On Novenas and Trusting in God

For someone who really did not like to be tied down to praying novenas for nine days,  I have come to love a few of them very much.  The following are some of favorites:

1.  The oldest novena known is the Holy Spirit Novena.  We pray that one for the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  The novena ends on the vigil of Pentecost.   That one is the best novena anyone can pray. 

2.  The second highly recommended novena is the Divine Mercy Novena which the Church prays starting on Good Friday and ending on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday.  We pray for the intentions of many people and the salvation on their souls.  Very powerful and we have Saint Faustina via St. John Paul II to thank for this novena.

3.  Saint Mother Teresa's Express novena is also one that helps a lot especially if you need help right away and don't have 9 days to wait.  You simply pray the Memorare nine times in a row.

4.  One of the newer novenas which is recommended by Pope Francis is the Mary, Untier of Knots novena.  This novena helps with things that complicate our lives or seem impossible to untangle.

5.  My own personal favorite is one that I have been doing for members of my family or my own personal intentions like before I travel.   It is a Mass and Holy Communion Novena and it entails 18 days total with nine in Petition and nine days in Thanksgiving. 

 Plot out 18 consecutive days hopefully ending with the vigil of a feast or solemnity.

1.  The first nine days are Novena for Petition.

- Mass intentions and attendance at Mass

-  During the Consecration at the elevation of the Precious Blood Chalice I again make the prayer request.

- Offering my Holy Communion for that particular intention

Optional:  Daily Rosary for that intention.

2.  Second 9 days are the Novena for Thanksgiving.

This is important because we should be confident God will answer our prayer request.  Whether He answers it in our time, His time, our way or His way, is up to Him but He will answer it.

- Mass in Thanksgiving and attendance at Mass.  If you can request Mass intentions for Thanksgiving that would be great.

- During the Consecration at the elevation of the Precious Blood Chalice I thank God for answering my prayers.

- Offering my Holy Communion in Thanksgiving.

Optional:  Daily Rosary in Thanksgiving.

The Christmas Anticipation Novena or St. Andrew Christmas Novena Begins Today

Prayer can be found here.

You pray it 15 times a day until Christmas, asking for your personal intentions.

 Happy Advent!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena

Mahalo to H. L. for sharing and the reminder.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena July. 8th - July. 16th

 

O beautiful Flower of Carmel,
Most Fruitful Vine,
splendor of Heaven,
holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a pure Virgin,
assist me in this necessity.

O star of the Sea, help and protect me.
Show me that you are my Mother.

 

Patroness of all who wear the Scapular

Pray for me.

Novena for a Rebirth of Chastity and Purity

This novena actually started yesterday. I am sorry to post it late. Novena can be found here Mahalo to Renee for sharing!

Novena to Blesseds Louis & Zelie Martin

Thanks Mary Jane!

Ask the parents of St. Therese, the Little Flower to intercede !

 

 

Difficult marriage?  Family needs?

 

Suffering due to infertility?  Child who is ill?

 

Looking for a good and holy spouse in marriage?

 

Any problems or challenges relating to your home?

 

Pray the Novena to Blesseds Louis & Zelie Martin 

Parents of St, Therese, The Little Flower

      feast is July 12 - start today!

 

Prayer for the Canonization of Louis and Zélie Martin and to obtain favors through their intercession: 

 

God Our Father, I thank You for having given us Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St. Therese. United and faithful in marriage, they have left us an example of Christian living and evangelical virtue. In raising a large family through trials, suffering and bereavement, they put their trust in You and always sought Your will.

Deign, Lord, to make known their will in their regard and grant the favor I ask, in the hope that the father and mother of St. Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face, may soon be canonized and thereby held up to the Universal Church as a model for the families of our time. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen

(Here  mention your request)

 

http://www.sttherese.com/Louis%20and%20Zelie.html

3 Novenas that Every Catholic Should Pray...plus one

Picture source

1. 30 Day Novena to St. Joseph

This beautiful novena begins a month before the Feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary, March 19th. It is a lovely meditation on the life of St. Joseph as husband, father and protector of the Blessed Mother and her Divine Child. It helps us to reflect on the sorrows that St. Joseph suffered (silently) as he took care of his holy little family. What a wonderful way to pray for his intercession for fathers, the dying, those in need of employment, homes, the universal church...

