St. Clare is the little plant of St. Francis, as she called herself. A blog to my call to become a Poor Clare Colettine. If St. Clare was a "little plant", I am a scraggly weed.
"The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. This is
where it takes place every moment of our lives. The soul must give free
access to our Lord and be completely fortified by Him with every kind of
weapon; His light must illuminate it to fight the darkness of error; he
must put on Jesus Christ, His truth and justice, the shield of faith,
the word of God to overcome such powerful enemies. To put on Jesus
Christ we must die to ourselves."
On Thursday, the Solemnity of the
Ascension of the Lord, we had the special joy of witnessing our Sister
Maria Christi take her next step in formation. Sister is a finally
professed Sister from an apostolic congregation who has discerned a
contemplative vocation with us for the past few years. Here she makes
her Sacred Promises to observe her vows according to our Poor Clare Rule
and also makes a Vow of Enclosure.
Entrance Procession
Mother Abbess exhorts her to the faithful observance of our Rule
Sister pronounces her Sacred Promises and her Vow of Enclosure
Signs of a Professed Sister Black Veil and Knotted Franciscan Cord Festive Flower Wreathe
The
above Christmas Novena is to be prayed starting November 30th straight
through to Christmas Day and prayed 15 times a day. You can divide it
up: 5 in the morning, 5 at noon and 5 at night or all at once. It is
piously believed thta whoever recites St. Andrew's Christmas Novena 15
times a day from St. Andrew's feast day of Nov. 30th until Christmas Day
will obtain what is asked. Imprimatur: Michael Augustine, Archbishop
of New York 2/6/1897.
The
novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself,
asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at
Christmas. It is attributed to Saint Andrew given the prayers
traditionally begin on his feast day. It is also often called the Christmas Anticipation Novena.
The feast day of St. Andrew also marks the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of the new one on the first Sunday of Advent. Prayer is an essential
part of Advent. Reciting this special novena prayer each day is a
simple yet beautiful way to celebrate the spiritual significance of the
Advent season and to experience a deeper conversion to Jesus. The St.
Andrew Christmas novena is commonly found in many Advent prayer books which are also loaded with many other beautiful prayers and traditions for this time of year.
St. Andrew, the Apostle:
"The
Apostle Andrew was born at Bethsaida, a town of Galilee, and was the
brother of Peter. He was a disciple of John the Baptist, and heard him
say of Christ, Behold the Lamb of God, whereupon he immediately followed
Jesus, bringing his brother also with him. Some while after, they
were both fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and the Lord Christ, going by,
called them both, before any other of the Apostles, in the words, Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men. They made no delay, but left
their nets, and followed him. After the death and Resurrection of
Christ, Andrew was allotted Scythia as the province of his preaching,
and, after labouring there, he went through Epirus and Thrace, where he
turned vast multitudes to Christ by his teaching and miracles. Finally
he went to Patras in Achaia, and there also he brought many to the
knowledge of Gospel truth. Aegeas the Proconsul resisted the preaching
of the Gospel, and the Apostle freely rebuked him, bidding him know that
while he held himself a judge of his fellow men, he was himself
hindered by devils from knowing Christ our God, the Judge of all.
Then
Aegeas, being angry, answered him, Boast no more of this thy Christ.
He spake words even such as thine, but they availed him not, and he was
crucified by the Jews. Whereto Andrew boldly answered that Christ had
given himself up to die for man's salvation ; but the Proconsul
blasphemously interrupted him, and bade him look to himself, and
sacrifice to the gods. Then said Andrew, We have an altar, whereon day
by day I offer up to God, the Almighty, the One, and the True, not the
flesh of bulls nor the blood of goats, but a Lamb without spot: and when
all they that believe have eaten of the Flesh thereof, the Lamb that
was slain abideth whole and liveth. Then Aegeas being filled with
wrath, bound the Apostle in prison. Now, the people would have
delivered him, but he himself calmed the multitude, and earnestly
besought them not to take away from him the crown of martyrdom, for
which he longed and which was now drawing near.
