Mid December.

 So far this month I have done the Novena for the Immaculate Conception. This is always tough for me. Not sure why by this is not my favorite name - or  side- of Mary.  But I did pray it...Hysterically I forgot my intention from the first day by the second, so I asked "for whatever I asked for the first day as well as Special graces for Father David Bialkowski and for my vocation and financial situation"  I think Mary has a sense of humor.  I pray she does, at least!

   I am set to finish up a 54 day Rosary Novena this week. The intention for that was Father David Bialkowski. Father David, if you ever stumble across this, I want to hear from you! I will continue to pray for you, until YOU tell me to stop. :)
   I will do a Christmas Novena that starts on the 16th and ends on the 24th. It is found here.

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/christmas.htm

My intentions will be all my twitter priests, as well as Father Leon, Father David Richards, Father Li Puma, Father David Bialkowski and Brother Michael Baker, for all their intentions and needs and that all the graces of heaven rain down on them.

  I am writing it here so that I don't forget it this time! <instert sad grin here/>
sigh

A Late Post for November.

I started did a St Jude Novena this month, for Father David Bialkowski. As well as a Started a 54 day Rosary Novena for him.   

I will finish the Novena  on the 17th of December. 

I also started a Novena to the Immaculate Conception on the 29th of November that will end tomorrow, December 8th. 

I am  looking for a Novena for December.  I hope I can find one that will end on Christmas Eve.

 

October

This month I was involved in a 54 day rosary novena with an online group I am in. But I also am doing a Novena to St Anthony Mary Zaccaria who founded the Barnabites. I am doing it for the Kind Branabites that I know. ( Yes, I know one very unkind Barnabite Priest- I struggle with praying for him) It is in thanksgiving for their kindnesses- of which there have been many.
   I am also doing a 9 day Rosary for Father David Bialkowski, because I want him back in my life, he's been gone for 4 years. Lastly I am considering doing another 54 day novena for him....yes, I miss him that much. Father B. if you ever read this - you are missed and prayed for daily.
   I am already planning for next month. Not sure even what Novena I am going to do....this month's Novena to St Anthony Mary Zaccaria came about because of an incident at the Fatima Shrine in Lewsiton, NY that is still painful.  I am not sure what to do about next month. Hopefully something will reveal itself.

Spetember

 This month has been so hard.....I have been doing a 54 day Novena, and the St Theresa Novena.  Or rather I tried the St Theresa Novena.  I went for three days, and two of the three ended with me being physically hurt, because my knees are so bad that I can not use the kneelers. No one else wants to kneel on the floor- this did not end well in a crowded church. Sigh.
 The 54 day Novena, I had a hard time getting started on - but I think I am on track now.
  Part of the issue with the 54 day rosary Novena is that I say at least two rosaries a day anyhow and loose track. I love the Rosary. And I love saying it while I drive.  I offer the first Rosary in Thanksgiving for Father Leon B, Father Dave R, Father Dave B. and Brother Michael B, MIC the second I offer for their needs and intentions. Some days - those are the only intentions I can pray for.  Other days I can pray as many as 6 or 7 Rosaries.
 

August Round Up

Ok, I finished the Novena in solidarity with the Oklahoma Bishop trying to stop the Satamic Mass in his diocese.  It was harder to remeber to say the prayers everyday for some reason than it was to not eat meat and only have 1 full meal and two smaller meals all day. Seriously sad.

This was the one Novena I did this month, but I have started saying several rosaries a day, for various intentions.

1st in Thanksgiving for Father Leon B and Father David R.
2nd For the needs and intentions of Father Leon B and Father David R.
3rd for Bishops Maloney and Kmiec of Buffalo
4th for the 54 day Novena ( if I have one going on)
5 For Fathers David B andTony H,  Jessel G,Brother Michael and Seminarian Bobby
6 For Fathers, Chris F, Father Ambrose, Father Kevin G, and Father Prospero.
If I get farther than that I say one for all Jesuits.

I really am getting to love and be protective of "my" priests.  I guess you love what and whom you pray for.

Everyone needs to read this letter from a Chaldean Catholic Patriarch in Iraq

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-urgent-letter-of-chaldean-patriarch.html

Read, Pray, Act.

Help a Bishop Fight Evil

The Bishop of OK has asked the people of his diocese fast and pray that the satanic black mass scheduled there be canceled.
 You can here his thoughts here . Or read his words here   Just so we're clear here.

