novena for br mark thelen lc

7/31/2019 Novena for Br Mark Thelen LC

1/11

A Novena

for Brother Mark Thelen, LCin joyful anticipation of his

Diaconate Ordination

A novena is a special form of prayer, where on nine successive days, a prayer is saidfor some special occasion or intention. The practice of saying novenas is scripturallybased, modeled after the nine days of consecutive prayer that the apostles, BlessedMother, and other followers of Jesus prayed together in the upper room betweenJesus ascension into heaven and the decent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Prayed

in communion with the saints, novenas often petition the intercession of speciallyselected saints (our exemplary role models in faithful living). Let us pray together, withthe angels and saints, for Br. Mark at this very special time in his life . . . . . as he iscalled by the Church to the Order of Deacons, through the imposition of hands and theinvocation of the Holy Spirit.

NOVENA --- JUNE 21-30, 2012


2/11

Day 1: Thursday, June 21, 2012 feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Charles Borromeo and St. John VianneyWith special focus on the priestly heart

Holy Saint Charles Borromeo, the patron of seminarians, your calling came at aturbulent time of disunity in the Church. When a strong voice was needed to purifythe Church and strengthen the morality of the clergy, you answered Gods calboldly, risking your life to those who wanted to kill you for your stalwart stance andexample. In such treacherous times youresolutely heralded the Gospel of Christ, foundedseminaries for the education of priests, set astandard catechism of our faith, and brokeaccepted practice of your day by residing in yourdiocese. Among the people you were called tobishop, you reformed the Catholic education ofchildren, and spoke prayers of comfort andabsolution to plague stricken citizens of Milan.

Holy St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, on your journey to the priesthood,you encountered many obstacles, but you realized that to suffer was to sufferwith Christ, so you lovingly embraced your cross. Your motto for life becameloving while suffering and suffering in order to love. You were totally devotedto the service of Gods people, especially evidenced by your tireless dedicationto the confessional, at which you spent entire days. St. Charles Borromeo and Saint John Vianney, you know theneeds of this young seminarian. Pray for Brother Mark that he may become a worthy representative of Christdevoted to prayer and penance. Pray that he may, like you, become an example of humility, diligence, charityand holiness who remains always devoted to Jesus in the Eucharist and Mary His mother. Intercede for BrotheMark before the Lord that he may follow the will of God with the same priestly heart and zeal you demonstrated.

Prayerfully intercede for him on the day of his ordination as he receives the Gospel of Christ, and ask God to makehim a strong herald and devoted reader of the Gospel, to believe what he reads, to teach what he believes, andpractice what he teaches. St. Aloysious Gonzaga, patron of youth and students whose feast we celebrate thisday, I implore your intercession for this young man soon to be ordained a deacon. You who aspired to be a priestreceived your First Communion from Cardinal Charles Borromeo and later were ordained a deacon. Beforebecoming a priest, you gave your life assisting those afflicted with the plague. St. Aloysius, pray for Br. Mark ashe desires to give his life in service of the Church. Amen.

Recitation of the Rosary: The Luminous Mysteries

Memorare:Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, imploredthy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virginsmy mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despisenot my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Special Intention: Please also remember in prayer, my sister Rachel and her fianc, Nick, as they will be united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on July 7, 2012,one week after my deaconate ordination.


3/11

Day 2: Friday, June 22, 2012

St. John Fisher and St. Thomas MoreWith special focus on the virtue of courage of conviction

St. John and St. Thomas, today is your feast day because it is the anniversaryof your heavenly birth. You were convicted of treason for denying that KingHenry VIII was the Supreme Head of the Church and were ultimately martyred

for upholding truth and the teachings of the Church. St. John, you were atheologian, famous for your writings, becoming a bishop and then a CardinalYour refutation of Luther was much used at the Council of Trent and importantwere your writings on the defense of the Sacraments, especially thepriesthood and the Real Presence, as well as the unity of the Church underthe Pope. St. Thomas you were a supreme diplomat and counselor as well asa family man who did not compromise his own moral values in order to pleaseothers, even those in authority over them. You understood that trueallegiance to authority is not blind acceptance of everything that authoritywants. Your stand for the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

Church, for the sacrament of marriage, and for the freedom of the formed and

informed conscience brings courage to those who muststand up against political tyranny in all ages. The trialswere political, but your resistance was spiritual. We prayfor Brother Mark through the intercession of St. JohnFisher and St. Thomas More that he will serve as adeacon and priest with wisdom, justice, and truth,tempered with clemency. May he be dedicated tostudying the truths of the Catholic faith and the formationof the conscience and transmitting that to those under his

care. May he be filled with courage to proclaim the truthwhen convenient and not. St. John Fisher and St.Thomas More pray for us.

