The Catholic Defender: Novena to St. John Paul II Day 4

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981.

In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people. I was fortunate to recieve Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Blessing visited Chicago Oct.4-6 in 1979 In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

“We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

We pray for our government leaders, that they will make just decisions and govern us in accordance with truth and the principles upon which our nation was founded.

We ask protection for those serving in the military and for our first responders. Bless them and their families as they sacrifice themselves to keep us safe.

We pray for our families. In a culture that seeks to destroy the morals and values upon which this country was founded, may our families be united in faith and charity.

PETITION: For the Strength and Unity of our Church, and for the Protection of the Family and our Nation.

Most holy servant of God, Pope St. John Paul II, we pray today for the youth and for World Youth Day.

We ask you to grant us your blessing from heaven! God gave you the grace of His fatherly tenderness and the spirit of His love from which we can all learn. We humbly implore you to intercede for us:

(State your intentions)

Most holy St. John Paul II, you were a witness of Jesus Christ for the whole world. You lit the world on fire with your passion for Christ and the Church. Trusting in God’s infinite mercy and in the intercession of Mary, you have shown us the path to reach eternal communion with God. And we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that we will be guided and protected as we walk the difficult paths of the world today.

St. John Paul II, we know that you are a powerful intercessor because of your great example of how to live the faith. Grant us, through your intercession, the grace to also happily glorify God in our lives.

The world has seen much upheaval in the last few years and this has left people feeling anxious and unsafe. This type of prayer can be used to ask for protection and safety. 

Prayers for protection can also be tailored to seek God's favor among congregants in especially dangerous situations, whether firefighters, first responders, or international missionaries.

Thank you for being a God we can trust wholeheartedly without fear or reservation. Lord, we ask for your protection over our church. We ask that you would erect a hedge of protection around our families; we ask that you would place a shield around those we love and care for. Please, Lord, do not let the fiery darts of the enemy touch us. Thank you that you are a God who never slumbers. We trust in you. Amen. 

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.