Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, LENT 2026, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face – The Fourth Day – 12 February

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
To end on Shrove Tuesday,
The Feast of the Holy Face

All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)

(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.

Psalm 51:8-9:

Indeed you love truth in the heart,
then in the secret of my heart,
teach me Wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean,
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Thy help,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

THE FOURTH DAY:

O Lord Jesus, Who has said,
learn of Me for I am meek and gentle of heart
and Who didst manifest upon Thy Holy Face,
the sentiments of Thy Divine Heart,
grant that we may love
to meditate upon Thy Divine Countenance,
that we may read there,
Thy gentleness and Thy humility
and learn from Thee to form our hearts
in the practice of these two virtues,
which Thou desires to see shine in Thy servants.

Mary our Mother and Saint Joseph help us.

Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood
and Thy Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition ………………
Pardon and mercy.
Amen

Prayer in Honour of the Dolours
of the Blessed Virgin
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief you experienced
when you witnessed the Martyrdom,
the Crucifixion
and the Death,
of your Divine Son,
look upon me with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart a tender
commiseration for those sufferings,
as well as a sincere detestation of my sins,
in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that henceforward, all my thoughts
and all my actions, may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
to our Divine Lord Jesus,
and to you,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen

Posted in LENT 2026, NOVENAS, PAPAL PRAYERS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face – The Third Day – 11 February

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
To end on Shrove Tuesday,
The Feast of the Holy Face

All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

THE THIRD DAY:

Prayer to The Holy Face
By Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

O Jesus!
Cast upon us a look of mercy,
turn Thy Face towards each of us
as Thou did to Veronica,
not that we may see It, with our bodily eyes,
for this we do not deserve
but turn It towards our hearts,
so that, remembering Thee,
we may ever draw
from this Fountain of Strength,
the vigour necessary,
to sustain the combats of life.
Amen

Mary, our Mother and Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood
and Thy Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition ………………
Pardon and mercy.
Amen

Prayer to the Angels and Saints
We salute you,
through the Holy Face and Sacred Heart of Jesus,
O all you Holy Angels and Saints of God.
We rejoice in your glory
and we give thanks to our Lord
for all the benefits which He has
showered upon you,
we praise Him and glorify Him
and, for an increase of your joy and honour,
we offer Him the most Holy Face
and gentle Heart of Jesus.
Pray that we may become formed
according to the Heart of God.
Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2026, NOVENAS, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The HOLY FACE, The HOLY GHOST

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face – The Second Day – 10 February

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
To end on Shrove Tuesday,
The Feast of the Holy Face

All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Thy help,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

THE SECOND DAY:

PRAYER:
Most Holy Face of Jesus,
we are truly sorrowful,
for we have hurt Thee so much.
By our sins, we have disobeyed Thee,
turned away from Thee
and omitted to please Thee by our lives.
But now, we wish to do penance
and amend our lives.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
intercede for us,
help us to console
the Most Holy Face of Jesus.
Pray for us, that we may share
in the tremendous love
you have for the most Holy
and Blessed Trinity.
Through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood
and Thy Most Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition ………………
Pardon and mercy.
Amen

Come O Holy Ghost!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Thou made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Thy Love.
Thou art the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
Thou art Fire,
set us ablaze with Thy Love.
Thou art Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly good and true.
Thou art the Dove,
give us gentleness.
Thou art a Soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms which rage within us.
Thou art the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
Thou art the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Thy protection.
O Holy Ghost, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please Thee.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, LENT 2026, NOVENAS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face – The First Day – 9 February

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
To end on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February this year,
The Feast of the Holy Face

For so many, Shrove Tuesday is a date on the calendar that is often overshadowed by Ash Wednesday that memorable day we wear the outward sign of repentance and recall our mortality. How much more meaningful will our Ash Wednesday be, if we first mark Shrove Tuesday as a Feast of the Holy Face, concluding the Novena we began in the time of preparation and beginning Lent more in love with the Countenance of Christ and, through Him, made more beautiful in our own soul. AMEN,
Let us Pray ………….

