Novena Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus

OH MY GOD,
I firmly believe that Thou art really ad corporally present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I adore Thee here present from the very depths of my heart, and I worship Thy sacred presence with all possible humility. O my soul, what joy to have Jesus Christ always with us, and to be able to speak to Him, heart to heart, with all confidence. Grant, O Lord, that I, having adored Thy divine Majesty here on earth in this wonderful Sacrament, may be able o adore it eternally in heaven. Amen.

O GLORIOUS APOSTLE,
St. Jude Thaddeus, true relative of Jesus and Mary, I salute thee through the most Sacred Heart of Jesus! Through this Heart, I praise and thank God for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee. Humbly prostrate before thee. I implore thee through this Heart to look down upon me with compassion. Oh, despise not my poor prayers; let not my trust be confounded! To thee God has granted the privilege of aiding mankind in the most desperate cases. Oh, come to my aid, that I may praise the mercies of God! All my life I will be grateful to thee and will be thy faithful client until I can thank thee in heaven. Amen.

L: Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee!

A: Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee!

L: St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress!

A: St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress!

Pray for us, that before death we may expiate all our sins by sincerely repentance and the worthy reception of the holy sacraments!

Pray for us, that we may appease the Divine Justice and obtain a favorable judgment!

Pray for us that we may be admitted into the company of the blessed to rejoice in the presence of our God forever.

Most Holy Apostle, St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of.

Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (here make your request) and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect forever.

I promise thee, O Blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen.

(Three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory be to the Fathers)
L: St. Jude Thaddeus, pray for us!

A: And for those who invoke thy aid!


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LITANY OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Hoy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Hail Mary, pray for us.
St. Jude, relative of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
St. Jude, while on earth deemed worthy to see Jesus and Mary and to enjoy their
company.
St. Jude, raised to the dignity of an apostle,
St. Jude, who hadst the honor of beholding thy Divine Master humble Himself to wash thy feet,
St. Jude, who at the Last Supper didst receive Holy Communion from the hands of Jesus,
St. Jude, who, after the profound grief which the death of thy beloved Master caused
thee, hadst the consolation of beholding Him risen from the dead and of assisting at His glorious Ascencion.
St. Jude, who didst preach the Gospel in Persia,
St. Jude, who didst convert many people to the Faith,
St. Jude, who didst perform wonderful miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit,
St. Jude, who didst restore an idolatrous king to health, both of soul and body,
St. Jude, who didst impose silence on demons and confound their oracles,
St. Jude, who didst foretell to a weak prince an honorable peace with his powerful enemy,
St. Jude, who didst take from deadly serpents the power of injuring man,
St. Jude, who disregarding the threats of the impious, didst courageously preach the doctrine of the Christ,
St. Jude, who didst gloriously suffer martyrdom for the love of they Divine Master,
Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee,
Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee.
Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress.
That by the intercession both priests and people of the Church may obtain an ardent zeal for the Faith of Jesus Christ, we beseech thee, hear us.

That thou wouldst defend our Sovereign Pontiff and obtain peace and unity for the Holy Church, we beseech thee, hear us.

That all heathens and unbelievers may be converted to the true Faith, we beseech thee, hear us.

That faith, hope and charity may increase in our hearts, we beseech thee, hear us.

That we may be delivered from all evil thoughts and from all the snares of the devil, we beseech thee, hear us.

That thou wouldst vouchsafe to aid and protect all those who honor thee, we beseech thee, hear us.

That thou wouldst preserve us from all sin and from all occasion of sin, we beseech thee, hear us.

That thou wouldst defend us at the hour of death, against the fury of the devil and his evil spirits, we beseech thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.

L: Pray for us Blessed Jude.

