Novena in Honor of St. Dominic: Day Three

Herewith another installment of the novena in honor of St. Dominic from John Keenan's little treasure chest, Devotions to St. Dominic, in preparation for St. Dominic's feast day.

Third Day: Compunction of Heart

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle within them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and our hearts shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be ever truly wise, and ever rejoice in His holy consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O light of Holy Church,
Teacher of Truth Divine,
Sweet rose of patience,
Ivory white thy chastity doth shine.
Of Wisdom's living waters
All freely thou hast given;
O messenger of grace to men,
Lift thou our souls to heaven.

"They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts and in His sight will sanctify their souls. They that fear the Lord keep His commandments and will have patience even until His visitation, saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men. For according to His greatness, so also is His mercy with Him." (Ecclus. II, 20-23.)
R. Thanks be to God.

Spiritual Reading

"ROSA PATIENTIÆ," ROSE OF PATIENCE

Though so pure that Holy Church calls him "Ivory of Chastity," and Christian art puts a lily into his hands, Dominic was always weeping over sin. His soul being full of contrition, acts of sorrow were constantly upon his lips. On seeing towns or villages, he used to weep over the sins committed there against God. Though so cheerful with others, in his prayers he shed many tears. But this sorrow was not merely hidden in the soul, it bore fruit in works of penance. Thrice every night he scourged himself to blood: once for his own sins, once for those of others, once for the suffering souls. He was a rule of abstinence, even on journeys never eating flesh meat or food cooked with meat. His fasts were strict and continual; even when travelling over Europe on foot, he fasted from September till Easter, though preaching daily. For ten years he tasted no wine, and afterwards, by order of superiors, only a few drops in water. He never had a room or bed of his own, but slept anywehre, on the ground, a bench, the altar-step. He was tightly girded with an iron chain, only found after his death. Being a zealous lover of rule, he punished faults severely, but with such fatherly love that penance was sweet from his hands.

"If you have no sins of your own to weep for," St. Dominic would say, "stillweep, after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and grieve for the sinners of the world, that they may repent."

"Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (St. Luke XIV, 27.)

Responsory

The Word of life he loud proclaims,

Nor shame nor fear doth know.

His pen defends the faith of Christ

And vanquishes the foe.

V. Three times the book -- O wondrous sight! --

Amidst the flames they cast;

Three times, uninjured, it is flung

From out the fiery blast.

R. His pen defends the faith of Christ

And vanquishes the foe.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R. His pen defends the faith of Christ
And vanquishes the foe.

V. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O zealous preacher of penance, holy father, St. Dominic, whose ardent desire for the salvation of souls made the ever ready to endure the greatest labors and fatigues and even to give thy life in order to win them to God, pray for us, that treading in the steps of Jesus Crucified, the Redeemer and Physician of souls, we may disregard all suffering and generously sacrifice ourselves for the needs of others. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

R. Amen.

V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

Novena in Honor of St. Dominic: Day Two

Herewith another installment of the novena in honor of St. Dominic from John Keenan's little treasure chest, Devotions to St. Dominic, in preparation for St. Dominic's feast day.

Second Day: Humility

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle within them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and our hearts shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be ever truly wise, and ever rejoice in His holy consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O light of Holy Church,
Teacher of Truth Divine,
Sweet rose of patience,

Ivory white thy chastity doth shine.
Of Wisdom's living waters
All freely thou hast given;
O messenger of grace to men,
Lift thou our souls to heaven.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross." (Phil. II, 5-8.)

R. Thanks be to God.

Spiritual Reading

"DOCTOR VERITATIS," DOCTOR OF TRUTH

Humility is the foundation of perfection, and in St. Dominic it was deep and strong. So clear was his knowledge of the deep majesty of God and his own nothingness that he lived always in lowly fear and self-distrust. Though most innocent, he considered himself to be a base sinner, unworthy of the least grace. Constantly he prostrated himself before God, praying for long with his face on the ground, shedding abundant tears. Often he would strike his breast, exclaiming, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." Before entering a town to preach, he used to kneel down on the road, begging God not to punish the people for his sins but to make his labor fruitful. When passing an altar or crucifix he would bow profoundly, in token of his nothingness. He often said with tears, "I am not worthy to behold heaven on account of my sins." Praise and honor he heartily detested, and thrice refused a bishopric. Once he raised the son of a Roman widow to life, and the Pope ordered the wonder to be published. "Holy Father," said Dominic, "I must fly; I can remain here no longer." At the General Chapter he said to his brethren, "I deserve to be deposed from my office, for I am negligent and relaxed." When asked where he would be buried, "Under the feet of my brethren," said the humble saint.