“I firmly wish that My Face reflecting the intimate pains of My Soul, the suffering and love of My Heart, be more honoured! Whoever gazes upon Me already consoles Me.” – (Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)

All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the Celestial Court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude)

This Novena prayer may be said at any time but especially in the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday. The first Medal of the Holy Face was offered to Pope Pius XII who approved the Devotion and the Medal. In 1958, he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday.

(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 51:3-4.
Have mercy on me, O God in Thy goodness,
in Thy great tenderness wipe away my faults,
wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin
.

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Thy assistance,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

THE FIRST DAY:

PRAYER:
O most Holy Face of Jesus,
look with tenderness on us who are sinners.
Thou art a merciful God,
full of love and compassion.
Keep us pure of heart,
so that we may see Thee always.
Mary, our Mother,
intercede for us,
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood
and Thine Holy Face, O Jesus,
grant us our petition ………………
and Thy pardon and mercy.

Almighty Father, come into our hearts
and so fill us with Thy Love
that forsaking all evil desires,
we may embrace Thee, our only good.
Show us, O Lord our God,
what Thou art to us.
Say to our souls, I Am your salvation,
speak so, that we may hear.
Our hearts are before Thee,
open our ears,
let us hasten after Thy Voice.
Hide not Thy Face from us,
we beseech Thee, O Lord.
Open our hearts, so that Thou may enter in.
Repair the ruined mansions,
that Thou may dwell therein.
Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
for the sake of Thy Only Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with Thee
and the Holy Ghost,
one God, now and forever.
Amen

Pray (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.

Posted in LENT, NOVENAS, The HOLY FACE

REMINDER – The Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face BEGINS tomorrow, 9 February

The Feast Day of the Holy Face is on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday i.e. Ash Wednesday. I pray the Lord to grant me the grace of being able to post a series of Lenten Reflections by St Thomas Aquinas this year. In the meantime let us prepare by praying this Novena, beginning tomorrow.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nossa Senhora das Graças / Our Lady of Graces, Brazil (1936),Day One of the Assumption Novena, St Xystus II & Companions, Pope and Martyr and Memorials of the Saints – 6 August

The Transfiguration of Our Lord
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/06/feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-the-lord-6-august-todays-gospel-mark-92-10/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/06/august-6-the-feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-the-lord/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/06/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-6-august/


St Gislain of Luxemburg
St Glisente (Died 796) Hermit
Bl Goderanno
Bl Guillermo Sanz
St Hardulf of Breedon

St James the Syrian

Bl Octavian of Savona
St Stephen of Cardeña
Bl William of Altavilla

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, NOTES to Followers

Reminder – The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – Begins tomorrow

The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption
Begins 6 August in preparation
for the Feast on 15 August – a Holy Day.

We never give more honour to Jesus
than when we honour His Mother,
and we honour her,
simply and solely,
to honour Him all the more perfectly.
We go to her only as a way
leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son.
” s

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Please join us as we pray a Novena in reverence and filial devotion
to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Assumed into Heaven, our Queen and our Mother Mary.

We pray in preparation for the great Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Body and Soul as defined and declared as Dogma on 1 November 1950, by Pope Pius XII.
Thus he solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby, the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the Glory of Heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the Apostles.

Our Novena will include a brief Meditation with practical reflection, a preparatory prayer by St Alphonsus Liguori and the daily prayer each morning for nine days. See you here!

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOMINICAN OP, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, NOVENAS, SAINT of the DAY

First Friday, Feast of the Purification of Our Lady – Candlemas Day, St Scholastica Novena – The SECOND DAY and Memorials of the Saints – 2 February

First Friday

St Scholastica Novena – The SECOND DAY:
CLICK LINK BELOW

St Scholastica Novena

St Adalbald of Ostrevant
St Adeloga of Kitzingen
St Agathodoros of Tyana
St Apronian the Executioner
Bl Bernard of Corbara
St Bruno of Ebsdorf
St Candidus the Martyr
St Columbanus of Ghent
St Cornelius the Centurion
St Felician the Martyr
St Feock
St Firmus of Rome
St Flosculus of Orléans
St Fortunatus the Martyr
St Hilarus the Martyr
St Jeanne de Lestonnac (1556-1640) Widow, Mother, Founder

