Sunday, May 1, 2011

NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION


Immaculate ConceptionFIRST DAY

Theme:  Mary, the Immaculate Mother as example of those who value family
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the First Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.             
           Have mercy on us, poor sinner * who are loaded down with debts * to the Divine Justice.  With what ingratitude * have we acknowledged the infinite goodness of our heavenly Father.  Enlighten our mind, O Mother ever Virgin * and show us how ungrateful we are * to God for the sins we have committed.  Do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost.  We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are our loving protectress * so that it may always bloom  in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul. Amen.
           (Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Holy Gospel according to John
           “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.  When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said to his mother: “Woman, behold your son.”  After that he said to the disciple:  Behold your mother.  And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.”  (John 19:25-27).
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     Mary is the Mother of God and our Mother.  This is the foundation of our firm confidence in her.  Our Blessed Mother always listens to us.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts.
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

SECOND DAY

Theme:  Mary Immaculate as family’s model of keeping the way of God
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Second Day
All: Most Holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.             
           How terrible must be the punishment of those who die in mortal sin.  Help us to realize * that we have often condemned ourselves to such a painful prison * just for a few moment of pleasure.  Make known to us * O Mother Mary * what a grave offense we commit against the infinitely good God * Do not abandon us, Our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it may always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
                     (Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the book of Proverbs 
           “My delights were to be with the children of men.  There, children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways.  Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not… He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.”  (Prov. 8: 31-35)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     Full of love for her children, our Blessed Mother watches over us and listens to us.  Is there any better way to go to Jesus?
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. 
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

THIRD DAY

Theme: Mary’s holy purity as a virtue to be lived by the family
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Third Day
All:                         Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.             
           We pray you, O Mother of Jesus * to grant us the grace to appreciate * the great price of our redemption * in order that we may never depart from the way of love of God and our neighbor * that we may be consumed as victims of Divine Love.  Do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it may always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
           (Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the book of Sirach 
           “I am the Mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.  In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life, and of virtue.  He that listens carefully to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin” (Sirach 24: 24, 25-30)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     Mary was conceived without stain of sin.  She remained most pure throughout her life.  Now that her feast is fact approaching, we speak to her about holy purity.  This is a virtue we should constantly learn to live, and teach others to live, following the example of Jesus and Mary.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. 
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

FOURTH DAY

Theme: Mary as family’s pattern of zeal for souls
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Fourth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.             
           O Mary Immaculate, mirror of purity * by the joys and sorrows * we ask you to grant us the grace * to study henceforth to learn more and more * about the doctrine and personality of our Savior.  Write on the walls of our hearts * his commandments of love * so that we may never offend his holy will.  Help us to become daily more like Him.  But do not abandon us, our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
                     (Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Holy Gospel according to Mark
           “As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”  (Mark 6:34)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     The Virgin Mary attracts the hearts of Christians and keeps them close to Christ.  As we try to draw others close to God, let us place this concern in the hands of the Blessed Mother.  She will help us to turn our desires into apostolic deeds.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. 
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

FIFTH DAY

Theme:  Mary as family’s example of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Fifth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.
           O Mother Mary * bless the Church with the dew of grace * and let those graces that flow from your outstretched hands * descend upon the bishops and priests * that they may govern their flocks in good pastures.  May they ever work zealously for the salvation of souls * and be a true light to all by the example of their virtues.  And to us * members of this Mystical Body of Christ * grant us the true spirit of Brotherly love * so that we may edify those around us * who are not of the true fold.  But do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
           “You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt of the earth lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.”  (Mt 5: 13-14)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     We do apostolate in and through our ordinary life.  Our Lord gives us the necessary grace to show others the great value of our daily tasks.  God waits for us in our ordinary work.  He uses our ordinary life so that we may love Him more and so that we may bring others to love Him, too.  In this we imitate Mary, our Mother.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. 
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