He is asking:

A daily decade of the rosary with the intention that it be stopped
9 days ( August 6-15th 2014) of fast and absitance - no meat or meat products.
and the daily recitation of the St Michael Prayer found here .

I am doing this and the prayers he asked of priests...Hey it can't hurt can it?

Won't you join the fight?

Jesuit Resoration Novena.

I have been doing a Novena in honor of the Restoration of the Jesuit Order this week, you can find it here. It is wonderful, beautiful and I hope they leave it up after it ends. I want to re-listen to it later.
   Some might now how much I love the Jesuit Order. Learning about their history has given me so much - Spiritual Superheros for one. I have many Jesuits on my twitter feed, and learn so much from them about Social Justice. Some of my opinions about things have totally changed. Other things I had no opinion on - I do now. And still others - I have found that I totally agree with them from the get go.  I am loving the education and the interaction with them. One in particualr has been a God Send in this, Father Jason Welle, SJ - has really posted a ton of stuff that makes me think, research, read and then re-read what he posted. Amazing. Pray for him if you would, he's such a blessing.
  I also did a Novena to St John Vianney, the Patron of Parish Priests. I prayed it for Father Leon Biernat and Father David Richards. May they be blessed as they bless us who are led by them.
   I have gotten to the point where I am attending Mass most days, and praying several rosaries a day. I start with one in Thanksgiving for Father Leon and Father Dave and then one for their needs and intentions.  I hope they don't mind.
  After that if I am still praying I do another rosary in honor of my "twitter priests" - all the priests I have followed or who  follow me ( or both!) on twitter.com And then one in honour of the Jesuits. And so forth.
   I enjoy the rosary so much!
   I also am looking to deepen my relationship with God, my prayer life, but the prayer books I was using are just not cutting it at this time.  It feels like I am reading rathering talking with my Father. So again I am turning to my Jesuits. I started with the Jesuit Relations in grad school, and just finished reading St Ignatius of Loyola's autobiography. Now I want more on him, and his spirituality.  Not sure where to go from here tho'.  Gonna have to post to "my" priests.
  What started as a New Year's Resolution has grown into so much more.  I will let you know how this journey progresses.

Horrible Month.

      I tried to do a Novena to God the Father. Tried being the operative word. It was scheduled at the same time as Mission at St Greg's - the experience was terrifiying and overwhelming. I am not a social person.
        I tried to sequester myself during breaks, didn't work. Always had someone trying to talk to me, even during breaks, when I would try to read and get some "me" time.  I was not allowed to do that. I told one guy to leave me be - he did for a bit and then came back and wanted to talk.  It was all about their needs and wants....not the "candidates" needs.  If they wanted you to talk - you talked, no matter what you wanted.
     If it had not been for Father Leon and Father David, I would not have made it through. But I sort of promised them I would go -so I did. It almost cost me my faith in the Church ( but not in God). I seriously considered leaving the Catholic Church again.
   One of the speakers started off great....and went off on a tangent about what folks whose churches closed were upset about.  WAY off! but it opened wounds I had thought were healed. I was in tears for hours, and spent much of the next day ( about 5 hours) in prayer.  Helped some - but then Friday they did skits that mocked people and things. I was the target of one and those of us who lost their parishes in the journey of faith and grace as they call it, were the target of another. Father Leon was a target of a third.
   I left - I find mocking people to be immoral - and mocking people in pain worse. I was too upset to drive and went into the women's bathroom to cry and try to calm down.
   Now men, a word to the "wise" here - if a female goes to the bathroom to cry She.Does.NOT.Want.You.To.Follow. Just in case you didn't know.
   But one of the deacons did just that - followed me into the bathroom, because he wanted to "talk" . Notice that? He wanted.  And he carefully placed himself between me and the door. And me and the nearest stall. I was effectively pinned against the sink because He wanted to talk.  Not Good.
   He "convinced" me to go back and sit. Where he "talked" some more and then he left and the guy I mentioned in the first paragraph came over to see if I was ok. Not bad, but not comfortable.
   Another thing you should know is that I did not eat all week...I literally had less than 1,000 calories all week, and lost 13.5 lbs.  This did not sit well with anyone- except me.
   My love of Father Leon is in tact. My love for Father Dave is in tact. My Love for my God is in Tact.  My faith in men in general - not so much. But I don't have to worship them, thank God.
    The following is what I posted on Sparkpeople.com about the week and today's aftermath:

