty days, gaveth thee, His Blessed Mother, His Apostles, and the rest of His disciples; when in thy and their presence, He miraculously ascended into Heaven. I ask it, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, infused into the hearts of His disciples; when He descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and by which they were inspired with zeal for the conversion of the world, when they went to preach the Gospel. I ask it, through the glorious appearance of thy Son, at the last day, when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. I ask it, through the compassion He bore in this life, and the wonderful joy thou didst feel at thine Assumption into Heaven, where thou doth eternally contemplate His Divine perfection. 

O glorious and ever Blessed Virgin, comfort the heart of thy suppliant, by obtaining for me . . . (Here mention or reflect on your request.)  And as I believe that my Divine Savior honors thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He refuses nothing contrary to His honor, so let me soon experience thy powerful intercession. Wherefore, O most Blessed Virgin, beside my present petition, and whatever else I may stand in need of, obtain for me also of thy dear Son, our Lord and our God, a lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition of heart and genuine tears of compunction, sincere confession, satisfaction and deliverance from sin, love of God and my neighbor, a correct attitude to the world, patience to suffer insults, even death itself, for love of thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Obtain likewise for me, O Holy Mother of God, perseverance in good works, the carrying out of my good resolutions, mortification of my self-will, a holy life, and, at my last moments, a strong and sincere repentance, with such presence of mind, as will enable me to receive the last Sacrament of the Church worthily, so as to die in God's friendship and favor. Lastly, I beseech thee, for the Souls of my parents, brethren, relatives and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting, from the only giver of every good and perfect gift, the Lord God Almighty: to Whom be all power, now and forever.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena for Impossible Requests

 The Novena for Impossible Requests, sometimes called the Annunciation Novena, begins on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25th) and ends nine months later, on Christmas Day (December 25th), honoring the nine months Jesus was in the womb of our Lady.  Traditionally, one prays this novena every day during the nine months for three personal requests.

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Novena for Impossible Requests

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

--Pray for us, most holy mother of God.
--That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy you had when God was incarnated in you. Because you are so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
(Here state your first request.)

***Repeat the above prayers and then state your second request, repeat once more and state your third request.

Conclude by praying the following prayers one time:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, 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 cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth and everywhere.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Thirty Day Novena for Lent

 For hundreds of years the Faithful revered the following prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially during Lent (and all Fridays throughout the year).  It has long been a custom in the Church to say this prayer of petition on 30 consecutive days to obtain a request.   

In Honor of the Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart whilst thy only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the Cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He hast for thee, while from His Cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of His beloved disciple, Saint John, take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty and need; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries. Thou art the Mother of Mercies, the only refuge of the needy and the orphan, of the desolate and afflicted.

Cast therefore an eye of pity on this sorrowful child of Eve, and hear my prayer; for since, in just punishment of my sins, I find myself surrounded by a multitude of evils, and oppressed with much anguish of spirit, where can I fly for more secure shelter, O loving Mother of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than under the wings of thy maternal protection? Listen, therefore, I beseech thee, with an air of pity and compassion, to my humble and earnest request.

I ask it through the infinite mercy of thy dear Son: through that love and humility with which He embraced our human nature, when through thine own obedience to the Divine Will, thou didst consent to become His Mother, and Whom after nine months, you didst bring forth from thy chaste womb, to visit this world, and bless it with His presence. I ask it, through the anguish of mind of thy beloved Son, our dear Savior, on Mount Olivet, when He besought His Eternal Father, to remove from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of His future passion. I ask it, through the three-fold repetition of His prayers in the Garden, from whence afterwards in sorrow thou didst accompany Him to the scene of His death and sufferings.

I ask it, through the laceration of His sinless flesh, caused by the cords and whips with which He was bound and scourged, when stripped of His seamless garments, for which His executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it, through the scoffs and ignominies by which He was insulted; the false accusations and unjust sentence by which He was condemned to death, and which He bore with enduring patience. I ask it, through His bitter tears and bloody sweat; His silence and resignation; His sadness and grief of heart.

I ask it, through the Blood which trickled from His royal and Sacred Head, when struck with the scepter of a reed, and pierced with His Crown of Thorns. I ask it, through the excruciating torments He suffered, when His hands and feet were fastened with nails to the tree of the Cross. I ask it, through His unbearable thirst, and bitter potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it, through His dereliction on the Cross, when He exclaimed: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me? I ask it, through His Mercy extended to the good thief, and through His recommending His precious Soul and spirit into the hands of His Eternal Father, before He expired, saying: "It is finished." I ask it, through the Blood mixed with water, which issued from His Sacred Side when pierced with a lance from whence a flood of grace and mercy has flowed to us.

