*SHALOM* *Day 1 -St RITA of Cascia Novena* *Meditation* *Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.* *READING - FAITH* Lord Jesus, to the man of the Gospel who asked a great favor of you, you said:" All things are possible to one who believes." My faith is weak, Lord and too often it falters in the course of life's daily events. But encouraged by the example and the intercession of your servant, Saint Rita, I make the words of the Apostle Paul my own; " I know in whom I have placed my faith and I remain firm". You, Saint Rita, have suffered greatly, but have always believed in the Lord no matter what life brought you. I, too Lord. Believe in you, Son of our all-powerful Father. I believe firmly that you never deceive anyone who calls on you with a sincere heart, entrusting all to your wisdom and love. I believe that you order all the joy and suffering of our lives solely for our good. And so I believe that you will grant me the favor I ardently seek if it will be for my greater good. O Lord, I will strive to live a life more consistent with faith in you and inspired by the teaching of the gospel *In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.* *I Confess to You* I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen. *Come Holy Spirit* Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen. *The Lord's Prayer* Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. *Hail Mary* Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *Opening Prayer* Glorious St. Rita, O holy patroness of those in need, your intercession with our Lord is most powerful. Through the favors obtained by your prayers, you have been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible. St. Rita, humble and pure; patient and compassionate lover of Christ Crucified! We have confidence that everyone who has recourse to you, will find comfort and relief. Listen to our petitions and show your power with God on our behalf. Obtain our petitions for us, if they are for the greater glory of God, and for our good. We promise, if our petitions are granted, to make known your favor, and to glorify God for His gift. Relying on your merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ask of you *(here mention your request)* Obtain for us our Request by the singular merits of thy childhood, by thy perfect union with the Divine Will, by thy heroic sufferings during thy married life, by the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband, by the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God, by thy miraculous entrance into the convent, by thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings, by the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of the Crucified Savior, by the divine love which consumed thy heart, by that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, on which alone thou didst exist for four years, by the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse, by the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state of life. Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. *Let us Pray* Heavenly Father! In Your infinite love and mercy, you heed the prayer of Your beloved servant, Saint Rita. You graciously grant favors through her intercession, which are considered impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts. Relying on her compassionate love, we ask You to assist us in our trials and difficulties. Let unbelievers know that you are recompense helper of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in You. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Day 1 – St. Rita Novena* Heavenly Father, you gave us St. Rita as an example of holiness and courage. She shared in Jesus’ passion when she received a wound on her head from the crown of thorns. Help us to be holy like St. Rita. We wish to be strengthened in difficult times so that we may understand the paschal mystery as St. Rita did. Holy St. Rita, you have a great love for God. We pray to God for the troubles in our hearts. Please enrich our prayers with your own confident and selfless prayers to the Lord. We offer our prayers and ask that you intercede for us and these our intentions… *(Mention your intentions here…)* St. Rita, you are the patron of the impossible. In our times of need and suffering we fly to you with confidence because you are close with the Lord. You were greatly burdened during your life and you know what we are going through now. We offer our prayers for relief, please hear and answer us. St. Rita, filled with compassion for the suffering of Christ. Pray for us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. *THE LITANY OF ST RITA* Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy God our Father in heaven Have mercy on us God the Son Have mercy on us Redeemer of the world Have mercy on us God the Holy Spirit Have mercy on us Holy Trinity , one God Have mercy on us Mary, Mother of God Pray for us Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pray for us Mary, Mother of Consolation Pray for us Mary, Mother of Grace Pray for us Saint Joseph Pray for us Saint Augustine Pray for us Saint Monica Pray for us Saint Clare of Monte Falco Pray for us Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Pray for us All holy men and women Pray for us Saint Rita, our protectress Pray for us Saint Rita, peacemaker Pray for us Saint Rita, friend of widows Pray for us Saint Rita, example of obedience Pray for us Saint Rita, model of mothers Pray for us Saint Rita, heroic in suffering Pray for us Saint Rita, generous in forgiving Pray for us Saint Rita, persevering in prayer Pray for us Saint Rita, filled with compassion for the suffering of Christ Pray for us Saint Rita, wounded with a thorn from the crown of Jesus Pray for us In all our temptations Pray for us In all dangers Pray for us In all tribulations Pray for us In all sorrows Pray for us In the hour of death Pray for us Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Grant us peace Pray for us, saint Rita of Cascia That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ Father in heaven, you granted to St. Rita a share in the passion of your Son. Give us courage and strength in time of trial, so that by our patient endurance we may enter more deeply into the paschal mystery of your Son , who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. *PRAYER* O powerful Saint Rita you are called Saint of the Impossible. In this time of need, I come to you with confidence. You know my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my help, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father. I know that God has a most generous heart and that he is most loving Father. Join your prayer to mine and obtain for me the grace I desire. *( HERE MENTION YOUR REQUEST )* I promise to use this favor when granted to better my life, to proclaim God's mercy , and to make you widely known and loved. Amen CLOSING PRAYER All: Heavenly Father! In Your infinite love and mercy, You heed the prayer of Your beloved servant, Rita. You graciously grant favors through her intercession, which are considered impossible to human skill and effort. Relying on her compassionate love, we ask You to assist us in our trials and difficulties. Let unbelievers know that you are the helper of the humble, the defender of the weak, and the strength of those who trust in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. SAINT RITA............................PRAY FOR US *In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.*