A: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


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LET US PRAY
O St. Jude Thaddeus, though relative of Jesus Christ, thou glorious apostle and martyr, renowned for thy virtues and miracles, faithful and prompt intercessor of all who honor thee and trust in thee! Thou art a powerful patron and helper in grievous afflictions. I come to thee and entreat thee from the depths of my heart; come to my aid with thy powerful intercession, for thou hast received from God the privilege to assist with thy manifest help, those who almost despair of all hope. Look down upon me; my life is a life of crosses, my days are days of tribulation and my heart is an ocean of bitterness. All my paths are strewn with thorns and scarcely one moment passes but is witness of my tears and sighs; uneasiness, discouragement, mistrust and almost despair prey upon my soul. Thou canst not forsake me in this sad plight. I will not depart from thee until thou hast heard me. Oh! Hasten to my aid, and I will be grateful to thee all my life. I will honor thee as my special patron, I will thank God for the graces bestowed upon thee and will encourage devotion to thee according to my power. Amen.

L: St. Jude Thaddeus,pray for us.

V: And for those who invoke thy aid.


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BLESSING FOR THE SICK
Grant, Almighty and eternal God, everlasting health to those who believe. Hear us for thy sick, for whom we implore the aid of Thy tender mercy, that being restored to bodily health they may give thanks to Thee in Thy church, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

They shall lay their hands upon the sick and they shall recover. May Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Lord and Redeemer of the world, through the merits and intercession of His Holy apostle Jude Thaddeus and all His saints, show them favor and mercy. Amen.

Novena to Saint Joseph

Start with:
O glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favor we now request . . . .
O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.
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DAY ONE
O great St. Joseph, with feelings of unlimited confidence, we beg you to bless this novena that we begin in your honor. “You are never invoked in vain” says the seraphic St. Theresa of Jesus. Be you then to me what you have been to that spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and graciously hear me as you did her. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY TWO
O blessed Saint Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, we pray and beseech you to offer to God the Father, His divine son, bathed in blood on the Cross for sinners, and through the thrice holy name of Jesus obtain for us of the eternal Father the favor for which we implore your intercession . . . .Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of those who pray, those who weep; stay the almighty arm which smites us, that by your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY THREE
Blessed St. Joseph, enkindle in our cold hearts a spark of your charity. May God be always the first and only object of our affections. Keep our souls always in sanctifying grace and, if we should be so unhappy as to lose it, give us the strength to recover it immediately by a sincere repentance. Help us to such a love of our God as will always keep us united to Him. Amen.O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
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DAY FOUR
Saint Joseph, pride of Heaven, unfailing hope for our lives, and support of those on earth, graciously accept our prayer of praise. You were appointed spouse of the chaste Virgin by the Creator of the world. He willed that you be called “father” of the Word and serve as agent of our salvation. May the triune God who bestowed upon you heavenly honors, be praised forever. And may He grant us through your merits the joy of a blessed life and a favorable answer to our petition. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY FIVE
O holy St. Joseph, what a lesson your life is for us, ever so eager to appear so anxious to display before the eyes of men the graces that we owe entirely to the liberality of God. In addition to the special favor for which we plead in this novena . . . . grant that we may attribute to God the glory of all things, that we may love the humble and hidden life, that we may not desire any other position than the one given us by Providence and that we may always be a docile instrument in the hands of God. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY SIX
O glorious Saint Joseph, appointed by the Eternal Father as the guardian and protector of the life of Jesus Christ, the comfort and support of His Holy Mother, and the instrument in His great design for the redemption of mankind; you who had the happiness of living with Jesus and Mary, and of dying in their arms, be moved with confidence we place in you, and procure for us from the Almighty, the particular favor which we humbly ask through your intercession . . . . Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY SEVEN
O faithful and prudent Saint Joseph, watch over our weakness and our inexperience; obtain for us that prudence which reminds us of our end, which directs our paths and which protects us from every danger. Pray for us, then, O great Saint, and by your love for Jesus and Mary, and by their love for you, obtain for us the favor we ask in this novena . . . . Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY EIGHT
O blessed Joseph, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God whom many kings longed to see and saw not; to hear and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and to guard and defend Him, come to our assistance and intercede with Him to look favorably on our present petition. . . Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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DAY NINE
O good Saint Joseph, help us to be like you, gentle to those whose weakness leans on us; help us to give to those who seek our aid, succor that they may journey unafraid. Give us your faith, that we may see the right shining above the victories of might. Give us your hope that we may stand secure, untouched by doubting, steadfast to endure. Give us your love that as the years increase an understanding heart may bring us peace. Give us your purity that the hour of death finds us untouched by evil’s breath. Give us your love of labor that we shirk no lot in life that calls us for honest work. Give us your love of poverty so that we live contented, let wealth come or go. Give us your courage that we may be strong; give us your meekness to confess our sins. Give us your patience that we may possess the kingdom of our souls without distress. Help us, dear Saint, to live that when life ends we pass with you to Jesus and His friends.
O Glorious Saint Joseph, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Prayer
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request. request Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY ONE
O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, virgin and mother, queen of heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and in virtue of this title preserved from original sin, we kneel before you as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in you that as we contemplate your glorious appearance at Lourdes, you will look with mercy on our present petition and secure for us a favorable answer to the request for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY TWO
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY THREE
"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now I beseech you to hear our fervent prayer and do, we beseech you, grant us the petition we now so earnestly seek.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY FOUR
O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we your wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the angels and saints and your own-the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified in heaven and on earth. Our Lady of Lourdes, as you looked down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her rosary in the grotto, look down now, we beseech you, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted you by your Divine Son, sweet Mother of God, give to each of us all that your motherly heart sees we need and at this moment look with special favor on the grace we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY FIVE
O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favorably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY SIX
O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the gracious Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favor we so earnestly seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in your hair and the roses of earth at your feet, look with compassion upon us today as you did so long ago on Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes.
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY SEVEN
O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY EIGHT
O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the magic spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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DAY NINE
O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time.
(make your request)
We feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard. O Mother of My Lord, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Novena to the Immaculate Conception