I ask it, through His immaculate life, bitter passion and ignominious death on the Cross, at which even nature itself was thrown into convulsions by the bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the temple, the earthquake and darkness, of the sun and the moon. I ask it, through His glorious victory over death, when He arose again to life on the Third day, and through the joy which His appearance for forty days, gaveth thee, His Blessed Mother, His Apostles, and the rest of His disciples; when in thy and their presence, He miraculously ascended into Heaven.

I ask it, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, infused into the hearts of His disciples; when He descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and by which they were inspired with zeal for the conversion of the world, when they went to preach the Gospel. I ask it, through the glorious appearance of thy Son, at the last day, when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. I ask it, through the compassion He bore in this life, and the wonderful joy thou didst feel at thine Assumption into Heaven, where thou doth eternally contemplate His Divine perfection.

O glorious and ever Blessed Virgin, comfort the heart of thy suppliant, by obtaining for me . . .(Here mention or reflect on your request.)

And as I believe that my Divine Savior honors thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He refuses nothing contrary to His honor, so let me soon experience thy powerful intercession. Wherefore, O most Blessed Virgin, beside my present petition, and whatever else I may stand in need of, obtain for me also of thy dear Son, our Lord and our God, a lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition of heart and genuine tears of compunction, sincere confession, satisfaction and deliverance from sin, love of God and my neighbor, a correct attitude to the world, patience to suffer insults, even death itself, for love of thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Obtain likewise for me, O Holy Mother of God, perseverance in good works, the carrying out of my good resolutions, mortification of my self-will, a holy life, and, at my last moments, a strong and sincere repentance, with such presence of mind, as will enable me to receive the last Sacrament of the Church worthily, so as to die in God's friendship and favor.

Lastly, I beseech thee, for the Souls of my parents, brethren, relatives and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting, from the only giver of every good and perfect gift, the Lord God Almighty: to Whom be all power, now and forever. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Traveling through Advent toward Christmas

The St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer is one of my favorite Advent devotions.  It begins tomorrow, November 30, on the feast of St. Andrew and continues until Christmas.  If you would like to learn more about this beautiful prayer, the following post discusses it in more detail:  St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer.

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St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer

(recite 15 times daily)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires (requests may be mentioned here), through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.   Amen.

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An additional Advent prayer is the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This prayer, also a novena, begins on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve.  It brings to mind the Expectation of Mary as Christ's birth draws near.  The feast of the Expectation of Mary is historically celebrated on December 18 and is one of the Church's most ancient Advent festivals of our Lady.  

This prayer reminds the faithful to honor Mary for her Fiat to our Lord and praises our God for His Incarnation.  As we wait for the birth of our Lord on Christmas, may we also be mindful of our Lady's joyful waiting, for she also eagerly awaited Him, her Son and her God, Whom her entire being adored and desired to serve in all things.

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The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Drop down the dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain the Just One! Let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior!" (Isaiah 48:8).
O Lord, how wonderful You are everywhere in the world! You have made for Yourself a worthy dwelling-place in Mary!
***Recite 1 Glory be.

"Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou has found grace with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus" (Luke 1:30).
***Recite 1 Hail Mary.

"The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and, therefore, the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. But Mary said: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word'" (Luke 1:35).
***Recite 1 Hail Mary.

Holy and immaculate Virgin, how shall I praise you as I ought? You have borne in your womb Him Whom heaven could not contain. You are blessed and worthy of veneration, Virgin Mary, for you became the Mother of the Savior while remaining a Virgin.
***Recite 1 Hail Mary.

Mary speaks:  "I sleep and my heart watches . . . I to my Beloved, and my Beloved to me, who feeds among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:2).

Let us pray.  Grant, we beg of You, Almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the old yoke of sin, may be freed by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son for which we long. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

Sing or Recite the following hymn,

"Alma Redemptoris Mater."

Mother of Christ,

Do hear your people's cry,

Star of the deep

And portal of the sky.

Mother of Him

Whose hand your glory made,

Sinking, we strive,

And call to you for aid.

Oh, by that joy

Which Gabriel did bestow;

O Virgin first and last,

Your tender mercy show.

