NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH-DAY 2

DAY 2 - NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:

(Mention your request)

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

St. Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for us!

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Auxilium Christianorum: A Beacon of Support for the Faithful

 

While listening to a Fr. Chad Ripperger video, I heard about Auxilium Christianorum, a Roman Catholic prayer association. In the video, Fr. Ripperger, a priest and exorcist, spoke highly of this association. I wanted to learn more about it; and I am presenting what I learned as today’s post.

Introduction:

In the vast tapestry of Christian spirituality, various movements and organizations have emerged to provide support, guidance, and fellowship for believers seeking to deepen their faith. One such entity is the Auxilium Christianorum, a community dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and offering assistance through prayer and devotion. In this blog post, we'll explore the origins, mission, and significance of the Auxilium Christianorum.

Origins:

The Auxilium Christianorum, Latin for "Help of Christians," traces its roots to a deep desire among the faithful to unite in prayer and support for one another. Founded with the intention of invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels, this movement seeks to create a spiritual army to combat the challenges faced by Christians in their journey of faith.

Mission and Objectives:

The primary mission of the Auxilium Christianorum is to provide spiritual support for its members through a collective commitment to prayer and devotion. Members are encouraged to engage in specific prayers and rituals aimed at invoking the intercession of heavenly beings, particularly the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, and the guardian angels.

The organization emphasizes the importance of spiritual warfare, viewing the Christian life as a constant battle against the forces of darkness. Through united prayer, members seek protection, guidance, and strength to overcome spiritual challenges and temptations.

The website of Auxilium Christianorum states that the primary aims of this association are twofold.

The first:
to provide prayer for priests associated with Auxilium Christianorum so that their apostolate in driving out demons is efficacious.

And, two:
To provide prayers for the members – priests, laity, family and friends – so that they are not adversely affected by the demonic.

Practices and Devotions:
Central to the Auxilium Christianorum's practices are specific prayers and devotions that members undertake individually or as a community. The Rosary, Novenas, and prayers to St. Michael the Archangel are integral components of their spiritual arsenal. These rituals are designed not only to seek divine assistance but also to foster a sense of unity among believers, creating a powerful network of intercessory prayer.

Explaining these aims further, the website states:
The Church teaches us that it is divided into the Church Triumphant (which includes the members of the Church in heaven), the Church Suffering (this includes the members of the Church in purgatory), and the Church Militant (this refers to those members of the Church who are alive in this world). Because we are part of the Church Militant, we are in a spiritual warfare and this spiritual warfare requires that we recognize, as Saint Paul teaches us “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The members of the Auxilium Christianorum should always bear in mind the reality of our state as members of the Church living in this world. Despite St. Paul’s teaching, many Catholics do not take seriously their obligation to wage war against the demonic forces. It is for this reason the Association of the Auxilium Christianorum was founded.

The requirements for membership are:

1. Prior to becoming a member of the Auxilium Christianorum, the layman is strongly exhorted to consult his spiritual director or confessor.

2. They are to seek to lead a habitual life of sanctifying grace, always desiring never to fall into the state of mortal sin and to avoid all intentional venial sin.

3. The members are to continually seek to increase and to perfect their life of prayer which includes not only the vocal prayers which are required (see Prayers section) but also a consistent life of meditation which is very effective in driving out the demonic and avoiding demonic oppression.

4.To pray the rosary daily. The intention of the rosary may be for any intention and does not have to be offered for the aims of the Auxilium Christianorum.

5. The members are to fulfill the daily vocal prayer requirements, having as their intention the principal aims of this Association. The members are to make frequent use of the sacramentals known to ward off and drive out the demonic.

6. The members are to strive to keep the words of Saint Paul in their hearts that since we fight against principalities and powers, i.e. against the demonic, they are to strive for meekness and humility in relationship to their neighbor, never striking out in anger or vindication but seeking to root out any demonic influence according to their state in life. This involves using binding prayers according to authentic Catholic principle and to avoid any form of superstition, whether that is in the daily living of their lives or when they engage in battle against the evil spirits. This means that their use of the Association prayers, or any prayers to drive out the demonic, will always be subordinate to authentic Catholic principle and always be done with devotion and faith.

7. The members must strive to increase their devotion to Our Lady under the title of Virgo Potens (Virgin Most Powerful).

8. Each member must strive to increase his devotion to his Guardian Angel.

9. When it is financially possible, each member of the Auxilium Christianorum is to keep a statue of Our Lady and Saint Michael in his home, before which a votive candle is to be burned.

The members of the association should be aware that none of these requirements bind under the pain of sin.

Significance in the Modern Christian Landscape:

In a world marked by increasing secularism and moral challenges, movements like the Auxilium Christianorum provide a spiritual anchor for believers. The sense of community and shared devotion helps individuals navigate the complexities of modern life with a deepened faith and strengthened resolve.

