First Communion Novena

My son David, a second-grader, has been counting down the days to his First Holy Communion.

Now we are getting close. His big day will be April 23, when he will receive Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament at the 6:30 p.m. Mass. Other second-graders will have the honor at other weekend Masses.

The timing of this celebration seems perfect:  in the freshness and renewal of spring and Easter and when farmers and gardeners are preparing the ground for planting.

In the same spirit as a gardener, the children -- with the help of their parents and teachers -- have been preparing. Their young souls are to become fertile ground where Jesus can grow and flourish.

And during these final days, a special First Communion Novena, also known as "A Garden Fit for a King," can help. It can be found here.

During the novena, children symbolically plant flowers in their hearts, an idea similar to a spiritual bouquet.

On Day 1, they plant roses, focusing on acts of kindness toward others. On Day 2, they plant lilacs, trying to be patient and gentle when they might otherwise get angry. Day 3 is for forget-me-nots, when children make a special visit to Jesus in an Adoration Chapel or at Church.

The novena continues with prayers and a new flower, with a corresponding virtue or emphasis, for each of the nine days. The simple prayers reflect on the life of Jesus as He was growing up and invite children to imitate Him.

At the end, the garden is complete and ready to present to Jesus for First Communion.

Please take a look at this age-appropriate novena, especially if you know of a special second-grader who might benefit. For years I have struggled at finding concrete ways to get my children ready for First Communion and surely have fallen short. I think this novena is a step in the right direction, especially as excitement for the big day builds and we want to stay focused Jesus, rather than the clothes and gifts and other non-essentials.

May God Himself prepare our children. And may He find welcome in the gardens of their  hearts.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Time to Turn to St. Joseph

We are 31 days into Lent, 16 days away from Easter, two days away from our parish mission, six days away from St. Patrick's Day.

Did I miss anything?

Oh yeah, we are nine days away from the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It's the perfect time to begin a novena to the saint entrusted by God to care for and protect Jesus and Mary. Among the saints, Joseph ranks second only to Mary.

We turn to St. Joseph as patron of families, workers, unborn children, expectant parents, migrants and refugees, a peaceful death and the universal Church, according to the book, "St. Joseph -- Help for Life's Emergencies."

"His intercession is invoked for accountants, carpenters, engineers and craftsmen. He is invoked by persons beset by doubts or hesitations, those who have a profound interior life, and travelers."

 In other words, we could all benefit from his powerful intercession.

You could pray for the Church and its leaders, for your job or a lack of one, to sell a house or find a home, for your spouse (even an unfaithful one) for your father, for your children, for the dying, for your death, in financial stress or in dark times, for devotion to Mary, for closeness to Jesus.

It seems that in life and in eternity, St. Joseph is hardworking, faithful and diligent.

So let us turn to him in our needs, trusting that God will be attentive to his prayers. Any prayer to St. Joseph would suffice for a novena, which is simply prayers prayed for nine consecutive days. You could use this litany, borrowed from the St. Joseph book, that honors the saint and covers our needs under his various titles:

Litany of Saint Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
    spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
    graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
    have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of his household,
R. And ruler of all his possessions.

    Let us pray:
    O God, in Your unspeakable providence, You were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother, grant, we beseech You, that we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, whom we venerate as our protector on earth; You Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Novena for Students

The school year is about to begin.

And whether you are sad or happy about this development, it's a good occasion for prayer.

I'd like to pass along a suggestion from Father Damien Cook, pastor of Christ the King Parish for his parishioners: a novena of prayers from Aug. 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration, through Aug. 14, the Vigil of the Assumption.

Please consider praying a rosary or other prayers each day for all students in the parish and their families; for our five-day school and religious education program; for public and home schools; for teachers, catechists, administrators and other staff members; for people entering RCIA and their sponsors and catechists; and for all those receiving Sacraments of Initiation this year.

Christ the King provided some specific novena prayers, which can be found here.

Or you could select your own prayers for a novena.

Let's start the school year right, by entrusting it into the hands of God.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Divine Mercy Novena

Today begins is the start of the divine mercy novena. There are ten days of prayers which start today, on Good Friday, and are meant to prepare us for Divine Mercy Sunday which, this year, falls on April 11th. The prayer for the first day is:

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever.

Amen.