Novena to Our Lady of the Way

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF THE WAY

SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH AT CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY WEEK 1: APRIL 22 – 29, 2020 A 33-DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF THE WAY: OUR OFFERING TO OUR LADY

Introduction There are times when we feel a great need for a prolonged period of prayer. Frequently this arises from interior crisis or experiences of conversion. Throughout history, during times of turmoil in the human community, it has been common for entire communities to undertake acts of prayer and devotion for the common good. In this time of pandemic and social distance, the people of St. John’s Parish will undertake a 33-day Novena in honor of Our Lady of the Way (Madonna della Strada) to ask for Mary’s protection on our community and all who participate in this novena.

Ignatius and Our Lady For Ignatius, the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary was an essential part of his spirituality. At crucial points in his life, Ignatius had recourse to her intercession. During his conversion, Mary appeared to him and had a powerful impact on his soul. At the shrine of Arantzazu, he took a vow of chastity. At the Shrine of Montserrat, he held a vigil and laid his sword before Our Lady.

At Montmartre in Paris, Ignatius and his first companions took their first vows on the Feast of the Assumption. After the approval of the Society, the first profession of solemn vows was celebrated at Our Lady’s altar in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Our Lady of the Way (Madonna della Strada) became the first church of the Society. While praying the Office of Our Lady, Ignatius felt many consolations.

Far deeper than all these external signs of his devotion to Our Lady, Ignatius models the Spiritual Exercises after the pattern of Mary’s faith: receiving and pondering the Word of God and letting it take flesh in our lives and in our person, through the Holy Spirit.

Jesuits and Our Lady The Jesuits have always turned to Our Lady for protection and care, especially in times of crisis. In our own country, we have the example of Fr. Arnold Damen, S.J. In October of 1871, while away preaching a mission, Fr. Damen received word that his Chicago parish, Holy Family was directly in the path of a massive fire ravaging the city. Feeling completely helpless, he spent all night in prayer pleading with Our Lady to save his church building and the homes of his parishioners. If she would grant his request, Fr. Damen promised to keep seven lamps burning in front of her image in his church.

Fr. Damen quickly returned to Chicago and found Holy Family Church standing tall among the smoldering ruins of the city. Upon further inquiry, he learned that none of his parishioners had perished in the fire and that their homes had gone undamaged. With hearts full of gratitude, Fr. Damen and his parishioners celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in Holy Family Church and lit seven lamps in front of Our Lady’s Image – lamps which still burn to this day.

A Novena With the examples of St. Ignatius and Fr. Damen in mind, it is only right that we at St. John’s turn to Our Lady during this pandemic. While the number of days a novena is recited is no guarantee of special favors, the daily, frequent repetition of our calling on our Lord and his Mother for help increases our faith, hope, and love. It brings us into closer union with God and makes us more ready to do God’s will rather than our own. A novena helps us to see things from God’s point of view rather than our own. We turn to Our Lady in prayer with confidence, knowing that the love she had for her Son extends to us as well.

The texts for each day below offers the fullest form of this Novena to Our Lady of the Way. It may be prayed communally or individually. Recognizing that it may not be possible in all circumstances to

2 participate in this full form, one may simply offer each day the prayer composed by Pope Pius XII on July 2, 1956: O sweet Mary, our heavenly mother, be the guide of our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. Amen.

Our Lady of the Way The late medieval mural of Mary was originally on an external wall of the small chapel of Our Lady of the Way in Rome, where Ignatius prayed and eventually set up the headquarters of his new Society. Ignatius would have known the image well and, throughout his life, had a particular devotion to Our Lady under whose patronage he placed the Society of Jesus. The small chapel of Santa Maria della Strada was demolished to make way for the Church of the Gesù, begun in 1568 and consecrated in 1584. Ignatius left specific instruction that the image of Our Lady of the Way was to be preserved in the new church and is today venerated in the north chapel of the Gesù, having recently undergone restoration.

The staff at St. John’s Church felt a strong call to hold the current pandemic to prayer in a special way. In the midst of this uncertainty, it seemed providential that two Jesuit feast days honoring Our Lady fell during this time: the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Society of Jesus on April 22 and the Feast of Our Lady of the Way on May 24. With these two feasts encompassing 33 days, it seemed like an ideal time to turn to Our Lady of the Way in prayer as all of us seek to find our way through this pandemic.

Our Offering to Our Lady St. John’s Parish offers this Novena to Our Lady of the Way from a place of love and confidence in Our Lady’s protection and care. As a way to demonstrate our love, we make three promises to Our Lady as a part of this Novena: 1) To keep a perpetual lamp burning before the image of Our Lady in St. John’s Church. 2) To celebrate annually the Feast of Our Lady of the Way with great solemnity. 3) To promote devotion to Our Lady of the Way. By living into these promises, we hope that St. John’s will become a place where people of all walks of life will experience Mary’s loving care and protection, just as Ignatius did throughout his own life.

