Day 1 Intention: God’s Plan for Family Life
St. John Paul II said that “The Mission of the Family is to Guard, Reveal and Communicate Love” (FC 17). It is only through authentic love that our families can truly be holy and be a light to the communities in which we live. Our goal should be for our family to reflect the love of God, not only for the benefit of our own family members, but also for those that come into contact with our family. For when they see the love that in present in our family, they will actually be encountering the love of God.
“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
“The family, which is founded and given life by love, is a community of persons: of husband and wife, of parents and children, of relatives. Its first task is to live with fidelity the reality of communion in a constant effort to develop an authentic community of persons.” (FC 18).
The Novena Prayer:
St. John Paul II, great champion of the family, we seek your intercession today that our family may be a reflection of the Love of God. We ask that you help us remove all jealousy, rudeness, arrogance and irritability from our family, let us be patient, kind, rejoicing in the good, bearing all things, believing, hoping and enduring all things in the name of love. Petition God to foster in us a desire to love each other and seek the best for each person in our family. Inspire in us a desire to be holy and do our part to make our family a holy family and petition God to grant us the favor of the following intention(s):
For the success of the upcoming Retreat for Families(mention any family specific intentions here)
St. John Paul II, help our family to always choose to love as God loves and be a witness to hope in our community.
Closing Prayer – 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.