Some short while
after, he was brought before the judgment seat, where he extolled the
mystery of the cross, and rebuked Aegeas for his ungodliness. Then
Aegeas could bear with him no longer, but commanded him to be crucified,
in imitation of Christ. Andrew, then, was led to the place of
martyrdom, and, as soon as he came in sight of the cross, he cried out: O
precious cross, made so fair and goodly by the sweet body of my Lord,
how long have I desired thee! how warmly have I loved thee! how
constantly have I sought thee! And, now that thou art come to me, how
is my soul drawn to thee! Welcome me from amongst men, and join me anew
to my Master, that as by thee he redeemed me, so by thee also he may
take me unto himself. So he was fastened to the cross, whereon he hung
living for two days, during which time he ceased not to preach the faith
of Christ, and, finally, passed into the Presence of him the likeness
of whose death he had loved so well. All the above particulars of his
last sufferings were written by the Priests and Deacons of Achaia, who
bear witness to them of their own knowledge. Under the Emperor
Constantine the bones of the Apostle were first taken to Constantinople,
whence they were afterwards brought to Amalfi. In the Pontificate of
Pope Pius II, his head was carried to Rome, where it is kept in the
Basilica of St. Peter."
(Above, Our Lady depicted with some Franciscan Saints)
“Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.”
A FRANCISCAN LITANY OF ALL SAINTS
Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
Christ have mercy! Christ have mercy!
Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
God, the Father, have mercy on us!
God, the Son, have mercy on us!
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us!
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!
Holy Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Queen of the Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Holy Father Francis, (1220 – Oct 4) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy martyrs of the Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saints Berard, Accursius, Adjustus, Otto, and Peter, Protomartyrs (1220 – Jan 16) pray for us!
Saints Daniel, Angelo, Domnus, Hugolinus, Leo, Nicholas, and Samuel, Martyrs of Africa, (1227 – Oct 10) pray for us!
Saints Nicholas Tavelic, Deodat of Aquitaine, Peter of Narbonne, and
Stephen of Cuneo, Martyrs of the Holy Land, (1391 – Nov 14) pray for us!
Saint Thomas More, Martyr of England, (1535 – Jun 22) pray for us!
Saints Nicholas Pick, Anthony Hornaer, Anthony of Weert, Cornelius,
Francis, Godfrey, Jerome, Nicasius, Peter, Theodoric, Willehad, Martyrs
of Holland, (1572 – Jul 9) pray for us!
Saints Peter Baptist Blasquez, Martin de Aquirre, Francis Blanco, Philip
of Jesus of Mexico, Gonzalo Garcia of India, Anthony of Nagasaki,
Bonaventure, Cosmas, Francis of Fahelante, Francis of Miyako, Gabriel,
Joachim, John, Leo, Louis, Matthias, Michael, Paul Ibaraki, Paul Zuzuki,
Peter, Thomas Danki, and Thomas Kosaki, Protomartyrs of Japan, (1597 –
Feb 6) pray for us!
Saints John Jones and John Wall, Martyrs of England, (1598 and 1679 – Jul 12) pray for us!
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Protomartyr of the Sacred Congregation of
the Propagation of the Faith, (1622 – Apr 24) pray for us!
Saints Gregory Grassi, Francesco Fogolla, Elia Facchini, Théodore Balat,
Andreas, Antonio Fantosati, Giuseppe Maria Gambaro, Cesidio
Giacomantonio, Marie Hermina of Jesus, Maria della Pace, Maria Chiara,
Marie de Sainte Nathalie, Marie de Saint Just, Marie Adolfine, John
Zhang Huan, Patrick Dong Bodi, John Wang Rui, Philip Zhang Zhihe, John
Zhang Jingguang, Thomas Shen Jihe, Simon Chen Ximan, Peter Wu Anbang,
Francis Zhang Rong, Matthew Feng De, Peter Zhang Banniu, James Yan
Guodong, James Zhao, Peter Wang Erman, Martyrs of China, (1900 – Jul 8)
pray for us!
