Feast of Saint Raymund Nonnatus, Confessor

O God, by Thy grace blessed Raymund Thy Confessor wrought wonders in redeeming Thy faithful people from the hands of wicked men. Grant, we beseech Thee, that loosened from the bonds of our sins, with free minds we may always do what is well-pleasing to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen
(Roman Breviary)

Catalonia was the native country of Saint Raymund who, to the astonishment of the Physicians, was born after his mother's death. As soon as he was old enough to comprehend how early he had become an orphan, he chose the Queen of Heaven as his mother, and to his last day, called her by no other name. When he had studied for some time with great success, his father, fearing the youth would enter a Religious Order, sent him into the country to take care of a farm. Raymund obeyed, and found there also opportunity to serve God. He became very fond of solitude and therefore chose for his occupation the care of the sheep, in order to gain more time for prayer and meditation.

The Divine Mother, of whom he begged the grace of knowing his vocation, appeared to him, saying that she desired him to take the habit of the newly established Order for the redemption of captives. He did so, and was sent to Algiers where he found a great many Christians in slavery, and as the money he had brought for their ransom was not sufficient, he offered himself as a hostage to redeem the others. He was induced to this by the danger in which the prisoners were of losing their faith and with it eternal life. This great and heroic charity gave him occasion to suffer much for the sake of Christ. At first, he was treated very harshly by his masters, but when they began to fear that he would die before the ransom was paid, they allowed him more liberty, which the holy man used only for the salvation of the captive Christians. He strengthened them in their faith, and, at the same time, endeavored to convert the infidels.

Hymn: Iste Confessor

This the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now all the faithful celebrate, with gladness
Erst on this feast-day merited to enter
Into his glory.

Saintly and prudent, modest in behavior,
Peaceful and sober, chaste was he, and lowly,
While that life's vigor, coursing through his members,
Quickened his being.

Sick ones of old time, to his tomb resorting,
Sorely by ailments manifold afflicted,
Oft-times have welcomed health and strength returning,
At his petition.

Whence we in chorus gladly do him honor,
Chanting his praises with devout affection,
That in his merits we may have a portion,
Now and forever.

His be the glory, power and salvation,
Who over all things reigneth in the highest,
Earth's mighty fabric ruling and directing,
Onely and Trinal. Amen

Novena in honor of Our Lady's Nativity

Holy Child Mary of the royal house of David, Queen of the angels, Mother of grace and love, I greet thee with all my heart.
Obtain for me the grace to love the Lord faithfully during all the days of my life. Obtain for me, too, a great devotion to thee, who are the first creature of God's love.
(Hail Mary)

O heavenly Child Mary, who like a pure dove was born immaculate and beautiful, true prodigy of the wisdom of God, my soul rejoices in thee. Oh! Do help me to preserve the angelic virtue of purity at the cost of any sacrifice.
(Hail Mary)

Hail, lovely and holy Child, spiritual garden of delight, where, on the day of the Incarnation, the tree of life was planted, assist me to avoid the poisonous fruit of vanity and pleasures of the world. Help me to engraft into my soul the thoughts, feelings, and virtues of thy Divine Son.
(Hail Mary)

Hail, admirable Child Mary, Mystical Rose, closed garden, open only to the heavenly Spouse. O Lily of paradise, make me love the humble and hidden life;
let the heavenly Spouse find the gate of my heart always open to the loving calls of His graces and inspiration.
(Hail Mary)
Holy Child Mary, mystical dawn, gate of heaven, thou art my trust and hope. O powerful advocate, from thy cradle stretch out thy hand, support me on the path of life. Make me serve God with ardor and constancy until death and so reach an eternity with thee.
(Hail Mary)

Blessed Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our loving Mother, by the heavenly graces thou dost lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my supplications. In the needs which press upon me from every side and especially in my present tribulation, I place all my trust in thee.

O holy Child, by the privileges granted to thee alone and by the merits which thou hast acquired, show that the source of spiritual favors and the continuous benefits which thou dispense are inexhaustible, because thy power with the Heart of God is unlimited. Deign through the immense profusion of graces with which the Most High has enriched thee from the first moment of thy Immaculate Conception, grant me, O Celestial Child, my petition, and I shall eternally praise the goodness of thy Immaculate Heart. Amen.

Novena Prayer to Saint Pope Pius X

Glorious Pontiff, Saint Pope Pius X, devoted servant of Our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke thee as a Saint in Heaven. I give myself to thee that thou may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation.
Aid me in observing the duties of my state in life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after thy own example.
Saint Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of all grace and holiness and to receive this Sacrament as often as I can.

Gentle father of the poor, help me to imitate thy charity toward my fellowmen in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently and with perfect resignation to the will of God. Loving Shepherd of the flock of Christ obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.

Saint Pope Pius X beloved Holy Father, I humbly implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to thee in particular this humble prayer petition..

Great Pontiff, whom Holy Mother Church has raised to the honor of our altars and urged me to invoke and imitate as a Saint, I have great confidence in thy prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s Holy Will, my petition will be granted through thy intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Pope Pius X pray for me and for those I love. I beg of thee, by thy love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of a holy death.
Amen

In thanksgiving to God Almighty for the graces bestowed on Pope Saint Pius X
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be - three times each-