FIRST DAY
Theme: Mary, the Immaculate Mother as example of those who value family

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the First Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. Have mercy on us, poor sinner * who are loaded down with debts * to the Divine Justice. With what ingratitude * have we acknowledged the infinite goodness of our heavenly Father. Enlighten our mind, O Mother ever Virgin * and show us how ungrateful we are * to God for the sins we have committed. Do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are our loving protectress * so that it may always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Holy Gospel according to John
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said to his mother: “Woman, behold your son.” After that he said to the disciple: Behold your mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. (John 19:25-27).

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: Mary is the Mother of God and our Mother. This is the foundation of our firm confidence in her. Our Blessed Mother always listens to us.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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SECOND DAY
Theme: Mary Immaculate as family’s model of keeping the way of God

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Second Day
All: Most Holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. How terrible must be the punishment of those who die in mortal sin. Help us to realize * that we have often condemned ourselves to such a painful prison * just for a few moment of pleasure. Make known to us * O Mother Mary * what a grave offense we commit against the infinitely good God * Do not abandon us, Our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it may always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the book of Proverbs
“My delights were to be with the children of men. There, children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not… He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.” (Prov. 8: 31-35)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: Full of love for her children, our Blessed Mother watches over us and listens to us. Is there any better way to go to Jesus

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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THIRD DAY
Theme: Marys holy purity as a virtue to be lived by the family

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Third Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. We pray you, O Mother of Jesus * to grant us the grace to appreciate * the great price of our redemption * in order that we may never depart from the way of love of God and our neighbor * that we may be consumed as victims of Divine Love. Do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it may always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the book of Sirach
“I am the Mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life, and of virtue. He that listens carefully to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin” (Sirach 24: 24, 25-30)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: Mary was conceived without stain of sin. She remained most pure throughout her life. Now that her feast is fact approaching, we speak to her about holy purity. This is a virtue we should constantly learn to live, and teach others to live, following the example of Jesus and Mary.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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FOURTH DAY
Theme: Mary as familys pattern of zeal for souls

