Novena to Saint John Paul II, Pope
Do this daily along with the reflections below:
Let us pray: Merciful God, accept our thanksgiving For the gift of St. John Paul’s II apostolic life and mission And through his intercession, please, GRANT US THIS PETITION for_________( you're intentions) and for the John Paul II Training Center. Grant us also to grow in love for you And proclaim boldly the love of Christ to all people. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the Church with St. John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy, and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You.
Our Father*, Hail Mary**, and Glory Be***, The Divine Mercy Chaplet****
Reflections:
Day One
Dear St. John Paul II, you told us: "The future starts today, not tomorrow." So, as we start our nine days with you, thank you for reminding me that with God's Help, I can start again, but I need to start now, not at some point in the future. Your words are encouraging and motivating to me. Please be with me as I progress through these nine days in prayer with you.
Day Two
Dear John Paul, you told us: “I plead with you--never , ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” With your help, I will not give up my hope, I will be persistent and unafraid.
Day Three
Dear St. John Paul, you told us: “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.” What more can I say, but thank you for your confidence in me. Help me have complete faith in God. Stand with me at all times as my intercessor and spiritual guide until I get to Heaven.
Day Four
"Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure."
Dear St. John Paul, just like St. Paul who described his journey as a race, you tell me that life with Jesus is a wonderful adventure. Life is not a sprint for me, but rather a winding marathon with its curves and its ups and downs. Help me by being with me at all times as I struggle in this race toward Christ.
Day Five
Dear St. John Paul, you tell me:
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." Let me be joyful on this wonderful adventure. Let me always have a true Christian joy in my path in life. Help me always be doing the Will of God in my life.
Day Six
"Anything done for another is done for oneself.
" Dear John Paul, you tell us, just as Christ did, the Golden Rule. How simple it is to hear, yet so difficult, at times, to do. Be with me and help me see God in my neighbor, and in those I find unbearable.
Day Seven
"The goal and target of our life is He, the Christ who awaits us -- each one singly and altogether -- to lead us across the boundaries of time to the eternal embrace of the God who loves us." Help me, dear St. John Paul to remember that God is the end-all. In every moment of my life, I need to be focused on my life with Christ, so that when my earthly life ends, my eternal life can begin with Jesus.
Day Eight
“People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But He asks you to trust Him. True joy is a victory , something which cannot be obtained without a long and difficult struggle. Christ holds the secret of this victory.” Dear St. John Paul II, once again, you in simple words tell us that God is our victorious Savior; nothing is more important life with Him.
Day Nine
Your motto was "Totus tuus", or "Totally yours" (of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Dear St. John Paul, the surest, straightest road to Christ is through His Mother. When I am lost in life's brambles, ask Our Lady to come rescue me and bring me back to the road that Jesus wants me on. Teach me your love for Mary.
www.johnpaul2trainingcenter.com/index.php