Let us pray.  O God, You willed that Your Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the message of an angel; grant us, Your humble servants, that we who truly believe her to be the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with You. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayers Requested and Our Lady of Fatima

 +  Please remember in your prayers Fr. Goodwin, FSSP, who suffered a major stroke today.  He is currently in the hospital in a coma.  Please pray for a speedy recovery for him, or, if it is God's will instead, his entrance into heaven.  May God reward you.  +

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Tomorrow, October 13, is the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in connection with the appearances of Our Lady of Fatima.  To honor Mary on this day, it would be most fitting to recite the Rosary and do acts of penance, as Our Lady requested at Fatima.  Another method through which to honor our Lady of Fatima is the recitation of the following prayer, "Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima."  In this beautiful prayer we pray for Mary's intentions, rather than our own, realizing that nothing we could ask could be as perfect as her requests.  We, her children, give her our hearts, trusting her to love and guide us as our Heavenly Mother.

The prayer is labeled a novena, so it would be most appropriate to pray it nine days prior to this anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, beginning on October 4, or nine days prior to Our Lady of Fatima's feast (which is on May 13).  It could also be prayed for nine days beginning with October 13, this anniversary of her appearance, and extended from there.  Such a beautiful prayer also seems like a wonderful prayer to recite throughout October, to provide our Heavenly Mother with greater devotion and love from us.  

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

Immaculate Heart of Mary, my Mother, I come to you this day as a little child in prayer.  I beg to make this offering of my heart as simple and childlike as I can.  The three little ones of Fatima have taught us what it is that  pleases your maternal heart.

I earnestly desire that all the people of the world be brought back to a humble knowledge and love of the Sacred Heart of your dear Son.  I pray, dear Mother of my God, that the indescribable beauty and the glow-white purity of your own Immaculate Heart may so captivate our souls that we will detest all sin and dedicate our lives to the honor and glory of the God Who created us.  As much as I feel the need of many things, I do not dare in this novena, Mother Mary, to ask one selfish petition for myself.  You revealed the secrets of your own sad heart at Fatima and begged for the restoration of the world to God.  What can I ask of greater good than to unite my heart to yours in this great yearning?  What can I add but the fervent prayer that all the world may listen to your pleading?

I give my heart to you, my heavenly Queen, and in utmost confidence I leave to you the choice of what is best for me in answer to my prayer of love and reparation.  Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, I give you my heart.  Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, I put my trust entirely in you.  

Immaculate Heart of the Mother of my God, we implore, through your powerful intercession the conversion of the hearts of men, complete victory over sin, and the return of peace which you have promised.  Amen.  

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena to our Guardian Angel

                                                          

"Our guardian angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them." -- St. John Vianney

Holy Mother Church thanks God for our blessed Guardian Angels and honors them by celebrating their feast on October 2.  How often do we go about our day without a thought to these heavenly helpers?  Out of His great love for us, the Heavenly Father saw fit to provide each of us with one of His angelic beings as our guide, our protector, and our help to gain heaven.  These beings, so holy and powerful in His sight, remain always at our side, not only protecting us from physical perils but also from dangers to our souls.

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May we daily remember these heavenly friends, thanking them and listening to their promptings as we journey with them to our heavenly goal.  May we especially honor them on their feast, that of the Holy Guardian Angels.  In the following prayer, which is to be recited as a novena, we thank our blessed Guardian Angels and ask for their continual help until we reach Heaven.  It would be most fitting to recite this prayer nine days before their feast (sorry I posted too late for that but it would be wonderful to pray anyway around the time of their feast), beginning on September 23 and ending on October 1, the eve of this feast day.

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The following novena is also one way to pray for the Souls in Purgatory since, in it, we ask our heavenly angels to seek relief for the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  This would make a most suitable novena to pray for the poor souls, beginning on  October 24 and ending on November 1, the day prior to the feast of the Holy  Souls.  As Saint John Vianney says of the act of helping the poor souls,
“Consider then...the magnitude of these sufferings which the souls in Purgatory endure; and the means which we have of mitigating them: our prayers, our good works, and, above all, the holy sacrifice of the Mass.”

Novena to our Guardian Angel for the Holy Souls

O holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct, and who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks, and I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies. Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.

In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the relief and deliverance of all the Souls in Purgatory, the ones who prayed for the Souls themselves while still on earth; the forgotten and abandoned Souls; the souls of my relatives and friends; the souls of priests and religious; the souls of all those to whom I am obligated by charity to pray for and may have neglected by laxity in memory; and most especially for the Soul I here name in this novena. (Mention or think of the person.)

Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life. but most especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen.

