Our annual Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help began at our 5pm Mass this evening. At each of the nine novena Masses one of our sisters will welcome our guests and offer some comment on the title of Mary or the feast we are honoring that day. Each of of these introductions will be published to the blog. Below it will appear the Novena Prayer should you which to join us in spirit.June 19, 2008
First Day Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: Isaiah 9:1-3,5-9 Psalm 85 Luke 1:26-38
Queen of Peace
Good evening. I am Sr. Hildegard, and on behalf of our community I would like to welcome you to the first Mass of our Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help.
On each of these nine days, except for the Feast of John the Baptist, we will honor Mary under one of her many titles. The title of our Blessed Mother chosen for today is Queen of Peace. How wonderful a place to start. Could there be any need more urgently crying out for satisfaction in our world, in our country and in our families today than that of peace?
Today in our hearing the prophet Isaiah declares that a son will be given us and he shall be called the Prince of Peace. The Psalmist sings his appeal to God, "surely the Lord will proclaim peace...Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss." And from the Gospel of Luke we receive the account of Mary's acceptance of Gabriel's message that she would be the instrument through whom the promises of the prophet and prayers of the psalmist would be fulfilled.
War, conflict, violence in our streets, interior battles resulting in addiction and self-destruction, as well as, discord among families and friends fill us with fear and dread. Even Mary recoiled in fear at the angel's announcement and what it could mean for her. But the angel said, "Do not be afraid...you have found favor with God...the power of the most high will over shadow you."
As we share this Eucharistic feast let us pray for peace and pray too that we might become fearless instruments through which the Prince of Peace is made known in our time, in our place.
Our celebrant this evening is Fr. Gerard Brinkman, a Redemptorist. With faith and hope in our hearts, let us begin our feast of praise and communion in the company of our Mother of Perpetual Help.
NOVENA PRAYER
Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.
V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.
V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
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