"It is impossible that a servant of Mary be damned, provided he serves her faithfully and commends himself to her maternal protection." St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787)
NOVENA IN PREPARATION FOR ALL SAINTS DAY, NOVEMBER 1st optional start dates: October 22nd to October 31st October 23rd to November 1st
What is a Novena? A novena is a traditional devotion consisting of specific prayers recited on nine successive days. Besides being a form of praise, a novena is frequently offered for a particular intention. The first novena took place in the Cenacle, during the nine days preceding Pentecost, or the coming of the Holy Ghost. As a regular popular custom, this practice began in 12th century Christianity and continues to be beneficial today as a way of praying for healing, protection or other blessings for ourselves or others.
This particular novena is prayed to God in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In praying this Novena, as in the case of all prayer, it is good to begin by opening ourselves wholeheartedly to God's will, offering a simple act of trust in God's wisdom and in His providential love for us all, that disposes all things for the ultimate benefit of our souls and their salvation.
How to Pray This Novena This novena is based on the history of the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Juan Diego. Each day of the novena is divided into the following parts: (1) a quote from Our Lady of Guadalupe for reflection; (2) words from Saints or Popes on Our Lady; (3) a Meditation; (4) a Prayer; (5) after mentioning your intention, pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary; (6) a Closing Prayer.