St Marquard of Hildesheim
St Mun

St Rogatus the Martyr
St Saturninus the Martyr
St Sicharia of Orleans
St Simon of Cassia Fidati
St Theodoric of Ninden
St Victoria the Martyr

Posted in Against STORMS, EARTHQUAKES, THUNDER & LIGHTENING, FIRES, DROUGHT / NATURAL DISASTERS, For RAIN OR Against RAIN, NOVENAS, Of Catholic Education, Students, Schools, Colleges etc

St Scholastica Novena – Day One – 1 February

St Scholastica Novena

St Scholastica was the twin sister of St Benedict (480-547) and the Foundress of the Benedictine Nuns. As twins, St Scholastica and St Benedict were naturally born together and died within 6 weeks of each other.
She is the Patron of Schools and Education, especially – tests and reading; of Convulsive children; Nuns; invoked against storms, lightening; rain.
Normally prayed from 1 February until the 9th, in preparation for her Feast day on the 10 February.

O God, Thou caused the soul
of Thy blessed virgin Scholastica,
to enter heaven in the form of a dove,
to show us the way of innocence.
Grant us, by her prayers and merits,
to live in such innocence
that we may deserve to attain eternal joys.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end.
Amen.
V. By the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, keep us faithful to Thy Word.
R. Hear us, O Lord.
V. By the example and intercession of St Scholastica,
keep us rooted in Thy love.
R. Hear us, O Lord.
V. By the example and intercession of all the holy virgins,
keep us firm in prayer and charity.
R. Hear us, O Lord.

(Mention your request here…)

Lord our God, Thou robed the virgin St Scholastica
with the beauty and splendour of love.
Help us to walk blamelessly before Thee,
so that in the company of virgins,
we may praise Thy Name forever
and find our delight in Thee,
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Saint Scholastica, Pray for Us!

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY NINE, 1 February

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Candlemas Novena – DAY NINE

DAY NINE

Virgin most resigned,
who didst feel thy soul
transfixed with sorrow
when in spirit, thou didst foresee
all the bitter passion of thy Son
and, knowing the grief of St Joseph,
thy Spouse, for all thy sufferings,
didst, with holy words console him.
Pierce our souls,
through and through,
with true sorrow for our sins
that we may one day,
possess the consolation
of being made partakers
of thy glory in Heaven.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY EIGHT, 31 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Candlemas Novena – DAY EIGHT

DAY EIGHT

Virgin most compassionate
when, through thy divine Son,
thou didst fill the soul of Anna,
the prophetess, with light,
thou didst make her magnify
the mercies of God
by recognising Jesus,
as the Redeemer of the world.
Enrich our souls with heavenly grace
that we, may largely share,
the fruit of the Divine Redemption.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY SEVEN, 30 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Candlemas Novena – DAY SEVEN, 30 JANUARY:

DAY SEVEN

Virgin most meek,
on hearing the prophecy of Simeon
foretelling thy woes,
thou didst promptly bow
to the good pleasure of Go.
Enable us too,
to bear all troubles
with patience and resignation
to His Divine Will.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY SIX, 29 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY SIX 29 JANUARY:

DAY SIX

Virgin most zealous,
by redeeming* thy Son, Jesus,
according to the Law,
thou didst co-operate
in the salvation of the world:.
Ransom now, our poor hearts,
from the slavery of sin
that so they maybe ever pure,
before the face of God.
Amen

  • Footnote to Day Six:
    Of course, Our Lord Jesus Christ, as God Incarnate,
    did not need to be redeemed.
    However, He and Our Lady, fulfilled all the precepts of the Law.
    This is the sense in which this day’s prayer is to be understood.

