Novena to St. John Paul II Day 1

The feast day of the great apostle of Divine Mercy, St. John Paul II, is Oct. 22. In preparation for the celebration, we've begun a special novena that extends from Oct. 13 through Oct. 21.

We encourage you, through this novena - drawn from the official prayer of the Diocese of Rome - to ask for the intercession of St. John Paul II and Our Blessed Mother for the New Evangelization of the Church. In light of the new challenges the Church faces in the contemporary world, St. John Paul II said it is the "supreme duty" of the Church to "proclaim Christ to all peoples" (Redemptoris Missio, 3).

Together in prayer, let's follow his call. On behalf of my fellow Marians and Marian Helpers around the world, I invite you to join in this novena as we pray that the Light of Christ may shine ever more brightly to all the corners of the world.

You'll find below that on each of the nine days, we have chosen a specific intention for the New Evangelization.

- Fr. Joseph, MIC
Director of the Association of Marian Helpers


• Oct. 13: Our Holy Father
• Oct. 14: Our Bishops
• Oct. 15: Our Priests and Deacons
• Oct. 16: Religious and Consecrated
• Oct. 17: Lay Apostles and Teachers
• Oct. 18: Married Couples and Families
• Oct. 19: The Youth
• Oct. 20: Sick and Suffering
• Oct. 21: Holy Souls in Purgatory

Oct. 22: Happy Feast Day of St. John Paul II.


Day One: The Father's Love
We pray especially for our Holy Father this day.


Meditation:
Saint John Paul II, you taught the world through word and example that Jesus is the face of the Father's merciful love. You called upon the world to "be not afraid" and "open wide the doors for Christ." Now, through your powerful intercession, show us that the love of God is living and active, stronger than all the forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Through your prayers, help us in every need and deliver us from every evil. May we always know by experience the love of God the Father, mediated through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
"God, merciful Father, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. Bend down to us sinners, heal our weakness, conquer all evil, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may experience your mercy. In You, the Triune God, may they ever find the source of hope. Eternal Father, by the Passion and Resurrection of your Son, have mercy on us and upon the whole world!" Amen.

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