NOVENA TO ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE
Antiphon: O St. Paul the Apostle, preacher of truth and doctor of the gentiles, intercede for us to God.
- After that, Saul began to harass the Church. He entered house after house, dragged men and women out and threw them into jail. (Acts 8:3) Antiphon
- “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Sir?” he asked. The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:4-5) Antiphon
- For he who worked through Peter as his apostle among the Jews had been at work in me for the gentiles, and they recognized the favor bestowed on me. (Gal. 2:8-9) Antiphon
- With my many more labors and imprisonments, with far worse beatings and frequent brushes with death. (2 Cor. 11:23) Antiphon
- And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:9) Antiphon
- But by God’s favor I am what I am. This favor of his to me has not proved fruitless. (1 Cor. 15:10) Antiphon
- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that day the Lord, just judge that he is will award it to me. (2 Tim. 4:7-9) Antiphon
READING - Day 8
Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others “by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence” (from Benedict XVI, Message for the 47th World Communications Day, 2013). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ himself, God incarnate, who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the “other” has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective. Engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim that they alone are valid or absolute.
May the image of the Good Samaritan who tended to the wounds of the injured man by pouring oil and wine over them be our inspiration. Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful “neighbors” to those wounded and left on the side of the road. -Pope Francis, 2014 World Communications Day Message
THE PAULINE OFFERTORY (adapted from Blessed James Alberione)
Father, in union with all those celebrating the Eucharist throughout the world, I wish to unite myself with the heart and intentions of your beloved Son, Jesus, who offered his life for our salvation:
— that the media may always be used to support the good of each person and the common good; to uplift the sacred dignity of every human person, especially those who are poor and most vulnerable; to nurture marriage and family life; to bring about solidarity, peace, greater justice, and equality for all people; and to build respect for the gifts of God’s creation;
— in reparation for the errors and scandals spread throughout the world through the misuse of the media;
— to call down your mercy upon those who have been deceived or manipulated by the misuse of the media, and led away from your fatherly love;
— for the conversion of those who have spread error, violence, or a disregard for the dignity of the person by wrongly using the media and rejecting the teaching of Christ and his Church;
— that we may follow Christ alone whom you, Father, in your boundless love, sent into the world, saying, “This is my beloved Son, hear him”;
— to acknowledge and to make known that Jesus alone, the Word Incarnate, is the perfect Teacher, the trustworthy Way who leads to knowledge of you, Father, and to a participation in your very life;
— that in the Church the number of priests, religious, and lay people who are dedicated as apostles of the media will increase in number and grow in holiness, making resound throughout the world the message of salvation;
— that all those who work in the media with good will (writers, artists, directors, editors, technicians, producers, advertisers, and distributors) may grow in wisdom and uprightness, living and spreading worthy human and Christian values;
— that the undertakings of Catholics in all forms of media may continually increase, so that by more effectively promoting genuine human and Christian values, they will silence the voices that spread error and evil;
— that well aware of our inadequacy and unworthiness, we may recognize our need to draw near the font of life with great humility and trust and be nourished with your Word, Father, and with the Body of Christ, invoking light, love, and mercy for all men and women.
ANTIPHON:
Our Father and Apostle, St. Paul, you are preacher of truth and doctor of the gentiles. Intercede for us to God, who chose you.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord God,
You appointed Paul your apostle
to preach the good news of salvation.
Fill the entire world with the faith he carried
to so many peoples and nations.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.