The novena can be found here.

Picture source

 2. The Divine Mercy Novena.

A very powerful novena that our Lord Himself gave to St. Faustina, in order to prepare souls for the great feast of Divine Mercy. It begins on Good Friday and ends on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday.

"...He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: 'These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy.' In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: 'On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls.'

The novena can be found here "

I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death."

3. Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

This is the oldest novena known in the Church. It begins 9 days prior to the vigil of Pentecost. It is simply a very beautiful and spiritually moving novena!

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

The novena can be found here.

In addition, for those times when we need spiritual assistance, there is no better novena than the one Blessed Mother Teresa had a devotion to...the express Memorare novena.  You pray the Memorare of our Lady nine consecutive times.

 Picture source: the internet

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thine 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.

Source

Novena OL Sorrows 3/22-3/30

Shared by Louise:

In Honor of the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Start Thursday before the 5th Sunday in Lent

Most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood
beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son.
Look with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel
before you. I venerate your sorrows and I place my requests
with filial confidence in the sanctuary of your wounded heart.

Present them, I beseech you, on my behalf to Jesus Christ,
through the merits of His own most sacred passion and death,
together with your sufferings at the foot of the cross. Through
the united efficacy of both, obtain the granting of my petition.
To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries if not
to you, Mother of Mercy? You have drunk so deeply of the
chalice of your Son, you can compassionate our sorrows.

Holy Mother, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at
the sight of the passion of your divine Son. Intercede for me
and obtain for me from our Lord {mention your petition}, if
it be for His honor and glory, and for my good. Amen.

LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our
hearts; that, we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy
Son, was made known by the message of an Angel, may by
His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His
Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.


Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows

Lord, have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us
Christ hear us
Christ graciously hear us

God, the Father of heaven
Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
Have mercy on us
God the Holy Ghost
Have mercy on us

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us
Holy Virgin of virgins pray for us
Mother of the Crucified pray for us
Sorrowful Mother pray for us
Mournful Mother pray for us

Sighing Mother pray for us
Afflicted Mother pray for us
Forsaken Mother pray for us
Desolate Mother pray for us
Mother most sad pray for us

Mother set around with anguish pray for us
Mother overwhelmed by grief pray for us
Mother transfixed by a sword pray for us
Mother crucified in thy heart pray for us
Mother bereaved of thy Son pray for us

Sighing Dove pray for us
Mother of Dolors pray for us
Fount of tears pray for us
Sea of bitterness pray for us
Field of tribulation pray for us

Mass of suffering pray for us
Mirror of patience pray for us
Rock of constancy pray for us
Remedy in perplexity pray for us
Joy of the afflicted pray for us

Ark of the desolate pray for us
Refuge of the abandoned pray for us
Shield of the oppressed pray for us
Conqueror of the incredulous pray for us
Solace of the wretched pray for us

Medicine of the sick pray for us
Help of the faint pray for us
Strength of the weak pray for us
Protectress of those who fight pray for us
Haven of the shipwrecked pray for us

Calmer of tempests pray for us
Companion of the sorrowful pray for us
Retreat of those who groan pray for us
Terror of the treacherous pray for us
Standard-bearer of the Martyrs pray for us

Treasure of the Faithful pray for us
Light of Confessors pray for us
Pearl of Virgins pray for us
Comfort of Widows pray for us
Joy of all Saints pray for us

Queen of thy Servants pray for us
Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled pray for us.

Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ

O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of
Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet
soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary, grant
that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows,
may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives
and reigns world without end. Amen

Our Lady of the Rosary Novena Started Yesterday

Sorry I am late in posting this!

As we approach October, the month of the Holy Rosary, and the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Oct. 7, there’s a grassroots effort via the Web to remember the origin of the feast and win our country back to Jesus.
The Lepanto Victory Mission Rosary novena wants to enlist people in all 50 states to unite to pray a Rosary for the U.S. during one or more of the 216 hours making up the round-the-clock, nine-day novena leading up to the feast. The intention is “peace and victory of God for our country.”

The Rosary novena begins first thing Sept. 29, the feast of the Archangels, and goes continuously until the end of Oct. 7.

