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 51:10-11: But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God, forever, yea forever and ever. I will praise Thee forever because Thou hast done it and I will wait on Thy Name, for It is good in the sight of Thy saints.
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 FIFTH DAY:
Holy Face of Jesus, Sacred Countenance of God, how great is Thy patience with humankind, how infinite Thy forgiveness. We are sinners, yet Thou dost love us. This gives us courage. For the glory of Thy Holy Face and of the Blessed Trinity, hear and answer us.
Mary our Mother, intercede for us,Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail! By Father Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Chaste spouse of Mary hail! Pure as the lily flow’r In Eden’s peaceful vale. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Prince of the house of God! May His best graces be By thy sweet hands bestowed.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Comrade of Angels, hail! Cheer thou the hearts that faint, And guide the steps that fail. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! God’s choice wert thou alone! To thee the Word made flesh, Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Teach us our flesh to tame And, Mary, keep the hearts That love thy husband’s name. Mother of Jesus! bless, And bless, ye Saints on high, All meek and simple souls That to Saint Joseph cry. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Our Morning Offering – 17 December – Saturday of Ember Week in Advent – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)
O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid, The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid! Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world, And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled; And the tempest-tossed Church,— all her eyes are on thee; They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair, For the empire of sin—it had never been there; None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He. And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast, And God found a home where the sinner finds rest; His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee, He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Quote/s of the Day – 10 November – St Andrew Avellino CR (1521–1608) Confessor
“Ah ! what is all that I do and suffer, ompared with what my Jesus did and suffered for my sake? O, that I might, for His honour, be torn with scourges and pierced with nails and expire on the Cross for Him!”
“One cannot separate the most Holy Eucharist from the Passion of Jesus.”
St Andrew Avellino (1521–1608)
“It has been curiously remarked by St Andrew Avellino that those who have a special devotion to the Passion, generally die quiet and sweet deaths, as the Virgin Mary, St John the Evangelist and St Mary Magdalen did. Certainly, it is remarkable that, while most of those close to Our Lord died violent deaths, the three who assisted at Calvary, should have died so softly, as if already their real death had been died there!”
Saint of the Day – 6 November – Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage for the Souls in Purgatory.
The Archconfraternity of Death and Prayer (mortis et orationis), founded in Rome, 1538, to provide for the burial of the poor and abandoned, still exists (cf. Berignani, loc. cit). At the beginning of the 17th Century, it was granted a new Indulgences by Pope Paul V (Rescr. auth. S. C. Indulg., n. 26, pp. 448 sqq. Moroni, II, 303). About 1687, the Rules for a special Confraternity “for the relief of the Most Needy Souls in Purgatory” under the Sacred Names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, were approved in Rome. The Confraternity for the relief of the departed under the title of “Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary and the Sorrowful Mother” enjoyed special popularity and on 8 September 1760, inaugurated, the processions of the Way of the Cross in the Roman Coliseum. Among its illustrious members was St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751).
In 1874, the Ingolstadt Mass Association, formed by the Franciscans of Ingolstadt in 1726, to procure for all members the grace of a happy death and for those already deceased, speedy assistance and liberation form the pains of Purgatory, was raised to a formal and legal Confraternity, under the title of the Immaculate Conception. An ancient, highly venerated painting of the Mother of God, was adopted as the Titular image of the Association, which has received all the Indulgences of the Confraternity of the same name, in the Ara Coeli at Rome, that is, the Indulgences of the Blue Scapular. It numbers its members by tens and hundreds of thousands; almost 2000 Masses are daily celebrated for the intentions of the Marian Mass Association, which includes the intention of particularly assisting for the most recently deceased members.
At the close of the Middle Ages, the old Confraternities, generally confined to a town or small district, gradually disappeared, as also did many of the later ones in the confusion at the end of the eighteenth century, while others preserved only a semblance of life. Since the beginning of the 19th Century, they have been replaced by vigorous new Associations, which, richly endowed with Indulgences by ecclesiastical authorities, have rapidly extended to the entire Church.
By brief of 5 October, 1818, Pope Pius VII endowed the Archconfraternity of Our Mother of Sorrows and Suffrage of the Poor Souls in Purgatory, which was erected in the Basilica of San Maria in Trastevere, with rich Indulgences.