"Brethren, we will love God's angels with a most affectionate love; for they will be our heavenly co-heirs some day, these spirits who now are sent by the Father to be our protectors and our guides. With such bodyguards, what are we to fear? They can neither be subdued nor deceived; nor is there any possibility at all that they should go astray who are to guard us in all our ways. They are trustworthy, they are intelligent, they are strong — why, then, do we tremble? We need only to follow them, remain close to them, and we will dwell in the protection of the Most High God. So as often as you sense the approach of any grave temptation or some crushing sorrow hangs over you, invoke your protector, your leader, your helper in every situation. Call out to him and say: Lord, save us, we are perishing." --St. Bernard Clairvaux

God bless!

+JMJ+

Miraculous Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier (begins November 25)

The Miraculous Novena of Grace was revealed by St. Francis Xavier to Fr. Marcello Mastrilli, S.J.  The priest, having received a severe head injury, was nearing death, but in December of 1633, St. Francis Xavier appeared to Fr. Marcello, requesting that the priest renew a vow to work for souls in Japan. He then told Fr. Mastrilli,

"All those who implore my help daily for nine consecutive days, from the 4th to the 12th of March included, and worthily receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist on one of the nine days, will experience my protection and may hope with entire assurance to obtain from God any grace they ask for the good of their souls and the glory of God."

Instantly Fr. Mastrilli's health was fully restored, and he worked to spread the devotion.  This devotion to St. Francis proved so fruitful it became known as the Novena of Grace. While the recitation of the devotion was originally March 4-12, the latter being the date of St.Francis' canonization, the efficacy of the novena is not limited to these days; rather it is also fitting to pray the novena in preparation for the saint's feast day. In that case the novena would be prayed from November 25 through December 3, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier.

The Miracles of St. Francis Xavier by Rubens

Miraculous Novena of Grace to Saint Francis Xavier

Most amiable and most loving St. Francis Xavier, in union with thee I reverently adore the divine Majesty. I rejoice exceedingly on account of the marvelous gifts which God bestowed upon thee. I thank God for the special graces He gave thee during thy life on earth and for the great glory that came to thee after thy death. I implore thee to obtain for me, through thy powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings-that of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beg of thee to secure for me the special favor I ask in this novena. (Here you may mention the grace, spiritual or temporal, you wish to obtain).

In asking this favor I am fully resigned to the divine will. I pray and desire only to obtain that which is conducive to the greater glory of God and the good of my soul.
V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xavier.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who didst vouchsafe, by the preaching and miracles of St. Francis Xavier, to join unto Thy Church the nation of the Indies; grant, we beseech Thee, that we who reverence his glorious merits, may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

**Recite 3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Marys, in remembrance of St. Francis' devotion to the Holy Trinity, and Glory Be 10 times, in thanksgiving for the graces received during the ten years of his apostleship.

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St. Francis Xavier's Hymn of Love

O Deus, ego amo Te! Nec amo Te ut salves me, Aut quia non amantes Te, Aeterno punis igne: Tu, tu, mi Jesu, totum me Amplexus es in cruce. Tulisti clavos, lanceam Multamque ignominiam. Innumeros dolores, Sudores et angores, Ac mortem: et haec propter me, Ac pro me peccatore! Cur igitur non amem Te, O Jesu amantissime? Non ut in coelo salves me, Aut ne aeternum damnes me, Nec praemii ullius spe; Sed sicut Tu amasti me. Sic amo et amabo Te, Solum quia Tex meus es, Et solum quia Deus es.

O God I love Thee for Thyself And not that I may heaven gain, Nor because those who love The not, Must suffer hell's eternal pain. Thou, O my Jesus! Thou didst me Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails and spear And manifold disgrace; And griefs and torments numberless, And sweat of agony; E'en death itself—and all for one Who was Thine enemy. Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, Should I not love Thee well: Nor for the sake of winning heaven, Or of escaping hell; Not with the hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me, O ever-loving Lord? E'en so I love Thee, and will love, and in Thy praise will sing; Solely because Thou art my God And my eternal King.

Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving, and God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena for the Feast of the Presentation of Mary

 Holy Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Mary on November 21. The three feasts,  the Birthday of our Lady (September 8), the Holy Name of Mary (September 12), and the Presentation of Mary (November 21), correspond in the Marian feast day cycle with the similar feasts of Our Lord: Christmas, the Holy Name of Jesus, and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (February 2).