Read more: here

Novena to St. Padre Pio - feast is Sept. 23 Start Today!

Shared by Mary Jane:

Dear God, Thou hast generously blessed Thy servant, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit. Thou hast marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of Thy Son. Endowed with the gift of discernment, St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional for the salvation of souls. With reverence and intense devotion in the celebration of Mass, he invited countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, I confidently beseech Thee to grant me the grace of (mention your intentions here). Amen.

Recite three Glorias.

Litany of St. Padre Pio

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Virgin Immaculate, pray for us.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.
Beloved of God, pray for us.
Imitator of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Good shepherd of the people, pray for us.
Model for priests, pray for us.
Light of the Church, pray for us.
Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
Faithful son of St. Francis, pray for us.
Marked with the stigmata of Jesus, pray for us.
Patient in suffering, pray for us.
Helper of the dying, pray for us.
Director of souls, pray for us.
Heart of gold, pray for us.
Apostle of mercy, pray for us.
Worker of miracles, pray for us.
Consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.
Lover of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Helper of souls in doubt and darkness, pray for us.
Comforter of the sick, pray for us.
Example of humility, pray for us.
Source of wisdom, pray for us.
Mirror of the divine life, pray for us.
Lover of Jesus Crucified,
Resigned to the will of God, pray for us.
Doing good upon earth, pray for us.
Filled with the spirit of self-sacrifice, pray for us.
Our help and hope in all our needs, pray for us.
Vessel of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Leading us to Christ, pray for us.
Our spiritual father and advocate, pray for us.
Crowned with glory in Heaven, pray for us.


God our Father, You helped St. Pio to reflect the
image of Christ through a life of charity and self-sacrifice.
May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of
St. Pio of Pietrelcina and by imitating his selfless love.
Amen

Novena for Our Brothers and Sisters

Picture source

What a wonderful novena!!! I love my brothers and sisters so much. I just love the idea that we will be praying for each other this way.

Check out Calling All Witnesses' Novena to St. Benedict and St. Scholastica for ourselves and for our siblings.

The Novena Prayer

Dear Saints Benedict and Scholastica,

As siblings you encouraged each other to grow in faith and love of God;

As saints, you encourage the world to do the same.

We turn to your knowledge of the struggles as siblings, from different perspectives and desires, to time and distance spent apart.

Despite the struggles, you also experienced the fruits of friendship, love, and support.

We humbly pray for your intercession, for ourselves and our siblings. Open our hearts to the Lord; guide us on the path to holiness; and bind us together, so that one day we will greet you in heaven with our siblings by our side.

Our Father–Hail Mary–Glory Be

Novena to the Immaculate Conception for Seminarian Philip Johnson

Philip Johnson

From the Diocese of Raleigh:
The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, has requested in a letter that all the Priests, Religious and lay faithful in the Diocese of Raleigh participate in a novena to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Diocese, on behalf of Philip Johnson, one of our Diocesan seminarians. The novena will begin on Monday, November 29, and culminate on Wednesday, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Read the details over at Dr. Nadal's blog.

As you know, we have been keeping Philip in our daily prayers (see side bar for prayer). I would now ask that you join in this novena for Philip.

Novena to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos CSsR Started Yesterday

I'm so sorry I failed to post this notice yesterday.

From Mary Jane:

His Feast Day is October 5th.

Divine Physician,
You infused Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
with the gift of Your healing.
By the help of his prayers,
sustain in me the grace to know Your will
and the strength to overcome my afflictions.
For love of You, make me whole.
May I learn from the example of Father Seelos
and gain comfort from his patient endurance.
Amen. (Mention your intentions here)


Litany of Blessed Francis Seelos:


Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, have mercy on us!

Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, hear us!

Christ, graciously hear us!

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us

Francis, pattern of cheerfulness, pray for us

Francis, lover of labors, pray for us

Francis, model of confessors, pray for us

Francis, gentle refuge of penitents, pray for us

Francis, example to seminarians, pray for us

Francis, master of poverty, pray for us

Francis, pillar of peacefulness, pray for us

Francis, comfort of the sick, pray for us

Francis, companion to the dying, pray for us

Francis, paragon of holiness, pray for us


LET US PRAY


O God, who made your priest, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption, and comfort those in affliction, grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.

