Monthly Novena

Join the Parish & Family Life Committee in praying a monthly Novena.  It is our hope that our entire parish can come together and pray the same novena each month!  To access the Novena of the month you can scan the QR codes located at the entrances to the Church or in the weekly bulletin.  You may also click the image below to be taken to the Novena.          
                        
                                     
WHAT IS A NOVENA?
The word “novena” is derived from the Latin word for nine, or “novem.” Typically, a novena refers to nine days of prayer, asking God for a specific intention, often through a Saint’s intercession. Many of the most popular and widely-prayed novenas begin or end on a Saint’s feast day. And it’s important to note that while most novenas are nine days long, there are some exceptions.

HOW DO YOU PRAY A NOVENA?
Simply pray the novena prayer that corresponds with each day for nine days straight. Some novenas repeat the same prayer each day, while others have a specific prayer for each day of the novena.  

Born into a noble family in Sicily around the year 231, Agatha lived a life of wealth and privelage.  At the age of 15, Agatha made a vow of virginity and chose to dedicate her life to God. Agatha was beautiful and caught the eye of many men.  One man, Quintianus tried to force her to break her vow and marry him.  When Agatha refused he became very angry and had her arrested for her practice of Christianity.  St. Agatha perservered through much torture and agony, never abandoning her vow.  Through it all, St. Agatha prayed and cheerfully endured her tortures. 
St. Agatha is the patron saint of Sicily, Spain, Malta, rape victims, and breast cancer patients.  She is one of seven women saints who are mentioned in the Canon of the Mass. You may pray this novena from January 27 - February 4, to celebrate her feast day on February 5th, or at any time during the month of January.  
St. Agatha, pray for us!

St. Andre always wanted a true basilica built in Saint Joseph’s honor. Despite being told no and overcoming many hurdles, he started the process by saving money from haircuts he would give at the boy’s school where his religious order worked. Eventually, he paved the way for the Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal to be constructed. Saint St. Andre was humble and always faithful, working his entire life completing the most basic of jobs and never wanting credit for the work he did.
Saint Andre’s devotion to Saint Joseph is inspiring. He teaches us to live selflessly and bring the message of St. Joseph’s life to others. You may pray this novena from December 28- January 5, to celebrate his feast day on January 6th, or at any time during the month of December.
St. Andre Bessette Novena, pray for us!

 

Born into royalty in Hungary in 1207, Elizabeth led a priveledged life.  At the age of 14, she married Louis of Thuringia, whom she deeply loved.  They had three children together.  Elizabeth lived a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor and sick.  After the death of her husband in 1227, Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order and spent the rest of her life caring for the poor and sick in a hospital that she founded in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. 
St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a wife, mother, third order religious, and compassionate towards the poor. She is the great intercessor for all who lead a busy life. She is also the patron saint of bakers, brides, and those who have lost children. St. Elizabeth of Hungary encourages us to use our unique talents to serve the Lord.
You may pray this novena from November 8- November 16, to celebrate her feast day on November 17, or at any time during the month of November. Our hope is that our entire parish will come together and pray the same novena each month! St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us! 

Saint John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland.  He was considered one of the Church's leading thinkers and made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years.  St. John Paul II projected great love and wisdom. He tirelessly visited countless countries, bringing hope to all people and spreading the Gospel of Christ. Let us reflect upon and live out his beautiful words: “Darkness can only be scattered by light, hatred can only be conquered by love.”
You may pray this novena from October 13- October 21, to celebrate his feast day on October 22, or at any time during the month of October. Our hope is that our entire parish can come together and pray the same novena each month! Please join us in praying the St. John Paul II Novena this month!

St. Padre Pio was an Italian Priest who had the stigmata, or bore the wound of Christ.  He is known for his suffering, humilyt, and miracles.  He is recognized as the patron saint of Civil Defense workers, adolescents, and his birthplace of Pietreclcina, Italy.  He famously advised: "Pray, hope, and don't worry."
You may pray this novena from September 14th - 22nd to celebrate his feast day on September 23rd, or at any time during the month of September.  Please join us in praying the St. Padre Pio Novena this month!  

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Macdonia in 1910, she went to Ireland in 1928 to join the Sisters of Loreto at the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There she learned Enligh and a year later sailed to India as a teacher. She taught for 17 years at the order’s school in Calcutta.  On September 10, 1946 on a train she expererienced her "call within a call" to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.  In 1950 she founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, Inida that would serve "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone."  The Missionaries of Charity established a hospice, centers for the blind, aged and disabled and a leper colony.   
Mother Teresa's feast day is celebrated on September 5th.  You may pray this novena at any time during the month of August, or start it on Friday, August 27 and end on St. Mother Teresa's feast day!  Our hope is simply that our entire parish can come together and pray the same novena each month!

St. Anne is the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus.  While she is not mentioned once in the bible, devotion to her began very early in the history of the Catholic Church.  Who wouldn't want to ask for help from the mother of our Holy Mother?!  St. Anne is the Patron Saint of mothers, grandmothers, unmarried women, housewives, women in labor and women who want to be pregnant.  She is also the patroness of educators, horeseback riders, cabinet makers and miners.  St. Anne’s feast day is July 26th, so the St. Anne Novena is traditionally started on July 17th, but you can pray it anytime.  Please join us in praying the St. Anne Novena!