Recitation of the Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries

MemorareRemember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored

thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virginsmy mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despisenot my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.



4/11

Day 3: Saturday, June 23, 2012

Blessed Virgin MaryWith a special focus on love for Mary

Brother Mark, we place you in the arms of The SorrowfuMother on whose feast you were born. May you grow in

your love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and entrust yourvocation and efforts to her maternal heart -- Mary, yousilently accompanied Jesus on his mission to proclaimthe Gospel to the poor. Accompany Brother Mark as hecares for the sick, the weak, the poor and sinners. Bewith him as he goes about administering the sacramentsand bringing comfort, consolation and courage to thosewho are suffering under the weight of the Cross. HelpBrother Mark to abandon himself to the will of GodMary, you stayed at the foot of the cross, accompanying

your son in his great agony. You suffered with Christpondering these mysteries in your heart. May BrotheMark experience your love and compassion in times ofsorrow and pain, loneliness and rejection, weariness andhumiliation, unjust condemnation and persecution. Givehim the joy of your consolation, resting in your materna

arms. Mary, you are the mother of priests, may he grow in his love for you. Look with tenderness upon BrotheMark and keep him close to your Immaculate Heart.

Recitation of the Rosary: The Luminous Mysteries

MemorareRemember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, imploredthy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virginsmy mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise

not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen



5/11

Day 4: Sunday, June 24, 2012

St. John the Baptist and St. StephenWith special focus on the virtue of humility

St. John the Baptist, you inaugurated the Gospel as you leapt in your mothers wombProphet surpassing all other prophets, in complete humility you heralded our HolyRedeemer. Baptizing by water and preaching repentance, you prepared the way of ou

Lord to a world waiting in darkness. St. Stephen, consecrated by Peter as one of thefirst deacons of the Church, you became an example of total Christian devotion andforgiveness when you laid down your life in love for Christ, forgiving your persecutorswith your last breaths. Saints John the Baptist and Stephen, holy saints and martyrsof highest virtue, I ask for your most ardent intercession today for this young seminarianwho will soon serve the Church by proclaiming the Word of God, preaching repentanceand forgiveness, and baptizing in the name ofJesus Christ. Pray that Brother Mark humblytake up this calling to which God bids him,depending totally in trust in His Lord. May he

always fully live out his baptismal promises,and follow your holy examples as a strongvoice proclaiming Christs love and mercy toour hurting and broken world. Intercedebefore Our Lord for Brother Mark and ask thathe be stirred with a bold faith and alwaysserve God and others without fear, in holiness

and righteousness all the days of his life. May he be quick to forgivethose who cause him any pain or suffering along the way. Pray that theHoly Spirit descend upon him and remain with him, so that he may

humbly declare about His Lord and Savior, He must increase, but Imust decrease. (John 3: 30) Amen.

Recitation of the Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, imploredthy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virginsmy mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despisenot my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.



6/11

Day 5: Monday, June 25, 2012

St. Mark and Brian (St. Edmund Arrowsmith)with a special focus on gospel charity (sharing the love of Christ)

Ss. Mark the Evangelist and Brian, namesakes of Brother Mark, I implore yourintercession today for this young man soon to be ordained a deacon. St. Mark, youknew and experienced Christ in a deeply personal way, being one of the seventydisciples sent ahead of Jesus to the places he intended to visit. You were sent byGod to proclaim the Good News and later became the founder of the Church of

Alexandria, one of the original four main episcopal sees of Christianity. You also setdown the teachings of St. Peter in the second Gospel, a record of the life of Jesus asseen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. St. Brian (Edmund Arrowsmithwas an eldest child. His family was constantly harassed for their adherence toRoman Catholicism. Brian discerned a vocation to the priesthood, enduring manydifficulties, and when he was twenty, entered the seminary. There he received thesacrament of Confirmation, taking the name

