Book Reviews and More: Novena The Power of Prayer - Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua

Novena: The Power of Prayer

Barbara Calamari

Sandra DiPasqua

Penguin Studio

ISBN 9780670884445

ASIN B010OAKCZS

Novena The Power of Prayer - Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua

I stumbled upon another volume by this writing team and have since reading that first one tracked down all but 1 in digital format. Because of a dual form of dyslexia I greatly prefer eBooks. The first volume I read was all about Holy Cards, and it was a fascinating read. This is the fifth volume I have read by this writing duo and I can easily state they have all been great. In fact I only have 2 to go and wish that They had more in the works. But back to this specific volume, the description of this book states:

“Today's spirituality movement stresses the holistic value and the power of prayer. But one special, long-established form of intention and affirmation has been overlooked: the novena. Perennially popular in the Catholic Church, a novena is a nine-day period of prayer for a particular grace or intention, often offered as a supplication to a saint with expertise in a particular area. Novena, a volume that will enchant the eye and touch the soul, traces its history and brings together thirty-six of the best-known novenas. Each is accompanied by a luminous image of its affiliated saint--fiercely beautiful and intensely human--adapted, with a contemporary air, from a traditional prayer card; by a brief discussion of the saint's life and particular specialty; and by instructions on when, and why, to use the novena. Novena is divided into four sections: novenas to the saints, the angels, the madonna (each revealing a different aspect of her personality), and the Divinity. An appendix cross-references specific concerns with appropriate novenas: We learn how the saints themselves transcended such problems as a turbulent youth, a difficult marriage, or abuse. The ideal gift for Easter and Mother's Day, this jewel of a book has year-round bestselling potential.”

The chapters and sections in this volume are:

Preface

INTROduction

The Power of Prayer

THE SAINTS

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Agatha

Saint Patrick

Saint Joseph

Saint Caatherine of Siena

Saint Peregrine

Saint Dymphna

Saint Rita of Cascia

Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Paul the Apostle

Saint Maria Goretti

Saints Ann and Joachim

Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Saint Therese of Lisieux

Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Gerard Majella

Saint Jude

Saint Martin de Porres

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Barbara

Saint Lucy

All Saints

THE ANGELS

Saint Raphael, Archangel

Saint Michael, Archangel

Saint Gabriel, Archangel

The Guardian Angels

THE MADONNA

Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Mother of Sorrows

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Our Lady of Guadalupe

THE DIVINITY

The Infant of Prague

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Holy Spirit

Additional Prayers

Topic Index

It should be noted that The Holy Spirit Novena has the 9 Specific days with 2 prayers each of the 9 days and specific prayers and intentions each day as a third prayer. When I worked through this volume I slowed down and prayer a few of these Novenas I also added some into my calendar so I will end on the specific saints feast day.

A sample chapter is:

“Saint Patrick

389 – 461

His Feast Day is March 17

Saint Patrick is Patron Saint of Ireland, Fear of Snakes, Faith

Though not usually considered a novena saint, Saint Patrick is called upon by many for faith in the most trying of circumstances. Since he himself was forced to submit to living in a country not of his own choosing, he assists in accepting difficult situations where there is little hope of change. The patron saint of Ireland, he is credited with single—handedly changing the beliefs of the entire Irish nation through the purity and intensity of his faith. Saint Patrick’s following has spread to wherever the Irish have settled, especially in North America and Australia. He could never have imagined the astounding impact that his work in Ireland would have on the world.

Saint Patrick was born on the west coast of Great Britain of Roman—British parents. Though his father was a deacon, and his grandfather a priest, early on, Patrick showed no interest at all in God or religion. At the age of sixteen he was abducted by pirates and taken to Ireland, where he was sold into slavery. For six years he was forced to live under the direst of conditions, subject to the elements and hardship, herding sheep. When he began to pray for deliverance, he dreamed of a ship docked two hundred miles away. By following the dream’s directions, he was able to escape from captivity, find the ship, and prevail upon the sailors to take him with them. He eventually returned to his family, and in gratitude for God’s help he became a priest. In A.D. 432 he again had a dream that changed the course of his life. In it, he was instructed to return to Ireland and to convert as many people as possible to Christianity. Though he would have preferred to perfect his studies and remain in Britain, he surrendered to the guidance of the dream and put all his faith in God by returning to Ireland. Living there at a time when the Druid religion was in decline, he nonetheless had to compete with the “wizardry” of the Druid priests. There are many fantastic tales of his magical powers. It was said that Saint Patrick could turn people into deer and that he could turn day into night. He is still invoked today by those afraid of snakes, because he was said to have obtained a promise from God that no poisonous reptiles would be allowed to live on that island. Saint Patrick expelling snakes is a common image. Another one of his symbols is the shamrock, or three—leaf clover. This symbolizes how he explained the Holy Trinity in his preaching.