SIXTH DAY

Theme: Mary as family’s model of charity
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Sixth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.
           O Mother dispenser of the graces of God * by the Immaculate Conception which make you so dear to Jesus * obtain for us the grace to know and love the infinite treasures of the Holy Eucharist.  Teach us that the Holy Mass * is not a mere means to bring Jesus to our altars * but it is a sacrifice most pleasing to God.  Make us realize that through the Holy Communion * we eat of the life-giving Body of the Lamb of God * who takes away the sins of the world.  Pray that our love for Jesus * in the Holy Eucharist increase for our own salvation. But do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
           “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”  (Luke 1: 39-41)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     Let us value the deep human dimension of apostolate. In our dealings with others, let us spread cheerfulness and human affection. This is especially important for those who have never heard a kind word nor received sincere Christian help.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts.
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

SEVENTH DAY

Theme: Mary as the hope of the family
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Seventh Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery. 
           O Mary, we know that there is no love like a mother’s love.  We therefore desire a greater knowledge * and more tender love toward you * and we wish to venerate you * as the spotless Mother of a spotless Son.  Take us into your care and guidance.  And do not abandon us our Mother * for without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Book of Genesis
           “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; and she shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for her heel.  (Gen 3:15)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     The light of hope shines for each of us even after we have sinned.  This is a constant light – the light of Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary.  He forgives all our sins in the Sacrament of Penance.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts. 
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver is from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

EIGHTH DAY

Theme:  Mary as family’s pattern of self-denial and sacrifice
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Eighth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.
           O Mother of love and mercy * obtain for us a perfect sorrow and sincere contrition for our sins.  Remember us in the hour of death * so that we may present ourselves with security * before the throne of the just * but likewise merciful Judge * our God and Redeemer.  You know well that our life is a warfare * against the wickedness of the world, the flesh and the devil. Come to our aid        * and do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Holy Gospel according to John
           “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth, and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  (John 12:24)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     All that the Lord asks from us is our personal sacrifice, our work and our effort when we give Christian formation.  He guarantees the result when he applies his infinite merits to souls. Apostolate demands self-denial and spirit of sacrifice from us.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts.
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

NINTH DAY

Theme:  Mary Immaculate as protector of the family
Priest or Leader:     Prayer for the Ninth Day
All: Most holy child of eternal Father * Mother of God the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit * loving and merciful Patroness of the whole Philippines and of our Cathedral * under the title of the Immaculate Conception * in you we put all our trust and confidence.  To the best of our abilities, * we will praise all your glories in this sacred mystery.
           Most privileged Mother * we come to beg you to add your sweet voice to our prayer.  You have done wonderful things for the salvation of souls * please obtain for us all the graces necessary for a good christian life. Moreover, since we cannot reach heaven * without special gift of final perseverance * we petition you to ask this favor for us.  May we then hope that the merits of Jesus and your powerful intercession * will help us to quit this life in the perfect friendship of God.  So do not abandon us our Mother * because without your patronage we will be lost. We promise to serve and love you * all the moments of our sojourn here on earth.
           We also beseech you to bless and protect our country * since you are its loving protectress * so that it many always bloom in the faith and love * for the Almighty God. * Lastly we humbly ask you * to help us obtain the grace we desire during this novena * if it be for the greater glory of God * and the salvation of our soul.  Amen.
(Let us pause for a short moment to pray for the special grace we wish to obtain in this novena)
READING:
Priest or Leader:     From the Book of Songs
           Winter is now past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land:  The fig tree has put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell…My dove…show me your face, let your voice sound in my ears: for your voice is sweet, and your face comely.”  (Song of Songs, 2:11-14)
MEDITATION:
Priest or Leader:     Our miseries are great but the protection of our beloved Blessed Mother is even greater.  God’s grace shines forth and triumphs in Mary. On our part, we use all the means so that the divine grace enters our soul without any resistance or obstacle.
PRAYER FOR EVERYDAY:
Priest or Leader:     Let us pray.
All: Lord, you have prepared a worthy dwelling place for Your Son by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin; grant, we pray, that as You preserved her from all stain of sin in your foreknowledge of His death, so we, by her intercession, may come to You with pure hearts.
           We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God.  Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
           Pray for us, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.            That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
           Amen.

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