Christmas Novena - Tradition for Redemptoristine Nuns

Christmas Novena
Prayer



Adore, O my soul,
in the bosom of Mary
the only begotten Son of God
who was made man
for love of you.

For nine days before Christmas, following the evening office of Vespers, in a darkened chapel illumined only by Advent wreath candle light, the contemplative monastic nuns of Mother Perpetual Help Monastery enter into a tradition of their Order, a tradition drawing them ever more deeply into mystery of expectation, the mystery of Incarnation, the mystery of our Redemption. One by one, with a silence the length of a Hail Mary in between, each sister recites the novena prayer. In our community we hear this plaintive appeal to the heart ten times. Invited by the darkness, we enter into both the warm and life-filled womb of Mary where Jesus waits to be born and into the depths of our own souls where his life also begs admittance. Then the first words of the "Salve Regina" are intoned, leading all to greet the pregnant Mary and request her companionship on the journey.

Intentions during this novena run the gamut - loved ones, friends, and benefactors; the most abandoned; peace in our relationships, families, nation and the entire world; the end of war; justice for all peoples; comfort for the dying; perservation of mother earth.

It is never too late to begin the novena. Join us today.