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY FIVE, 28 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY FIVE, 28 JANUARY

DAY FIVE

Virgin most humble,
in placing Jesus
in holy old Simeon’s arms,
thou didst fill his soul
with heavenly joy.
Give our hearts
into God’s holy keeping
that He may fill them
with His Holy Spirit.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY FOUR, 27 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY FOUR, 27 January

Day Four

Virgin most holy,
in offering thy divine Son
to His eternal Father,
thou didst gladden all the court of Heaven;
present our poor hearts to God,
that He, by His grace,
may keep them ever free
from mortal sin.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY THREE, 26 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY THREE, 26 January

Day Three

Virgin most pure,
in observing the precept of the Law,
thou didst care little
that men should account thee unclean —
ask for us, we beg of thee,
grace to keep our hearts forever pure,
however blamable the world may think us.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

Click LINK above

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY TWO, 25 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY TWO, 25 January

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of theNovenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Day Two

Virgin most obedient,
at thy presentation in the Temple
thou didst will, like other women,
to offer the wonted sacrifice:
obtain for us that we too,
following thy example,
may learn how to offer ourselves
as a living sacrifice to God,
by practicing every virtue.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY ONE, 24 January

NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast
of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(The Candlemas Novena)

Today marks the start of the Novena in preparation for the great Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A version of the Candlemas Novena follows below:-

Day One
Bright Mirror of all virtues, holiest Mary,
forty days had scarcely elapsed
from thy delivery when thou,
although the purest of all virgins,
didst will, according to the Law,
to be presented in the Temple to be purified.
Grant that we, like thee,
may keep our hearts unstained by sin,
that so we too, maybe made worthy
to be presented to our God
in the Temple of His Glory.
Amen

Hail Mary …..

Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Litany of Loreto

V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost.

R. That he should not see death
until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God,
we pray Thy majesty
that as Thine Only-begotten Son
was presented in the Temple
in the substance of our flesh,
so Thou wouldst enable us
to present ourselves before Thee,
with clean hearts.
Amen

To all faithful Christians who, in private or public, in Church or in their own houses, shall keep any of the Novenas, in preparation for the principal Feasts of Most Holy Mary, Pope Pius VII, at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, 4 August and 24 November 1808 and 11 January 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) —
i. An Indulgence of 300 days, daily.
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas everyday and, who shall afterwards, either on the Feast Day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, prayed to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin, according to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Posted in NOVENAS

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Ninth Day – 24 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

Infant Jesus, Physician of the Sick:
In the month of July, 1639, Countess Elizabeth Kolowrat, nee Baroness von Lobkowitz, fell dangerously ill at Prague.
Her sufferings became daily more intense and finally she entirely lost her hearing and speech. Physicians declared her case hopeless and death seemed imminent. But her husband, a devout worshiper of the Divine Infant, begged Father Cyrillus to bring the blessed Statue to the bedside
of his dying wife. The Priest held the Statue before the agonising woman, who, unable to utter a word, kissed it rever-ently and, in her heart promised to show her gratitude publicly if she would obtain relief. After blessing the sick woman Father Cyrlllus returned to the Monastery,
leaving the Statue at her bedside.
A few moments after his departure the Countess suddenly revived, her speech and hearing were restored, and in a few days her health had been completely regained. The happy and grateful lady was not unmindful of her promise to the Divine Infant. She presented Him with a golden crown, which, even to this present day, adorns the statue. Her husband, on his part, became a generous benefactor of the Carmelites throughout his life, and after his death left to the merciful Deliverer of his wife a silver lamp and a valuable shrine.
Soon after her recovery the Countess wished to accompany her husband to his country seat but the horses would not move from the spot. Finally
she recalled that the Statue of the Holy Infant was still in her house. Only after she had sent the image back to the Monastery, could they proceed.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

The Ninth Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in NOVENAS

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Eighth Day – 23 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

Meanwhile, new afflictions visited the community. A pestilence broke out in the City. The prior, too, became dangerously ill. When his attention was called to the Divine Infant, he vowed to say Holy Mass before the image for nine successive days.
He at once felt relief and in a few days was completely restored to health. He fulfilled the vow, assigned a separate cell to the Statue and from that time forward became a fervent promoter of veneration of the Miraculous Infant.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

The Eighth Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in NOVENAS, The DIVINE INFANT

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Seventh Day – 22 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

Disturbances in Bohemia due to the Thirty Years’ War brought an end to the special devotions and on 15 November 1631 the army of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden took possession of Bohemia’s Capital City. The Carmelite Friary was plundered and the image of the Infant of Prague was thrown into a pile of rubbish behind the Altar. Here it lay forgotten for seven years, its hands broken off, until in 1637, it was found again by Father Cyrillus and placed in the Church’s oratory. One day, while praying before the Statue, Cyrillus heard a voice say,

Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me my hands and I will give you peace. The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.

