St. John Paul II wrote quite a bit about God’s Plan for Family Life during his life. Not only did he write about family life, but he lived it. His own experience growing up in Poland, losing his mother at a very young age, being inspired by his Father’s deep prayer life and discerning his vocation to the priesthood all gave him a deep understanding and appreciation for the joys and challenges families experience. During his ministry as a priest, he ministered to many families under his care, walked with them through their daily routing including baptisms, marriages and funerals as well as extreme circumstances during war and societal upheavals in Poland during and after World War II. He saw the worst in humanity and sought to repair the damage to society through the sanctification of the family.
Let us walk with St. John Paul II for the next nine days meditating on the beauty of God’s Plan for Family life while imploring his intercession for our own family and for all families in the World who seek to grow closer to God.
The feast day of St. John Paul II is October 22nd, and thus a good day to begin this novena is October 13th, ending on the 21st and celebrating St. John Paul II’s feast day on the 22nd.
The different intentions prayed for on each day of the novena are:
- DAY 1 – God’s Plan for Family Life
- DAY 2 – Family Prayer
- DAY 3 – Joy in Our Family
- Day 4 – For Parents
- Day 5 – For Children
- Day 6 – Family Members
- Day 7 – Protection of the Family
- Day 8 – For Our Community
- Day 9 Sharing the Good News with other Families
At the end of each day, we will close with the Memorare:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.