Father’s Day Novena

“And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:17 RSVCE

The scripture above is from the Canticle of Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist. The Angel revealed to Zechariah that his son, John, “will go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:17.

In this spirit, we are asking the intercession of St. John the Baptist to prepare the fathers of this world for the return of Christ — by turning their hearts toward their children, and by bringing them into obedience of the wisdom of the just. In so doing, may these fathers help make us all a people prepared for the Lord.

We also ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, and devoted foster father of Jesus, who obediently and quietly cared for and protected the Christ Child and his Holy Mother, so that our Lord Jesus could fulfill his mission on earth.

We’re praying for every kind of father — Married, single, widowed, deceased. Spiritual fathers, Godfathers, Seminarians, Priests and Deacons. Foster fathers and adoptive fathers. Expectant fathers and grieving fathers. Father figures, uncles, coaches, teachers. “City Fathers,” and “Fathers of our Country,” and men in positions of servant-leadership and authority.

You may use the regular daily rotation of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Monday-Joyful, Tuesday and Friday-Sorrowful, Thursday-Luminous, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday-Glorious).

(It is taken for granted that you know the structure of the Rosary. For instructions on how to pray the Rosary, scroll to the bottom of the home page of FreshRosary.com, and download a copy.)

Create a list here of the Fathers you intend to pray for: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Novena Prayer

Begin your Rosary with this prayer, followed by the Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be…

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Saint Joseph and Saint John the Baptist, Because of your examples of obedience to God, and the prayerful and holy works by which you announced the earthly mission of Jesus Christ, thereby cooperating in securing salvation for humanity– we ask for your powerful intercession for all fathers, and men who fill the fatherly roles in this earthly realm.

By your merits and heavenly prayers, we ask you with all confidence to obtain for these men the virtues, and gifts, and fruits from the Holy Spirit, which they need in order to lead and serve their families, and lead and serve the Church -May you encourage them by their holy example, and purity of body, mind and soul, to also participate in preparing a people ready for the Lord at His second-coming.

We make this prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Daily Intentions for the Virtues of Fatherhood

These are the daily intentions:

The Cardinal Virtues- Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance

The Theological Virtues- Faith, Hope and Charity

For good measure-

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, piety, fear of the Lord)

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity)

We’ll follow this Novena Calendar, with everyone praying the Rosary and the Intentions on the same day. Don’t be discouraged if you miss a day. Just hop right back into the schedule with a happy heart and firm resolve to carry on.

Our calendar leading up to Father’s Day:

Friday, June 7: The Cardinal Virtue of Prudence

Saturday, June 8: The Cardinal Virtue of Justice

Sunday, June 9: The Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude

Monday, June 10: The Cardinal Virtue of Temperance

Tuesday, June 11: The Theological Virtue of Faith

Wednesday, June 12: The Theological Virtue of Hope

Thursday, June 13: The Theological Virtue of Charity

Friday, June 14: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Saturday, June 15: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Father’s Day, June 16: Prayer of Thanksgiving

“For an outpouring of ______________________________ in the lives of all fathers, especially (say the names here).”

How to add the Daily Intentions:

As you pray the Mysteries of the Rosary, announce each mystery and pray the Daily Intention, and then pray the Our Father and ten Hail Mary prayers, in the usual fashion.

Pray all nine days in the same manner, substituting the boldface text into each daily intention, according to the calendar on page 3.

For Example:

On Day one, begin your rosary in the usual way, starting with the Novena Prayer.

“The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden.

“For an outpouring of the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence in the lives of all fathers, especially _____________________.

“Our Father…

“Hail Mary… (10 times)

“Glory be…

“Oh my Jesus…”

Pray all nine days in the same manner, substituting the boldface text into each daily intention, according to the calendar above.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Almighty and ever-living God,

We praise your for your goodness and extol you for your great glory.

Father’s Day reminds us of your own fatherly love.

Thank you for your Fatherhood as our Creator and Provider,

Thank you for your love in sending your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in obedience to You, gave himself for us on the cross,

so that we may have eternal life with You and the saints in heaven.

We ask your blessing on all fathers –

Married, single, widowed, deceased.

Spiritual fathers, Godfathers, Seminarians, Priests and Deacons.

Foster fathers and adoptive fathers.

Expectant fathers and grieving fathers.

Father figures, uncles, coaches, teachers.

“City Fathers,” and “Fathers of our Country,” and men in positions of servant-leadership and authority.

Bless, protect and strengthen them.

Fill them with every virtue and grace, in order that they may be effective workers in the vineyard,

for the coming of Jesus Christ as King of All Nations.

We make this prayer in His Holy Name.

Amen.

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