Novena to St Anne – Day Three – 19 July
Reflections by:
By Fr Daniel A Lord, SJ
THIRD DAY:
Like all Jewish women of her day Anne dreamed of the promised Saviour. Surely the Messias was sorely needed in her day when the plight of her people was so unhappy.
Never for a moment did she think that such an honour would come to her-but perhaps from her line, the noble line of David, there would come a woman worthy to be the Mother of the Messias.
To Anne was not given the beautiful privilege of motherhood.
She prayed that God would send her and Joachim a son or a daughter.
Neighbours pitied her, as the Jews always pitied a childless woman. Around her grew up a flock of nieces and nephews. But no child of her own came to rest in her arms. She prayed for a child and in the same breath she added: ‘. . . . . if it be thy will, my Father.
No impatience with God. No envy of more fortunate relatives. No self-pity. But a hope that never faded. And faith in God, who would do for her what was for His honour and her happiness.
No wonder that to Anne there was born at length in her old age the beautiful little girl who was Mary, fairest flower of womankind.
To this model of hope we pray:
Daily Prayer:
O glorious St Anne,
you are filled with compassion
for those who invoke you
and with love for those who suffer!
Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles,
I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you
to take the present intention
which I recommend to you in your special care.
…………………(make your intention)
Please recommend it to your daughter,
the Blessed Virgin Mary
and place it before the throne of Jesus,
so that He may bring it to a happy issue.
Continue to intercede for me until my request is granted.
But, above all, obtain for me the grace, one day,
to see my God face to face
and with you and Mary and all the saints,
to praise and bless Him for all eternity.
Amen
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
O Jesus, Holy Mary, St Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.
Good St Anne, intercede for me.
THIRD DAY
Hail, good St Anne,
who first responded to the needs of Mary,
Mother of our Saviour and Queen of Angels.
Hail to you and to your husband St Joachim,
who watched over her infancy,
presented her to the Lord in the temple and,
according to your promise,
consecrated her to the service of God.
Hail St Anne, good mother!
I rejoice in the marvels you continually perform,
because they encourage all to seek your intercession.
Good St Ann, by the great power that God has given you,
show yourself my mother, my consoler, my advocate.
Reconcile me to the God I have so deeply offended.
Console me in my trials,
strengthen me in my struggles.
Deliver me from danger in my time of need.
Help me at the hour of death
and open to me the gates of paradise.
Amen
