St Theresa Novena 08

PRAYERS OF THE NOVENA  (To be recited each day of the Novena September 23rd to October 1st 2008, preferably with the family joining together) Prayer for Missionaries 0, St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who merited to be proclaimed Patroness of the Catholic Missions of the whole world, remember the very ardent desire you manifested here on earth “to plant the Cross of Jesus Christ in every land and to announce the Gospel even to the end of time”. We beseech you, according to your desire, to help priests, missionaries and the whole Church. Obtain for us all an increase of missionary zeal and generosity. Protect our missionaries; help them in their labours, support them in their sufferings and poverty; teach them to love Jesus more ardently and to place all their confidence in the Tabernacle and in the intercession of our Immaculate Mother, Mary.   Prayer for Personal Intentions 0, Little Flower of Jesus, remember your promise to do good on earth. Shower down your roses on all who invoke you and obtain for us from God the graces we seek from His infinite goodness. (Here mention your intentions) Our Father… Hail Mary … Glory be to the Father … St. Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions, Pray for us.

ST THÉRÈSE’S NOVENA 2008

81 years ago, on December 14, 1927, Pope Pius XI declared St Thérèse of the Child Jesus “patroness of the missions and missionaries all around the world”.  Through this act the Pope waned to stress the tow essential traits of a missionary: action and contemplation.  In fact, a real missionary is always active in comtemplation and comtemplative in action.

St Thérèse herself said  “I would like to travel all over the earth… I would like to proclaim the Gospel even in the most remote islands.  I would go to those who have never heard about the Lord… In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I would be Love”.

Thérèse of course never left her convent not to mind travelling to far off places.  Most of you who participate in this Novena cannot leave your home for foreign shores.  But you live out your missionary commitment through the various acts of love you perform for family and neighbours every day.  And your prayer and finacial support for missionaries active in the field is another important way of living out your baptismal commitment.

Please join us again in our Novena to St Thérèse.  Please send your prayers and petitions in the envelope provided.

Through the intercession of St Thérèse, may God continue to bless and protect you.

Fr. Fachtna O’Driscoll SMA
Provincial Superior

Preachers and Music for the Novena 2008