Some of you know how I struggled with Mission...it was not something I enjoyed, but I made it through - because of a promise to a priest I love. But the reaction I had to much of what went on was NOT what Mission was intended to be. In fact, I considered leaving the Church because of some of the things that happened.
Tonight I went to church in a new parish, simply because it was the parish of the priest whose talk hurt me the worst. ( He made some off hand remarks about the parishes that closed, that re-opened the hurt of loosing the parish) Now, it may sound weird but after Mass, after praying especially for this priest and several others during Consecratoin, I wanted to go thank this same priest for taking the time to go talk to us at Mission..for doing the hour long drive each way simply to talk for 30 minutes or so.
What a healing experience! When I walked up to him after Mass, he grabbed my hand and held it the entire time we were talking - asked how the Mission went and I explained to him some of the issues I had,,,,No I did not tell him that it was his talk that hurt, but I did tell him that it was "One of the speakers" because he asked in so many words. Horrified would be a good way to describe his reaction...so I know he did not mean to hurt. I found myself talking to him for a good 15 minutes and in doing so seeing this priest as a gentle and loving shepherd. He urged me to talk to the priest who heads up the Church where I went through Mission and tell him of my concerns ( not going to happen) ---but it was one of the most healing conversations I have *ever* had. Simply seeing how concerned this priest was about someone he did not even know. God has blessed this parish with a wonderful shepherd

  And yes, I am extremely Thankful for this priest's effort to be there - he did not have to and did it to teach us, the willing, the unwilling, good soil and bad and even the hurting.  An hour each way.  His entire evening for folks he did not know and would likely never know.  Good man to do that.
  I am going to make the trip to his parish again, it may well become another on the list of "fall back churches" where we go - when we don't know where to go. He is that impressive- and his sermons are not bad either.

This month has been a struggle.

The month of June has been a struggle. We burried my mentor at school in late May...it was harder than I thought. The very next week end we also lost Father David at St Greg's. By Father's day I was a mess. Still am. Since February Father Leon has moved on ( a man I consider a living Saint.) and although I see him once in awhile I certainly do not have the access to him that I did when he was at OLP and helping close down SSPP. I could see him every day and talk to him whenever I needed. I don't think he knew how much he meant and how much he helped me there. Then Felix died in a fire, one day I saw him laughing and joking with other professors and us students, that evening he was dead.
I tried to support everyone as best I could. I am not sure it helped them, but it was all I could do. When they announced that Father David was leaving, it was just too much loss in too short a time. I spent hours in tears, and still am tearing up as I write this. He is a good, kind, welcoming, loving man who made this return to the Church so much easier. At points when I felt unwelcome in the Church, his easy smile and welcoming nature put those feelings to bed. He, again, does not realize how much those qualities mean to someone in turmoil. I pray for both he and Father Leon.
Mom and I did a pilgramage to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA and the Jesuit Shrine in Aurisville, NY. It was horrible. My faith was left shattered and it took me two days to eat or pray again. Sigh.
The Novena this Month was the Divine Mercy in anticipation of the trip. I finished it at the church..good thing to because the Mass was a hot Mess and the sermon was all about "If God wants you to hear Mass, he'll make it happen." this was the only part of the Mass I heard because a child in back was so lound it drown out most of the Mass. Turns out mommy had given her a microphone to "keep her happy" - so many of the rest of us could not hear ourselves pray. And what does the sermon mean to those who could not hear over this racket? That God does not want us? Fantastic.
Lord, Help me come closer to you.

So this month's Novenas ended up being

The Our Lady of Hope Novena,Found here

The Novena for Priests, Found here

The 54 Day Rosary Novena Found here

The Miraculous Medal Novena Found here

The Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena, Found here

The are all being done for the intention of my getting a Good Paying job, except the one for priests.

I am looking for a Novena for a specific priest.  I want to do one for the intentions of the priest who welcomed me back to the church.

Third Novena

I am doing the Mary Undoer of Knots Novena with the good folks at www.PrayMore Novenas.com its a great site if you want to pray a monthly novena.
  The Novena is a beautiful one with a daily prayer, a rosary and a meditation. come join us!

  There is even an app for the Novena in itunes.

I am wanting to pray more and more often these days.  Which is a major change for me. I go to Mass twice a week, say a rosary every day ( often 3 while driving) and am trying to add in a Divine Mercy when ever possible. I also have a prayer book that I like and I am using Susan Tassone's Prayers, Promises, and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory  and prayer for the Holy Souls.
  I am loving this journey.

