Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo - Day 9

DAY 9 – OPENNESS TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE

In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.


INTRODUCTION

Augustine was always mindful of his companions in poverty.  He gave to them by taking from what was set aside for his own use and that of those who lived with him, that is, the income from the goods of the Church and the offerings of the faithful.  Sometimes when the church had no money, he informed the faithful that he had nothing more that he could give to the poor.  In order to help a great number of poor people, he had some sacred vesselsbroken up and melted down. What he then received from the sale, he distributed to the needy.

Augustine’s solidarity with the people is felt keenly in these words.  My brothers, let your primary purpose, be openness with the needs of the poor…Focus your attention on Christ, who is hungry and suffering.

Let us pause for some moments to allow these words of our patron Saint to enter into our consciousness and move our hearts and will to a compassionate response to the human condition of the people.


READING: From LIVING IN FREEDOM UNDER GRACE
We are rightly urged to practice solidarity with the poor.  But this solidarity must not be limited to those materially poor.  As has been indicated above, it should also embrace the ignorant, the insecure, the lonely, the ill, those who suffer from failure sinners.  The whole area justice and peace comes to mind here, an area that has been brought more and more to the forefront of our awareness in recent years.  But as must be clear, we cannot attempt to speak out to others on this matter unless we have already set our own house in order.  Our whole attitude toward the under-privileged, the exceptional, minority groups, those who work with us and for us, needs to undergo close scrutiny, for it is precisely in this very personal area that the quest for the greater justice in the world must begin.  When we take this aspect of our lives seriously, then our solidarity with all the poor in the society, will take on a new and more significant meaning.  (End of the reading).

Let us stay quiet for a moment and ask ourselves.  If Augustine were alive, how would he respond to the poor in our place of work, and in our own communities?


LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Lord, have mercy on us  
Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us                                                      
Christ, have mercy on us

God the Father of Heaven                                                  
Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the World                                  
Have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit                                                              
Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God                                                            
Have mercy on us

Mary, Mother of Jesus                                                          
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Consolation                                                
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Good Counsel                                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, bright star of the Church                                
Pray for us

St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth                    
Pray for us

St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, so great and so humble                                  
Pray for us

St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, father of monastic life                                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy      
Pray for us

Pray for us St. Augustine
That may become worthy of the promises of Christ.


CONCLUDING  PRAYER

ALL: Lord, renew in your Church the spirit you gave St. Augustine.  Filled with his spirit, may we thirst for you alone as fountain of wisdom and seek you as the source of eternal love so that we will be open to the needs of the people in our communities.  We ask you this through Christ our Lord, our friend and brother.  Amen.

http://www.rcam.org/novena-guide/246-novena-to-our-father-saint-augustine

Feast Day of Saint Monica of Hippo

Mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo

St. 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.

In addition to lapsed Catholics, St. Monica is the patroness of troubled parents, battered wives, despondent
mothers, widows, and alcoholics. Her feast is celebrated on August 27.

Novena to Saint Monica of Hippo Day 9

Day Nine

Today we pray for those who are ready to come home and just need
to be invited. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and eyes to them
that we may be the inviting and welcoming presence they seek.


Intentions



Novena 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 us to remain close to all God’s 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 (names of those you are praying for) 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.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo Day 8

DAY 8 – RESPONSIVENESS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH

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


INTRODUCTION

Religious are not only very much a part of this reality of the Church but as, Augustine puts it, a very honorable part, model part.  In the sane way that the members of the early Jerusalem community were closely jointed to the Apostles and instructed by them, so also must religious today, be closely united to the Church and concerned principally about her needs, not their own.  In the same way, very apostolic  work must be intimately related to the Church’s needs and reality, because everything the spirit gives us is at the service of the common good.  (Pause)


READING: From LIVING IN FREEDOM UNDER GRACE
By our very nature as an apostolic community, we Augustinians ought always to be more open to the needs of the Church, both now and in the future.  Our apostolates is an integral part of our calling.  We cannot, however, be complacent simply because we continue to work as before.  We need to continually question ourselves whether our current apostolic commitments correspond adequately to the real needs of the church today.  End of the reading (Pause for reflection)


LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Lord, have mercy on us  
Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us                                                      
Christ, have mercy on us

God the Father of Heaven                                                  
Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the World                                  
Have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit                                                              
Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God                                                            
Have mercy on us