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Fourth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. O Mary Immaculate, mirror of purity * by the joys and sorrows * we ask you to grant us the grace * to study henceforth to learn more and more * about the doctrine and personality of our Savior. Write on the walls of our hearts * his commandments of love * so that we may never offend his holy will. Help us to become daily more like Him. But do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Holy Gospel according to Mark
“As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: The Virgin Mary attracts the hearts of Christians and keeps them close to Christ. As we try to draw others close to God, let us place this concern in the hands of the Blessed Mother. She will help us to turn our desires into apostolic deeds.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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FIFTH DAY
Theme: Mary as family’s example of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Fifth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. O Mother Mary * bless the Church with the dew of grace * and let those graces that flow from your outstretched hands * descend upon the bishops and priests * that they may govern their flocks in good pastures. May they ever work zealously for the salvation of souls * and be a true light to all by the example of their virtues. And to us * members of this Mystical Body of Christ * grant us the true spirit of Brotherly love * so that we may edify those around us * who are not of the true fold. But do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt of the earth lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.” (Mt 5: 13-14)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: We do apostolate in and through our ordinary life. Our Lord gives us the necessary grace to show others the great value of our daily tasks. God waits for us in our ordinary work. He uses our ordinary life so that we may love Him more and so that we may bring others to love Him, too. In this we imitate Mary, our Mother.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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SIXTH DAY
Theme: Mary as familys model of charity

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Sixth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. O Mother dispenser of the graces of God * by the Immaculate Conception which make you so dear to Jesus * obtain for us the grace to know and love the infinite treasures of the Holy Eucharist. Teach us that the Holy Mass * is not a mere means to bring Jesus to our altars * but it is a sacrifice most pleasing to God. Make us realize that through the Holy Communion * we eat of the life-giving Body of the Lamb of God * who takes away the sins of the world. Pray that our love for Jesus * in the Holy Eucharist increase for our own salvation. But do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1: 39-41)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: Let us value the deep human dimension of apostolate. In our dealings with others, let us spread cheerfulness and human affection. This is especially important for those who have never heard a kind word nor received sincere Christian help.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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SEVENTH DAY
Theme: Mary as the hope of the family

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Seventh Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. O Mary, we know that there is no love like a mother’s love. We therefore desire a greater knowledge * and more tender love toward you * and we wish to venerate you * as the spotless Mother of a spotless Son. Take us into your care and guidance. And do not abandon us our Mother * for without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Book of Genesis
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; and she shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for her heel. (Gen 3:15)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: The light of hope shines for each of us even after we have sinned. This is a constant light – the light of Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary. He forgives all our sins in the Sacrament of Penance.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver is from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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EIGHTH DAY
Theme: Mary as family’s pattern of self-denial and sacrifice

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Eighth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. O Mother of love and mercy * obtain for us a perfect sorrow and sincere contrition for our sins. Remember us in the hour of death * so that we may present ourselves with security * before the throne of the just * but likewise merciful Judge * our God and Redeemer. You know well that our life is a warfare * against the wickedness of the world, the flesh and the devil. Come to our aid * and do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Holy Gospel according to John
“Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth, and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: All that the Lord asks from us is our personal sacrifice, our work and our effort when we give Christian formation. He guarantees the result when he applies his infinite merits to souls. Apostolate demands self-denial and spirit of sacrifice from us.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

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NINTH DAY
Theme: Mary Immaculate as protector of the family

Priest or Leader: Prayer for the Ninth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence. To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. Most privileged Mother * we come to beg you to add your sweet voice to our prayer. You have done wonderful things for the salvation of souls * please obtain for us all the graces necessary for a good christian life. Moreover, since we cannot reach heaven * without special gift of final perseverance * we petition you to ask this favor for us. May we then hope that the merits of Jesus and your powerful intercession * will help us to quit this life in the perfect friendship of God. So do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth. We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)

READING:
Priest or Leader: From the Book of Songs
Winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land: The fig tree has put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell…My dove…show me your face, let your voice sound in my ears: for your voice is sweet, and your face comely.” (Song of Songs, 2:11-14)

MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader: Our miseries are great but the protection of our beloved Blessed Mother is even greater. God’s grace shines forth and triumphs in Mary. On our part, we use all the means so that the divine grace enters our soul without any resistance or obstacle.

PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

Novena Prayer to Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life

Jesus Master, our Way, our Truth and our Life,

accept the pact that we present to you through the hands

of Mary, our Mother and Queen.

We respond to your holy will and reach the

heavenly glory to which you call us and to carry out our

daily tasks in love and fidelity to our Christian vocation.