Conclusion Throughout this Novena, all are invited to submit their prayer intentions via the St. John’s Parish website (www.stjohns-creighton.org) to be placed at the Shrine of Our Lady in St. Johns’ Church. Similarly, if any favors have been received during this Novena, please notify the Liturgy Coordinator at St. John’s Church ([email protected]) so that these acts of Our Lady’s intercession may be recorded. May this time of extended prayer deepen our faith, hope, and love in a God who loves us unconditionally and who chose Mary as the Mother of his Son and the mother of us all.

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3 DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

Intention For the care and safety of the people of St. John’s Parish, Creighton University, and all who participate in this novena. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word, alleluia.

Canticle: Judith 13:18bcde, 19-20 You are the highest honor of our race Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth.

Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who recall the might of God.

May God make this redound to your everlasting honor, rewarding you with blessings, because you risked your life when our people were being oppressed, and you averted our disaster, walking in the straight path before our God.

Amen! Amen!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word, alleluia. 4 Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-14 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as Sheol, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then he said: Listen, house of David! Is it not enough that you weary human beings? Must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.

Collect Let us pray. Almighty ever-living God, whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross, made the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother, our Mother as well, grant, we pray, that with the assistance of her love, the least Society of Jesus, whose companions vow themselves to you in her presence, may serve your majesty in obedience and follow your Son perfectly. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Novena Prayer O Mary, / you always brighten our path / as a sign of salvation and of hope. / We entrust ourselves to you, Our Lady of the Way, / who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain / while remaining steadfast in faith. / O loving Mother, / you know what we need, / and we are confident you will provide for us / as at Cana in Galilee. / Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, / the Divine Physician, / for those who have fallen ill, / for those who are vulnerable, / and for those who have died. / Intercede also for those / charged with protecting the health and safety of others / and for those who are tending to the sick / and seeking a cure. / Help us, Our Lady of the Way, / to conform to the will of the Father / and to do as we are told by Jesus, / who took upon himself our sufferings / and carried our sorrows, / so as to lead us, through the Cross, / to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

5 DAY 2 THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Intention For those who are isolated and unable to see loved ones. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: Mary received a blessing from the Lord and loving kindness from God her savior, alleluia.

Psalm 144:9-15 Prayer for victory and peace To you, O God, will I sing a new song; I will play on the ten-stringed harp to you who give kings their victory, who set David your servant free from the evil sword.

Rescue me, free me from the hands of foreign foes, whose mouths speak only emptiness, whose right hands are raised in perjury.

Let our sons then flourish like saplings, grown tall and strong from their youth; our daughters graceful as columns, as though they were carved for a palace.

Let our barns be filled to overflowing with crops of every kind; our sheep increasing by thousands, tens of thousands in our fields, our cattle heavy with young.

No ruined wall, no exile, no sound of weeping in our streets. Blessed the people of whom this is true;

6 blessed the people whose God is the LORD!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: Mary received a blessing from the Lord and loving kindness from God her savior, alleluia.

Scripture Reading Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter their house and dine with them, and they with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Collect Let us pray. God of mercy, grant that the grace we seek and find when celebrating the Easter mysteries may grow within us and in every season bear much fruit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

7 DAY 3 FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Intention For those suffering from addiction, especially those experiencing withdrawal and those separated from community support. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: My soul clings to you, Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.

Psalm 145:13-21 Praise of God’s majesty The LORD is faithful in all his words, and holy in all his deeds. The LORD supports all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is just in all his ways, and holy in all his deeds. The LORD is close to all who call him, who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and he saves them. The LORD keeps watch over all who love him; the wicked he will utterly destroy.

Let my mouth speak the praise of the LORD; let all flesh bless his holy name forever, for ages unending.

8 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: My soul clings to you, Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.

Scripture Reading 2 Timothy 2:10-12a I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. Collect Let us pray. Father, as your Son was raised on the cross, his mother Mary stood by him, sharing his sufferings. May your Church be united with Christ in his suffering and death and so come to share in his rising to new life, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God. 9 DAY 4 SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020 FEAST OF ST. MARK, EVANGELIST

Intention For those who seek to share Christ’s message of love during this time. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: My life is at the service of the Gospel; God has given me this gift of his grace, alleluia.

Psalm 116:10-19 Thanksgiving I love the LORD, for he has heard my voice, my appeal; for he has turned his ear to me whenever I call.

They surrounded me, the snares of death; the anguish of the grave has found me; anguish and sorrow I found. I called on the name of the LORD: “Deliver my soul, O LORD!”

How gracious is the LORD, and just; our God has compassion. The LORD protects the simple; I was brought low, and he saved me.

Turn back, my soul, to your rest, for the LORD has been good to you; he has kept my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I will walk in the presence of the LORD in the land of the living.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

10 as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: My life is at the service of the Gospel; God has given me this gift of his grace, alleluia.

Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:1-5 I plead with you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Collect Let us pray. O God, you bestowed on Saint Mark the evangelist the sublime grace of preaching the gospel; let his teaching so transform our lives that we may walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

11 DAY 5 SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2020 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Intention For Jesuit parishes throughout the world who are unable to gather for worship. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: All creation will be freed; all peoples will know the glory and freedom of God’s children, alleluia.

Psalm 150 Praise the Lord Alleluia!

