Today is December 5th. You know what that means, right? Time to start a novena to Saint John of the Cross!
The Carmelites of St. Louis have the best version that I have seen. Unfortunately their blog appears abandoned, so I will copy everything here. I strongly encourage you to read through their archives and listen to the old segments of the podcast.
I will also try to include something relevant each day for those of you who wish to increase your appreciation for John of the Cross. Please share links to your favorite things related to John of the Cross (including your own blog) and I will share them in my posts leading up to his feast.
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Novena to Saint John of the Cross
Day 1.
Beginning Prayer to be said each day:
O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised, and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments and afflictions.
Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven.
Dear Saint, from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your companion in glory. Amen.
First Day: Unwavering Faith
Prayer:
My glorious father, Saint John of the Cross; overflowing with love for Mary and for the cross of her divine Son by which you merited to become the protector of afflicted souls, obtain for me from Jesus and Mary, I beseech you, an unwavering faith and a love of the cross so deep and so valiant that no possible misfortune will ever be able to separate me from the love of my God. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).
Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.
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