We however are weak and incapable in every way. But

you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. We trust in you

alone who once said; Whatever you ask the Father in my name,

you will receive it.

For our part, we promise and commit ourselves to seek

only and always the spread of your kingdom of love and

peace. We trust that you will give us the spirit, grace

and knowledge as means for doing good. By your

immense love and mercy, we beg you to consider our

petition, if it be according to your will especially this one…

(mention your intention). We also ask you to multiply the

fruits of whatever good deed we may accomplish.

Jesus Master, our Way, our Truth and our Life, through the

intercession of Mary, our mother, extend to us your love

and mercy so that faithful to you here on earth, we may

enjoy with you the bliss of heaven. Amen.

Jesus, our Way, our Truth and our Life,

Have Mercy on us.

Novena to Our Father Saint Agustine

DAY 1 AUGUSTINE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
With St. Augustine we say You have made us for Yourself O Lord, for you alone our God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

As we begin our novena to our Father St. Augustine we pray for the grace to interiorize his spirit, on our journey towards our inner self. We reflect on who we are and where we are going, as Augustinian Religious and devotees in the context of our time. Move by the spirit of Augustine’s restless pursuit for truth, let us pause and allow these questions to touch our awareness.

What motivates me to continue searching for God?

Having found Him, how do I make Him ___alive in my relations to people I live with (Short Reflection)

Reading: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
If there is one thing that Augustinian emphasizes over and over again in treating of the search of God, it is that we must begin by going with ourselves. The keyword is WITHIN. There will find truth, light, joy in Christ Himself. There we will be heard when we pray; there we will love and worship God. But while this within signifies the very depths of our being. This is only the first stage of the journeys Augustine urges us to keep moving on even to what is beyond ourselves, to the source of our inspiration and light to God Himself. Augustine would tell us, “Do not go outside yourself, but turn back within, truth, dwells in the inner man; and if you find your nature given to frequent change, go beyond yourself. Move on, then to that source where the light of reason itself receives its light. (End of the reading – Some moments of silence)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: You have made for yourself O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. We ask you to bless our restlessness in our search for you will live in our lives, and in the events confronting us. Finding you, may we be faithful to you God of history, faithful to Christ our Lord and Savior, faithful to the Church and her teaching and faithful to our particular state of life which we have chosen to serve you. This we ask of you loving Father, through Christ our Lord and through the intercession of Saint Augustine, our Father. Amen.


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DAY 2 INTERIORITY
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
Enter, then, into your heart (IS 46:8) and if you have faith, you will find Christ there. There he speaks to you, I, the preacher must raise his voice but he instruct you more effectively in silence.

How do we cultivate our interior life as followers of St. Augustine? (Moments of Silence)

Reading: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
Because Jesus instructs interiorly in silence, we must foster within ourselves an atmosphere of silence. While it is a great help to be able to get away from the noise and confusion of the world around us, this is not always possible for many people. What we must do however, is to know how to free ourselves form these disturbances within, in our hearts, so that we will have a chance to listen to Christ and not just t ourselves, with all our pains and feelings and built – in prejudices, “Let us leave a little room for reflection, room for silence. Enter into yourself. Look within yourself and see whether, there be some delightful hidden place in your consciousness where you can be free of noise and argument, where you need not be carrying on your disputes and planning to have your own stubborn way. Hear the word in quietness, that you may understand it. In order to understand Christ, Our interior master, we need an atmosphere of attentive inner silence when we seek to go deeper into ourselves along the way of interior prayer or contemplation. We must also purify the eyes of the heart so that we will be able to see God. Such purification is painful, but it is a necessary prelude to becoming more sensitive to the presence of God within. (End of the reading – Some of Moments of Silence)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Loving Father, we desire to follow your son, Jesus more closely. Allowed us to be formed by you in imitation of St. Augustine’s life of interiority. Help us withdraw from transitory things of this world in order to have deeper desire to follow. Strengthen our faith to discover your voice in the Scriptures: so that we may be able to find you in the realities of our life. This we ask you through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.


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DAY 3 ACTION, CONTEMPLATION AND ACTION
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
A particular state in life is a reflection of Martha and Mary in the Gospel. Jesus called the attention of Martha who grumbled at Mary taking with Jesus. This image of Martha and Mary had been upheld by St Augustine both as a monk and as someone actively involved in giving life to the Church through his writings and good works.