The saints, though great in virtue, look upon themselves as worthless, because they see themselves in the light of God, and knowing Him they know themselves. "Our righteousness," St. Dominic would say, "when compared to the righteousness of God, is mere uncleanness."

"Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls." (St. Matthew XI, 29.)

Responsory

Chosen by Christ's free grace, he comes;
For sinner's needs to us he's given.
Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.
V. The star upon his infant brow,
Shining with radiance pure and mild,
Reveals the splendor hid within
The spirit of the newborn child.
R. Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R. Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.
V. Pray for us, O blessed father Dominic.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O holy father, St. Dominic, true lover of humility, who, the greater thou didst appear in the sight of men, didst humble thyself the more before God: be to us a loving guide, that, following in thy footsteps we may be enabled to withstand all the snares of the enemy, and spending our lives in earnest prayer, self-denial and humility, we may, at the hour of death, be received with thee into heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain with us always.
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

Novena in Honor of St. Dominic: Day One

Here's another gem from John Keenan's little treasure chest, Devotions to St. Dominic: a novena in honor of St. Dominic in preparation for his feast day. The book sets the novena to start on July 26th, because it was published at a time when his feast was on August 3rd (which was in fact the date of his death); but since the feast of St. Dominic is now on August 8th, we'll start it today. I'll post an installment each day.

First Day:
The Force of Good Example

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle within them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and our hearts shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be ever truly wise, and ever rejoice in His holy consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O light of Holy Church,
Teacher of Truth Divine,
Sweet rose of patience,

Ivory white thy chastity doth shine.
Of Wisdom's living waters
All freely thou hast given;
O messenger of grace to men,
Lift thou our souls to heaven.

"He shone in his days as the morning star, in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full; and as the sun, when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God." (Ecclus. L, 6, 7)
R. Thanks be to God.

Spiritual Reading

LUMEN ECCLESIÆ, LIGHT OF THE CHURCH

St. Dominic was born in Spain, A.D. 1170. With the dawn of reason his whole soul turned to God. His childhood was most pious, and his youth angelic in purity. In the University of Palentia he was the model student. When twenty-five he became a Canon Regular at Osma, and with the religious habit he put on the Lord Jesus Christ and strove in all things to imitate Him. His time was divided into prayer, study of Holy Scripture, and community duties. Silence and retirement were his delight; works of penance and tears of contrition his meat and drink. Going in 1205 to France, he spent many years in every kind of labor for the conversion of the Albigensian heretics. Like Jesus Christ he passed the day in apostolic work, the night in prayer. His penance was extreme, but to others he was gentle, sweet and kind. Many were converted by his miracles, many by the example of his holy life. Six times he journeyed to Rome, once to Spain, once to Paris, walking barefoot, praying or singing on the road, preaching in the towns and villages, spending the nights in contemplation. He founded in 1215 the Order of Friars Preachers for the conversion of souls. He was a man of truly apostolic heart, a column of the faith, a trumpet of the Gospel, the light of Christ to men. He died at Bologna in 1221.

RESPONSORY

The father bids the world prepare
The nuptials of the Lamb to share;
The hour has struck; the Master sends
His faithful servant to His friends.
Rich food of life He offers all,
Who come, responsive to His call.
V. And Dominic His herald names,
Who through the world the feast proclaims.
R. Rich food of life He offers all,
Who come, responsive to His call.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R. Rich food of life He offers all,
Who come, responsive to His call.
V. Pray for us, O blessed father Dominic.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O most enlightened teacher of divine truth, holy father, St. Dominic, who didst teach what was profitable for salvation and didst make thyself all things to all men, that thou mightest win all things to Christ; help us to close our ears and hearts to all false doctrine and whatever may be hurtful to our souls and to open them joyfully to the truths of Holy Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain with us always.
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

The Memorare to St. Joseph

Another good prayer to St. Joseph:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not, O Guardian of the Redeemer, my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

Ite ad Joseph: Go to Joseph

Prayer to St. Joseph for the Welfare of the Church

To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy thrice-holy spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.

Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption; mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God's holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that, supported by thine example and thine assistance, we may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven. Amen.

Prayers Urgently Requested

Please stop and offer prayer for Kathleen Schuck, OPL, the treasurer of my Lay Dominican Chapter of Bl. Margaret of Castello. Yesterday, although she was in pain, the cause of which was unknown, she was eating barbecue and celebrating with the chapter; today, she is in the hospital, and the doctors say it is very serious.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.