Praise God in his holy place; praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his powerful deeds; praise him for his boundless grandeur.

O praise him with sound of trumpet; praise him with lute and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals; praise him with clashing of cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!

Alleluia!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: All creation will be freed; all peoples will know the glory and freedom of God’s children, alleluia.

12 Scripture Reading Acts 10:40-43 God raised Jesus on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” Collect Let us pray. O God of mystery, out of death you delivered Christ Jesus, and he walked in hidden glory with his disciples. Stir up our faith, that our hearts may burn within us at the sound of his word and our eyes be opened to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

13 DAY 6 MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020 MEMORIAL OF ST. PETER CANISIUS, S.J., PRIEST & DOCTOR

Intention For all teachers, as they strive to educate their students from a distance. ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Antiphon: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will, alleluia. Psalm 40:2-6 Thanksgiving and plea for help I waited, I waited for the LORD, and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.

He drew me from the deadly pit, from the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, made my footsteps firm.

He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God. Many shall see and fear and shall trust in the LORD.

Blessed are those who have placed their trust in the LORD, and have not gone over to the proud who follow false gods.

How many, O LORD my God, are the wonders and designs that you have worked for us; you have no equal. Should I wish to proclaim or speak of them, they would be more than I can tell!

14 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Antiphon: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will, alleluia.

Scripture Reading 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. Be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. Collect Let us pray. God of patience and compassion, send us in our own day women and men of vision and wisdom like Saint Peter Canisius, to sow the good seed of your Word among the peoples of the world, so that they may win them to you, the living God, and to the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

15 DAY 8 TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020 MEMORIAL OF ST. LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT, PRIEST

Intention That our trust in Our Lady’s care and protection may be strengthened ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: Mary received a blessing from the Lord; and loving kindness from God our Savior, alleluia.

Psalm 46 God our refuge and strength God is for us a refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of distress: so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains quake to the heart of the sea; 4 even though its waters rage and foam, even though the mountains be shaken by its tumult.

The LORD of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place, the dwelling of the Most High. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken: he lifts his voice, the earth melts away.

The LORD of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come and behold the works of the LORD, the awesome deeds he has done on the earth. He puts an end to wars over all the earth; 16 the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps, the shields he burns with fire: “Be still and know that I am God, exalted over nations, exalted over earth!”

The LORD of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: Mary received a blessing from the Lord; and loving kindness from God our Savior, alleluia.

Scripture Reading Matthew 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Collect Let us pray. God of eternal wisdom, you made your priest Louis Marie an outstanding witness and teacher of total dedication to Christ your Son through the hands of the blessed Mother. Grant that we may follow that same spiritual path and extend your kingdom on earth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Novena Prayer O Mary, / you always brighten our path / as a sign of salvation and of hope. / We entrust ourselves to you, Our Lady of the Way, / who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’

17 pain / while remaining steadfast in faith. / O loving Mother, / you know what we need, / and we are confident you will provide for us / as at Cana in Galilee. / Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, / the Divine Physician, / for those who have fallen ill, / for those who are vulnerable, / and for those who have died. / Intercede also for those / charged with protecting the health and safety of others / and for those who are tending to the sick / and seeking a cure. / Help us, Our Lady of the Way, / to conform to the will of the Father / and to do as we are told by Jesus, / who took upon himself our sufferings / and carried our sorrows, / so as to lead us, through the Cross, / to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

18 DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020 MEMORIAL OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN & DOCTOR

Intention For those who govern and represent us, that as they respond to this crisis, they may be granted prudence and sound judgement ⁜ God, come to my assistance. - Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon: O bless the Lord, my soul, alleluia!

Psalm 103:1-12 Praise for God’s tender compassion Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and never forget all his benefits.

It is the Lord who forgives all your sins, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who fills your life with good things, renewing your youth like an eagle’s.

The LORD does just deeds, gives full justice to all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, and his deeds to the children of Israel.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He will not always find fault; nor persist in his anger forever. He does not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults. 19

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so strong his mercy for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far from us does he remove our transgressions.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon: O bless the Lord, my soul, alleluia!

Scripture Reading 1 John 1:5-7 Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Collect Let us pray. O God, you set the heart of Saint Catherine on fire with divine love as she contemplated the passion of your Son and ministered to the needs of your Church. Grant through her intercession that, caught up in the mystery of Christ, we may always rejoice in the revelation of his glory. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life. - When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Novena Prayer O Mary, / you always brighten our path / as a sign of salvation and of hope. / We entrust ourselves to you, Our Lady of the Way, / who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain / while remaining steadfast in faith. / O loving Mother, / you know what we need, / and we are confident you will provide for us / as at Cana in Galilee. / Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, / the Divine Physician, / for those who have fallen ill, / for those who are vulnerable, / and for those who have died. / Intercede also for those / charged with protecting the health and safety of others / and for those 20 who are tending to the sick / and seeking a cure. / Help us, Our Lady of the Way, / to conform to the will of the Father / and to do as we are told by Jesus, / who took upon himself our sufferings / and carried our sorrows, / so as to lead us, through the Cross, / to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. - Thanks be to God.

21 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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