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila, intercedes with Our Lady of Suffrage for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
First among the later Confraternities which have extended throughout Christendom, is the “Archconfraternity for the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory under the title of the Assumption of Mary, in the Redemptorist Church of San Maria in Monterone at Rome.” Founded in 1841, it rapidly developed, especially in England and North America and was endowed with Indulgences in 1841-63. Priests empowered to receive the faithful into the Confraternity enjoy various other faculties. This Confraternity is especially adapted for rapid expansion because in 1860, it was expressly authorised to include, every Confraternity of whatever name and object and to communicate to them its graces and privileges, provide they added to their original Titles “and for the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.” The Redemptorist Fathers conduct this Archconfraternity.
Indulgences of the Confraternities are ever applicable to the Souls in Purgatory and the privileges of the Altar for Churches and for Priests, who are members, may be used in favour of dead members or for all poor souls. The formation of the “Catholic League for Constant Intercession for the Poor Souls in Purgatory” was proposed by certain pious citizens of Rome, approved by Leo XIII in the last years of his reign, and enriched with Indulgences. The only requisite for membership is to recite thrice daily the prayer, “Requiem æternam – Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord …” thereby gaining, once daily, an Indulgence of 200 days.
O Turn to Jesus, Mother! Turn By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
O turn to Jesus, Mother! turn, And call Him by His tenderest Names; Pray for the Holy Souls that burn, This hour amid the cleansing flames.
Ah! they have fought a gallant fight; In death’s cold arms, they persevered And after life’s uncheery night, The harbour of their rest is neared.
In pains beyond all earthly pains, Favourites of Jesus! there they lie, Letting the fire wear out their stains, And worshipping God’s purity.
Spouses of Christ, they are, for He Was wedded to them by His Blood And Angels o’er their destiny In wondering adoration brood.
They are the children of thy tears, Then hasten, Mother! to their aid; In pity think each hour appears An age while glory is delayed.
See, how they bound amid their fires, While pain and love their spirits fill; Then with self-crucified desires Utter sweet murmurs, and lie still.
Ah me! the love of Jesus yearns O’er that abyss of sacred pain, And as He looks His Bosom burns With Calvary’s dear thirst again.
O Mary! let thy Son no more His lingering Spouses thus expect, God’s children to their God restore, And to the Spirit, His elect.
Pray then, as thou hast ever prayed; Angels and Souls, all look to thee, God waits thy prayers, for He hath made Those prayers, His law of charity.
Our Morning Offering – 16 October – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)
O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid, The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid! Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world, And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled; And the tempest-tossed Church,— all her eyes are on thee; They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair, For the empire of sin—it had never been there; None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He. And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast, And God found a home where the sinner finds rest; His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee, He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Quote/s of the Day – 11 May – Octave Day of St Joseph
“I cannot call to mind that I have ever asked him, at any time for anything, which he has not granted and I am filled with amazement when I consider the great favours which God has given me, through this blessed Saint; the dangers from which he has delivered me, both of body and of soul!”
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church
“It is impossible, that he could be denied the favours for which he asks and which we should request him to obtain for us. Let us go to him trustingly but, let us remember, that the surest way of being heard by him, is to imitate his wonderful virtues, especially his humility, his spirit of prayer, his purity and his calm desire always, to do God’s will.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail! By Father Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Chaste spouse of Mary hail! Pure as the lily flow’r In Eden’s peaceful vale. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Prince of the house of God! May His best graces be By thy sweet hands bestowed.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Comrade of Angels, hail! Cheer thou the hearts that faint, And guide the steps that fail. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! God’s choice wert thou alone! To thee the Word made flesh, Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Teach us our flesh to tame And, Mary, keep the hearts That love thy husband’s name. Mother of Jesus! bless, And bless, ye Saints on high, All meek and simple souls That to Saint Joseph cry. Amen.
Our Morning Offering –19 March – St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail! By Father Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Chaste spouse of Mary hail! Pure as the lily flow’r In Eden’s peaceful vale. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Prince of the house of God! May His best graces be By thy sweet hands bestowed.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Comrade of Angels, hail! Cheer thou the hearts that faint, And guide the steps that fail. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! God’s choice wert thou alone! To thee the Word made flesh, Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Teach us our flesh to tame And, Mary, keep the hearts That love thy husband’s name. Mother of Jesus! bless, And bless, ye Saints on high, All meek and simple souls That to Saint Joseph cry. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 18 December – “Month of the Immaculate Conception”and also the Feast of Our Lady of Expectation
O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid ByFr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)
O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid, The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid! Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world, And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled; And the tempest-tossed Church,— all her eyes are on thee; They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair, For the empire of sin—it had never been there; None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He. And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast, And God found a home where the sinner finds rest; His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee, He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!