How do I strive a healthy balance between my actions, contemplation and action approach to life? (Pause for a while)

Reading: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
Augustinian-oriented contemplation also demands that we put ourselves at the service of others through apostolate. No one should be given to contemplation. Augustine remarks, that they give no thought to their neighbor needs. The search for truth in him requires intense activity, but the truth, which may be discerned, is not to be considered a private possession. It is to be shared with others. This responsibility may weigh especially on those who have real talents for teaching or writing or counseling, even among those who live strictly contemplative life. As Jesus, points out, no great fears are demand of anyone. But all without exception will be judge by their concern or lack of it for God’s little one. Therefore, Augustine tell us, “When you have found your way back to yourself, don’t stay locked within yourself…Turn to the one who made you. (Moments of Silence)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: God our Father, we praise and thank you for giving the church a great Saint. As we strive to live his spirit and chrism, grant us the grace to grow in our integration of prayer of prayer and action according to the example of Saint Augustine. We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen.


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DAY 4 EANGELICAL POVERTY SIMPLICITY OF LIFESTYLE
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
“Sometimes when the Church had no money, Saint Augustine informed the faithful that he had nothing more that he could give to the poor. In order to help prisoners and a great number of poor people, he had some sacred vessels, broken up and melted down. What he then received from the sale, he distributed to the needy.”

Let us reflect on our personal values and attitudes, how far or how close are we to the values and attitudes of our Saint Augustine (Pause)

Reading: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
Religious poverty is not simply an economic condition, but an attitude of the heart based on love: it effects should also be felt beyond the walls of the religious community in an outgoing service to others. Jesus Christ emptied Himself when He came among us; though abundantly rich, he became poor for our sake, so that through his poverty we ourselves might be enriched. It is a challenge to give oneself to God’s little ones. Augustine fully understood and accepted this self-offering in his own day and was a model to his followers to go and do the same.

But beyond these material cares for the companions of his poverty, as He was accustomed to call all the poor, he also put himself out continually, to help people through various works of mercy, for he well understood that one does not leave on bread alone. We can find a number of areas in which the poor of Christ can be better served in the world. But this service cannot be achieved without a real spirit of self-sacrifice, a willingness to put oneself out. Once again the challenge is laid down, to live that admirable simplicity which characterized Augustine’s life, to experience deeply within us the need for God and one another, and to hunger for God and the coming of his kingdom. The real gift that is being asked of us through evangelical poverty is nothing less than the gift of self. Augustine challenges us to accept whole heartedly, not only the giving up of our possessions for the poor, but also in a very positive way, a meaningful following of Christ, who invites one: Come follow me. (Pause)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: We praise you Lord by our commitment to share our resources to the poor, to give sanctuary to the people in need, to be in solidarity with one another and to line in simplicity and transparency with one another.

Give us the enduring strength to carry these in our life, so that we may be real witness to the great generosity of God. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.


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DAY 5 FRIENDSHIPS IN COMMUNITY
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
What drew me closest to my brothers and sisters was the delight of chatting and laughing together, of showing our affection for one another by kindly services, of reading together from books that spoke of pleasant things, of joking together amicably, of disputing now and then but without resentment, as one is wont to do with himself, of awakening by rare contest the pleasure of being one in mind, of mutually instructing on another, of longing for the absent one, and tasting joy of his return. We loved each other with all our hearts, and these marks of our friendship that were shown in our faces, by our voices, in our eyes and a thousand other ways, were among us like ardent flames that fused our soul together, and of many made but one.

Let us reflect on our experience of friendship in our community. Am I happy about it… Is there something that needs to be improved… (Paused)

Reading: From the Book IF ST. AUSGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
The idea of friendship is at the very heart of the Rule, for those who are one in heart and soul are clearly friends, in God above all, but through God, also in their love and care for one another. True friendship is based on unselfish love, and surely this is what Augustine is truing to say, when he urges religious to grow in love by putting the common interest ahead of his own. He makes very clear that when religious seek common interest first, they also are really seeking their own deepest interest, because they are committed to becoming one community in Christ. The real proof of friendship will come only through our willingness to bear one another’s burden. What are some of these burdens? They could be illness, discouragement, misunderstanding, or as Augustine implies: anger, envy, impatience, pride and in other words, the very burden of sin itself, in our lives and in that of our fellow religious.