Edmund in honor of martyr Edmund Campionand that was the name he used for the rest ofhis life. After ordination he ministered toCatholics in England for about ten years whenhe was arrested and convicted of being aRoman Catholic priest in England. He wassentenced to death. Saint Mark and St.Edmund we ask your intercession for Brother

Mark. Inspire him with zeal for the Gospel. May his feet bring the goodnews to those who will hear it. May his love for Christ flow through his hands

and heart that all might believe. Pray, as deacon and priest, he live a saintlylife, steeped in the virtue of charity and Christ-centeredness, which is theheart of Legionary spirituality. Help him guide others to do the same, day inand day out, in little ways. He said to them, Go out to the whole world;proclaim the Good News to all creation. Mark 16:15

Recitation of the Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries

MemorareRemember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, imploredthy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virginsmy mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despisenot my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.



7/11

Day 6: Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Sacred Heart of JesusWith special focus on the Eucharist and intimacy with Christ

The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. BlessedJohn Paul II established that on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart theChurch observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

We ask each and every one of the faithful to pray with us: Lord, JesusChrist, eternal High Priest, you offered yourself to the Father on the altar ofthe Cross and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave your priestlypeople a share in your redeeming sacrifice. Hear our prayer for thesanctification of our priests. Grant that all who are ordained to the ministeriapriesthood may be ever more conformed to you, the divine Master. Maythey preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience. Let them beshepherds according to your own Heart, single-minded in service to you andto the Church and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life.Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

your Mother and ours, draw all priests and theflocks entrusted to their care to the fullness ofeternal life where you live and reign with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. O Most Sacred Heart ofJesus we thank you for revealing your love to us in the Eucharist. We thank you thatYou have become food for our souls, a hidden companion at all times. At communionespecially we become part of You and You part of us. May Brother Mark betransformed into your likeness, especially when his anointed hands will consecrate thebread and wine to the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. May this intimateunion extend from and beyond the Mass so that, even when He is not consecrating the

Host in his hands, he may interiorly be present to You and seek Your will at all times.May Brother Mark always turn to the Eucharist for the grace he needs to live a lifefaithful to his calling. Strengthen his faith and love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. May this union of lovecreate such an intense desire to be loved by You, and to love and sacrifice for others that as a priest, he victimizeshimself to become in persona Christi. May he minister to the souls entrusted to him on the day of his ordinationfeeding them with the bread of eternal life. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, enclose Brother Mark in Your Heart. Mayhe rest in you and may Your Heart become his heart!





8/11

Day 7: Wednesday, June 27, 2012

St. Dominic SavioWith special focus on the virtues of purity and chastity

Saint Dominic Savio, Confirmation saint of Brother Mark, you are theyoungest non-martyr to be canonized, the only saint of this age to bedeclared a saint for displaying heroic virtue in your everyday life. You

bravely struggled to keep your innocence from Baptism to the end ofyour life. Having been permitted to make your Holy Communion at anearly age, you had a great reverence for the Eucharist, makingresolutions that you wrote down and observed for the rest of your life.Your desire to be a priest led you to the Oratory of St. Francis de Salesand the guidance of John Bosco. St. John held you in high regard andthere are many accounts by chaplains and superiors of your sanctityand concern for the spiritual well-being of others. You had a greatdesire to become a saint which was intensified when you learned thatyour name meant belonging to God. You were discouraged from

performing physical penances because of the effect on your health, butyou lived your life of study, religious practices and recreation with customary cheerfulness, grasping with sinceritythe goal of winning souls for Christ. Saint Dominic pray for Brother Mark. May your example of piety, chastityand selfless devotion to Christ, renew Brother Mark for the consecration he is about to take, and lead him to holypaths of ever deepening devotion to Christ and the Church. As he espouses himself wholly in body, soul, andfeelings to Christ, as a bridegroom does unto his bride, like Gods relationship with Israel, join in asking God ourHeavenly Father that Brother Mark ever exalt the beauty of consecrated chastity and celibacy. Pray he begetsspiritual life and nourishment for Gods people through his ongoing offering of self to Christ, by practicing in all hisactions the true hallmarks of Christian love faithfulness, fruitfulness, and totality. Pray along with me today thaBrother Mark remain ever pure of heart, and that God renew a steadfast spirit within him daily as he is called to

serve humbly, devoutly, and devotedly as a celibate minister of the Word, of the altar, and of charity. Amen.