I am also going to do the Miraculous Medal Novena, just because I love the story of it. I am going to do it for the intention of health for my mom.

St Joseph of Cupertino

  O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the                                                 (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I )examination.
In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me
O Holy Ghost enlighten me
Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me
Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.


I am saying this for the next few days because I have a history paper I am struggling to finish. Pray for me. 

May is Mary's Month

May is Mary's Month, so the first Novena I am doing is to Mary, Queen of Hope. Someone at St Greg's has a great devotion to her and there are always prayer cards for this novena around.  The picture attracted me to the cards, but Hope is always in short supply in this world so I thought praying to Mary, Queen of Hope would be a good thing.  A lovely little novena.


I have started saying 3 novenas a month. My next one will be for priests.  I am not sure what the last one will be yet, still looking for it. :)

Will update later in the month.

April - Divine Mercy Novena and Sunday

  I have been doing the 54 day rosary novena, I am almost done, so I am in the 27 for thanks giving. ( separation of words intentional).  While I have not gotten the job  am praying for - I find the way I think and pray is changing. I spend much more time giving thanks, for Jesus, for Mary, For Joseph, for my family, for God's blessings, than ever before. I know with all my heart that God has a job prepared for me that I will spend the rest of my working life at. I look forward to receiving it  and doing my best for God in it.
   I have also been praying more for the holy souls in purgatory, than even for my job.  I am not sure why I just feel called to do so- so I do. It bothers me that there are souls forgotten that that still suffering there....I hope I can help someone there. I pray for my family, friends and priests  but I also pray for the most forgotten and abandoned souls.  I hurts to think of them with no one to pray for them, so I pray.
   For this month Mom and I did the Divine Mercy Novena. It ended  yesterday and I attended Divine Mercy Ceremonies at St Greg's .....it makes me so thankful that God cares so much about me. How do I ever thank him?

March Update.

          So I have lost count on this month's Novena. I am still saying the prayer because I love it. I think St Joe will be ok with that. :)
           I am continuing with the 54 day roasary Novena - and loving that also. I did a late night visit to the Eucharistic Adoration at my mom's church. And ended up saying a full 20 decades plus a Divine Mercy rosary while there. I hope that saying rosarys is acceptable in Adoration. I don't know if one has to do the creed and the concluding prayers after each set of mysteries or not, so I did - I can't imagine the Blessed Mother taking offense at too many prayers.
     I finished the St Charbel one and will eventually do another.
      I have joined the adoration group at St Gregory the Great - lovely church and nice group of people. I am beginning to feel at home there.
  Before I started this year of Novena's I would NEVER have thought I would be going to Adoration and being comfortable. Heck I would never have seen myself feeling comfortable in any church - ever.  And I don't really feel comfortable going to services there BUT the adoration chapel is a world unto itself.  A wonderful. peaceful one, where I can cry or pray, or just be with Jesus -and it's ok for me to feel what I feel and give it to Him.
  I see this as progress in my spiritual growth. This is good and I hope I am correct in the progress. :)


On another note come join us at http://www.praymorenovenas.com/ 

March mid way.

 I decided I did not like the St Joseph one  I was doing, so I am doing this prayer 9 days in a row.

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall posion take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.
- See more at: http://prayertostjoseph.org/#sthash.OPhOW3pl.dpuf

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.

Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been know to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.

found here 

 I am loving this one.  So I am saying the novena more than once.  

And I am restarting the  St Charbal one since I got sick on the last two days and could not finish ( I could not lift my head with out being dizzy much less anything else. ) 

And I have started the 54 day Rosary Novena.   

I am praying the St Joseph one for a job I can support myself and my mom on 

The St Charbal one because he keeps coming up in unexpected places and I feel like he wants me to

and the rosary one because I want to. 