The Auxilium Christianorum serves as a reminder that the Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone. By joining this movement, believers can find solace, encouragement, and a sense of purpose in their spiritual endeavors. The emphasis on spiritual warfare acknowledges the reality of the unseen battles that believers face, highlighting the importance of staying vigilant and seeking divine assistance.

Conclusion:

The Auxilium Christianorum stands as a beacon of support and solidarity in the realm of Christian spirituality. Through its emphasis on collective prayer, devotion, and spiritual warfare, it offers believers a unique avenue to strengthen their faith and face the challenges of the contemporary world with resilience. As Christians continue their pilgrimage of faith, movements like the Auxilium Christianorum serve as a testament to the enduring power of communal prayer and the intercession of heavenly beings in the lives of believers.

NOVENA PRAYER TO THE THREE ARCHANGELS

 

Novena to ST. MICHAEL, the Archangel

Say this Novena Prayer for 9 consecutive days 

St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request (MENTION YOUR REQUEST).

St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted.

Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Novena to ST. GABRIEL, the Archangel

Say this Novena Prayer for 9 consecutive days 

St. Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the "Angel of the Incarnation," because God has specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a tender and devoted Mother, more like your own.

I venerate you also as the "strength from God," because you are the giver of God's strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God's faithful and to teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions, renew my courage, comfort and console me in the problems, trials, and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in His agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you.

St. Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor:..... (MENTION YOUR REQUEST) ...... Through your earnest love for the Son of God-Made-Man and for His blessed Mother, I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God's holy Will. Pray for us,

St. Gabriel the Archangel. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us Pray. Almighty and ever-living God, since You chose the Archangel Gabriel from among all the Angels to announce the mystery of Your Son's Incarnation, mercifully grant that we who honor him on earth may feel the benefit of his patronage in heaven. You live and reign for ever. Amen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Novena to ST. RAPHAEL, the Archangel

Say this Novena Prayer for 9 consecutive days 

Holy Archangel Raphael, standing so close to the throne of God and offering Him our prayers, I venerate you as God's special Friend and Messenger. I choose you as my Patron and wish to love and obey you as young Tobiah did. I consecrate to you my body and soul,all my work, and my whole life. I want you to be my Guide and Counselor in all the dangerous and difficult problems and decisions of my life.

Remember, dearest, St. Raphael, that the grace of God preserved you with the good Angels in heaven when the proud ones were cast into hell. I entreat you, therefore, to help me in my struggle against the world, the spirit of impurity, and the devil. Defend me from all dangers and every occasion of sin. Direct me always in the way of peace, safety, and salvation. Offer my prayers to God as you offered those of Tobiah, so that through your intercession I may obtain the graces necessary for the salvation of my soul. I ask you to pray that God grant me this favor if it be His holy Will (MENTION YOUR REQUEST).

St. Raphael, help me to love and serve my God faithfully, to die in His grace, and finally to merit to join you in seeing and praising God forever in heaven. Amen. 

The Divine Mercy Chaplet: How to Recite

How to Recite the Chaplet

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayers

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).

Sorrowful Mystery of the Holy Rosary

The SORROWFUL MYSTERIES of the Holy ROSARY are a profound and reflective set of prayers that invite believers to meditate on significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. These mysteries focus on the intense suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, leading up to His crucifixion and death. As we contemplate these sorrowful moments, we are reminded of the immense love and redemption that Christ offered to humanity through His passion. The Sorrowful Mysteries invite us to enter into the depth of Christ's mercy and to find solace and strength in His unwavering example of love and obedience to God's will. Through the recitation of the rosary, we accompany the Blessed Virgin Mary in meditating on these sacred events, seeking comfort and guidance in our own trials and tribulations.

In this mystery of the Rosary, Let us ponder and pray that the Holy spirit will enlighten us how the fruit applies to its respective mystery and to embody that fruit in our own life. As we meditate on the fruits of the Sorrowful Mysteries, Lord, open our hearts to receive the fruits and we ask Jesus and Mary to reveal where we can grow in that fruit. May the grace of YOur Agony, Lord, come down into our soul and make us truly contrite and perfectly obedient to Your holy will.

Prayer for Special Petition to Our Lady,Most Holy Virgin Mary

MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY, my Mother, I kneel before you with heavy heart. The burden of my sins oppresses me. The knowledge of my weakness discourages me. I am beset by fears and temptations of every sort. Yet I am so attached to the things of this world that instead of longing for Heaven I am filled with dread at the thought of death. 

O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me in my distress. You are all-powerful with JESUS CHRIST, your Divine Son. He can refuse no request of your IMMACULATE HEART. Show yourself a true Mother to me by being my Advocate before His throne. O Refuge of Sinners and Hope of the Hopeless, to whom shall I turn if not you? 

