NINE PRAYERS FOR A NOVENA TO ST MARTIN DE PORRES

FIRST DAY:

Martin learned from Our Lord to be gentle and humble of heart. Thoughts of pride or vanity were wholly alien to his Christian spirit. His relationship with God was the relationship of a child to a loving Father. Being a loving Father, God can only want us to be happy. So Martin realised that happiness can be found only in a whole hearted surrender to God’s holy will. His rule of life was to pray “Thy will be done” and to behave accordingly.

PRAYER:

Dear St Martin, obtain for us from God and his holy Mother Mary the grace to be truly gentle and lowly of heart. May we find happiness in cheerful acceptance of God’s holy will and may there be no place in our hearts for thoughts of pride or vanity.

(One decade of the Rosary)

SECOND DAY:

“In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn 4:10-11). This inspired saying of Saint John could be taken as a summary of the way that Martin lived his life. His love and gratitude to God found expression in loving and helping others in whatever way that he could.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary the grace to deepen our awareness of the greatness of God’s love for us, so that we may ever seek true happiness in the loving service of God, and of our neighbour for God’s sake.

(One decade of the Rosary)

THIRD DAY:

Martin was called the Father of the Poor. He lived by the saying of Our Lord: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). He spent himself in caring for the poor, the suffering, and the afflicted in all of whom he saw Our Saviour.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, teach us to be generous with the gifts that God has given us. Pray to Jesus and to His Mother, Our Lady of Mercy, that our hearts may not be hardened by sin and selfishness, but that we may always be kind and generous to our neighbours who are suffering or in need, because they, like us, are children of the same Heavenly Father.

(One decade of the Rosary)

FOURTH DAY:

“Faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God.” Martin listened to the word of God in the proclamation of the Scripture in the Church. In simplicity of faith he tried to live in the spirit of the Gospel. God rewarded him by giving him a profound understanding of revealed Truth and the grace to express it in word and deed.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary the grace to open our hearts to the Gospel and to accept it in faith as you did.
May our Christian way of living draw others to Christ so that there may be one fold and one shepherd, Jesus Christ Our Lord.

(One decade of the Rosary)

FIFTH DAY:

Martin had an unwavering hope in God. He trusted in the power of God to save us, which is revealed in the Gospel. With Mary he believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken by the Lord. He relied on God, our loving Father, to give us everything we need. Above all he trusted that he would be granted the grace of final perseverance and of a happy death.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary an unwavering hope so that we may trust in God’s care for us in all the events of this life and securely expect from Him the supreme grace of final perseverance and of a happy death.

(One decade of the Rosary)

SIXTH DAY:

Martin sought to keep his mind and heart centred on God. His prayer came from the depths of his soul. He naturally turned to God to adore Him, to thank Him, and to ask Him for help. Martin prayed with humility and perseverance, and God was pleased to answer his prayers in miraculous ways. He will pray for us before the throne of God in Heaven.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary that by fervent, persevering, trustful prayer we may obey Our Divine Lord’s command: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” In this way may we be granted a deep spirit of prayer and complete trust in its power with you.

(One decade of the Rosary)

SEVENTH DAY:

Martin worked willingly within his Dominican family and for those outside. He realised that that work demands self discipline and contributes to the welfare of the society in which we live. Under the Providence of God it is one of the normal means of growing in holiness. Martin is an inspiration to us in his willingness to work at whatever needed to be done. He also shared in Our Lord’s redemptive suffering through exercises of penance.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary, the grace to understand the dignity of human labour as part of God’s plan for our sanctification and a cheerful acceptance of difficulties as a penance of our sins.

(One decade of the Rosary)

EIGHTH DAY:

Martin died when he was sixty years of age. He had worked hard and faithfully prayed. He had died to false love of self through a whole hearted love of God expressed in loving service of the needy and the suffering. He lives now in the glory of God, sharing in the blessedness which is the reward of all those who serve God faithfully in this life.

PRAYER:

Dear Saint Martin, obtain for us from God and His holy Mother Mary that we may so follow your example of humility and love of God and neighbour that, like you, we, too, may die truly sorry for our sins, and in the love and friendship of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

(One decade of the Rosary)

NINTH DAY:

Many favours, received through the intercession of Saint Martin, continue to be reported. The working of miracles is God’s seal on the sanctity of the saints. During his lifetime and after his death God signified the sanctity of Martin by the wonders that he worked. Since with God all things are possible we never waver in the hope that our prayers will be answered in accordance with God’s loving providence. While invoking the intercession of Saint Martin we realise that the greatest gift which we can receive is to live as he did in trusting Faith, persevering prayer, and Charity towards all.

PRAYER:

Loving Father, through the intercession of Saint Martin, grant us the special intention of this Novena (mention your request) and everything that we need. Grant that like Martin we may live our lives in trusting Faith , persevering prayer, and Charity towards all.

