June 23, 2008
Mother of Good Council
The introduction to this evening's Mass for our Novena was presented by our Sister Maria Paz. We were blessed with the presence of over twenty active religious sisters who are making their retreat at Mt. St. Alphonsus Retreat Center, just a few hundred feet from our monastery. Ever gracious and generous, Sister presented each of our guests with a picture of "Mater Boni Consilli", Mother of Good Council. On the reverse was the story of how Our Lady, under this title, came to be venerated in Genazzano, Italy. Then Sister presented an extemporaneous welcome which I paraphrase.
I welcome all of you here. It is not an accident that you are with us at this moment. The Holy Spirit has done the work of bringing you here to be with US and for us to be with YOU. I could go on and on but I cannot. I am supposed to be brief. But we are together for a reason, together in God's love. Now let us welcome Father Gerard Brinkman, CSsR for our celebration.
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.
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