Weekly Message from Fr. Rick:
A Novena for the Election
Begin the Novena for the Election on Monday, October 26 and conclude it on Tuesday, November 3. It can be prayed at any time. The structure of the Novena:
- Sign of the Cross
- Asking the Intercession of a particular Saint (see below)
- Saying the Novena Prayer (see below)
- Concluding with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be
- Sign of the Cross
Seeking the Intercession of the Saints
Day 1 (October 26): St. Jude, patron saint of impossible causes: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 2 (October 27): St. Francis Cabrini, you who tirelessly built the Kingdom of God in America: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 3 (October 28): St. Thomas More, martyred for your uncompromising faith: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 4 (October 29): St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, martyred for your child-like yet fearless faith in Christ the King: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 5 (October 30): St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who fled to Canada in order to freely practice your faith: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 6 (October 31): St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai, selfless servant of the lepers of Hawaii: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 7 (November 1): St. John Neumann, founder of the diocesan Catholic school system in America: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 8 (November 2): St. Rita, patroness of hopeless causes: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
Day 9 (November 3): Mother Mary, Immaculate Conception; Patroness of the Americas: Join us in praying for this election and for these intentions (state your personal intentions here.)
The Novena Prayer
Heavenly Father, nothing can overcome your greatness. But we are weak and need a deeper gift of hope as we come to our election time and the future of our country. Help us remember that political power can never replace the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel to all nations. Send your Holy Spirit upon us to help us form our consciences according to the Gospel so that we may both vote and act for the Kingdom of God. As we wrestle with the complexities of political life, let us never forget the preeminence of the need to protect the child in the womb and the mother who carries the child. In our respect for all human life, let us pray as well for those who are poor, weak, or marginalized, those who are immigrants and refugees, all those affected by war, those who are ill, those struggling financially, and all who suffer from the failings of the political systems of this world. Give us the courage to always be detached from our political loyalties and be first a faithful follower of Jesus, the true King. And when it comes time for us to contribute to the political realm by our vote, help us to cast our vote in a way that is pleasing to you. For these elections in our nation, O God, please bless us with the best possible outcome at all levels of government in this fallen world. Finally, just as you brought our salvation from the horrible death of your Son, we pray that from the political work in our country, you will bring about great good for your people. We make this prayer, with the help of the Holy Spirit, through your Son, Christ our Lord. Amen.