Sunday, August 18, 2013

Begin St. Monica Novena




Saint Augustine and Saint Monica (1846), by Ary Scheffer


St. Monica Novena

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly
 pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with
 prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so
 that they may learn to draw their children to God.

 Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal
 sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

 Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows
 pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired
 or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
 you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband,
 Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.

Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my
 plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace
 to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
 in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

Intentions

Day one
 Today we pray for all God’s people currently absent from our Home.
 May the Holy Spirit open their ears and hearts so they may hear this
 invitation to come home. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day two
 Today we pray for those who were baptized Catholic, but were not
 blessed with families to guide them to spiritual maturity. May the
 Holy Spirit guide them back to our Catholic family. (Pray Novena
Prayers)

Day three
 Today we pray for those who have been hurt by someone in the
 Church. May those of us in the Church today be a source of healing.
(Pray Novena Prayers)

Day Four
 Today we pray for those who take issue with the Church’s teachings.
 May the Holy Spirit open their hearts and minds to the truth and
 wisdom of those teachings. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day Five
 Today we pray for those whose sins make them feel unworthy to come
 to God. May they feel the warm embrace of Our Father’s loving
 forgiveness. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day six
 Today we pray for all those who believe in their hearts but are fearful
 of judgment or institutions. May they find the support and joy of
 belonging to our Church community. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day seven
 Today we pray for those who are resisting Your call due to pressures
 from friends and family members. May the Holy Spirit give them
 strength in their convictions and may the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of
 their friends and family with love and support. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day eight
 Today we pray for those who feel abandoned by God. May they come
 to see God working in their lives, restore their faith in Him, and come
 home to His church. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Day Nine
 Today we pray for those who are ready to come home and just need
 to be invited. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and eyes to them
 that we may be the inviting and welcoming presence they seek. (Pray
 Novena Prayers)


2 comments:

  1. Yay! My Mom & Dad are coming to visit on the feast of St. Monica. =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for posting the beautiful novena, Barbara. We have one son who loves our Lord and is a faithful Protestant, one who was in Wicca for a while but now professes no religion, and one who is currently unchurched and agnostic. The novena will give me a more focused way to pray for them, and for other family members and friends who need to come home. ~ Rosemary in Ohio

    ReplyDelete

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