The Seventh Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in NOVENAS

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Sixth Day – 21 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

Devotion of the Saints to the Holy Infant:
St Therese of the Child Jesus, as her very name proclaims, cherished a tender devotion to the Divine Infant and loved to imagine herself as His plaything, to be treated as He willed.

This Statue became a source of great blessing to the poor Franciscan Nuns and the devotion to the Infant has been zealously fostered by them to this day.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

The Sixth Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, NOVENAS, The DIVINE INFANT

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Fifth Day – 20 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

Devotion of the Saints to the Holy Infant:
Members of the Carmelite Order have been zealous, at all times, in promoting devotion to the Holy Infant of Prague.
In particular might we mentioned a certain Father Ildephonse. This Priest always carried a picture of the Infant Jesus on his person and on one occasion was miraculously saved from shipwreck by imploring His assistance.
It has been ordained that in all Convents of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, whether of men or of women, a Statue of the Holy Infant should be set up for veneration.
St. Teresa of Jesus, the celebrated reformer of the Carmelite Order, was very fond of this devotion. The Blessed Crescentia of Kaufbeuern also
possessed a Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague which she had adorned with a beautiful dress.
St Clement Maria Hofbauer, a Redemptorist, was another ardent worshiper of the Divine Infant and always had a Statue of the Little King in his room.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

The Fifth Day

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, NOVENAS, The DIVINE INFANT

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The Third Day – 18 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

The Third Day

Devotion to the infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus.
It is veneration of the Son of God, Who in the form of a lovely Infant chose a stable for a palace, a manger for a cradle and shepherds for worshipers.
Our Saviour grants special graces to all who venerate His sacred Infancy.

The secret of this devotion may be found in the words of a poor labourer who earned very low wages and was unable to meet the demands of his creditors. Hearing of the wonders of the Infant Jesus of
Prague, he said to himself:
I shall apply to the Divine Infant, for just as it is easy to obtain everything from a child, so I think Our Lord will the sooner hear me if I venerate His holy Infancy.
He made a Novena to the Divine Infant and on the last day received assistance.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, NOVENAS, SAINT of the DAY

Gaudete Sunday – The Third Sunday of Advent, The Second Day of the Christmas Novenas / Our Lady of the Earthquake, Basilicata, Italy (1857)and Memorials of the Saints – 17 December

Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus
By St Alphonsus – The Second Day:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/17/christmas-novena-to-the-divine-infant-jesus-by-st-alphonsus-the-secvond-day-17-december/

The Monthly Novena to the Infant of Prague
The Second Day

Gaudete Sunday – The Third Sunday of Advent

St Begga of Ardenne (c613-693) Widow
St Briarch of Bourbriac
St Judicaël
St Maxentiolus
St Modestus of Jerusalem

Bl Peter of Spain

St Tydecho

St Yolanda

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, NOVENAS, The DIVINE INFANT

The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague – The First Day – 16 December

The Monthly Novena to the
Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague

There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).

The more you honour Me,
the more I will bless you.

So many graces have been received by those who invoke the Divine Child before the original Statue that it has been called “The Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.” We read the following in an old book printed in Kempt in Canada: “All who approach the miraculous Statue and pray there with confidence, receive assistance in danger, consolation in sorrows, aid in poverty, comfort in anxiety, light in spiritual darkness, streams of grace in dryness of soul, health in sickness and hope in despair.

The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for:
vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.

