St. Monica Novena :: Day 7

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ Seventh Day ~~

O glorious St. Monica, your son Augustine on recalling his steps towards his conversion could not forget your tears and prayers. He saw you awake during nights as you prayed to God to touch his heart and repent of his sins. He described his conversion as your work because even God could not withstand your fidelity and patience in praying for his sake. Now in heaven, we know that Jesus listens to you and would not be able to resist your prayers. Intercede for us and listen to our petitions. May we also be converted and change our bad habits into good. Amen.

 (3) Hail Mary

 (3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us

St. Monica Novena :: Day 6

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ Sixth Day ~~

O glorious St. Monica, you worked hard for the conversion of your husband
and son because you wanted them to enter eternal life. Heaven was your obsession and
you traveled big distances in search of your son and prayed long hours because you
desired that your family may have a grand reunion in heaven. Earthly success did not at
all attract you as Augustine your son became famous for his eloquence and intelligence.
You wanted him to spend the rest of his life preparing for heaven, and that was precisely
what you and your son did. Hearken then to our petition that the thought of heaven may
pervade our life. Let not earthly success blind us. Guide us to Jesus and prepare us to our
grand reunion with him.
 Amen.

(3) Hail Mary 
(3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us.

St. Monica Novena :: Day 5

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ Fifth Day ~~

O glorious St. Monica, we present to you the stories of many mothers who are working abroad in search for a better life for their families. They sleep daily remembering their husbands and children, wishing to be near their loved ones. But they have to
sacrifice in order that their children may go to school and have a better future. We
ask you to protect these mothers and inspire their children to study hard. We ask your
intercession that the husbands and children of these women may learn to communicate
with each other and bridge the distance among them. May the physical distance that
they suffer need not become a hindrance for a happy family life.
 Amen.

(3) Hail Mary 
 (3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us.

St. Monica Novena :: Day 4

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ The Fourth Day ~~

O glorious St. Monica, you see in our world today mothers and wives who are suffering a lot for their husbands and children. You know how they feel because you yourself underwent this same torture but you managed to breeze through all this because you believed that your problematic husband and child were challenges that God gave you. You suffered, and you prayed for them without ceasing. God touched the hearts of your husband and child, Augustine. Grant us the same perseverance and faith so that we, too, may be able to convince God. Amen.


(3) Hail Mary 
(3) Glory Be
St. Monica, Pray For Us

St. Monica Novena :: Day 3

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ Second Day ~~

O glorious St. Monica, after a lifetime of tearful prayers, fasting, and sacrifice, you were at last granted the happiness of witnessing both your husband's and son's conversion. After your son Augustine returned to the faith, you said: "God has granted this to me in more than abundance.

What am I still doing here?" A few days later, you died happily at peace with God and his world. Grant us that same peace, faith, and acceptance of God's will, that we may live all our years in serenity and go joyfully to our heavenly home, secure in the knowledge of eternal salvation. Amen.

(3) Hail Mary 

(3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us.

St. Monica Novena :: Day 2

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ Second Day ~~

Great St. Monica, patroness of fathers and mothers, please take our children, especially those who have turned from the ways of God and his Church, under your protection. Let them always remain faithful to their baptismal vows. Give them strength to walk always in the ways of the Lord, despite the temptations and false values they find in the world today. Grant that they may share with you in the joys of eternal life in God. Amen.

Daily Prayer

(3) Hail Mary 

(3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us.

Novena to St. Monica :: 2013

Mother of St. Augustine of HippoSt. Monica was born into a Christian family in Tagaste, Algeria, across the Mediterranean Sea from Rome, in 332 AD. She married a pagan, a minor Roman government official named Patricius. Christians were few and far between in those days. The marriage was blessed with three children, the oldest and most famous was Augustine.

Patricius was not a model husband yet Monica prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Her sweet piety, patience, and persistence paid off. One day, Patricius accepted baptism but he died a year after.
     Her son Augustine was a constant concern for Monica. Brilliant and likable, Augustine followed the example of his father. He refused to accept baptism and lived a passionate life with his mistress. For years Monica prayed, fasted, and cried silently for Augustine.
     God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted baptism from St. Ambrose of Milan, on Easter Sunday, 387 AD.
     Augustine's mother, St. Monica, died shortly after at the age of 55, secure in the knowledge that her son had heard God's call and her work on earth was finished.
St. Monica is the patroness of troubled parents, battered wives, despondent mothers, widows, and alcoholics. Her feast is celebrated on August 27.

~~ Daily Prayer ~~

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

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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

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

~~ First Day ~~

Remember dear St. Monica, the joy that flooded your heart when Augustine, the son of your prayers and tears, turned his life over to the Lord. Please present our novena petitions before God in whose presence you stand. Obtain for us, if it be his holy will, the graces we request through your intercessory power, that we may experience the happiness of answered prayer. 

Amen.

(3) Hail Mary 

 (3) Glory Be

St. Monica, pray for us.

St. Andrew's Christmas Novena

Elizabeth Foss first introduced me to this beautiful novena.  It's longer than the 9-day novenas but, worth every extra day.  I usually print out a copy of the prayer and tack it to my refrigerator.  I figure I'd be for sure see it 15 times a day there.