I'll let you know about it later

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall posion take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.
- See more at: http://prayertostjoseph.org/#sthash.OPhOW3pl.dpuf

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall posion take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.
- See more at: http://prayertostjoseph.org/#sthash.OPhOW3pl.dpuf

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall posion take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.
- See more at: http://prayertostjoseph.org/#sthash.OPhOW3pl.dpuf

End of the Month - Feb

Lets see, since finishing the Doubting Thomas Novena I've started the St Joseph Novena and the St Charbal Novena. 
  I know next to nothing about St Charbal...but he keeps "popping up" in unexpected places, so I get the impression that I need to be praying to him - so I am. And I am carrying his medal now, along with St Benedict's, and St Thomas Aquinas on my key chain. I have taken to wearing a scapular and on it the miraculous medal and the medal of the Divine Mercy on its strings. 
   In November I started going to the Eucharistic Adorations when I find them, and I love it. Even if I don't always stay on point, so to speak. I usually kneel and pray for a bit, and then sit and read and go back and forth between reading and prayer.  Mainly I pray that I won't be as angry as I have been lately and say "Thank you" to Jesus. 
   I was supposed to pray the St Joseph one this month but I am on day four of the one I just started. I will finish this one and start the one that I am supposed to be doing with mom. 
  We'll see where that goes.  :)














 

Finished the Doubting Thomas Novena

It was fascinating. I recommend it to anyone, at any stage of their faith journey. I found the vignettes from Thomas's life to be revealing and insightful - and the fact that they are legends from the ( Eastern) Indian Catholic community  founded by St Thomas is wonderful. I will be re-praying this novena, likely yearly.
  The I am doing the St Francis Novena with the gang at PrayMoreNovenas.com and struggling with it.   It seems seriously off to be praying my intention for a job that I can support myself and my mom, pay off old debts and be able to give mom some of the comforts and fun that we are used to as we age- while praying to be able to accept poverty as St Francis did.  I am on day 6 today - it is a hard novena to complete.
 I have also started praying St Gertrude's prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son,  Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Information about it can be found here at  St Gertrude the Great's Prayer

In other news Mom is praying the St Anne - so she finally gotten over the hard feelings from the fight, which is good- I missed praying it with her this month.


Post Script - 2/17/2014. I simply can not finish the St Francis Novena.  I can not pray these words anymore "Pray for us that we enjoy the privilege of suffering with and for the poor in the example of Jesus" - enjoy the privilege of suffering with and for the poor?"  I *AM*  poor...destitute - it's not enjoyable, it's not something I can pray for to be enjoyable for myself or for anyone else. I want a way out of poverty and debt. Not a way to enjoy it.
   And for the past two days - I have been so very angry, I am having a hard time praying for anything...much less to enjoy being poor.  Please pray for me. 

I started the"A Doubters Novena: Nine Steps to Trust With the Apostle Thomas"

it's a book by Michael Aquilina and Christopher Bailey and can be found here . Lovely little book full of historical fact and anecdotes about the Apostle Thomas and his ministry in India. It also talks about how Thomas' journey relates to our lives today and then gives a prayer for each day.  I love it.

   I am also doing the St Francis Novena found on PrayMoreNovenas.com  a wonderful site that sends daily reminders for each month's novena. the page was created by John-Paul and Annie Deddens and has really helped me a lot with feeling like I am a part of a community, even tho' I don't have a parish to call home. Thousands of folks are using the site and this is the second novena I have done with them - last month was a Novena to St Peregrin, the Cancer Saint. I keep, John-Paul, Annie and their ministry in my prayers.

  Pray for me, as I will for thee, that we may merrily meet in heaven.
      - Sir Thomas More

This is my prayer request

 I am long term unemployed,and looking for work -desperately. I need to find a job that will allow me to support my elderly mom and myself as well as pay off all the debts I have incurred over 4 years of being unemployed and be able to allow us some comfort and fun as we both age.

This is the Saint Anne Novena.  It was often hard to pray this month, not because of the Novena...but because of the tension that has been between mom and I.  I hope next month goes better, and that Saint Anne, Mary and the Blessed Trinity can help us both to grow closer.

Novena to St. Anne,
the Mother of the Virgin Mary

First, recite this prayer.

Glorious St. Anne,
filled with compassion for those who invoke you,
with love for those who suffer,
heavily laden with the weight of my troubles,
I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you
to take my present need under your special protection...

(State your intention here.)

Vouchsafe to recommend it to your daughter,
the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and lay it before the throne of Jesus.
Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face,
and with you and Mary and all the angels
and saints praising Him through all eternity.

Amen

Next, recite the prayer that relates to the day that you are at.

