Novena for our NFP Apostolate – Day 9
Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication
(Acts 17:26-27)
“… and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.”
Pope Paul VI echoed these ideas from St. Luke in Acts when he wrote Humanae Vitae. He reminds all that the seasons that God ordered are meant to help us seek God. When we recognize God in every part of nature, including the plan for the origin of life and the participation of husband and wife, we draw closer to God and will find him. In Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI includes many statements affirming this truth.
The question of human procreation, like every other question which touches human life, involves more than the limited aspects specific to such disciplines as biology, psychology, demography or sociology. It is the whole man and the whole mission to which he is called that must be considered: both its natural, earthly aspects and its supernatural, eternal aspects. HV 7
Married love particularly reveals its true nature and nobility when we realize that it takes its origin from God, who “is love,” (6) the Father “from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” HV 8
But to experience the gift of married love while respecting the laws of conception is to acknowledge that one is not the master of the sources of life but rather the minister of the design established by the Creator. HV 13
We Adore You, O Christ, and We Bless You, Because by Your Cross You Have Redeemed the World
Contrition
God our Father, we want to be in control, we want to have our own plan. We draw up spreadsheets for purchases, jobs, even when we want children. We forget that your will is what is best for us. Your will is what will make us truly happy. Knowing your will is not a one-time event, it requires us to turn to you again and again, reviewing our plans with you, and listening for your inspiration. In our NFP ministry, we have often chosen to follow our own plan in promoting and teaching NFP, in sharing this news with others. We do things ‘the way we always have’. We lose sight that your plan is to bring souls closer to you. Lord, we trust that you will help us when we turn to you, through Jesus and our intercessors, to do your will.
Lord thank you, forgive me, help me more.
Lord you have given us great intercessors, thank you. As we moved through these nine days of prayer, we have called to you through our intercessors, alive and active, immediately present to us. We ask for their intercession for all couples striving to live the truth of Humanae Vitae personally, and for the earthly leaders, teachers and promoters of the NFP ministry. Help all to acknowledge Your presence always; it is within You that we live and move and have our being.
CCL’s family prayer:
Lord God, you called us into communion with you, whether in celibacy or in holy matrimony, to reflect your love in a life of service. In a world which has grown blind to the beauty of your creation, help us to live the love with fidelity and fruitfulness.
Send your Holy Spirit to give us the courage to speak the truth, and faith so that we are not discouraged.
We entrust the work of the Couple to Couple League to your care. Make us good stewards and credible witnesses. May we always be faithful to you.
We seek the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph, Sts. Joachim and Anne, and St. Gianna Beretta Molla. May they and all the communion of saints intercede on our behalf to Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life.
Amen.
We ask for the intercession of our patrons.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Sts. Joachim & Anne, pray for us.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Amen.
Mary of the Streets
St. James Cathedral
Orlando, Florida