(One decade of the Rosary)

 

ST PRISCA AND ST AQUILA – PRAYER MEDITATION

ST PRISCA AND ST AQUILA + FIRST CENTURY

“Your obedience has become known to all and has caused me to rejoice greatly over you.” (Rom 16:19)

REFLECTION:
Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their lives for me.
Greet also the Church that assembles in their house.
– St Paul

PRAYER:
Glorious Sts Prisca and Aquila, remind me to open my heart, mind and home to Jesus and His teachers.
Amen.

 

BIBLE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST’S LIFE, PART VIII

Dear Brothers and Sisters without a Bible – this is the story that changes everyone’s life forever: the Gospel (Part 8)

John 8:1-59

THE ADULTERESS

As for Jesus, he went to the Mount of Olives.
At daybreak Jesus appeared in the Temple again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them.

Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone. “Master,” they said, “this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but you, what do you say?” They said this to test Jesus, in order to have some charge against him.

Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. And as they continued to ask him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And he bent down again, writing on the ground.

As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Then Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go away and don’t sin again.”

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Jesus spoke to them again, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.” The Pharisees replied, “Now you are speaking on your own behalf, your testimony is worthless.”

Then Jesus said, “Even though I bear witness to myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I have come from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

You judge by human standards; as for me, I don’t judge anyone. But if I had to judge, my judgment would be valid for I am not alone: the Father who sent me is with me. In your Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid; so I am bearing witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.

They asked him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You don’t know me or my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father as well.”

Jesus said these things when he was teaching in the Temple area, in the place where they received the offerings. No one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Again Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and though you look for me, you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come. The Jews wondered, “Why does he say that we can’t come where he is going? Will he kill himself?”

But Jesus said, “You are from below and I am from above; you are of this world and I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you shall die in your sins, unless you believe that I am He.”

They asked him, “Who are you?”; and Jesus said, “Just what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent me is truthful and everything I learned from him, I proclaim to the world.”

They didn’t understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself, but I say just what the Father taught me. He who sent me is with me and has not left me alone; because I always do what pleases him.”

THE CHILDREN OF TRUTH

As Jesus spoke like this, many believed in him. Jesus went on to say to the Jews who believed in him, “You will be my true disciples, if you keep my word. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone. What do you mean by saying: You will be free?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, whoever commits a sin is a slave. But the slave doesn’t stay in the house forever; the son stays forever. So, if the Son makes you free, you will be really free.

I know that you are the descendants of Abraham; yet you want to kill me because my word finds no place in you. For my part, I speak of what I have seen in my Father’s presence, but you do what you have learned from your father.”

They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Then Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do as Abraham did. But now you want to kill me, the one who tells you the truth – the truth that I have learned from God. That is not what Abraham did; what you are doing are the works of your father.”

The Jews said to him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one Father, God.” Jesus replied, “If God were your Father you would love me, for I came forth from God, and I am here. And I didn’t come by my own decision, but it was he himself who sent me. Why do you not understand my teaching? It is because you cannot bear my message.

The father you spring from is the devil, and you will carry out the evil wishes of your father, who has been a murderer from the beginning. He didn’t uphold the truth for, in him, there is no truth; and now, when he speaks for himself, he lies. He is a liar and the father of lies.

Now I speak the truth and you don’t believe me. Which of you could find anything false in me? Then, if I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the words of God; you don’t hear because you are not of God.”

The Jews retorted, “So we are right in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon.” Jesus said, “I am not possessed, and you try to shame me when I give honour to my Father. I don’t care about my own glory; there is One who cares for me and he will be the judge.

Truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never experience death.” The Jews replied, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died and the prophets as well, but you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never experience death.’ Who do you claim to be? Do you claim to be greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets also died.”

Then Jesus said, “If I were to praise myself, it would count for nothing. But he who gives glory to me is the Father, the very one you claim as your God, although you don’t know him. I know him, and if I were to say that I don’t know him, I would be a liar like you. But I know him and I keep his word.

As for Abraham, your ancestor, he looked forward to the day when I would come; and he rejoiced when he saw it.”

The Jews then said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” And Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

 

PRAYER TO ST RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL FOR A SPECIAL FAVOUR

Glorious Archangel St Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace.

You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.

Because you are the “medicine of God”, I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body.

I especially ask of you the favour (mention your request) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St Raphael, one of the glorious seven
who stand
Before the throne of Him who lives
and reigns.
Angel of health, the Lord has filled
your hand
with balm from Heaven to soothe
or cure our pains.
Heal or cure the victim of diseases,
and guide our steps when doubtful
of our ways. Amen.

 

HOW DID CHRIST’S MURDERERS FEEL ON LEARNING OF HIS RESURRECTION?

