Novena to St. Alphonsa – Day 7
Introductory Prayer
Celebrant: O God, Merciful Father, we submit ourselves before Your Holy Presence. We thank You and praise You for Your mercy that has raised to sainthood Sr. Alphonsa, our sister and Your Beloved Son’s faithful servant. O Lord, help us to lead a life of sacrifice, renunciation and love following the example of St. Alphonsa. We beseech You to sanctify us and make us worthy to pray before You, O Sovereign Lord.
Amen
Psalm 25, 1-10
Cel: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You;
Res: Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies’ triumph over me.
Cel: Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Res: Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the days.
Cel: Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they have been from of old.
Res: Do not remember sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Cel: Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore, He teaches sinners in the way.
Res: The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Res: From the eternity and forever, Amen.
Let us pray
Cel: O God, our merciful Father, (all together), because of Your infinite love, You sent Jesus, Your only son as our Saviour. You blessed St. Alphonsa to lead a life of sacrificial love following the example of Jesus. O Lord Jesus, You said “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” We thank You for Your infinite mercy that graced Sr. Alphonsa to empty herself to produce the fruits of divine glory. O Jesus, our Saviour, helps us to love You and fully co-operate with Your plans. O, St. Alphonsa, you who dedicated your life to fulfill the will of God, pray for us, your ardent devotees.
Amen.
The Seventh Day
Hope in God
Cel: Let us pray
Lord, our God, illumines our hearts and minds to hear and understand the sweet voice of your life- giving and divine commandments. In your mercy and grace grant that they bear in us the fruits of love hope and salvation, beneficial to our body and soul and that we may constantly praise you, Lord of all, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, Lord of all, forever.
Res: Amen.
Readings from the N.T
- Heb 10, 19-24
- Mt 7, 7-12
(Silent Prayer)
Cel: Let us pray
O Lord Jesus who said: “whatever you asked for in my Name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Jn. 14/13), we trust and hope in your promise. Like St. Alphonsa who lived and suffered proclaiming, “I will rejoice in whatever comes through the hands of God”, teach us Lord Jesus to see your hands in all experiences of our lives. Help us not to be disheartened in failures and setbacks. Give us strength through Your Spirit to grow in unfailing hope in you. Help us to bring harmony into our lives with the fond hope of seeing Your glorious face in the world to come and enjoy the company of Your angels and saints there. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, Lord of all, forever.
Res: Amen.
Karozutha
Cel: Let us dedicate ourselves into the Hands of God and say with hope and exultation, St. Alphonsa pray for us
Res: St. Alphonsa pray for us.
Cel: O St. Alphonsa who bore witness to Christ’s love in your sufferings and sacrifices, help us to see the Divine Will in all our hardships and sorrows, and to lead a life of obedient faith depending on God’s Providence.
Res: St. Alphonsa pray for us.
Cel: O, St. Alphonsa, who wished to be a victim soul like Jesus Christ, make us worthy to offer our lives as incessant sacrifice of self-giving and compassion.
Res: St. Alphonsa pray for us.
Cel: O, St. Alphonsa who said “I have given entirely to my God, let Him do to me according to His Will”, we pray to make us capable of glorifying God through a life of fervent faith, ardent prayer and intense hope.
Res: St. Alphonsa pray for us.
Cel: O, St. Alphonsa who said, “I need only my Jesus, and nothing else”, help the youth and students to follow your path, grow in virtue and purity, to lead a life of values and find a suitable vocation.
Res: St. Alphonsa, pray for us.
Cel: O, St. Alphonsa who loved, honoured and prayed for the Church and her leaders, we pray for the Holy Father, all the Bishops, priests, the religious and all the people of God that they may be protected from all dangers and be filled with spiritual blessings, godly virtues that they may glorify the Triune God.
Res: St Alphonsa pray for us.
(Silent prayer, time for thanksgiving)
Cel: Let us pray
Lord Jesus who said, “If anyone wants to be a follower of Mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt 16, 24), we submit before You the crosses of our lives. O Merciful Lord Who knows all our needs, accept this prayer we submit before You through the intercession of St. Alphonsa (mention your special need …). Lord, bless all our families, this congregation and all whom we remember in our prayers.
Amen.
Prayer of St. Alphonsa
(The celebrant recites, and the congregation repeats)
“Oh Lord Jesus, / hide me in the wound of your Sacred Heart. / Free me from my desire to be loved and esteemed. / Guard me from my evil attempts to win fame and honour. / Make me humble till I become a small spark in the flame of love in your Sacred Heart. / Grant me the grace to forget myself and all worldly things. / Jesus, sweet beyond words,/ convert all worldly consolations into bitterness for me. / Oh my Jesus, the Sun of justice, / enlighten my intellect and mind with Your sacred rays. / Purify my heart, / consume me with burning love for You / and make me one with You. /
Amen”.
Blessing
Cel: May the Lord Jesus, who said “My own peace I give, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you” (Jn 14, 27) fill your hearts with His peace. The Lord who blessed St. Alphonsa with heavenly fruits may bless and make us always joyful. He may deliver You from all hardships, ailments and distresses. He may strengthen you to grasp the Will of God, to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and be filled with spiritual fruits. May God enable you to follow the path of St. Alphonsa, lead a life of faith, hope and devotion and grow in holiness and bear the fruits of virtue in your lives. Now + always and forever
Amen.
(Sing a thanks giving song)
Nelson MCBS 
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