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Joined: Nov 2001
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Christmas Novena Begins Today. Actually yesterday, anyway, I had never heard of this. But that doesn't mean much, lots I've never heard of, but it is a beautiful prayer.
Pious legends, especially those carrying the imprimatur, are relished around here.
One of the better ones is the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. It is pious tradition that whoever recites the following prayer 15 times per day each day from November 30 (Feast of St. Andrew) until Christmas will receive what is asked.
The prayer:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Pani Rose: Glory be to Jesus Christ!! I'm always catuious about these pious legends that promise something in return for recitation of a prayer or replicating it and distributing it with a set number of days attached. First of all it seems to me that this borders on sinful arrogance to think we creatures can push our Creator to give us something if we do something--akin to making Him obligated to us. He owes us nothing and never will. Secondly, my spiritual father has said that we ought to begin all prayers of petition with the phrase "If it be Your Holy will . . ." These types of things assume that we both know what is good for us and that somehow God is at our beck and call. I prefer a prayer attributed to Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow and the Optina Fathers: O Lord, I know not what to ask of Thee. Thou alone knowest what are my true needs. Thou lovest me more than I myself know how to love. Help me to see my real needs, which are concealed from me. I dare not ask either a cross or consolation. I can only wait on Thee. My heart is open to Thee. Visit me and help me, for Thy Great Mercy’s sake. Strike me and heal me. Cast me down and raise me up. I worship in silence Thy Holy Will and Thine Inscrutable Ways. I offer myself as a sacrifice to Thee. I put all my trust in Thee. I have no other desire than to fulfill Thy Will. Teach me how to pray. Pray Thou Thyself in me. AMEN. Bob
Last edited by theophan; 12/01/11 09:46 PM. Reason: spelling
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Joined: Oct 2009
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O Lord, I know not what to ask of Thee. Thou alone knowest what are my true needs. Thou lovest me more than I myself know how to love. Help me to see my real needs, which are concealed from me. I dare not ask either a cross or consolation. I can only wait on Thee. My heart is open to Thee. Visit me and help me, for Thy Great Mercy’s sake. Strike me and heal me. Cast me down and raise me up. I worship in silence Thy Holy Will and Thine Inscrutable Ways. I offer myself as a sacrifice to Thee. I put all my trust in Thee. I have no other desire than to fulfill Thy Will. Teach me how to pray. Pray Thou Thyself in me. AMEN. What a beautiful prayer! I am going to print it and use it. Thank you for posting this, Bob.
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Joined: May 2009
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A blast from the past! One of my grandmothers was very devoted to this prayer. I had almost totally forgotten it but here it is. Me, I like it.
As far as I know, she never believed one could manipulate God into doing anything, even through incantations.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Jaya:
Christ is in our midst!!
Just had a pm exchange with a member versed in Russian and have an interesting take on "Visit me . . ."
The verb "visit" is literal, but the Russian meaning can be "Make Thy Presence known within me . . ." which really takes on a whole new level of meaning for meditation.
In other words, "come in here where I live, deep inside where no one can see the real me, and stick around." I'd been leaning toward "Stay with me . . ." but this makes it much deeper and more intimate.
Bob
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Thank you so much for this insight, Bob!
I'm glad to have seen your post today, as I'm leaving tomorrow for a week of retreat, and now can take the prayer, as well as this rich meaning, with me.
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