Raised in the Church of England, Frederick W Faber (born at Calverley, Yorkshire, England, 1814 and died Kensington, London, England, 1863) came from a Huguenot and strict Calvinistic family background. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford and ordained in the Church of England in 1839. Influenced by the teaching of John Henry Newman, Faber followed Newman into the Roman Catholic Church in 1845 and served under Newman’s supervision in the Oratory of St Philip Neri. Fr Faber wrote 150 hymns for the use of the Catholic faithful. One of his best known is , “Faith of Our Fathers.”
The Feast of Our Lady of Expectation – 18 December
Like a secret told by angels, getting known upon the earth, is the Mother’s expectation of Messiah’s speedy birth.
Fr F W Faber (1814-1863) “Our Lady’s Expectations”
One of the most inspiring days preceding Christmas is the feast of “Our Lady of Expectation,” unknown to many today but still kept alive in many countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland as well as in a few religious orders. In older editions of missals, this feast is still listed as a votive Mass. The feast is celebrated on the 18 December, a week before Christmas Day.
Our Blessed Lady, well advanced in pregnancy, is portrayed in the highest dignity of her Divine Motherhood. Dressed in royal apparel as daughter of David the King, she awaits with joy the arrival of her divine Son, the Prince of Peace. Her whole posture suggests how she remains wholly consumed in contemplation of her Son under her heart. Her immaculate womb has become a living portable sanctuary of divinity. There are special prayers and novenas to “Our Lady of Expectation” available for women who cannot conceive or bear a child.
We can try to imagine what those nine months were like for The Blessed Virgin, knowing that the Lord grew within her, was one with her. We can only begin to understand the patience she had to possess, looking forward to both the glory and joy of the divine birth. We experience these same feelings—albeit to a lesser extent, no doubt—during this Advent season of preparation. We examine our lives and look forward to the saving grace of our Lord, as mediated by Our Blessed Mother. While the Lord’s plan was first enacted at the moment Mary was conceived without sin and made manifest to the Blessed Virgin at the Annunciation, it was made evident to the world at the moment of the Nativity. Prior to that, Mary had seen and heard what others had not and she had only one more week to anticipate the arrival of her son, Our Lord, the Redeemer of the World!
James Tissot – The Magnificat
Our Blessed Mother was the original tabernacle, in which the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Saint Augustine wrote that Mary conceived the Word in her heart before she conceived the Word in her flesh—that as she anticipated the birth of Jesus, her faith grew simultaneously. The second Vatican Council declared that during the time of her pregnancy, the heart of the Incarnate Word beat gently below her immaculate heart – two immaculate hearts, beating silently and prayerfully as one.
We can imagine Mary’s nine-month journey as one of wonder and anticipation but given the circumstances she found herself in, we also know of her difficult journey, the doubts of Saint Joseph, the anxiety that she must have experienced during that time. But Our Blessed Mother demonstrated not only patience but also forbearance and deep trust in the Lord. She knew the road would not be easy—in fact, that her joy would almost certainly be linked to suffering throughout her life—but in hope and confidence placed her life in the Lord’s hands. As she prepared for the birth of Jesus, Mary emptied herself, allowing her body and soul to be filled with the grace and spirit of the Lord. During Advent, we pray for a similar experience, that we might approach the birth of Our Saviour with hope and confidence.
The votive Mass of “Our Lady of Expectation” is theologically enlightening and spiritually enriching for the time of Advent and Christmas. With the entrance antiphon, the Church prays with the prophet for the coming of the Just One from heaven that the earth may be ready to welcome the Saviour: “Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the just. Let the earth open for salvation to spring up” (Is 45:8).
In the opening prayer, the Church offers the prayer to God through Mary’s intercession: “O God who wished that your Word would take the flesh from the womb of the Virgin as announced by the Angel and whom we confess to be the true Mother of God, may we be helped by her intercession.”
AnaStpaul 
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