NOVENA PRAYERS
1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. PATRICK
2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH
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1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. PATRICK
DAY 5 - MARCH 12
REFLECTION: St. Patrick's work for God in Ireland was not easy. He called people to set aside their pagan beliefs and embrace Christianity. It is difficult for people to accept any kind of change, and it is especially difficult for people to change their basic beliefs. St. Patrick often feared that he would be killed violently or thrown back into slavery. Yet he persevered because he trusted in God completely.
PRAYER: God, increase my trust in You. I am weak. I give my problems and worries to You. But then I take them back. And unlike St. Patrick, I sometimes let my fears keep me from doing Your work of reaching out to others with love and compassion. I want to be like St. Patrick and trust in You completely. Help me, God.
Our Heavenly Father sent St. Patrick to preach the Gospel and bring the Holy Eucharist to the people of Ireland. By St. Patrick's intercessory prayer and saintly example, may we always enjoy his protection from every evil. May he always lead us to the truth of the Triune God and the human face of Divine Truth, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(State your intentions here…)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
O Glorious Saint Patrick, pray for us and seek my intention through this Novena but may “God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Patrick
R. And obtain for us the intention of this Novena.
LET US PRAY: O God, Who didst send Thy blessed servant St. Patrick to instruct and save Thy people, and didst infuse into his heart so great a share of Thine own tenderness, charity, and zeal, listen, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which we now offer up in union with the prayers of this glorious patron and father in heaven, and grant us, through his intercession, the intentions of this Novena, and the grace rather to die than to offend thee. Amen.
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2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH
DAY 2 - MARCH 12
PRAYER BEFORE THE NOVENA: Great Saint Joseph, prostrate at thy feet with feelings of unlimited confidence, we beg thee to bless the Novena that I pray in thy honor. I will meditate upon thy virtues; grant that I may learn fully to appreciate them. The knowledge of them will be the source of great confusion for me because of the poverty and destitution of my soul. Great dispenser of the heavenly treasures, assist me in my poverty, help me to display thy virtues in my own soul. "Thou art never invoked in vain," says the seraphic St. Teresa of Jesus; be thou to me what thou hast been to that Spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; graciously hearken to me as thou didst hearken to her. Amen.
SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF HOPE
St. Joseph, abandoning himself entirely to the care of Divine Providence, glorified God by his life. Among all the virtues, hope is the most pleasing to God, because it is based upon His infinite goodness. In the sufferings of this life, it is the source of the greatest consolation and encouragement. Joseph hoped in the Lord. He hoped for His grace in the accomplishment of His adorable will; for His help in time of trial; for His light in the difficulties of life. By hope he detached his heart from the perishable goods and the deceitful affections of this world. In the hour of trial he sustained his courage by hope, and fortified his heart with a peace that nothing could alter.
Let us imitate Saint Joseph. Let us elevate our hopes towards the only veritable and imperishable treasures. Let us trust in the wisdom and solicitude of Divine Providence. Let us rely upon the grace of the Lord; upon His goodness, and upon His power. Let us renew our confidence in the hour of trial. Let us avoid discouragement, which outrages the wisdom and goodness of God.
(State your intentions here…)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
PRAYER: St. Joseph, do thou cause the gift of Christian hope to descend into my heart. May it enlighten me, console me, defend me. May it detach me from the earth so as to elevate my thoughts and my affections towards Heaven. May it henceforward inspire my whole conduct and give me the right to die like thee, saying: "Lord, I have hoped in Thee; I shall not be confounded." Amen.
Spouse of the Mother of God: Pray for us!
Chaste guardian of the Virgin: Pray for us!
Foster Father of the Son of God: Pray for us!