For more information go to: Blessed Seelos Center

Note: I finished this Novena which I had been praying for someone, last week. My friend Dottie gave me the Novena booklet. I highly recommend you obtaining it because it is filled with testimonials of Father Seelos' life and holiness as well as prayers.

Novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Starts Today 9/23rd

Picture source

Shared by Madalena:

Little Flower Novena



Prayers to be said each day:

Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.



Let us pray: O God, who have 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.



Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: 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.



The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.



Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:

O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.


First Day

St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires, and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but specially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your 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.

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.

Concluding Prayer



Second Day

O dear little Saint, now that you see the crucified Jesus in heaven, still bearing the wounds caused by sin, you know still more clearly than you did 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 your 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 your 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 fault.

Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior.

The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness.

Concluding Prayer



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 you 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 your 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 you, you would be naught but a great tomb.

With your little hand which caresses Mary, You sustain the universe and bestow life; and You think 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.

Concluding Prayer



Fourth Day

Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths of your soul an unchanging peace because you sought 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 you used, that I "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 your 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 You choose.

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 You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path.

Concluding Prayer



Fifth Day

Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of your religious life you thought only of denying yourself in all things so as to follow Jesus more 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 your 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.

Concluding Prayer



Sixth Day

St. Thérèse, 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." Your 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 your 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.

Concluding Prayer



Seventh Day

O little martyr of Love, you know now even better than in the days of your 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 you sought on earth was love; to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved. Use your 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 you.

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 your 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 perceive 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 a 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.

Concluding Prayer



Eighth Day

Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day. I beseech you, obtain from God, by reminding Him of your 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 You."

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 your 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.

Concluding Prayer

Ninth Day

Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are 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 you, and upon the world through you.

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 your 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 of Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love.

Concluding Prayer

O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen

Novena to St. Michael begins 20th September

Two different friends shared two different novena prayers. I will post both of them here for you to choose.

From Lois:

NOVENA TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Glorious Saint Michael,
guardian and defender
of the Church of Jesus Christ,
come to the assistance of His followers,
against whom the powers of hell are unchained.
Guard with special care our Holy Father,
the Pope, and our bishops, priests,
all our religious and lay people,
and especially the children.

Saint Michael,
watch over us during life,
defend us against the assaults of the demon,
and assist us especially at the hour of death.
Help us achieve the happiness
of beholding God face to face
for all eternity.

Amen.

Saint Michael,
intercede for me with God
in all my necessities,
especially

(State your intention here...)

Obtain for me a favourable outcome
in the matter I recommend to you.
Mighty prince of the heavenly host,
and victor over rebellious spirits,
remember me for I am weak and sinful
and so prone to pride and ambition.
Be for me, I pray,
my powerful aid in temptation and difficulty,
and above all do not forsake me
in my last struggle with the powers of evil.

Amen.

From Elaine via Madalena:

St. Michael the Archangel Novena Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession.  For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer.  You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God.  May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty.  Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people.  And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request: (Mention your request).
St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers.  I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted.
Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love.  Protect us in all dangers of body and soul.  Help us in our daily needs.  Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever.  Amen.

Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.   Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, that we may not perish in the fearful judgment.

St. Michael, first champion of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us.
God our Father, in a wonderful way You guide the work of Angels and human beings.  May those who serve You constantly in heaven keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

In thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed on St. Michael:
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

The faithful who recite devoutly some prayers in honour of St. Michael at any season of the year, with the intention of continuing the said prayers for nine successive days, may gain: An indulgence  of 5 years once each day; a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions at the end of their novena (449).

CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL
One day, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to Antonia d'Astonac, a most devout Servant of God and told her that he wished to be honoured by nine salutations corresponding to the nine Choirs of Angels, which should consist of one Our Father and three Hail Marys in honour of each of the Angelic Choirs.
Promises of St. Michael

"Whoever would practice this devotion in his honour would have, when approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and all their relations."
How to pray the Chaplet of Michael Archangel

The Chaplet is begun by saying the following invocation on the medal:

"O God, come to my assistance!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Glory Be...
Say 1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... After each of the following nine salutations in honour of the nine Choir of Angels.

1)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Seraphim,
        May the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 1 St Choir of Angels.