Friendship requires frankness and truthfulness but also implies that we respect the human nature of our friends, than when we seek to help them, we do so with great gentleness and understanding. According to Augustine’s view of things, there should be unspoken rule among those who live in community: they should want to be helped mutually, not only through necessary fraternal correction accomplished with love. What a difference such an attitude could make among religious everywhere (Moment of reflection)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Lord our God, you have revealed to St. Augustine the beauty of friendship that is rooted in you. Grant that we, his friends be willing to grow in friendship with one another in the community. May we achieve the perfection of such friendship in our heavenly home where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.


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DAY 6 AUGUSTINE MODEL OF HUMILITY
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
Humility is attained only in battle. The importance of tribulations in your spiritual life lies in the fact that only through such trials do you acquire true humility. You see clearly the futility of your own efforts and the importance of God becoming your Savior…Prided is the ultimate temptation that is never conquered. (Pause)

READING: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
For Augustine, humility does not consist in putting ourselves down, having a poor self-image of ourselves, failing to appreciate or develop our God-given talents and other gifts. Augustine even accuses people who act like immature adults “milk drinkers” instead of mature adults who take solid foods to nourish themselves and make progress in their faith. His description of humility is simple and straightforward, “No one is telling you: be less than you are, but to know that you are man, know yourself in sinner. Know that it He (God) who frees you from blame; Know that you are tarnished. Let your confession reveal the stain of your heart, and you will belong to the flock of God” (end of the reading)

Moments of reflection-If humility is truth, how do I make this come alive in terms of my relationship with others in community

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Incline our hearts to your goodness, O Lord and turn our eyes from vanities and pride that we may be followers of your words. Learn from me because I am weak and humble of heart. Grant that we may grow daily in the virtue of humility so dear to the heart of our Father Saint Augustine. Amen.


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DAY 7 PASTORAL CARE
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
“Let us love the Lord, let us love his Church…We received the Holy Spirit if we love the Church, if we are bound together by love, if we rejoice in the catholic name and faith. Let us believe it, brothers and sisters; one will have the Holy Spirit in the same measures that he or she loves the Church…Moreover, we love the Church when we stand fast in her membership and love.” (Pause)

READING: From LIVING IN FRREDOM UNDER GRACE
The world needs our service, our generous activity, but not just any activity. Of activity there is abundance in the world and in holy leads to further confusion. What we can and must offer the world, the people we serve, from our vantage points as Augustinian, is a view of life made wholesome by a true spirit of fraternity, community, friendship and union with God.

Let us go forth with confidence in ourselves and in the accompanying help of our father Augustine. Let us be living message of faith and hope to our brethren wherever we may go. Let us not hesitate to give ourselves wholeheartedly to the various apostolates to which the Church calls us today, strengthened in our generosity by healthy community life after the model St. Augustine offers us (End of the reading). Pause for reflection.

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Loving Father, we thank you for the gift of St. Augustine to the Church. Through his intercession, we his daughters, sons and friends, pray for light and courage to give ourselves unconditionally in humble and enduring service to the poorer members of flock whom you have entrusted to the church. We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, our Lord Savior. Amen.


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DAY 8 RESPONSIVENESS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
Religious are not only very much a part of this reality of the Church but as, Augustine puts it, a very honorable part, model part. In the sane way that the members of the early Jerusalem community were closely jointed to the Apostles and instructed by them, so also must religious today, be closely united to the Church and concerned principally about her needs, not their own. In the same way, very apostolic work must be intimately related to the Church’s needs and reality, because everything the spirit gives us is at the service of the common good. (Pause)

Reading: From LIVING IN FREEDOM UNDER GRACE
By our very nature as an apostolic community, we Augustinians ought always to be more open to the needs of the Church, both now and in the future. Our apostolates is an integral part of our calling. We cannot, however, be complacent simply because we continue to work as before. We need to continually question ourselves whether our current apostolic commitments correspond adequately to the real needs of the church today. End of the reading (Pause for reflection)

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Loving Father, we honor and glorify you for having given us Saint Augustine. Having committed ourselves to his teachings and spirituality, help us become authentic Augustinian religious for our time. Direct all our efforts to work for a renewed Church as we are approaching the year 2000. This we ask of you through Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.