Saint Maxmillian Kolbe, Martyr of Auschwitz, (1941 – Aug 14) pray for us!
All you holy priests of the First Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Gospel and Wonderworker, (1233 – Jun 13) pray for us!
Saint Bonaventure, Seraphic Doctor, (1274 – Jul 15) pray for us!
Saint Benvenute of Osimo, Bishop, (1282 – Mar 22) pray for us!
Saint Louis of Tolouse, Bishop, (1297 – Aug 19) pray for us!
Saint Bernardine of Siena, (1444 – May 20) pray for us!
Saint John Capistran, (1456 – Oct 23) pray for us!
Saint Peter Regalado, (1456 – Mar 30) pray for us!
Saint James of the March, (1476 – Nov 28) pray for us!
Saint John of Dukla, (1484 – Oct 3) pray for us!
Saint Peter of Alcantara, (1562 – Oct 19) pray for us!
Saint Francis Solano, (1610 – Jul 14) pray for us!
Saint Joseph of Leonissa, (1612 – Feb 4) pray for us!
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church, (1619 – Jul 21) pray for us!
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, (1663 – Sep 18) pray for us!
Saint Pacificus of San Severino, (1721 – Sep 24) pray for us!
Saint Ignatius of Santhia, (1770 – Sep 22) pray for us!
Saint Thomas of Cori, (1792 – Jan 19) pray for us!
Saint John Joseph of the Cross, (1734 – Mar 5) pray for us!
Saint Theophilus of Corte, (1740 – May 19) pray for us!
Saint Francis Fasani, (1742 – Nov 27) pray for us!
Saint Leonard of Port Maurics, (1751 – Nov 26) pray for us!
Saint Antoino de Santa Ana, (1822 – Oct 25) pray for us!
Saint Leopold Mandic, (1942 – May 12) pray for us!
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, (1968 – Sep 23) pray for us!
All you holy lay brothers of the First Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Didacus of Alcala, (1463 – Nov 7) pray for us!
Saint Simon of Lipnica, (1482 – Jul 18) pray for us!
Saint Salvator of Horta, (1567 – Mar 18) pray for us!
Saint Felix of Cantalice, (1585 – May 18) pray for us!
Saint Benedict the Black, (1589 – Apr 3) pray for us!
Saint Paschal Baylon, (1592 – May 17) pray for us!
Saint Seraphin of Montegranaro, (1604 – Oct 12) pray for us!
Saint Umile de Bisignano, (1637 – Nov 27) pray for us!
Saint Bernard of Corleone, (1662 – Jan 12) pray for us!
Saint Charles of Sezze, (1670 – Jan 6) pray for us!
Saint Crispin of Viterbo, (1750 – May 19) pray for us!
Saint Felix of Nicosia, (1787 – Jun 2) pray for us!
Saint Ignatius Laconi, (1781 – May 11) pray for us!
Saint Giles Mary of St. Joseph, (1812 – Feb 8) pray for us!
Saint Francis Camporosso, (1866 – Sep 20) pray for us!
Saint Conrad of Parzham, (1894 – Apri 21) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy virgins of the Second Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Holy Mother Clare of Assisi, (1253 – Aug 11) pray for us!
Saint Agnes of Assisi, (1253 – Nov 19) pray for us!
Saint Agnes of Bohemia, (1282 – Mar 2) pray for us!
Saint Cunegunda, (1292 – Jul 23) pray for us!
Saint Colette of Corbie, (1447 – Feb 7) pray for us!
Saint Catherine of Bologna, (1463 – May 9) pray for us!
Saint Eustochia Calafato, (1485 – Jan 19) pray for us!
Saint Beatrice of Silva, (1490 – Sep 1) pray for us!
Saint Camilla Battista of Varano, (1524 – May 31) pray for us!
Saint Veronica Giuliani, (1727 – Jul 10) pray for us!
