Christmas Novena Prayer

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Beginning on the feast of St. Andrew, Apostle, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas.

I remember one of our great Capuchin friars; Fr. Senan Dooley (died December 8th, 2000) reciting as one of the devotional prayers after communion at Mass from Christmas day onwards through Christmastide.   

 

"All the feasts of the Church are beautiful. Easter, yes, is glorification but Christmas has a tenderness, a child-like sweetness that completely captivates my heart." St. Padre Pio

 

 

Taken at the Padre Pio Pilgrimage to Knock, Co. Mayo in 1998

Included in the photo; Back; L-R Msgr. Grealy PP, A Religious Sister, Fr. Senan, Myself,

Front; Fr. Anthony, Abp. Storero; Papal Nuncio, Fr. Alessio, Eileen Maguire.