Novena to Saint Monica

Day 5

Today we pray for those whose sins make them feel unworthy to come
to God. May they feel the warm embrace of Our Father’s loving
forgiveness. (Pray Novena Prayers)

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

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.

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

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo - Day 4

EVANGELICAL POVERTY – SIMPLICITY OF LIFESTYLE

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


INTRODUCTION
“Sometimes when the Church had no money, Saint Augustine informed the faithful that he had nothing more that he could give to the poor.  In order to help prisoners and a great number of poor people, he had some sacred vessels, broken up and melted down.  What he then received from the sale, he distributed to the needy.”

Let us reflect on our personal values and attitudes, how far or how close are we to the values and attitudes of our Saint Augustine? (Pause)


READING: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
Religious poverty is not simply an economic condition, but an attitude of the heart based on love: it effects should also be felt beyond the walls of the religious community in an outgoing service to others.  Jesus Christ emptied Himself when He came among us; though abundantly rich, he became poor for our sake, so that through his poverty we ourselves might be enriched.  It is a challenge to give oneself to God’s little ones.  Augustine fully understood and accepted this self-offering in his own day and was a model to his followers to go and do the same.

But beyond these material cares for the companions of his poverty, as He was accustomed to call all the poor, he also put himself out continually, to help people through various works of mercy, for he well understood that one does not leave on bread alone.  We can find a number of areas in which the poor of Christ can be better served in the world.  But this service cannot be achieved without a real spirit of self-sacrifice, a willingness to put oneself out.  Once again the challenge is laid down, to live that admirable simplicity which characterized Augustine’s life, to experience deeply within ourselves the need for God and one another, and to hunger for God and the coming of his kingdom.  The real gift that is being asked of us through evangelical poverty is nothing less than the gift of self.  Augustine challenges us to accept whole heartedly, not only the giving up of our possessions for the poor, but also in a very positive way, a meaningful following of Christ , who invites one: Come follow me. (Pause)


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: We praise you Lord by our commitment to share our resources to the poor, to give sanctuary to the people in need, to be in solidarity with one another and to line in simplicity and transparency with one another.

Give us the enduring strength to carry these in our life, so that we may be real witness to the great generosity of God.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

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

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 9

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst.  I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done.  To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me.  Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune.  "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.” (Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-9.html

Novena to Saint Augustine of Hippo Day 3

CONTEMPLATION AND ACTION

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

Intrtoduction
A particular state in life is a reflection of Martha and Mary in the Gospel.  Jesus called the attention of Martha who grumbled at Mary taking with Jesus.  This image of Martha and Mary had been upheld by St Augustine both as a monk and as someone actively involved in giving life to the Church through his writings and good works.

How do I strive a healthy balance between my action, contemplation and action approach  to life? (Pause for a while)


Reading: From the Book “IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE”
Augustinian-oriented contemplation also demands that we put ourselves at the service of others through apostolate.  No one should be given to contemplation. Augustine remarks, that they give no thought to their neighbor needs.  The search for truth in himself requires intense activity, but the truth, which may be discerned, is not to be considered a private possession.  It is to be shared with others.  This responsibility may weigh especially on those who have real talents for teaching or writing or counseling, even among those who live strictly contemplative life.  As Jesus, points out, no great fears are demand of anyone.  But all without exception will be judge by their concern or lack of it for God’s little one.  Therefore, Augustine tell us, “When you have found your way back to yourself, don’t stay locked within yourself…Turn to the one who made you. (Moments of Silence)


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: God our Father, we praise and thank you for giving the church a great Saint.  AS we strive to live his spirit and charism, grant us the grace to grow in our integration of prayer of prayer and action according to the example of Saint Augustine.  We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, 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 2

DAY 2 – INTERIORITY

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

Introduction
“Enter, then, into your heart (IS 46:8) and if you have faith, you will find Christ there.  There he speaks to you, I, the preacher must raise his voice but he instruct you more effectively in silence.

How do we cultivate our interior life as followers of St. Augustine? (Moments of Silence)


Reading: From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
Because Jesus instructs interiorly in silence, we must foster within ourselves an atmosphere of silence.  While it is a great help to be able to get away from the noise and confusion of the world around us, this is not always possible for many people.  What we must do however, is to know how to free ourselves form these disturbances within, in our hearts, so that we will have a chance to listen to Christ and not just t ourselves, with all our pains and feelings and built – in prejudices, “Let us leave a little room for reflection, room for silence.  Enter into yourself.  Look within yourself and see whether, there be some delightful hidden place in your consciousness where you can be free of noise and argument, where you need not be carrying on your disputes and planning to have your own stubborn way.  Hear the word in quietness, that you may understand it.  In order to understand Christ, Our interior master, we need an atmosphere of attentive inner silence when we seek to go deeper into ourselves along the way of interior prayer or contemplation.  We must also purify the eyes of the heart so that we will be able to see God.  Such purification is painful, but it is a necessary prelude to becoming more sensitive to the presence of God within.  (End of the reading – Some of Moments of Silence)

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: Loving Father, we desire to follow your son, Jesus more closely.  Allowed us to be formed by you in imitation of St. Augustine’s life of interiority. Help us withdraw from transitory things of this world in order to have deeper desire to follow.  Strengthen our faith to discover your voice in the Scriptures: so that we may be able to find you in the realities of our life.  This we ask you through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.  Amen.

