Novena for our NFP Apostolate – Day 7
Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication
(Isaiah 55:8-9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
We Adore You, O Christ, and We Bless You, Because by Your Cross You Have Redeemed the World
Contrition
Lord, we often insist on our way, we think our ideas, desires and conceptions are so pleasant, our plans are so comfortable to us, and we resist, even fight others, sometimes, who have different ideas. Yet, this is not the simple path, and our resistance to change is often groundless. Did Mary protest when she had to leave behind the things she had prepared for the birth of Jesus and instead accept a trough for his manger? Or did she ponder these things in peace and look to discern the will of God. Lord, may I be more patient with the upsets within our ministry, and cooperate fully with the unfolding of your grace.
Lord thank you, forgive me, help me more.
Lord you have given us great intercessors, thank you.
“…For my thoughts are not your thoughts… declares the Lord.” So true, humans are seldom aware when God is working great works. We learn of them later as God’s plan unfolds. Consequently, we should always be asking for God’s presence and work in our lives. St. Joachim and Anne were present, but unaware of the singular grace that God worked in the world when Mary was conceived, not carrying the stain of original sin, within the womb of St. Anne. St. Anne joyfully cradled Mary. Together, Sts. Joachim and Anne, our spiritual grandparents, so to speak, cooperated with God in the early raising of the Mother of God. Lord, may we, your servants in the NFP ministry, pray in hope for your children whom you send us to serve, and wait patiently through the sterile times when things seem hopeless. May I be filled with confidence that while your ways are not my ways, that you are always working the redemption of the world.
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.
The Announcement to St. Joachim, St. Joachim receives word from an angel that he and St. Anne’s prayers for a child have been answered.
by Quentin Metsys, from The Holy Kinship, or the Altarpiece of Saint Anne (detail) 1590, Musees Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels