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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
First Day
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
O revered Curé of Ars, nothing came easy for you in your quest for the priesthood, but you knew that to suffer was to suffer with Christ on Calvary, and so, if walking in the footsteps of our Lord meant taking up His cross, you lovingly bent to the task. You lived by the motto that life was loving while suffering and suffering in order to love. You were undaunted, O good and faithful servant of the Lord, and your strong faith brought you closer to Jesus every day of your life.
O Saint John Vianney, you are the patron of all priests, religious, seminarians and of our parish. You know that each of us must trust in the Lord with our whole heart and if we are to serve Christ we too must take up our cross and follow Him even when it means following Him to Calvary. By your prayers gain for us hearts full of courage and strength. Intercede for us before the Lord that we may love and serve one another as you so willingly did for the pilgrims of your ministry. Pray that we may do the will of God and be His hands and voice to all His people.
Recite the novena prayer:
O holy Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney, you loved God and faithfully served Him by serving His people as their priest. Now, as you are with our Father, you can continue to serve Him by presenting our petitions to Him directly. Remember the vulnerabilities, fears, and anxieties that surround us and intercede for us in all our needs, especially….(here mention your own personal request). O Priest of Ars, pray for us in a special way during this novena, we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen