Our prayer should not be narrow, personal prayer; it should reach to the throne of God only after having touched the farthest bounds of God’s creation and mourned in every human misery, and rejoiced in God’s goodness … ~ Fr. Thomas A. Judge, C.M.
The word “novena” is Latin for “nine.” Novenas are a traditional form of prayer consisting of public or private prayers repeated for nine consecutive days. Our sisters, along with our priests, brothers and lay members, collectively known as the Missionary Cenacle Family, have been praying a perpetual novena to the Holy Spirit from 1913 to this very day!
Please join us in prayer at this time of pandemic.
Day One: We pray that the hope of eternal life given by the Resurrection of Christ may console the multitude of people worldwide who have lost loved ones during this Coronavirus Pandemic, trusting that their deceased relatives, friends and co-workers are with the Lord.
Day Two: We pray that the presence of Christ the Healer may sustain all who are sick, and all health-care workers, nursing home staff, Hospice and hospital personnel, especially as they risk their own health and lives to care for others during this time.
Day Three: We pray for all who are enduring experiences of lockdown, shelter-in-place or quarantines, especially those living alone, that they may have neighbors who see to their basic needs and family and friends who stay in contact through social media or frequent calls.
Day Four: We pray that new life, promised by the Risen Lord and manifested in Spring’s re-creation, may renew the energy of 911 workers, paramedics and EMT’s, fire and police, national guard and all other first responders as they have courageously remained alert to emergency calls during this Pandemic and continue to do so daily.
Day Five: We pray for those who have been providing essential services, such as farmers, grocery suppliers and stores, banks, internet providers and many others who continue to work to sustain our lives in these difficult times.
Day Six: We pray for all families for whom this time of limited mobility has added stress resulting in increased addictions, family disruptions and domestic violence. May help soon become available for their physical, psychological and spiritual needs for healing.
Day Seven: We pray for school superintendents, principals, teachers and staff who have been providing online education for students from preschool through university, that they may experience the gratitude of those who have benefited from their creativity and hard-work.
Day Eight: We pray for all whose lives have been drastically affected with the loss of jobs, business closures and financial loss, and who live accompanied by great anxiety not knowing how to pay for basic necessities of daily life. May those who have enough be willing to share with those who have little.
Day Nine: We pray for those for whom their faith in God’s Providence has been greatly challenged as they have experienced losses of many kinds during this time of trial and whose cries to God seem not to be heard. May the faith of those who are able to trust God sustain them until the Holy Spirit renews their own inner convictions of God’s presence and care.