Obtain for me, then, O Mother of Hope, the grace of true sorrow for my sins, the gift of perfect resignation to GOD's Holy Will, and the courage to take up my cross and follow JESUS. Beg of His SACRED HEART the special favor that I ask in this novena…

But above all I pray, O dearest Mother of Perpetual Help, that through your most powerful intercession my heart may be filled with Holy Hope, so that in life's darkest hour I may never fail to TRUST in GOD my Savior, but by walking in the way of His Commandments I may merit to be united with Him, and with you in the eternal joys of Heaven! Amen. 

O MARY, our Help, have pity on us. 

HOPE of the Hopeless, pray for us.

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE…

Prayer for my children to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

O Our Lady of Perpetual Help, loving mother and refuge of all who seek your intercession, I come before you with a heart full of love and concern for my children. You are the epitome of grace and compassion, and I humbly ask for your maternal protection and guidance over my beloved children.

Blessed Virgin Mary, you witnessed the challenges and joys of motherhood with your own divine Son, Jesus Christ. You know the depth of a parent's love and the desires of their hearts for the well-being and happiness of their children. I entrust my children into your loving care, knowing that you will intercede for them before your Son, who is our eternal hope.

Through your powerful intercession, I implore you, dear Mother, to watch over my children in every aspect of their lives. Shield them from harm and danger, both physical and spiritual. Guide their steps and keep them on the path of righteousness and virtue. Help them grow in faith, hope, and love, always seeking to follow the teachings of your Son.

Please grant them wisdom in their decisions, discernment in their choices, and strength in times of temptation. Protect them from negative influences and surround them with good friends who will support and encourage them on their journey.

Most merciful Mother, I also ask you to intercede for my children's health and well-being. If they are facing any physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, please bring them healing, comfort, and peace. Strengthen their bodies, minds, and spirits so that they may flourish and fulfill the purpose that God has for them.

Lastly, dear Lady, I ask for your intercession in their future endeavors. Guide them in their studies, careers, and relationships. Help them discover their unique talents and use them for the greater glory of God and the service of others. May they always find fulfillment and happiness in their vocations, whatever they may be.

O Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with unwavering trust, I place my children into your gentle hands. Thank you for your maternal love and constant care. I am confident that with your intercession, they will experience the blessings of God's grace and be led safely to eternal life. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Jude

Saint Jude, also known as Saint Jude Thaddeus, is known and loved throughout the world as the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes. He was one of the twelve Apostles and a cousin of Jesus Christ. He courageously preached the Gospel, often in the most difficult circumstances.

Saint Jude is often shown carrying an image of Jesus. Tradition tells us that this recalls a miracle when a king, afflicted with leprosy, was cured of this horrible disease after Saint Jude gave him a cloth that had been pressed to the face of Christ.

Over the ages many people in desperate need have turned to Saint Jude in prayer. Saint Bridget of Sweden said she was directed in a vision to pray with deep faith and confidence to Saint Jude. She stated that Christ told her, “In accordance with his surname, Thaddeus, the amiable or loving, Saint Jude will show himself most willing to help.”

In the Americas, it was the Dominican Friars who helped spread devotion to Saint Jude, particularly in the United States. In 1903, Father Thomas Lorente, O.P., and members of the Spanish Dominican Province came to New Orleans and were asked to take care of the oldest church building in New Orleans, the Mortuary Chapel, now called Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. By 1935, Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel began a public novena to Saint Jude.

Today, Saint Jude continues to be one of the most popular and beloved Saints, a trusted heavenly intercessor for all those seeking God’s assistance during times of family crisis, sickness, and trouble, especially when all hope seems lost.

DEVOTION TO SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA

 DEVOTION TO SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA

MIRACLE OF SAINT ANTHONY

One miracle that is attributed to Saint Anthony during his lifetime was described as follows:

A certain inhabitant of Padua, called Peter, had a daughter whose name was Padovana. Although she was four years old, she was absolutely incapable of using her feet and moved like a reptile, crawling with the help of her hands. 

Furthermore, it was said that, since she suffered from epilepsy, she would often fall and roll around. When Saint Anthony was still alive, her father, as he carried her in his arms while walking through the city one day, met the saint and began to beg him to make the sign of the cross over his daughter.

The saintly father, admiring the man's faith, blessed her and sent her away. When the girl's father returned home, he made his daughter stand up on her feet. Supported by a footstool, she immediately began to walk about. Then, having taken away the footstool, her father gave her a cane. Indeed, walking about in the house, the girl always improved. 

At last, through the merits of most blessed Anthony, she healed completely and did not need any prop whatsoever. And, from that moment when she was blessed, she no longer suffered any illness or even the least falling sickness.

PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of thy miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in thine arms, obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart . . . . Thou who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to thee, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request . . . . which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. 

Amen.

One Our Father, One Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, in honor of Saint Anthony.