Saint Marianne Cope, (1980 – Jan 20) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy priests of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Yves of Brittany, (1303 – May 19), pray for us!
Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop and Cardinal, (1584 – Nov 4) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, (1842 – Apr 30) pray for us!
Saint Vincent Palotti, Founder, (1850 – Jan 22) pray for us!
Saint John Mary Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, (1859 – Aug 4) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Cafasso, (1860 – Jun 23) pray for us!
Saint Michael Garicits, (1863 – May 14) pray for us!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Founder, (1868 – Aug 3) pray for us!
Saint John Bosco, Founder (1883 – Jan 31) pray for us!
Saint Zygmunt Felinski, Archbishop and Founder, (1895 – Sep 17) pray for us!
Saint Pius X, Pope, (1914 – Aug 21) pray for us!
All you holy foundresses of religious congregations who were members of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Bridget of Sweden, (1373 – Jul 23) pray for us!
Saint Jane of Valois, (1505 – Feb 14) pray for us!
Saint Angela Merici, (1540 – Jan 27) pray for us!
Saint Mary Batholomea Capitanio, (1833 – Jul 26) pray for us!
Saint Mary Magdalen Postel, (1846 – Jul 16) pray for us!
Saint Vincentia Gerosa, (1847 – Jun 28) pray for us!
Saint Joachima de Mas y de Vedruna, (1854 – May 22) pray for us!
Saint Mary Josepha Rossello, (1880 – Oct 3) pray for us!
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, (1917 – Nov 13) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy men of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Ferdinand, King of Castile and Leon (1252 – May 30) pray for us!
Saint Louis, King of France, Patron of the Third Order, (1270 – Aug 25) pray for us!
Saint Elzear of Sabran, (1323 – Sep 26) pray for us!
Saint Roch of Montpellier, (1327 – Aug 16) pray for us!
Saint Conrad of Piacenza, Hermit, (1351 – Feb 19) pray for us!
Saint Pedro of San Jose Betancor, (1667 – Apr 25) pray for us!
Saint Albert Chmielowski, (1916 – Jun 17) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy women of the Third Franciscan Order, pray for us!
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the Third Order, (1231 – Nov 19) pray for us!
Saint Veridiana, (1242 – Feb 1) pray for us!
Saint Rose of Viterbo, Virgin, (1252 – Sep 4) pray for us!
Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin, (1278 – Apri 27) pray for us!
Saint Margaret of Cortona, (1297 – May 16) pray for us!
Saint Clare of Montefalco, Virgin and Religious, (1308 – Aug 17) pray for us!
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, (1336 – Jul 4) pray for us!
Saint Joan of Arc, Virgin, (1431 – May 30) pray for us!
Saint Frances of Rome, (1440 – Mar 9) pray for us!
Saint Catherine of Genoa, (1510 – Sep 15) pray for us!
Saint Hyacintha Mariscotti, Virgin and Religious, (1640 – Jan 30) pray for us!
Saint Mariana of Jesus of Quito, Virgin, (1645 – May 28) pray for us!
Saint Crescentia Höss, Virgin and Religious, (1744 – Apr 5) pray for us!
Saint Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, Virgin, (1791 – Oct 6) pray for us!
Saint Alphonsa Muttathupaduthu, Religious, (1946 – Jul 28) pray for us!
* * *
All you holy Cordbearers of St. Francis, pray for us!
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, (1622 – Jan 24) pray for us!
Saint Joseph Calasanctius, Founder, (1648 – Aug 25) pray for us!
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, (1782 – Apr 17) pray for us!
Saint Bernadette Soubirous, Virgin and Religious, (1879 – Apr 16) pray for us!
* * *
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace!
Let us pray
Almighty everlasting God, we thank you for granting us the joy of
honoring our holy Father Francis and his sainted followers and enjoying
the protection of their unceasing prayers. Grant us also the grace to
imitate their example and so attain their fellowship in eternal glory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