For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.

(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying.)

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

Now More than Ever

One glance at the headlines proves it's about time we got busy and started wearing out the rosaries. What was once considered intolerable -- abortion on demand; open and notorious concubinage; children born out of wedlock in epic numbers; the sexualization of little kids; instant divorce; filth over the airwaves; militant campaigns for gay "marriage" -- is now not only tolerable, but raised to the dignity of God-given rights. We have let our country slide into the sewer, and as a reward, the enemies of everything this nation has ever stood for are now in charge. Things are only going to get worse from here.

Unless we straighten up and start flying right. We are never going to change the world by marching and carrying signs; the change has to come from within. And a sure means of effecting that change is the Rosary -- which is why, in 1917, the Blessed Mother asked the world to pray the Rosary every day.

Here, from the website of the Rosary Confraternity, are the Blessed Mother's Fifteen Promises to Christians who faithfully pray the Rosary:

1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.

2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.

3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.

4. The rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.

6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.

7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.

9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.

10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.

11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.

12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.

14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

When the Blessed Mother asked for daily Rosaries in 1917, she didn't get them. As predicted, we got World War II. Based on the current state of world affairs, she still isn't getting them. When are we going to learn?

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Why do Catholics make novenas? Because after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles and the Blessed Mother waited in the Upper Room and prayed for nine days for the coming of the Holy Spirit. When we make a novena -- nine days of prayer for a particular intention -- we make an act of perseverance in prayer, and we honor and commemorate the original Novena: the infant Church's nine days of prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost.

Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

April 29th: St. Catherine of Siena

Novena Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena

O marvelous wonder of the Church, seraphic virgin, Saint Catharine, because of your extraordinary virtue and the immense good which you accomplished for the Church and society, you are acclaimed and blessed by all people. Oh, turn your benign countenance to me who, confident of your powerful patronage, calls upon you with all the ardor of affection and begs you to obtain, by your prayer, the favors I so ardently desire.

You, who were a victim of charity, who in order to benefits your neighbor obtained from God the most stupendous miracles and became the joy and the hope of all, you cannot help but hear the prayers of those who fly into your heart - that heart which you received from the Divine Redeemer in a celestial ecstasy.

Yes, O seraphic virgin, demonstrate once again proof of you power and of your flaming charity, so that your name will be ever more blessed and exalted; grant that we, having experienced your most efficacious intercession here on earth, may come one day to thank you in heaven and enjoy eternal happiness with you. Amen.

Treasures Old and New

Fr. Phillip Neri Powell, OP, of Domine, Da Mihi Hanc Aquam!, has a new book out. Treasures Old and New: Traditional Prayers for Today's Catholics comes out September 15th of this year from Liguori Publications.

And speaking of Liguori:

He who prays is certainly saved. He who prays not is certainly damned. All the blessed (except infants) have been saved by prayer. All the damned have been lost through not praying; if they had prayed, they would not have been lost. And this is, and will be, their greatest torment in hell, to think how easily they might have been saved, only by asking God for his grace; but that now it is too late -- the time of prayer is over.

St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection

May God Make You a Saint!

Whenever St. Alphonsus Liguori had had the last straw and was at his wit's end with somebody, he would always say: "May God make you a saint!"

This is not the touchy-feely, mushy-gushy sentiment that it may appear to be on the surface. More often than not, God has to drop anvils and safes and 16-ton weights and all kinds of catastrophes on us in order to break us of whatever it is that's keeping us from becoming saints. So whenever St. Alphonsus prayed God to make somebody a saint, I bet he added -- silently -- something along the lines of: "And may He get me out of the way when He does it!"

So, since I'm having a hard time remembering to do so myself, please help me pray for all the people who are driving me up the wall this week and next week. May God make them all saints. And may He get me out of the way while He does it.

Day Nine of Bl. Margaret Novena

And, of course, today is her feast day.

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, through your suffering and misfortune, you became sensitive to the sufferings of others. Your heart reached out to everyone in trouble – the sick, the hungry, the dying prisoners. Obtain for me the grace to recognize Jesus in everyone with whom I come into contact, especially in the poor, the wretched, the unwanted! Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Prayer

O my God, I thank you for having given Blessed Margaret of Castello to the world as an example of the degree of holiness that can be attained by anyone who truly loves you, regardless of physical abnormalities.