But, Lena @ Joyfilled Family has made lovely Holy Cards.  She is offering a free download and has asked all to share.  So please...

Go, click, and print....

Then PRAY!!

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe,
O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

First Holy Communion :: Day Three

It's quickly approaching.  The very day Rose will recievie Jesus in Holy Communion.  She's beginning to get nervous.  Though there isn't anything to be nervous about.  Each time she see's Fr. Steve she tells him, "See you on Sunday".  At first he was confused about what she was refering too.  Now he chuckles and says he wouldn't miss it.  Very cute.

We continue with our novena.
Opening Prayer::

Very soon I will receive Jesus
for the first time in Holy Communion!

I can hardly wait!
I must get myself ready.
I must make my heart ready for Jesus
to come to me in this special way.
I will make my heart a beautiful garden.
I will fill it with flowers to please Him.
When He comes into my heart He will be very happy.
He will see how much I love Him!
I will work very hard to make many flowers for Jesus.

Dear Mother Mary and good Saint Joseph,
please help me get ready to receive
Jesus in Holy Communion!

Day Three::

The flowers I will make in my heart today for the garden of my heart are forget-me-nots.
I will make them by visiting Jesus.

Dear Jesus,

When You were a child like me,
You loved to visit the Temple and pray to God, our good Father.
I want to make visits with You because I love You so much!
Today I will try to visit You, in my heart at least,
if I cannot visit You in Church or in the Adoration Chapel.
I will try to be just like You, Jesus.
When I visit You, it will be a very special forget-me-not
for the garden of my heart.
I hope you will like my forget-me-nots, Jesus.
Sometimes they are very hard to make.

Dear Mother Mary and Saint Joseph,

please help me to be able to visit Jesus today.

Draw a picture of yourself making forget-me-nots in your heart for Jesus:

(Margaret has shared this novena here for all.. Thank you Margaret!)

First Holy Communion Novena :: Day Two

Yesterday was our day 2 for the novena Rose is praying.  In addition to praying the novena, Rose is trying to make this into a spiritual bouquet...one that she hopes to present to Jesus on Sunday.  The day of her First Holy Communion and 8th birthday.  It'll be a big day for her.  And a busy day for me. 

The flowers I will make in my heart today for the garden of my heart are lilacs.

I will make them by not getting angry.

Dear Jesus,

When You were a child like me,

You were always very gentle and did not get angry.

I want to be gentle and patient just like You were.

Today I will try very hard to not get angry at

home, at school and at play.

I will try to be just like You, Jesus.

Each time I keep from getting angry and raising my voice,

it will be a beautiful lilac for the garden of my heart.

I hope You will like my lilacs, Jesus.

Sometimes they are very hard to make.

Dear Mother Mary and Saint Joseph,

please help me not get angry today.

Draw a picture of yourself making lilacs in your heart for Jesus.

(The novena was shared by Margaret and you can find it here)

First Holy Communion Novena:: Day One

Rose and I started this nine-day novena that Margaret first shared 4 years ago!  We are praying as a family; making a promise to help her along her nine days. 

Opening Prayer Before Each Day:

Very soon I will receive Jesus

for the first time in Holy Communion!

I can hardly wait!

I must get myself ready.

I must make my heart ready for Jesus

to come to me in this special way.

I will make my heart a beautiful garden.

I will fill it with flowers to please Him.

When He comes into my heart He will be very happy.

He will see how much I love Him!

I will work very hard to make many flowers for Jesus.

Dear Mother Mary and good Saint Joseph,

please help me get ready to receive

Jesus in Holy Communion!

Holy Guardian Angel, help me to do my best each day!

Day 1 Prayer:

The flowers I will make today for the garden of my heart are roses.

I will make them by being kind to others.

Dear Jesus,

When You were a child like me,

You were always kind to everyone.

I want to be kind to others just like You.

Today I will try very hard to be kind to everyone,

at home, at school, and at play.

I will try to be just like You, Jesus.

Each time I do something kind for someone,

it will be a beautiful rose for the garden of my heart.

I hope you will like my roses Jesus.

Sometimes they are very hard to make.

Dear Mother Mary and Saint Joseph,

please help me to be kind to others today.

Draw a picture of yourself making roses in your heart for Jesus.

Day 6

We've had company and NO time for blogging.  But we have been continuing our novena to St. Therese.  I can't write about it now, but there has been three very dear moments since we began our novena.  There seems to be a hint of showers coming.  I don't know in what way, but so far it's been just lovely!

day 6 ~
O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity.
Amen.


O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved.
Amen.

O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena...Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us

Day Three ~

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.

O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen

DAY THREE

O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. I humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favour I seek in this novena... Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. “I shall spend my heaven doing good on the Earth After death I shall let fall a shower of roses.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Novena to St. Therese

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions,

nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”

~ St. Thérèse

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.

SECOND DAY

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who did will that Blessed Therese, being watered by the heavenly dew of your guiding grace, should bloom in Carmel with the beauty of virginity and patience in suffering, grant that I your servant may go forward in the order of her sweetness an may be found worthy to become a devoted and loyal follower of Christ. Amen.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Thought for the day: Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee. By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault. Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior. The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness.

We've begun our St. Therese faith folders.  Making it along with the novena is helping the younger kids get to know St. Therese intimately.