THE NOVENA PRAYERS

  1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory,
    for my own salvation and that of the whole world,
    the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph,
    in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
    I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts
    when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,
    when the Saviour of the world was born.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born,
    the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him,
    the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body,
    when He submitted to circumcision.
    I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then,
    for the first time He shed for the salvation
    of the whole humanrace.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.
  5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory
    and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world,
    the humility, mortification, patience, charity,
    all the virtues of the Child Jesus
    and I thank Thee and I love Thee
    and I bless Thee without end,
    for the ineffable Mystery of
    the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    Glory be to the Father, etc.

The Word was made Flesh,
And dwelt among us.

LET US PRAY
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son
was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh,
grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him,
Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves,
our souls may be inwardly renewed.
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
forever and ever.
Amen.

7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)

More about the Infant:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CARMELITES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, NOVENAS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SAINT of the DAY, The DIVINE INFANT

Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus and the Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague, Begin Today, Memorial of St Eusebius of Vercelli and all the Saints for 16 December

Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
THE FIRST DAY:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/16/christmas-novena-to-the-divine-infant-jesus-16-december-the-first-day/

The Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague
BEGINS today

St Adelard of Cysoing

Bl Adolphus of Tunis
Bl Arnaldo of Tunis
St Albina of Caesarea (Died c250) Virgin Martyr
St Ananias
St Azarias

St Beoc
St Dominic Dosso
Bl Elizabeth of Saint Francis

Haggai the Prophet
St Irenion
Bl James of Tunis
St Jean Wauthier
St Macarius of Collesano

St Misael
St Nicholas Chrysoberges
Bl Raynald de Bar

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN TITLES, NOTES to Followers, NOVENAS, SAINT of the DAY, The DIVINE INFANT

Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de Monguí / Our Lady of Mongui, Colombia (16th Century), Memorials of the Saints for 15 December and Novena Reminders

The Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – BEGINS on 16 December:
This Novena is translated from the Italian of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and was first published in 1758.
Although this Novena is intended, primarily as a preparation for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity, it can be used with spiritual profit at any time of the year, as a devotion in honour of the Infant Jesus.
This translation by the Redemptorists of the UK.

AND/OR:
December, naturally being the Month of the Divine Infant, is a wonderful time to begin this Monthly practice:
The Monthly Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague

From 16 to 24 December (and of every Month on the same dates).

St Adalbero of Metz
St Bacchus the Younger
St Christiana the Slave
St Florentius of Bangor

St Margaret of Fontana
Bl Maria della Pace

St Maximinus of Micy
St Offa of Essex
St Paul of Latros
St Silvia of Constantinople
St Urbicus
St Valerian of Abbenza (c377-c457) Confessor, Bishop
Blessed Victoria Strata (1562-1617) Widow,

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY NINE – 7 December

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE NINTH DAY – 7 December
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A simple short Novena DAY NINE here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/immaculate-conception-novena-day-nine-7-december/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
Early in the Christian era the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception was observed in several countries. St Anselm (1033-1109) Bishop of Canterbury and Doctor of the Church, introduced it in England. A great number of Popes favoured the Doctrine of Mary’s absolute sinlessness and the adversaries of the Immaculate Conception, were bidden to be silent and not publicly assert or defend their view.
In 1477, Pope Sixtus IV prescribed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to be observed in the whole Church and made it obligatory on Priests, to recite the special canonical Office and to use the Mass formula published for the purpose.
In 1846, the Bishops of the United States assembled in Plenary Council in Baltimore, elected the Blessed Virgin under the title of her Immaculate Conception, as Patroness of the Church in their country.
Finally, Pope Pius IX, after consulting with the Bishops throughout the world and having implored the Holy Ghost for His guidance, in prayer and fasting, promulgated, on 8 December, 1854, the Dogma which teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, was in her conception, by a special grace and through the merits of her Divine Son, preserved from the stain of Original Sin.
This Doctrine was received throughout the world, with ineffable joy and, indeed, no-one who loves the Blessed Virgin, can help rejoicing at this, her most glorious privilege.
The invocation, “Queen conceived without the stain of Original Sin,” was added to the Litany of Loreto.
In 1866, at the Second Plenary Council in Baltimore, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was raised to the rank of a Holy Day of Obligation for the Church of the United States.

