Saint Junípero Serra Feast Day July 1st – Prayer (Catholic Caucus)

[common-sense-man-1776]

“Always forward, never back!” Saint Junípero’s motto reflects a missioner’s spirit, regardless of setbacks. He sought not to suppress, but rather to help improve lives, protecting Native Americans from soldiers’ excesses. He was often scorned by conquistadors.

Prayer: Saint Junipero Serra, your missionary zeal brought the light of Christ to millions. You endured so many hardships, and labored so much that your work resonates today in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Catholics. Saint Serra, I petition you today to help me deliver the light of Christ through my words and deeds to others. May I instruct by example and faithfully guide others to Christ, just as you so wonderfully did centuries ago. I pray that you stand beside me, that you grant me the wisdom and words to share. Please intercede for me before the throne of Christ, may you both witness the work I do on His behalf. I offer my labor and my sacrifice to you. Please receive me as your faithful servant, in Christ, My Lord, I pray.

[Salvation]

Novena First Day

Saint Junípero Serra was born on November 24, 1713 in the Spanish village of Petra on the Balearic Island of Majorca. His parents, both illiterate farmers, instructed him in the rudiments of faith and enrolled him in the local Franciscan school at age seven. At age fifteen, he entered the Franciscan Order in Palma, the capital of Majorca. In addition to his formal studies, Saint Junípero enjoyed reading the lives of saints, wishing to follow those “who had labored for the conversion of souls.” He decided to imitate them even to the point of “offering his life and shedding his blood as they had done.”

However, Saint Junípero was hindered by poor health and wrote: “I was almost always ill and so small of stature that I was unable to reach the lectern, nor could I help my fellow novices in the necessary chores of the novitiate.” Only after his solemn profession into the order, at age seventeen, did his health and stature improve. Whenever he remembered and spoke of the joy that was his when he made his profession, he broke forth with these words: “All good things came to me with wisdom.” (Wisdom 7:11).

Meditation
Saint Junípero Serra, from early childhood you experienced prolonged pain and suffering, yet with youthful innocence you did not lose faith, hope or charity. You placed your trust in God and His holy purpose during your novitiate and were able to overcome untold afflictions. Obtain for me the grace to deepen my belief in what God has revealed. Strengthen my hope in Him and intensify my love of Him in heart and deed.

Prayer For Our Holy Father
God, Our Father, we ask You to look with mercy and love on the Supreme Shepherd You have chosen for us. Give him health and strength to guide and govern Your holy people. May he, through word and example, direct, sustain and encourage the people in his care, so that with them he may share everlasting life. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer through the intercession of Saint Junípero Serra. Amen.

Novena Prayer
O God, in Your ineffable mercy, You chose Saint Junípero Serra as a means of gathering many peoples of the Americas into Your Church. Grant that through his intercession our hearts may be united in You in ever greater love, so that at all times and in all places we may show forth the image of Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Saint Junípero Serra
God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Mother of the Church,
Pray for us.
Queen of the Angels,
Pray for us.
Patroness of the Americas,
Pray for us.
Saint Junípero Serra,
Pray for us.
Who opens my eyes and heart to the challenges of today,
Pray for us.
Prophet and penitent who saw the suffering Christ in the poor,
Pray for us.
Protector, lover, defender of the Indians and our faith,
Pray for us.
Admirer of all creation, the sea, the sky, and all the earth,
Pray for us.
Model of priestly service and saintly son of St. Francis,
Pray for us.
Beloved of God and of all those in need,
Pray for us.
Peacemaker in the face of violence,
Pray for us.
Teacher of perseverance and trust in prayer,
Pray for us.
Apostolic missionary, Pastor, and Patron of the Californians,
Pray for us.
Pathfinder for those seeking true direction in their lives,
Pray for us.
Patron of all Serrans,
Pray for us.
God’s fearless leader,
Pray for us.
Who keeps my gratitude fresh each day,
Pray for us.
Who accepts both success and suffering as gift,
Pray for us.
Who bore his physical and emotional pain in imitation of the Crucified,
Pray for us.
Who spoke the truth openly and courageously against power and injustice,
Pray for us.
Whose charity and humility endured a lifetime,
Pray for us.
Who proclaimed the Gospel, fed the hungry, and clothed the naked,
Pray for us.
Who was always faithful, zealous and loyal,
Pray for us.
Who was close to the sick and dying,
Pray for us.
Who is guide to my feet in following Christ,
Pray for us.
Who told us “Always go forward and never turn back,”
Pray for us.
O Christ, may your compassion shine forth from the depths of our hearts and embrace all we meet,
Hear us, O Lord.
You who fills the emptiness in our life with your presence,
Hear us, O Lord.
Tender-hearted and merciful God,
Hear us, O Lord.
Christ hear us.
Christ hear us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.

Prayers
Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father.

Let Us Pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, reward the apostolic zeal of Your Seraphic son, Saint Junípero Serra, who leaving home and fatherland, labored for the salvation of souls in Spain, Mexico and California. By Your Most Holy name may he be raised to the full honors of the altar. Through the intercession of Saint Serra, look with favor on my special prayers which have no earthly answer. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[tbw2]

Which makes social justice jihadis tearing down his statues last week all the more egregious.