Novena to St. Clare of Assisi

Novena to St. Clare of Assisi begins today August 3 – August 11.

First Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

O Seraphic Saint Clare, first disciple of the Poor Man of Assisi, who hast abandoned all riches and honours for a life of sacrifice and of highest poverty, obtain from God for us the grace we ask (mention your intentions here), that of always submitting to the Divine Will and of living confidently in the providence of our Heavenly Father. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Second Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

O Seraphic Saint Clare who, notwithstanding living separated from the world hast not forgotten the poor and the afflicted, but hast become a mother to them, sacrificing for them your riches and working for them innumerable miracles; obtain from God for us the grace we implore (mention your intentions here), Christian charity towards our brethren in all their spiritual and temporal needs. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Third Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

O Seraphic Saint Clare, light of your country, obtain from God for us the grace we implore (mention your intentions here), that of overcoming all attacks of the world against faith and morals thus preserving in our families true Christian peace with a holy fear of God and a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

Blessed Saint Clare, whose very name means light, illumine the darkness of our minds and hearts so that we might see what God wishes us to do and perform it with a willing and joyful heart. Before your birth, a Heavenly voice foretold that you would be a light illuminating the world. Be a light to us in the sorrows and anxieties of this earthly life, and lead us into the eternal light of our home in Heaven. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Fifth Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

O Seraphic Saint Clare, whose virginal heart was great enough to love the whole world, take our petitions into your pure hands and present them to God. Pray for us that we may one day enter joyously before the throne of God. Let the light of your perfect purity consume the shadows of sin and corruption that darkens the world. Intercede by your innocence for our youth. Safeguard the peace of our homes and the unity of our family. Plead with your chaste love for all in peril. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Sixth Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

Generous Saint Clare, who left wealth and pleasure and all earthly goods to become the first spiritual daughter of Saint Francis and to serve God in the cloister, help us to commit our lives to God without limit or measure so that He may live in us and shine forth from us to all whose lives touch ours. You who loved souls so much as to make your life a continual sacrifice for them, obtain for us the graces we now implore and win for us the strength to praise God in suffering as well as in joy. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Seventh Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

Faithful Saint Clare, loyal daughter of the Church, friend and confidante of popes, intercede for the holy Church and look graciously from Heaven on our holy Father Pope. Enlighten us to remove from our souls all that hinders the progress of the Church on earth. Grant that we may share your great love for the church of God and spread His kingdom on earth by a holy life. You, who worked miracles in the presence of the pope on earth, obtain for us the graces we need, now that you stand in the presence of the most high God in Heaven. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Eighth Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

Valiant Saint Clare, who fearlessly stood alone against the barbarous Saracens, trusting in the Blessed Sacrament as your only protection, enkindle in us a tender love for Jesus Christ; help us to live Eucharistic lives. You who saved your city of Assisi from plunder and ruin, protect our city and archdiocese, plead for our beloved country and the suffering world. A voice from the Sacred Host rewarded your trust with a promise: “I will always take care of you.” Glorious Saint Clare, from your high place in Heaven, take care of us now in our earthly needs and guide us by your light to Heaven. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Ninth Day:
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise Thy Holy Name and the wonders of grace Thou hast worked in Thy servant, Saint Clare. Through her powerful intercession grant us the favours we beg in this novena, above all the grace to live and die as she did in Thy most Holy Love. Amen.

Gracious Saint Clare, who fulfilled your womanhood by a life of love in prayer and penance, help us to fulfill our destiny that we may one day greet you in Heaven. You who were consoled at your death by a vision of Christ band His Mother, obtain for us the grace that we may die under the special protection of God and enter into the life and bliss you now enjoy. Have pity on us who struggle, on us who mourn, and win for us the favours of God so that after this life we may come home to Him who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

V. Pray for us, Saint Clare.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. We Pray Thee, Lord, Grant us Thy servants who celebrate the festival of blessed Clare Thy Virgin, by her intercession, to be partakers of the joys of heaven and coheirs with Thine only-begotten Son, Who being God, lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

 

Sent to us from the Poor Clare Colettines TMD

Do You Believe in the Impossible?

My meditation today brings forth the quote “God is the God of the impossible”. This is probably something that rings in my soul since Sunday’s homily, as Father mentioned our faith within the Church is for us to expect the impossible and to have this kind of FAITH.  What more can we ever ask for if God the Father is always taking care of our needs?  My question that seems to shout out today is “Do YOU believe that He can change the things that are not to what can be?”  St. Rita would find that God would show her His glory through the many challenges she would face.  Do we love God enough to meet these challenges that He is asking of us for the sanctification of our very souls?  Prayer is the answer, taking time to be with Jesus as Saint Rita learned to do in her own life journey.  We are all called to walk with the Lord in this life; we are all called to be saints.  We all have a cross that God has given each of us individually as a gift and this will never be seen as a gift until you decide to hand it over to the one that has set you free on the day of His crucifixion.   All of us need to recognize this part in our lives.