Mary, Mother of Jesus                                                          
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Consolation                                                
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Good Counsel                                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, bright star of the Church                                
Pray for us

St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth                    
Pray for us

St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, so great and so humble                                  
Pray for us

St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, father of monastic life                                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy      
Pray for us

Pray for us St. Augustine
That may become worthy of the promises of Christ.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

Loving Father, we honor and glorify you for having given us Saint Augustine. Having committed ourselves to his teachings and spirituality, help us become authentic Augustinian religious for our time.  Direct all our efforts to work for a renewed Church as we are approaching the year 2000.  This we ask of you through Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

http://www.rcam.org/novena-guide/246-novena-to-our-father-saint-augustine

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo Day 7

DAY 7 – PASTORAL CARE

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


INTRODUCTION

“Let us love the Lord, let us love his Church…We received the Holy Spirit if we love the Church, if we are bound together by love, if we rejoice in the catholic name and faith.  Let us believe it, brothers and sisters; one will have the Holy Spirit in the same measures that he or she loves the Church…Morever, we love the Church when we stand fast in her membership and love.” (Pause)


READING: From LIVING IN FRREDOM UNDER GRACE
The world needs our service, our generous activity, but not just any activity.  Of activity there is an abundance in the world and in holy leads to further confusion. What we can and must offer the world, the people we serve, from our vantage points as Augustinian, is a view of life made wholesome by a true spirit of fraternity, community, friendship and union with God.

Let us go forth with confidence in ourselves and in the accompanying help of our father Augustine.  Let us be living message of faith and hope to our brethen wherever we may go.  Let us not hesitate to give ourselves wholeheartedly to the various apostolates to which the Church calls us today, strengthened in our generosity by healthy community life after the model St. Augustine offers us (End of the reading).  Pause for reflection.


LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Lord, have mercy on us    
Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us                                                      
Christ, have mercy on us

God the Father of Heaven                                                    
Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the World                                    
Have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit                                                                
Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God                                                              
Have mercy on us

Mary, Mother of Jesus                                                            
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Consolation                                                  
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Good Counsel                                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, bright star of the Church                                
Pray for us

St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, so great and so humble                                  
Pray for us

St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors                          
Pray for us

St. Augustine, father of monastic life                                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy        
Pray for us

Pray for us St. Augustine
That may become worthy of the promises of Christ.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

Loving Father, we thank you for the gift of St. Augustine to the Church.  Through his intercession, we his daughters, sons and friends, pray for light and courage to give ourselves unconditionally in humble and enduring service to the poorer members of flock whom you have entrusted to the church.  We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, our Lord Savior.  Amen.

http://www.rcam.org/novena-guide/246-novena-to-our-father-saint-augustine

Novena to Saint Monica

Day Eight

Today we pray for those who feel abandoned by God. May they come
to see God working in their lives, restore their faith in Him, and come
home to His church. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Novena Prayers:

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 us to remain close to all God’s 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 (names of those you are praying for) 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.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

Intentions

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo Day 6

AUGUSTINE MODEL OF HUMILITY

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


INTRODUCTION
Humility is attained only in battle.  The importance of tribulations in your spiritual life lies in the fact that only through such trials do you acquire true humility.  You see clearly the futility of your own efforts and the importance of God becoming your Savior…Prided is the ultimate temptation that is never conquered. (Pause)


READING: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
For Augustine, humility does not consist in putting ourselves down, having a poor self-image of ourselves, failing to appreciate or develop our God-given talents and other gifts.  Augustine even accuses people who act like immature adults “milk drinkers” instead of mature adults who take solid foods to nourish themselves and make progress in their faith. His description of humility is simple and straightforward, “No one is telling you: be less than you are, but to know that you are man, know yourself in sinner.  Know that it He (God) who frees you from blame; Know that you are tarnished.  Let your confession  reveal the stain of your heart, and you will belong to the flock of God” (end of the reading)

Moments of reflection-If humility is truth, how do I make this come alive in terms of my relationship with others in community?