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DAY 9 OPENNESS TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE
In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction
Augustine was always mindful of his companions in poverty. He gave to them by taking from what was set aside for his own use and that of those who lived with him, that is, the income from the goods of the Church and the offerings of the faithful. Sometimes when the church had no money, he informed the faithful that he had nothing more that he could give to the poor. In order to help a great number of poor people, he had some sacred vessels broken up and melted down. What he then received from the sale, he distributed to the needy.

Augustine’s solidarity with the people is felt keenly in these words. My brothers, let your primary purpose, be openness with the needs of the poor…Focus your attention on Christ, who is hungry and suffering.

Let us pause for some moments to allow these words of our patron Saint to enter into our consciousness and move our hearts and will to a compassionate response to the human condition of the people.

Reading: From LIVING IN FREEDOM UNDER GRACE
We are rightly urged to practice solidarity with the poor. But this solidarity must not be limited to those materially poor. As has been indicated above, it should also embrace the ignorant, the insecure, the lonely, the ill, those who suffer from failure sinners. The whole area justice and peace comes to mind here, an area that has been brought more and more to the forefront of our awareness in recent years. But as must be clear, we cannot attempt to speak out to others on this matter unless we have already set our own house in order. Our whole attitude toward the under-privileged, the exceptional, minority groups, those who work with us and for us, needs to undergo close scrutiny, for it is precisely in this very personal area that the quest for the greater justice in the world must begin. When we take this aspect of our lives seriously, then our solidarity with all the poor in the society, will take on a new and more significant meaning. (End of the reading).

Let us stay quiet for a moment and ask ourselves. If Augustine were alive, how would he respond to the poor in our place of work, and in our own communities?

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World Have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God Have mercy on us
Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us
St. Augustine, bright star of the Church Pray for us
St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory Pray for us
St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth Pray for us
St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace Pray for us
St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God Pray for us
St. Augustine, so great and so humble Pray for us
St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors Pray for us
St. Augustine, father of monastic life Pray for us
St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy Pray for us
Pray for us St. Augustine that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER
ALL: Lord, renew in your Church the spirit you gave St. Augustine. Filled with his spirit, may we thirst for you alone as fountain of wisdom and seek you as the source of eternal love so that we will be open to the needs of the people in our communities. We ask you this through Christ our Lord, our friend and brother. Amen.

Novena to the Divine Mercy

FIRST DAY
Today bring to Me
ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS,”
And immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us Your mercy, that we may praise omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.


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SECOND DAY
Today bring to Me
THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS,
and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion . Through them as through channels my mercy flows out upon mankind.

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in your vineyard upon the souls of the priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the Love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for age without end. Amen.


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THIRD DAY
Today bring to Me,
ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”

Most merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us in the abode of Your Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus, may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.


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FOURTH DAY
Today bring to me,
THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME.
I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy, and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who dot believe in You, and those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate heart of Jesus. Draw them into the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. You grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.


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FIFTH DAY
Today bring to Me,
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My Bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, and that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wound heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church and do not let them escape form the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, Turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His Bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they too, are enclosed In His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.


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SIXTH DAY
Today bring to Me,
THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during my Bitter Agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them the whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. The souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises form the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of Mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by delight You take them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.


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SEVENTH DAY
Today bring to Me
THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY,”
And immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over My Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

Most merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the soul of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God; show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless cry of His mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.


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EIGHT DAY
Today bring to Me,
THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINEED IN PURGATORY,”
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Most merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg you, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.


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NINTH DAY
Today bring to Me,
SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM.”
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound my heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will. For them the last of hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassionate itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who like corpses, filled you with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are the nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the Bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.