 

Saint Rita was one person that recognized this gift, as she always wanted to be a religious sister but God had other plans for her and that was to marry Paolo Mancini, an ill-tempered, abusive individual.  Rita’s heart would be broken due to the bitterness and hatred that was part of the Mancini family.  “She put up with Paolo’s abuses for eighteen years before he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Her sons swore vengeance on the killers of their father, but through the prayers and interventions of Rita, they forgave the offenders.”

 

Rita endured the trials of many dark nights and through these trials God the Father would strengthen her soul and faith in HIM.  For it is not in man that we find faith and hope but in Our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of all our trials and tribulations that we will ever endure in this life.  Christ would mend Rita’s broken heart of sorrow and loneliness and He would bring her to a place of great peace in HIM alone.  Rita’s future trials would be a suffering sent from HEAVEN that would be so united to Our Lord Jesus Christ that souls would be healed!

 

“Rita lived 40 years in the convent, spending her  time in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region. She was devoted to the Passion, and in response to a prayer to suffer as Christ, she received a chronic head wound that appeared to have been caused by a crown of thorns, and which bled for 15 years.  Confined to her bed the last four years of her life, eating little more than the Eucharist, teaching and directing the younger sisters. Near the end she had a visitor from her home town who asked if she’d like anything; Rita’s only request was a rose from her family’s estate.  The visitor went to the home, but it being January, knew there was no hope of finding a flower; there, sprouted on an otherwise bare bush, was a single rose blossom.

Among the other areas, Rita is well-known as a patron of desperate, seemingly impossible causes and situations. This is because she has been involved in so many stages of life – wife, mother, widow, and nun, she buried her family, helped bring peace to her city, saw her dreams denied and fulfilled – and never lost her faith in God, or her desire to be with Him.”

 

Let St. Rita be an example to you today and never let anyone or anything cause you to lose your faith in GOD or take your desire to be with HIM.  God loves you so very much and HE wants to flourish you with His LOVE.  Take time to be with HIM today and seek out the nearest Catholic Church and visit with Jesus or rest with Him in the quiet of your own home, He is with you always no matter what you are struggling with today, know that HE is with you and that HE can take care of the issues that are troubling you.

The music is in Arabic, but the words are in English and they are truly a beautiful tribute to St. Rita.

 

 I believe in the impossible, do YOU?

 

Resources: Quoted

St. Joseph patron of the unborn, call upon him…

Have you endured the loss of miscarriage?  Please consider naming your unborn child just as the angel Gabriel told St. Joseph what to name the unborn child so God will lead you as you call on St. Joseph for intercession as well as the baby’s own guardian angel.

“The angel then makes explicit Joseph’s role to give the child the personal name that indicates his identity: “you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Together with Mary at the circumcision, Joseph fulfills this command of the angel. In doing so he declares his legal fatherhood over Jesus, and proclaims the child’s mission as Savior. Without hesitation he accepts his responsibility as father, trusts in God’s love, and puts his faith in the salvation the child has come to bring.

St. Joseph was the one chosen by God to name His own Son, and since he was told the specific name to give while the child was still in the womb, he is a most fitting model and patron for this important, but difficult step. He may be prayerfully invoked for assistance in choosing and giving the name.”

 

*Quote: http://www.osjoseph.org/osj/patron-unborn.php#sec05

 

Native Americans Overjoyed!

Image

Native Americans overjoyed at news of first saint
By Michelle Bauman
The statue of Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha that stands in front of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis in Santa Fe, NM. Credit: Jim McIntosh (CC BY 2.0)

Washington D.C., Jan 20, 2012 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The recent announcement that Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha has been approved for sainthood is generating great excitement among the Native American community.  continue…

Eastern Feast of Maternity of Anna


Therese did wonderful blog posts about two amazing feast days today: St. Hannah (Hannah’s Tears namesake), and St. Juan Diego.

However, my husband reminded me that today in the Byzantine Catholic calendar, it is the feast of the Maternity of Anna (St. Anne), or the Conception of the Blessed Virgin.

Here is a prayer from Byzantine Matins:

O Adam! O Eve! Lay aside your sorrow!

Behold, a barren womb today wondrously bears fruit:
The Mother of our Joy!

Rejoice, O Father Abraham and all the patriarchs!
See your seed blossom:
The Mother of our God!

Rejoice, O Anna! Rejoice, O Joachim!
Today in a wondrous manner you bear to the world
The fruit of grace and salvation!

Rejoice, O choir of prophets!
Behold, today Anna bears the holy fruit
You foretold to us!

Rejoice, O ye nations!
The barren Anna conceives the fruit of her womb;
By preserving in hope, she bears our life!

Rejoice, O ye ends of the earth!
Behold the barren mother conceives her
Who without human seed will bear the Creator of all!

Today a royal robe of purple and fine linen
Is woven from the loins of David.
The mystical flower of Jessie blossoms
From which comes Christ God, the Savior of our souls!

(From the Matins of the Byzantine Liturgy – December 9th)

[The Icon is the Embrace of Joachim and Anna. This feast celebrates the conception of Mary by Anna and Joachim. This feast is traditionally celebrated on December 9th but has been moved by some Byzantine Churches to December 8th to match the Western feast.]

—Jessica Smith, NFPworks blog