PRACTICE:
In the inscrutable designs of His Providence, God ordained that the Mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary should be proclaimed an Article of Faith, as late as the middle of the nineteenth century.
But, then, its proclamation was attended by circumstances which. undeniably proved that the Holy Father. in pronouncing the Dogma, had been inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost.
Let us praise God and thank Him for bestowing this glorious privilege on our beloved Mother and, let us often invoke her under her favourite title, the Immaculate Conception.
St. Alphonsus Liguori tells us that the devotion to this Mystery, is especially efficacious in overcoming the temptations of impurity. Therefore, he was accustomed to recommend, to his penitents thus tempted, to recite three times, everyday, the Hail Mary in honour of our blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception.
And the Venerable John of Avila (1500-1569) assures us that he had never found anyone, who practised a true devotion to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who did not, in a short time, obtain the gift of that virtue of purity, which renders us so dear to her Immaculate Heart.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for Thy Divine Son,
grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:
O Living light of holiness,
model of purity,
Mary Immaculate, Virgin and Mother!
As soon as thou wast conceived,
thou didst profoundly adore thy God,
giving Him thanks that,
in thee, the ancient curse was revoked
and blessing came again,
upon the sinful sons of Adam.
O make this blessing,
kindle in my heart love for God
and do thou, fan this flame of love,
within me that I may love Him constantly
and one day, in Heaven,
eternally enjoy Him,
there to thank Him more and more fervently,
for all the wondrous privileges
conferred upon thee
and to rejoice with thee,
for thy high Crown of Glory.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY EIGHT – 6 December

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE EIGHTH DAY – 6 December
The Image of the Immaculate Conception

A simple short Novena DAY EIGHT here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/immaculate-conception-novena-day-eight-6-december/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
Christian art often represents the Immaculate Conception as follows:
The Blessed Virgin appears standing on a globe, about which is coiled a serpent holding an apple in its mouth. One of Mary’s feet rests upon the serpent, the other is placed on the moon. Her eyes are raised toward heaven; her hands are either joined in prayer, or she holds a lily in her right and places the left on her breast. Her dress is white; her ample mantle is of blue colour. A crown of twelve stars encircles her head. These emblems typify, in a most striking manner, Mary’s power and glory. “And a great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Apoc. xii. 1).

PRACTICEL
The representation of the Immaculate Conception is very instructive.
(1) Mary appears standing on the globe. This signifies that being human, she belongs to the earth and yet, is exalted above the world and sin; also, that she trampled under foot earthly possessions, vanities and joys.
(2) A serpent is coiled about the globe, bearing an apple in its mouth. This reminds us of the fall of our first parents and of the consequences of their sin.
(3) Mary’s foot rests on the serpent, indicating that she never was under Satan’s dominion but was preserved from sin in the first moment of her existence.
(4) Mary stands on the moon. The moon, on account of its changes, is an emblem of inconstancy. We see it at Mary’s feet, to be reminded that we ought to be constant in faith and virtue.
(5) Mary wears a crown, to indicate that she is a Queen. The crown is composed of twelve stars – she is the Queen of Heaven.
(6) Mary’s dress is white, to denote her spotless purity and innocence.
(7) She folds her hands in prayer, reminding us to imitate her example.
(8) Or she holds a lily in her right hand, to indicate her virginity and chastity and the sweet odour of her virtues.
(9) Mary’s mantle is blue, which colour is emblematic of royalty. Its folds are ample, to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure refuge in all dangers and necessities.

Therefore let us invoke her intercession in the words of Holy Church:
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions but in thy mercy,
deliver us from all danger,

O glorious and Ever Virgin Mary!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for Thy Divine Son,
grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:
O Spotless sun! O Virgin Mary!
I congratulate thee.
I rejoice with thee because,
in thy conception,
God gave thee grace,
greater and more boundless,
than He ever shed on all His Angels
and all the Saints, together with all their merits.
I am thankful and I marvel
at the surpassing beneficence
of the Ever-Blessed Trinity,
Who conferred on thee this privilege.
O make me correspond with the grace of God
and never abuse it.
Change this heart of mine –
make me now begin to amend my life.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.