In today’s perverted culture, Margaret would have, most likely, never been born, death through abortion being preferable to life, especially life in an ugly, distorted, twisted body. But Your ways are not the world’s ways; and so it was Your Will that Margaret would be born into the world with just such a malformed body.

It is Your way that uses our weakness to give testimony to Your power. Margaret was born blind, so as to see You more clearly; a cripple, so as to lean on You completely; dwarfed in physical posture, so as to become a giant in the spiritual order; hunch-backed, so as to more perfectly resemble the twisted, crucified body of Your Son. Margaret’s whole life was an enactment of the words expressed by Paul: “So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast, so that the power of Christ may stay over me; and that is why I am content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10).

I beseech you, O God, to grant, through the intercession of Blessed Margaret of Castello, that all the handicapped -- and who among us is not? -- all rejected, all unwanted of the world may make their weaknesses their own special boast so that your power may stay over them now and forever. Amen.

Blessed Margaret of Castello, pray for us.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...

Day Eight of Bl. Margaret Novena

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, how it must have hurt when your parents abandoned you! Yet you learned from this that all earthly love and affection, even for those who are closest, must be sanctified. And so, despite everything, You continued to love your parents – but now you loved them in God. Obtain for me the grace that I might see all my human loves and affections in their proper perspective: in God and for god. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Seven of Bl. Margaret Novena

O blessed Margaret of Castello, you could have so easily become discouraged and bitter; but, instead, you fixed your eyes on the suffering Christ and there you learned from Him the redemptive value of suffering: how to offer your pains and aches, in reparation for sin and for the salvation of souls. Obtain for me the grace to learn how to endure my sufferings with patience. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Six of Bl. Margaret Novena

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, your miseries taught you better than any teacher the weakness and frailty of human nature. Obtain for me the grace to recognize my human limitations and to acknowledge my utter dependence upon God. Acquire for me that abandonment which leaves me completely at the mercy of God to do with me whatsoever He wills. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Five of Bl. Margaret Novena

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, in imitation of the Child Jesus, Who was subject to Mary and Joseph, you obeyed your father and mother, overlooking their unnatural harshness. Obtain for me that same attitude of obedience toward all those Who have legitimate authority over me, most especially toward the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Four of Bl. Margaret Novena

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, you unceasingly turned to God in prayer with confidence and trust in His Fatherly love. It was only through continual prayer that you were enabled to accept your misfortunes, to be serene, patient, and at peace. Obtain for me the grace to persevere in my prayer, confident that God will give me the help to carry whatever cross comes into my life. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Three of Bl. Margaret Novena

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, your love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was intense and enduring. It was here in intimacy with the Divine Presence that you found spiritual strength to accept suffering, to be cheerful, patient and kindly towards others. Obtain for me the grace that I may draw from this same source, as from an exhaustible font, the strength whereby I may be kind and understanding of everyone despite whatever pain or discomfort may come my way. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Day Two of Bl. Margaret Novena

Today there is special need of Little Margaret's intercession in her native central Italy, which has been stricken by a deadly earthquake.

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, in reflecting so deeply upon the sufferings and death of our Crucified Lord, you learned courage and gained the grace to bear your own afflictions. Obtain for me the grace and courage that I so urgently need so as to be able to bear my infirmities and endure my afflictions in union with our Suffering Savior. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Palm Sunday AND Day One of Bl. Margaret Novena

Today we began Holy Week by celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

It is also nine days to the feast of Bl. Margaret of Castello, so the Bl. Margaret of Castello Guild is beginning a novena to Bl. Margaret today. I'll be posting the novena prayers here so that my loyal readership can join in. Remember: Little Margaret has only been waiting SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS to be raised to the altar!

Bl. Margaret Novena, Day One

O Blessed Margaret of Castello, in embracing your life just as it was, you gave us an example of resignation to the Will of God. In so accepting God’s Will, you knew that you would grow in virtue, glorify God, save your own soul, and help the souls of your neighbors. Obtain for me the grace to recognize the Will of God in all that may happen to me in my life, and so resign myself to it. Obtain for me also the special favor which I now ask through your intercession with God.

Let us pray:

O God, by whose Will the blessed virgin, Margaret, was blind from birth, that the eyes of her mind being inwardly enlightened, she might think without ceasing on You alone: be the light of our eyes, that we may be able to flee the shadows in this world, and reach the home of never-ending light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, glorify your servant blessed Margaret, by granting the favor we so ardently desire. This we ask in humble submission to God’s Will, for His Honor and Glory, and the salvation of souls. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…