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

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 8

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst.  I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done.  To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me.  Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune.  "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.” (Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-8.html

DAY 1 – Novena to Saint Augustine

Day 1 - Search for Truth

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

Introduction
With St. Augustine we say “You have made us for Yourself O Lord, for you alone our God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

As we begin our novena to our Father St. Augustine we pray for the grace to interiorize his spirit, on our journey towards our inner self.  We reflect on who we are and where we are going, as Augustinian Religious and devotees in the context of our time.  Move by the spirit of Augustine’s restless pursuit for truth, let us pause and allow these questions to touch our awareness.

What motivates me to continue searching for God?

Having found Him, how do I make Him ___alive in my relations to people I live with?

(Short Reflection)


Reading:  From the Book IF AUGUSTINE WERE ALIVE
If there is one thing that Augustinian emphasizes over and over again in treating of the search of God, it is that we must begin by going with ourselves. The keyword is WITHIN.  There will find truth, light, joy in Christ Himself.  There we will be heard when we pray; there we will love and worship God.  But while this within signifies the very depths of our being.  This is only the first stage of the journeys Augustine urges us to keep moving on even to what is beyond ourselves, to the source of our inspiration and light to God Himself.  Augustine would tell us, “Do not go outside yourself, but turn back within, truth, dwells in the inner man; and if you find your nature given to frequent  change, go beyond yourself.  Move on, then to that source where the light of reason itself receives its light.  (End of the reading – Some moments of silence)


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: You have made for yourself O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.  We ask you to bless our restlessness in our search for you will live in our lives, and in the events confronting us.  Finding you, may we be faithful to you God of history, faithful to Christ our Lord and Savior, faithful to the Church and her teaching and faithful to our particular state of life which we have chosen to serve you.  This we ask of you loving Father, through Christ our Lord and through the intercession of Saint Augustine, our Father.  Amen.

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

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 7

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst.  I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done.  To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me.  Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune.  "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.” (Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-1.html

Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua

Oh Holy Saint Anthony, you are glorious for your miracles and for the condescension of Jesus Who came as a little child to lie in your arms. Obtain for me from His bounty the grace which I ardently desire. You were so compassionate toward sinners, do not regard my unworthiness. Let the glory of God be magnified by you in connection with the particular request that I earnestly present to you.

[State your request here.]

As a pledge of my gratitude, I promise to live more faithfully in accordance with the teachings of the Church, and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you loved and still love so greatly. Bless this resolution of mine that I may be faithful to it until death.

St. Anthony, consoler of all the afflicted, pray for me.

St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me.

St. Anthony, whom the Infant Jesus loved and honored so much, pray for me. Amen.

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 6

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst.  I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done.  To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me.  Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune.  "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.” (Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-6.html

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 5

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 5

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst.  I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done.  To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me.  Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune.  "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.” (Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-5.html

Novena to the Queenship of Mary - Day 4

O my sovereign Queen and worthy Mother of my God, most holy Mary; I seeing myself, as I do, so despicable and loaded with so many sins, ought not to presume to call thee Mother, or even to approach thee; yet I will not allow my miseries to deprive me of the consolation and confidence that I feel in calling thee mother; I know well that I deserve that thou shouldst reject me; but I beseech thee to remember all that thy Son Jesus has endured for me, and then reject me if thou canst. I am a wretched sinner, who, more than all others, have despised the infinite majesty of God: but the evil is done. To thee have I recourse; thou canst help me; my Mother, help me. Say not that thou canst not do so; for I know that thou art all-powerful, and that thou obtainest whatever thou desirest of God; and if thou sayest that thou wilt not help me, tell me at least to whom I can apply in this my so great misfortune. "Either pity me," will I say with the devout St. Anselm, "O my Jesus, and forgive me, and do thou pity me, my Mother Mary, by interceding for me, or at least tell me to whom I can have recourse, who is more compassionate, or in whom I can have greater confidence than in thee.”
(Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, The Glories of Mary)

http://oratefratres1962.blogspot.com/2014/05/novena-to-queenship-of-mary-day-4.html