DAY ONE

Great Saint Anne,
engrave indelibly on my heart
and in my mind the words that have reclaimed
and sanctified so many sinners:
"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world
if he lose his own soul?"
May this be the principle fruit of these prayers
by which I will strive to honor you during this novena.
At your feet renew my resolution to invoke you daily,
not only for the success of my temporal affairs
and to be preserved from sickness and suffering,
but above all, that I may be preserved from all sin,
that I may succeed in working out my eternal salvation
and that I will receive the special grace of...

(State your intention here.)

O most powerful Saint Anne,
do not let me lose my soul,
but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven,
there with you, you blessed spouse,
and your glorious daughter,
to sing the praise of the most holy
and adorable Trinity forever and ever.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY TWO

Glorious Saint Anne,
how can you be otherwise than overflowing
with tenderness toward sinners like myself,
since you are the grandmother of Him who shed His blood for them,
and the mother of her whom the saints call advocate of sinners?
To you, therefore, I address my prayers with confidence.
Vouchsafe to commend me to Jesus and Mary so that,
at your request, I may be granted remission of my sins,
perseverance, the love of God, charity for all mankind,
and the special grace of...

(State your intention here.)

which I stand in need at the present time.
O most powerful protectress,
let me not lose my soul,
but obtain for me that through the merits of Jesus Christ
and the intercession of Mary,
I may have happiness of seeing them,
of loving and praising them with your through all eternity. Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY THREE

Beloved of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
mother of the Queen of Heaven,
take us and all who are dear to us under your special care.
Obtain for us the virtues you instilled in the heart of her
who was destined to become Mother of God,
and the graces with which you were endowed.
Sublime model of Christian womanhood,
pray that we may imitate your example in our homes and families,
listen to our petitions,
(State your intention here.)

Guardian of the infancy
and childhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
obtain the graces necessary for all who enter the marriage state,
that imitating your virtues they may sanctify their homes
and lead the souls entrusted to their care to eternal glory. Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY FOUR

Glorious Saint Anne,
I kneel in confidence at your feet,
for you also have tasted the bitterness and sorrow of life.
My necessities, the cause of my tears, are...

(State your intention here.)

Good Saint Anne,
you who did suffer much during the twenty years
that preceded your glorious maternity,
I beseech you, by all your sufferings and humiliations,
to grant my prayer.
I pray to you,
through you love for your glorious spouse Saint Joachim,
through your love for your immaculate child,
through the joy you did feel at the moment of her happy birth,
not to refuse me.
Bless me, bless my family and all who are dear to me,
so that some day we may all be with you in the glory of heaven,
for all eternity.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY FIVE

Great Saint Anne,
how far I am from resembling you.
I so easily give way to impatience and discouragement;
and so easily give up praying
when God does not at once answer my request.
Prayer is the key to all heavenly treasures and I cannot pray,
because my weak faith and lack of confidence
fail me at the slightest delay of divine mercy.
O my powerful protectress,
come to my aid,
listen to my petition...

(State your intention here.)

make my confidence and fervor,
supported by the promise of Jesus Christ,
redouble in proportion as the trial
to which God in His goodness subjects me is prolonged,
that I may obtain like you more than I can venture to ask for.
In the future I will remember
that I am made for heaven and not for earth;
for eternity and not for time;
that consequently I must ask, above all,
the salvation of my soul
which is assured to all who pray properly
and who persevere in Pray.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY SIX

Glorious Saint Anne,
mother of the Mother of God,
I beg you to obtain through your powerful intercession
the pardon of my sins and the assistance I need in my troubles...

(State your intention here.)

What can I not hope for
if you deign to take me under your protection?
The Most High has been please to grant the prayers of sinners,
whenever you have been charitable enough to be their advocate.

Kneeling at your feet,
I beg you to help me in all spiritual and temporal dangers;
to guide me in the true path of Christian perfection,
and finally to obtain for me
the grace of ending my life with the death of the just,
so that I may contemplate face to face your beloved Jesus
and daughter Mary in your loving companionship throughout eternity.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY SEVEN

O Good Saint Anne,
so justly called the mother of the infirm,
the cure for those who suffer from disease,
look kindly upon the sick for whom I pray;
alleviate their sufferings;
cause them to sanctify their sufferings by patience
and complete submission to the divine will;
finally deign to obtain health for them
and with it the firm resolution to honor Jesus, Mary,
and yourself by the faithful performance of duties.
But, merciful Saint Anne,
I ask you above all for the salvation of my soul,
rather than bodily health,
for I am convinced that this fleeting life is given us
solely to assure us a better one.
Now, we cannot obtain that better life
without the help of God’s graces.
I earnestly beg them of you for the sick and for myself,
especially the petition for which I am making in this novena...

