The annual Holy Cross All Souls Novena will begin this Sunday, October 25th and continue through All Souls Day, Monday, November 2nd. We invite you to share in praying the Rosary each day during the Novena. We will be praying for a particular group of people each day, i.e., for all of our parents who have died, for all children who have died, and for those who have died with no one to pray for them.
The longstanding devotion of the Novena dates back to the days of the Apostles. In the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we find the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary waiting in the Upper Room for nine days and nights following the Ascension of Jesus. The heart of any Novena is the same as that first one, called for by the Lord Himself: “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father.” (Acts 1,4)
This year’s Holy Cross Novena for All Souls will involve our hopeful anticipation of an answer for the petition or intention for which our prayers are being offered – in this case, a full share in the Victory of Jesus over sin and death for all of our loved ones and all others who have died. We will post a special prayer here for each day’s intention.
Novena Schedule:
Oct. 25 For All Who Have Died This Year
Oct. 26 For All Parents Who Have Died
Oct. 27 For All Grandparents Who Have Died
Oct. 28 For All Children Who Have Died
Oct. 29 For the Unborn, For Those Who Have Died At The Hands Of Others, Or By Accident
Oct. 30 For All Who Have Died In Military Service
Oct. 31 For All Who Have Died With Nobody To Pray For Them
Nov. 1 For All Clergy and Religious Who Have Died
Nov. 2 For All In Our Parish Family Who Have Died
Novena Opening Prayer:
“Merciful God, during this Novena of prayer, we remember those who have died. We pray for their joyful reunion with you, their loving Creator. You raised your Son from the dead that all may share in His joyful Resurrection. So, as your Son has commanded, we reach out in prayer for the benefit of all those who have gone before us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