“As soon as they received the Spirit, they manifested God so strikingly that Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, and all the murderers of Christ who were still there must have believed that Christ had returned.

When the tomb had been closed over his dead body, there was no doubt in their minds that the affair was finished, not only because he was dead but especially because the ordeal of his Passion had shown him to be impotent, and therefore both a liar and an impostor. But now, once again, his presence was felt throughout the city. His name spread from mouth to mouth… Only a small number believed in the visible Christ; but now that the Apostles spoke his name, all who heard them were “cut to the heart” as the author of the Acts tells us.

These thousands of baptised men were purchased by Christ’s blood; they immediately became diligent in hearing the Word, in taking part in breaking of bread and in prayers… There is no doubt, as Saint Paul’s texts prove, that they already believed what we believe today about the Bread of Life and the Chalice of the Lord; but the sense of Christ’s presence was given to them in a special way by the spirit of love: the power over matter and that power over flesh and over hearts which they received from the Lord identified with them.

An unbelievable revulsion suddenly disconcerted the high priests, those foxes caught in their own trap. The infamy of the cross which crowned the life of Christ now clarifies it, it becomes the key to his destiny, the secret to the riddle which he had thrown in their faces during his mortal life.”
– Francois Mauriac

 

PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO DIE TODAY AND FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

O Divine Heart of Jesus, grant, we beseech you, eternal rest to the souls in purgatory, the final grace to those who shall die today, true repentance to sinners, the light of faith to pagans, and your blessing to me and mine.

To you, O most compassionate Heart of Jesus, I commend all these souls, and I offer you on their behalf all the merits, together with the merits of your most holy Mother and of all the saints and angels, and all the sacrifices of the Holy Mass, Communions, prayers and good works, which shall be accomplished today throughout the Christian world. Amen.

 

LEAD US, HEAV’NLY FATHER, LEAD US (HYMN)

1. Lead us, heav’nly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea:
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing ev’ry blessing
if our God our Father be.

2. Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us,
all our weakness thou dost know,
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.

3. Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.

 

THE BIBLE STORY OF THE BUILDING OF THE TOWER OF BABEL AND ITS CONNECTION TO PENTECOST

THE BUILDING OF THE TOWER OF BABEL (Gen 11:1-9)

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered upon the face of the whole earth.
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

PENTECOST: UNITED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE UNIQUE LANGUAGE OF LOVE

“It would be easy to show that the Tower of Babel story reproduces in part legends about Babel, or Babylon, the most famous capital of the time, with its brick buildings and its strange, unfinished-looking towers. The biblical author retains an ambiguous expression from these pagan legends: the gods were afraid of the arrogance of humans who were threatening them in their celestial dwellings.

God has given us the mission to occupy the land and make it fruitful. People often prefer their own security to being creative.

The great projects for which the legitimate rights of millions of slaves have been lightly sacrificed remain unfinished. Resentment and oppression have contributed to irreparable divisions for the following generations or the next century.

God alone can bring us together: the first promise to Abraham was that he would gather all the nations around his offspring (Gen 12:3).
When the Holy Spirit would come into the hearts of believers on Pentecost (Acts 2), he would enable them to understand one another in the unique language of love. One people: this will be the Church.

While the sinful work alone and develop an oppressive and sterile male-centred culture, the believer builds through intercommunication and communion in the same Spirit (Eph 2:14-22).”

 

THE STORY OF PENTECOST IN THE BIBLE

Acts 2:1-13; 37-41

THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. And suddenly out of the sky came a sound like a strong rushing wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues as if of fire which parted and came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Staying in Jerusalem were religious Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered, all excited because each heard them speaking in his own language. Full of amazement and wonder, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear them in our own native language? Here are Parthians, Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Lybia belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and foreigners who accept Jewish beliefs, Cretians and Arabians; and all of us hear them proclaiming in our own language what God, the Saviour, does.

They were amazed and greatly confused, and they kept asking one another, “What does this mean?” But others laughed and said, “These people are drunk.” …

[Peter then addresses the crowd.]

When they heard this, they were deeply troubled. And they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, brothers?”

Peter answered: “Each of you must repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise of God was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar whom our God may call.”

With many other words Peter gave the message and appealed to them saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who accepted his word were baptised; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day.

 

PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANIONS

During the years 1915 to 1937, many Mexicans suffered for their Catholic faith, persecuted by a revolutionary regime. In 2000, Blessed John Paul II canonised twenty-two priests and three laymen martyred in this period. Father Magallanes was executed together with Father Agustin Caloca, who observed, “We have lived for God and in him we die.”

PRAYER:

Almighty and eternal God,
who made the Priest Saint Christopher Magallanes
and his companions
faithful to Christ the King even to the point
of martyrdom,
grant us, through their intercession,
that, persevering in confession of the true faith,
we may always hold fast to the commandments
of your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.