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There are many forms of prayer in the Church, both communal and private, and St. Olaf is blessed to offer opportunities to join in a great variety of these forms of prayer throughout the year. In addition to the celebration of Mass, we have weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and daily Centering Prayer. At other times of the year, we have small faith sharing groups and retreats; we pray Liturgy of the Hours and sung prayer.

All of these various forms of prayer help us to grow in holiness and strength as we live out our vocation as followers of Jesus Christ. This fall, we are going to add another form of prayer to our parish community: a novena.

A novena is nine days of special prayer for a particular need or event, derived from the prayer of Mary and the apostles in the upper room for nine days prior to Pentecost. Prayer is something that is part of our daily lives already, but a novena is nine days of more intense prayer, in which a person invokes the intercession of a particular saint for a particular need. It is an opportunity to focus in prayer for a more extended period of time and in this case, to unite in our parish community in prayer.

Later this month, we will begin a novena to St. Francis of Assisi, in whose honor our little park on the corner of Ninth Street and Second Avenue is named. Francis, who lived in 13th-century Italy, was full of love and joy for Christ and the Gospel. He renounced his earthly riches and spent his days in great prayer and zealously preaching the Good News. He is a powerful witness for each of us who strive to live lives of faith and dedication to Jesus Christ.

We will join in prayer in the church, following the noon Mass beginning on Tuesday, September 25th and continuing daily after the noon Mass for nine days. The prayer will consist of a brief meditation based on the writings of St. Francis and the public recitation of the novena prayer. The prayer will be published in the bulletin both this week and next, so that those who are unable to join us downtown, can still join us in prayer as we join our voices in praise to God for the example and intercession of St. Francis.

I invite you to join me in prayer during these days of the novena that, by the example of St. Francis and his intercession, our parish may continue our important work of witnessing the Good News in the heart of the city.

Novena Prayer to St. Francis

Heavenly Father, You have given us the saints to be our models, patrons and friends. Today we turn to Saint Francis of Assisi and, as You helped him reflect the image of Christ through his life of poverty and humility, grant us through his intercession the graces we so much need for soul and body. Especially during this novena we ask for: [mention intention here]. We also ask Your blessings on all those whom we love. May the example of Saint Francis inspire us to grow in holiness as we imitate his joyful love. Grant what we ask in Your merciful love, through the merits of Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.