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Lord, have mercy on us  
Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us                                                      
Christ, have mercy on us

God the Father of Heaven                                                  
Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the World                                  
Have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit                                                              
Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God                                                            
Have mercy on us

Mary, Mother of Jesus                                                          
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Consolation                                                
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Good Counsel                                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, bright star of the Church                                
Pray for us

St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth                    
Pray for us

St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, so great and so humble                                  
Pray for us

St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, father of monastic life                                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy      
Pray for us

Pray for us St. Augustine
That may become worthy of the promises of Christ.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

Incline our hearts to your goodness, O Lord and turn our eyes from vanities and pride that we may be followers of your words.  Learn from me because I am weak and humble of heart.  Grant that we may grow daily  in the virtue of humility so dear to the heart of our Father Saint Augustine.  Amen.

http://www.rcam.org/novena-guide/246-novena-to-our-father-saint-augustine

Novena to Saint Monica Day 7

Day Seven

Today we pray for those who are resisting Your call due to pressures
from friends and family members. May the Holy Spirit give them
strength in their convictions and may the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of
their friends and family with love and support. (Pray Novena Prayers

Novena Prayers:

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 us to remain close to all God’s 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 (names of those you are praying for) 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.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

Intentions

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo Day 5

FRIENDSHIP IN COMMUNITY

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

Introduction

“What drew me closest to my brothers and sisters was the delight of chatting and laughing together, of showing our affection for one another by kindly services, of reading together from books that spoke of pleasant things, of joking together amicably, of disputing now and then but without resentment, as one is wont to do with himself, of awakening by rare contest the pleasure of being one in mind, of mutually instructing on another, of longing for the absent one, and tasting joy of his return.  We loved each other with all our hearts, and these marks of our friendship that were shown in our faces, by our voices, in our eyes and a thousand other ways, were among us like ardent flames that fused our soul together, and of many made but one.”

Let us reflect on our experience of friendship in our community.  Am I happy about it…?  Is there something that needs to be improved…? (Paused)


Reading: From the Book “IF ST. AUSGUSTINE WERE ALIVE”
The idea of friendship is at the very heart of the Rule, for those who are one in heart and soul are clearly friends, in God above all, but through God, also in their love and care for one another.  True friendship is based on unselfish love, and surely this is what Augustine is truing to say, when he urges religious to grow in love by putting the common interest ahead of his own.  He makes very clear that when religious seek common interest first, they also are really seeking their own deepest interest, because they are committed to becoming one community in Christ.  The real proof of friendship will come only through our willingness to bear one another’s burden.  What are some of these burdens?  They could be illness, discouragement, misunderstanding, or as Augustine implies: anger, envy, impatience, pride and in other words, the very burden of sin itself, in our lives and in that of our fellow religious.

Friendship requires frankness and truthfulness but also implies that we respect the human nature of our friends, than when we seek to help them, we do so with great gentleness and understanding.  According to Augustine’s view of things, there should be unspoken rule among those who live in community: they should want to be helped mutually, not only through necessary fraternal correction accomplished with love.  What a difference such an attitude could make among religious everywhere? (Moment of reflection)


LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Lord, have mercy on us  
Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us                                                      
Christ, have mercy on us

God the Father of Heaven                                                  
Have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the World                                  
Have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit                                                              
Have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, one God                                                            
Have mercy on us

Mary, Mother of Jesus                                                          
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Consolation                                                
Pray for us

Mary, Mother of Good Counsel                                              
Pray for us

St. Augustine, bright star of the Church                                
Pray for us

St. Augustine, filled with zeal for God’s glory                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, dauntless defender of the truth                    
Pray for us

St. Augustine, the triumph of divine grace                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, on fire with the love of God                            
Pray for us

St. Augustine, so great and so humble                                  
Pray for us

St. Augustine, prince of bishops and doctors                        
Pray for us

St. Augustine, father of monastic life                                      
Pray for us

St. Augustine, holiest of the wise and wisest of the holy      
Pray for us

Pray for us St. Augustine
That may become worthy of the promises of Christ.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

 Lord our God, you have revealed to St. Augustine the beauty of friendship that is rooted in you.  Grant that we, his friends be willing to grow in friendship with one another in the community.  May we achieved the perfection of such friendship in our heavenly home where you live and reign forever and ever.  Amen.

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Monica

Day Six

Today we pray for all those who believe in their hearts but are fearful
of judgment or institutions. May they find the support and joy of
belonging to our Church community. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Novena Prayers:

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 us to remain close to all God’s 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 (names of those you are praying for) 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.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times
Pray Glory Be 3 times
St. Monica, pray for us