(State your intention here.)

through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through the intercession of His Immaculate Mother,
and through the efficacious and powerful mediation.
O glorious Saint Anne,

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY EIGHT

Remember, O Saint Anne,
you whose name signifies grace and mercy,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
and sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly unto you, good, and kind mother;
I take refuge at your feet,
burdened with the weight of my sins.
O holy mother of the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
despise not my petition...

(State your intention here.)

but hear me and grant my prayer.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY NINE

Most holy mother of the Virgin Mary,
glorious Saint Anne, I, a miserable sinner,
confiding in your kindness,
choose you today as my special advocate.
I offer and consecrate my person
and all my interests to your care and maternal solicitude.
I hope To serve you and honor you all my life
for the love of your most holy daughter
and to do all in my power to spread devotion to you.

O my very good mother and advocate,
deign to accept me as your servant,
and to adopt me as you child.
O glorious Saint Anne, I beg you,
by the passion of my most loving Jesus,
the Son of Mary, your most holy daughter,
to assist me in all the necessities
both of my body and my soul.
Venerable Mother,
I beg you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena...

(State your intention here.)

and the grace of leading a life perfectly conformable
in all things to the divine will.
I place my soul in your hands
and in those of your kind daughter.
I confide it to you,
above all at the moment
when it will be to separate itself from my body in order that,
appearing under your patronage before the Supreme Judge,
He may find it worthy of enjoying His Divine Presence
in your holy companionship in Heaven.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Mother is not praying with me this month so far. She's still mad about the fight we had Saturday.  sigh.

This Month is St Anne

      This month I am saying a Novena to St Anne. I am struggling emotionally and financially.  I am not sure if mom is praying this one with me due to a fight we had Saturday.
        I hope it gets better. St Anne deserves so much more than tear filled prayers. This is the Novena I am praying this month. I found it here  at catholicdoors.com
 
     

Novena to St. Anne,
the Mother of the Virgin Mary

First, recite this prayer.

Glorious St. Anne,
filled with compassion for those who invoke you,
with love for those who suffer,
heavily laden with the weight of my troubles,
I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you
to take my present need under your special protection...

(State your intention here.)

Vouchsafe to recommend it to your daughter,
the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and lay it before the throne of Jesus.
Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face,
and with you and Mary and all the angels
and saints praising Him through all eternity.

Amen

Next, recite the prayer that relates to the day that you are at.

DAY ONE

Great Saint Anne,
engrave indelibly on my heart
and in my mind the words that have reclaimed
and sanctified so many sinners:
"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world
if he lose his own soul?"
May this be the principle fruit of these prayers
by which I will strive to honor you during this novena.
At your feet renew my resolution to invoke you daily,
not only for the success of my temporal affairs
and to be preserved from sickness and suffering,
but above all, that I may be preserved from all sin,
that I may succeed in working out my eternal salvation
and that I will receive the special grace of...

(State your intention here.)

O most powerful Saint Anne,
do not let me lose my soul,
but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven,
there with you, you blessed spouse,
and your glorious daughter,
to sing the praise of the most holy
and adorable Trinity forever and ever.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY TWO

Glorious Saint Anne,
how can you be otherwise than overflowing
with tenderness toward sinners like myself,
since you are the grandmother of Him who shed His blood for them,
and the mother of her whom the saints call advocate of sinners?
To you, therefore, I address my prayers with confidence.
Vouchsafe to commend me to Jesus and Mary so that,
at your request, I may be granted remission of my sins,
perseverance, the love of God, charity for all mankind,
and the special grace of...

(State your intention here.)

which I stand in need at the present time.
O most powerful protectress,
let me not lose my soul,
but obtain for me that through the merits of Jesus Christ
and the intercession of Mary,
I may have happiness of seeing them,
of loving and praising them with your through all eternity. Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY THREE

Beloved of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
mother of the Queen of Heaven,
take us and all who are dear to us under your special care.
Obtain for us the virtues you instilled in the heart of her
who was destined to become Mother of God,
and the graces with which you were endowed.
Sublime model of Christian womanhood,
pray that we may imitate your example in our homes and families,
listen to our petitions,
(State your intention here.)