2)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Cherubim,
        May the Lord vouchsafe to grant us grace to leave the ways of wickedness
        And run in the paths of Christian perfection.   Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 2 ND Choir of Angels.


3)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Thrones,
        May the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 3 rd Choir of Angels.


4)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Dominions,
        May the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 4 th Choir of Angels.


5)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Powers,
        May the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 5 th Choir of Angels.


6)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Virtues,
        May the Lord preserve us from evil, and suffer us not to fall into temptation.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 6 th Choir of Angels.


7)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Principalities,
        May God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 7 th Choir of Angels.


8)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Archangels,
        May the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in good works, In order that we gain the glory of Paradise.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 8 th Choir of Angels.


9)    "By the intercession of St. Michael and the Celestial choir of Angels,
        May the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory.  Amen."

        1 Our Father... And 3 Hail Mary... In honour of the 9 th Choir of Angels.

At the end, say 1 Our Father... On each of the 4 beads in honour of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, our Guardian Angel.

The Chaplet is concluded with the following prayers:

"O glorious Prince St. Michael, Chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,
Guardian of souls, Vanquisher of rebel spirits, Servant in the house of the Divine King,
And our admirable conductor, Thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue,
Vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, Who turn to thee with confidence,
And enable us by thy gracious protection To serve God more and more faithfully every day.
Amen."

V. Pray for us, O Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of His Promises.

Prayer

"Almighty and everlasting God, who by a prodigy of Goodness
and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men,
has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael,
Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee,
to be delivered by his powerful protection from all our enemies,
that none of them may harass us at the hour of our death,
but that we may be conducted by him
into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty.
This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen."

Novena to Mary for Employment

Easter is calling on all us of to join her for a novena to our Blessed Mother, for employment. The novena starts on August 30th and will end on the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, September 7th.

Click here for the novena.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Starts Tomorrow

Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue, Blessed Sacrament Church, Paterson, NJ

The novena can be found at EWTN

First Day - Novena to the Holy Spirit

Thanks to Ed of In God's Company 2 for sharing these beautiful videos.

Novena to St. Joseph Begins Today

Just a reminder that we can begin the Novena for St. Joseph today and it will end on March 18th.  St. Joseph's Feast day is next Friday, March 19th.

The Novena to St. Joseph on EWTN's site here is a good one.

Novena of Grace in Honor of St. Francis Xavier Begins March 4th

St. Francis Xavier - St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Photo by Esther G.

Louise shared the following novena with me. It is a new novena for me and I urge you to join in starting tomorrow. Thank you Louise.  I found the Novena in its entirety over at Sacred Spaces where they posted it last year.

We invite you to join us and pray the Novena of Grace in honour of Saint Francis Xavier over the next nine days. It is traditional to pray the Novena for a particular intention; to ask for what you desire from God. Pray for your own needs, those of your loved ones, or the needs of the world. You can keep a note of your intentions and have them appear in your Novena Prayer by using the link on the right.

The days of the Novena will appear here, beginning on 4 March...

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe for Life

Dear Blog Readers and Visitors, I hope you join in praying this Novena for Life. Thank you Ian for letting me know:

Hey Esther! Can you post this up? The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is coming up soon and I think it is vital that people do the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe for the pro-life cause...

Look below:

As the battle to rid our society of all forms of the culture of death (abortion, contraception, embryo stem cell research, euthanasia, etc.), let us continue to pray without ceasing, that life be respected from conception to natural death.

You are invited to pray the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The prayers are not long. It is very easy to do. Invite all ministries (youth ministries, young adult ministries, prayer groups, Eucharistic ministries, priests, religious, all laity) to do this Novena. Do it together as a group. As all of you know, the prayers and intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, are very powerful. Our Lady of Guadalupe is known as the patroness of the unborn. It is encouraged to look up more information on Our Lady of Guadalupe and the many miracles that occurred.
Here is a website:

You can download and distribute this novena to everyone. Like I said, encourage your families and more groups to do this Novena. This Novena was compiled together by the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. You can download it and print it from the link below:

NOVENA PRAYERS CAN BE FOUND BELOW ON LINK BELOW

here

Like I said...PRAY ANYWHERE YOU LIKE.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, PRAY FOR US!