The Express Novena

Picture source, Two Hearts Design

Thanks Sue!

Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, Yonkers, NY, a close associate of Father
Benedict Groeschel, CFR, recounts a meeting he had with Mother
Teresa. Father Andrew has given retreats for the Contemplative
Missionaries of Charity in the South Bronx.

Mother Teresa, at the time of their meeting, handed Father Andrew a Rosary, commenting: "The Blessed Mother is all over the world bringing people to her Son." She went on to tell Father Andrew this story.

"Whenever I need a special favor, I do an Express Novena. An Express Novena is 9 Memorares in a row. In 1983, one of our Superior sisters had gotten sick in Eastern Berlin. Mother Teresa had to appoint a replacement that could handle the Communist government. The sister that they appointed as the successor for the Eastern Berlin home needed a Visa. Mother Teresa gathered her nuns and started praying the Express Novena (9 Memorares). On the 8th Memorare, the phone rang. It was a Communist official stating that it would be six months until they would receive the Visa. After the 9th Memorare, Mother Teresa started the novena again. On the 8th Memorare the second time, the telephone rang. It was a Communist official who stated you will have your Visa immediately"

So great was Mother Teresa's love for God that she stated to Fr. Andrew: "I never refused God anything."