Guardian of the infancy
and childhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
obtain the graces necessary for all who enter the marriage state,
that imitating your virtues they may sanctify their homes
and lead the souls entrusted to their care to eternal glory. Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY FOUR

Glorious Saint Anne,
I kneel in confidence at your feet,
for you also have tasted the bitterness and sorrow of life.
My necessities, the cause of my tears, are...

(State your intention here.)

Good Saint Anne,
you who did suffer much during the twenty years
that preceded your glorious maternity,
I beseech you, by all your sufferings and humiliations,
to grant my prayer.
I pray to you,
through you love for your glorious spouse Saint Joachim,
through your love for your immaculate child,
through the joy you did feel at the moment of her happy birth,
not to refuse me.
Bless me, bless my family and all who are dear to me,
so that some day we may all be with you in the glory of heaven,
for all eternity.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY FIVE

Great Saint Anne,
how far I am from resembling you.
I so easily give way to impatience and discouragement;
and so easily give up praying
when God does not at once answer my request.
Prayer is the key to all heavenly treasures and I cannot pray,
because my weak faith and lack of confidence
fail me at the slightest delay of divine mercy.
O my powerful protectress,
come to my aid,
listen to my petition...

(State your intention here.)

make my confidence and fervor,
supported by the promise of Jesus Christ,
redouble in proportion as the trial
to which God in His goodness subjects me is prolonged,
that I may obtain like you more than I can venture to ask for.
In the future I will remember
that I am made for heaven and not for earth;
for eternity and not for time;
that consequently I must ask, above all,
the salvation of my soul
which is assured to all who pray properly
and who persevere in Pray.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY SIX

Glorious Saint Anne,
mother of the Mother of God,
I beg you to obtain through your powerful intercession
the pardon of my sins and the assistance I need in my troubles...

(State your intention here.)

What can I not hope for
if you deign to take me under your protection?
The Most High has been please to grant the prayers of sinners,
whenever you have been charitable enough to be their advocate.

Kneeling at your feet,
I beg you to help me in all spiritual and temporal dangers;
to guide me in the true path of Christian perfection,
and finally to obtain for me
the grace of ending my life with the death of the just,
so that I may contemplate face to face your beloved Jesus
and daughter Mary in your loving companionship throughout eternity.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY SEVEN

O Good Saint Anne,
so justly called the mother of the infirm,
the cure for those who suffer from disease,
look kindly upon the sick for whom I pray;
alleviate their sufferings;
cause them to sanctify their sufferings by patience
and complete submission to the divine will;
finally deign to obtain health for them
and with it the firm resolution to honor Jesus, Mary,
and yourself by the faithful performance of duties.
But, merciful Saint Anne,
I ask you above all for the salvation of my soul,
rather than bodily health,
for I am convinced that this fleeting life is given us
solely to assure us a better one.
Now, we cannot obtain that better life
without the help of God’s graces.
I earnestly beg them of you for the sick and for myself,
especially the petition for which I am making in this novena...

(State your intention here.)

through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through the intercession of His Immaculate Mother,
and through the efficacious and powerful mediation.
O glorious Saint Anne,

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY EIGHT

Remember, O Saint Anne,
you whose name signifies grace and mercy,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
and sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly unto you, good, and kind mother;
I take refuge at your feet,
burdened with the weight of my sins.
O holy mother of the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
despise not my petition...

(State your intention here.)

but hear me and grant my prayer.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

DAY NINE

Most holy mother of the Virgin Mary,
glorious Saint Anne, I, a miserable sinner,
confiding in your kindness,
choose you today as my special advocate.
I offer and consecrate my person
and all my interests to your care and maternal solicitude.
I hope To serve you and honor you all my life
for the love of your most holy daughter
and to do all in my power to spread devotion to you.

O my very good mother and advocate,
deign to accept me as your servant,
and to adopt me as you child.
O glorious Saint Anne, I beg you,
by the passion of my most loving Jesus,
the Son of Mary, your most holy daughter,
to assist me in all the necessities
both of my body and my soul.
Venerable Mother,
I beg you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena...

(State your intention here.)

and the grace of leading a life perfectly conformable
in all things to the divine will.
I place my soul in your hands
and in those of your kind daughter.
I confide it to you,
above all at the moment
when it will be to separate itself from my body in order that,
appearing under your patronage before the Supreme Judge,
He may find it worthy of enjoying His Divine Presence
in your holy companionship in Heaven.

Amen.

Recite the...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Pray for us, Saint Anne!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.