Nurturing the Soul in the Advent Glow – A Nine-Day Christmas Novena

Catholic popular devotion began praying the “Christmas Novena” on Dec. 16. “Novenas” are nine days of prayer for a particular intention. They were very common in popular Catholicism before Vatican II (e.g., many parishes had Miraculous Medal or St. Jude novenas) but their origin is biblical: the first novena was made by the Apostles with…

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Down in Adoration Falling |Tantum Ergo by St. Thomas Aquinas

Down in adoration falling,Lo, the sacred Host we hail;Lo, o’er ancient forms departing,Newer rights of grace prevailFaith for all defects supplying,Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting FatherAnd the Son who reigns on high,With the Spirit still proceedingAge to age eternally,Be salvation, honor, blessing,Might and endless majesty. Tantum ergo SacramentumVeneremur cernuiEt antiquum documentumNovo cedat…

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Hail, Holy Lady |Powerful Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin.You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven,consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Sonand the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good.Hail, His Palace.Hail, His Tabernacle.Hail, His Robe.Hail, His Handmaid.Hail, His…

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