Tradition holds that Sts. Joachim and Anne, Mary's parents, vowed to consecrate Mary to the service of God at the Temple in thanksgiving for being blessed with a child. Thus when Mary was three years old, they presented her at the Temple to the High Priest. The High Priest receiving the child, kissed and blessed her, recognizing that God had great plans for Mary. Then he placed her on the step once again. Mary did not turn back to her parents or weep for them. Rather she came with joy to the Temple; Sts. Joachim and Anne returned home, praising God for their blessed child, and Mary remained in the Temple until she became betrothed to St. Joseph. During these years she continued to grow in holiness, spending her time reading Scriptures, praying and loving our Lord, and joyfully serving the priests of the Temples.

This feast of Our Lady exemplifies Mary's constant willingness to dedicate her life to God in all things, as she once again illustrated during the Annunciation. The feast of the Presentation of Mary also illuminates Mary as the New Temple and the Ark of the Covenant, in whom our Savior would dwell.  In a homily concerning the Presentation of Mary, St. Germanus exalted the Blessed Mother, saying,

"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor."

On this feast of our Blessed Mother, let us ponder our willingness to serve God in whatever He asks of us, to always respond with a joyful "yes," as did our Lady.  To accomplish this great task, may we look to our Heavenly Queen and Mother, imploring her to pray for us, intercede for us, and lead us along the path God has chosen in order to better love and serve Him.

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The following novena should begin on November 12 to finish on the eve of the feast of the Presentation of Mary, November 20.

Novena for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

+ Gracious and lovable art thou in thy splendor, O holy Mother of God! Show me thy countenance. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy countenance is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness! Come forth in majesty and reign!  Hail Mary…

+ O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal, hast pleased our Lord Jesus Christ!  Hail Mary…

+ Blessed indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord. Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee, breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues!  Hail Mary…
[Here state your petition.]

+ Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 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 to 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.

St. Bernard so beautifully spoke of our Lady, saying, "De Maria numquam satis." (“Concerning Mary, never enough.”) With these words in mind, may we continually strive to honor and love Our Lady, singing her praises, praying her Rosary, wearing her scapular, and thanking her for all she has done and continually does for us.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Novena to our Guardian Angel for the Holy Souls

 ***Other prayers for the feasts and intentions of November can be found under the Liturgical Year page.***

Later in the week I hope to include a post about a project my children have always enjoyed in the past for the upcoming feasts of All Saints and All Souls.  I am trying to prepare for our parish's All Saints party this weekend and still have quite a few costumes to finish and food to plan.

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Holy Mother Church honors the Poor Souls in Purgatory during the month of November by dedicating the entire month to them and remembering them on November 2, the Feast of the Holy Souls. We would all do well to pray and sacrifice for the poor souls in Purgatory throughout the entire year, but especially during November. In fact the faithful are able to gain a plenary indulgence for the poor souls during November 1-8 by daily visiting a cemetery and devoutly praying for the departed. The other requirements for the indulgence also need to be met; these are:

• reception of Holy Communion 
• reception of Penance 
• being free from all attachment of sin. 
• reciting an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the Holy Father's intentions. 

 Saint John Vianney says of the act of helping the poor souls, “Consider then...the magnitude of these sufferings which the souls in Purgatory endure; and the means which we have of mitigating them: our prayers, our good works, and, above all, the holy sacrifice of the Mass.”

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The following novena, which should be said for nine days, is simply one example of a way to pray for the Souls in Purgatory.

Novena to our Guardian Angel for the Holy Souls

O holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct, and who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks, and I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies. Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.

In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the relief and deliverance of all the Souls in Purgatory, the ones who prayed for the Souls themselves while still on earth; the forgotten and abandoned Souls; the souls of my relatives and friends; the souls of priests and religious; the souls of all those to whom I am obligated by charity to pray for and may have neglected by laxity in memory; and most especially for the Soul I here name in this novena. (Mention or think of the person.)

Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life. but most especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen.

And again by St. John Vianney:
"I come to tell you that they suffer in Purgatory, that they weep, and that they demand with urgent cries the help of your prayers and your good works. I seem to hear them crying from the depths of those fires which devour them: "Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives how great the evils are which they are making us suffer. We throw ourselves at their feet to implore the help of their prayers. Ah! Tell them that since we have been separated from them, we have been here burning in the flames!"

"Yet how quickly we could empty purgatory if we but really wished to."

Words to consider: "You shouldn’t want to do things to gain merit, nor out of fear of the punishments of purgatory. From now on, and always, you should make the effort to do everything, even the smallest things, to please Jesus."
--St. Josemaria Escriva(The Forge, 1041)

God bless!

+JMJ+