Recitation of the Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries




9/11

Day 8: Thursday, June 28, 2012

St. Joseph and St. Michael the ArchangelWith special focus on the virtue of obedience

Holy St. Joseph, Carpenter of Nazareth, Guardian of the RedeemerProtector of Our Ladys Good Name, Patron Saint of the Universal Churchand of working men, you were a holy and righteous man. Angels visited

you, the Christ Child watched and learned from you, and Mary dependedupon you to provide for and protect the Holy Family. You were completelyobedient to whatever God asked of you, without ever knowing where youobedient acts would take you or what the outcomes of your obediencewould be. Your role in the plan of redemption allowed Jesus to lovinglyrefer to Himself as the Son of Man. Upon your death, Mary and Jesusmust have been very close by, which is the way we also faithfully desire toleave this world at the hour of our own death. O Foster Father of Jesus, implore your holy intercessions for Brother Mark. Guard him and pray thahe follow your highest examples of devoted obedience to the call of Our

Father in Heaven, even when he is uncertain where his obedience wiltake him or what the outcome will be. Implore God the Father, God the

Son, and God the Holy Spirit to pour down upon Brother Mark the special gracesneeded to stalwartly protect and defend the Church and all its faithful from the manyinfluences in the world today that close the Gospel to so many children of God. Askhe be blessed with grace to guide families to holiness and dying individuals to apeaceful death where the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary are ever present. And St.Michael the Archangel, messenger of God, you carry out missions at Godscommand. Upon you mankind depends -- to save us from the powers of Satan andall his evil works in this world. God has commanded you and all the angels to guard

us in all our ways. Angel-Prince of Heavenly Hosts, we pray as Br Mark renews hisconsecration by ordination in service to the Church, that he put on the whole armorof God, that he may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil . . . girding his loinswith truth . . . putting on the breastplate of righteousness . . . shodding his feet withthe the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith. (Eph. 6:11-16)

Amen.

Recitation of the Rosary: Luminous Mysteries

Memorare to St. JosephRemember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any who implored your helpand sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg yourprotection. Despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication but in your bounty hear andanswer me. Amen.



10/11

Day 9: Friday, June 29, 2012

St. Peter, St. Paul, and Blessed John Paul IIWith a special focus on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Holy Saints Peter and Paul, on this the solemnity of your martyrdom, I ask your special intercession for a youngman called to become a faithful servant in the unbroken apostolic succession of the Church which you first built

Peter, an unschooled and impetuous fisherman called directly by Jesus, and Paulan educated Roman citizen ardent in persecuting the early Christians until anunexpected and dramatic conversion, you were highly unlikely in the eyes of men tobe destined for glory. But, the eyes of God looked upon you with great favor and Heblessed you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Empowered by wisdom, knowledgecounsel, fortitude, understanding. piety and fear of the Lord, you each magnified theLord, preaching, teaching, converting and healing in the name of Jesus Christ,winning many souls, Jews and Gentiles alike, for the Kingdom of God. As you nowlook radiantly upon the face of God in His heavenly kingdom, I ask you to join me inmy petition to God today that Brother Mark also be refined in the fire of the Lords

gaze, and be made holy in all of his ways. Pray he also be imbued with the gifts ofthe Holy Spirit, as he builds up the Kingdom and always boldly declares before all

men, without hesitation or denial, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!And Blessed Pope John Paul II, 264th successor to the Chair of Peter, you called yourvocation an inner fact of unquestionable and absolute clarity. Pray to Almighty Godthat Brother Marks vocation be one of absolute clarity as well. Pray he employ histalents, using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as you did, to extend the Kingdom of Christ insociety according to the requirements of Christian justice and charity . . . by reachingout to youth in impactful ways, standing firmly for the sanctity of life, teaching thetheology of the body, and encouraging all to open wide the doors to Christ. O Holy

Servant to the Servants of God, bid the Holy Spirit to take up His rest within the deeprecesses of Brother Marks soul, so that he might live out his vocation with fortitude,by praying without ceasing, fighting the good fight, finishing the race, andexemplifying a life of love for Christ, love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, love for theChurch, love for the Pope, and love for souls in such a way that his love bears allthings, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Amen.





11/11

June 30, 2012.

Memorial of theFirst Martyrs of the

Holy RomanChurch

All you holy saints and martyrs, pray for us!

But those who persevere to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:4-13

AndBrother Mark

Deaconate

novena for br mark thelen lc

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