Saint Patrick built his main church in Northern Ireland. Realizing that the landowners chose the religion of their serfs for them, he set upon converting the major families first. His life as a former slave and fugitive taught him to trust God completely, and those living in similarly miserable circumstances have always been able to identify with him. He died in 461 in the monastery of Saul, and his remains are buried with those of Saint Brigid in Ulster.

Novena to Saint Patrick

O great apostle of Ireland, glorious Saint Patrick, to whom under God so many are indebted for the most precious of all treasures, the great gift of faith, receive our fervent thanks for the zeal and charity that have been to thousands the blessings so invaluable. We ask your intervention in receiving (Mention your request here). Ask for all who dwell in this land and the land of thy labors the precious light of Faith, and beg for us on whom its glorious rays have long since beamed, the grace to regulate our lives by its sacred maxims. Amen

Say this novena nine times in a row for nine days in a row.”

Novena The Power of Prayer - Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua - Saint Patrick Image

I highlighted a number of passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:

“Catholics consider the very first novena to have been created by Jesus Christ himself. Before Christ rose into heaven he instructed his apostles to spend nine days praying for divine guidance as they awaited the arrival of the Holy Spirit. After the apostles spent this allotted time in prayer, the Holy Spirit appeared to them in the form of tongues of fire coming from the sky. These tongues rested on each apostle, giving them the gift of many languages and the burning desire to spread the story of Jesus Christ. It is thought that the nine—day tradition of prayer comes from this first novena. The novena of the Holy Spirit was written in the Middle Ages to commemorate this event, and so it is presented as the last and most important novena in this book.”

“In seventeenth—century Spain the Christmas novena was instituted. For nine days preceding Christmas Day, each symbolizing a month the infant Jesus spent in the womb, a special novena was said. Many towns in France and southern Italy began doing nine—day novenas in preparation for their local saint's feast day. It became customary to invoke the saint for a requested favor that would be granted in this time of celebration.”

“Fearing that novenas would be used in superstition, the Church began to recognize them only in the mid—1800s. Of the many novenas, only thirty—two are officially recommended, mainly in honor of a feast day. Personal novenas for individualized intentions continue to be a very private form of prayer.”

“The saints all have differing fields of expertise based on the earthly lives they led. Novenas are said to certain saints to help us deal with problems similar to those they suffered.”

“There are at least eleven official novenas to the Virgin Mary, and we have included six of them in our collection. In all of those included she takes on the role of the universal mother.”

“Bear in mind that the only prayer that can be guaranteed to be answered is "Thy Will Be Done". In praying we participate in God's unfolding will for the world and ourselves.”

“Why do novenas work? Is it the willingness to open to the miraculous? Or is it simply setting aside time to address a problem that is crucial? Perhaps by repeating a request for a solution over and over, we are taking the fear out of a problem. Or is it that we open to grace? Prayer brings grace, and grace lightens the spirit and makes the day go easier.”

“Novenas are not magic. They are just another form of prayer. Yet the discipline required in this form of devotion assures us of spending time with a higher level of being, bringing divine blessing and grace into the world.”

“O God, we humbly beseech you through your servant Saint Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore you, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially Name the afflicted person Saint Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us. Saint Dymphna, comforter of the despondent, pray for us. Saint Dymphna, renowned for many miracles, please hear my plea. Amen”

“O holy Saint Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me( mention your request here). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle; even so, you are the saint of miracles. O gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever filled with human sympathy. whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will be ever yours.”

“Crippled by arthritis and ready to die at age seventy—two, Saint Alphonsus Liguori went on to live another nineteen years, publishing over sixty books and writing poetry and music. His disease made him so conscious of his own mortality that he assumed each day was his last and lived accordingly.”

“Holy little Therese, remember your promise to do good upon the earth and shower down your roses on those who invoke you. Obtain for me from God the graces I hope for from his infinite goodness. Let me feel the powers of your prayers in every need. Give me consolation in all the bitterness of this life, and especially at the hour of death, that I may be worthy to share eternal happiness with you in heaven. Amen.”

This is a wonderful volume. It ties in well with the books the due have written on Holy Cards, Mary, and Saints. This is a stunning volume, both the physical book and the eBook edition. Each Novena has a 4 page spread. 2 pages about the saint, 1 for the novena and 1 with a picture of a prayer card of the saint with a quote. The only issues is this full page photo and quote splits up the text, and in the eBook it does so as well. It is an amazing volume. I absolutely loved working through it and plan on rereading it again. It is an excellent book I can easily recommend for home, school, or church library!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!