Novena to St. John Paul II Day 3

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 Three: The Holy Spirit
We pray especially for our priests and deacons this day.


Meditation
Saint John Paul II, your personal witness of sanctity demonstrated what happens in a Christian's life when he or she opens their heart to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. You also proclaimed to the world the loving care of the Spouse of the Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, consecrating us all to her maternal care. Now through your powerful intercession from heaven, help us to become holy as God the Father is holy, loving God and neighbor truly and with self-giving love. Pray for us that we may become so on fire with the Holy Spirit that our lives be sources of light and healing grace for all the nations.

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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If you missed a day of this novena, fear not. Read this.

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