Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate: Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Walsingham

Today is the seventh day of the Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Walshingham.

Over the these 9 days, I will be praying the Novena, just as I did 4 years ago as I began my pilgrimmage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. I invite you to pray with me during this time leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Day 7: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Intention: For reconciliation and the unity of all Christ's people

Thoughts: The apostles all "joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary, the Mother of Jesus" (Acts 1:14). "On the Day of Pentecost they were all together in one place" (Acts 2:1). The Holy Spirit is the source of unity, and the author of prayer. In a remarkable way He inspired both Catholics and Anglicans, divided since the Reformation, to restore devotion and pilgrimage to Our Lady of Walsingham. Brought together by Our Lady, Christians grown here in faith and reconciliation.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you gathered your apostles together in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and you filled them with the Holy Spirit. Grant that through their prayers for us today we may all rejoice in reconciliation, and that Christians in Walsingham and everywhere may be one in heart and mind, and grow together in unity.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit: Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore you; enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me; tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it. I promise to be submissive in everything that you ask of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me, only show me what is your will. (Cardinal Mercier)

A selection of daily prayers for the Novena:

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary ...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.
Hail Mary ...
And the Word was made flesh,
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary ...
Pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, by the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Angelus)

All holy and ever-living God, in giving us Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Brother, you gave us Mary, His Mother, to be our Mother also; grant us, we pray you, that we may be worthy of so great a Brother and so dear a Mother. May we come at last to You the Father of us all through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. (Roman Catholic Pilgrim Handbook)

O God, our Father, through the Holy Spirit You prepared the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, to be a fit dwelling place for Your Son. As we recall with joy her appearing at Walsingham, grant that through her motherly intercession we may be preserved from evil and given health of soul and body. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your Divine Son, dying on the cross, confided us to your maternal care. You are our Mother, we desire ever to remain your devout children. Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ. make your name again glorious in the place once renowned throughout England by your visits, favours and many miracles. Pray O holy Mother of God for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed. O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. Amen. (Anglican Pilgrim Manual)

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy Dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee, it was that Jesus, our Savior and our hope, was given unto the world; and he has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother, intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works, we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home. Amen. (Prayer for England)

O gracious Lady, glory of Jerusalem, Cypress of Sion and Joy of Israel, Rose of Jericho and Star of Bethlehem, O gracious Lady, our asking do not repel, in mercy all women ever thou dost excel. Therefore, Blessed Lady, grant then thy great grace, to all that thee devoutly visit in this place. Amen. (15th century Prayer to Our Lady of Walsingham)

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.