Make a novena for your country
From the earliest pages of her Diary, Saint Faustina Kowalska writes of being directed to pray and sacrifice for her native land. In addition to offering ongoing prayer and being true to her vocation, the Lord and Our Lady assigned a variety of specific novenas to appease God’s anger and bless her country. Nine days of holy hours, the Litany of the Saints, Holy Communion, and the recitation of the Chaplet in the community was most times rewarded with heavenly visions of the graces derived from them, and St. Faustina was given to know the sublime importance of the prayers of those who are pleasing to God.
Therefore, seeking every grace and blessing for our native land, we encourage our fellow countrymen to pray for America as St. Faustina was instructed to pray for Poland. We invite all to participate in each of the novenas, and to repeat them as often as possible, preferably monthly.
Each of the novenas can be done separately, but some of them may be completed together as recommended at the end of this document.
But first, let’s reflect on the passages St. Faustina wrote concerning each of the novena requests. The first one is found early in the Diary, and it happens to be one of the first commands of the Lord recorded:
Novena of Holy Hours
Another time I heard these words, Go to the Superior and ask her to allow you to make a daily hour of adoration for nine days. During this adoration try to unite yourself in prayer with My Mother. Pray with all your heart in union with Mary, and try also during this time to make the Way of the Cross. I received the permission, though not for a full hour, but only for whatever time was left me after I had carried out my duties. (Diary, 32)
I was to make this novena for the intention of my Motherland. On the seventh day of the novena I saw, between heaven and earth, the Mother of God, clothed in a bright robe. She was praying with Her hands folded on Her bosom, Her eyes fixed on Heaven. From Her Heart issued forth fiery rays, some of which were turned toward Heaven while the others were covering our country. (33)
Ideally, holy hours of adoration are performed in the presence of the Holy Eucharist. For many who may not be in close proximity to a church or chapel, this may be quite difficult if not impossible. But all need not be lost. An hour of prayer from the heart, especially in union with the Blessed Mother in front of the Image of The Divine Mercy, can be a great alternate plan.
During this hour of prayer for our country, you may also consider the second novena request found just a few passages further along into the Diary.
Novena of the Litany of the Saints
1933. On one occasion I heard these words in my soul, Make a novena for your country. This novena will consist of the recitation of the Litany of the Saints. Ask your confessor for permission. (59)
I received permission at my next confession and began the novena that very evening. Towards the end of the litany I saw a great radiance and, in the midst of it, God the Father. Between this radiance and the earth I saw Jesus, nailed to the Cross in such a way that when God wanted to look at the earth, He had to look through the wounds of Jesus. And I understood that it was for the sake of Jesus that God blesses the earth. (60)
Novena of the Chaplet
The Lord taught St. Faustina a new prayer, the Chaplet of Mercy. Prayed on a normal rosary in about ten minutes, its recitation comes attached with several promises for souls. Not long after the Lord gave St. Faustina this special prayer, she was asked to pray it with the other women in her community for Poland.
The Lord said to me today: Go to the Superior and tell her that I want all the sisters and wards to say the chaplet which I have taught you. They are to say it for nine days in the chapel in order to appease My Father and to entreat God’s mercy for Poland. (714)
A holy hour of adoration that includes the Litany of the Saints and the Chaplet of Mercy prayed from the heart in union with the Blessed Mother is bound to be powerful, nine days in a row, even more so.
Novena of Holy Communions
On at least three occasions, St. Faustina was instructed to unite herself closely with Jesus at Mass and to receive Holy Communion in atonement for sins. Although the first command was a seven day period instead of nine, it bears mentioning here:
One day Jesus told me that He would cause a chastisement to fall upon the most beautiful city in our country [probably Warsaw]. This chastisement would be that with which God had punished Sodom and Gomorrah. I saw the great wrath of God and a shudder pierced my heart. I prayed in silence. After a moment, Jesus said to me, My child, unite yourself closely to Me during the Sacrifice and offer My Blood and My Wounds to My Father in expiation for the sins of that city. Repeat this without interruption throughout the entire Holy Mass. Do this for seven days. On the seventh day I saw Jesus in a bright cloud and began to beg Him to look upon the city and upon our whole country. Jesus looked down graciously. When I saw the kindness of Jesus, I began to beg His blessing. Immediately Jesus said, For your sake I bless the entire country. And He made a big sign of the cross over our country. Seeing the goodness of God, a great joy filled my soul. (39)
The next time St. Faustina is directed to unite herself closely with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Blessed Mother also tells her to receive Communion for the nine days:
1934. On the day of the Assumption of the Mother of God, I did not assist at Holy Mass. The woman doctor did not allow me; but I prayed fervently in my cell. After a short time, I saw the Mother of God, unspeakably beautiful. She said to me, My daughter, what I demand from you is prayer, prayer, and once again prayer, for the world and especially for your country. For nine days receive Holy Communion in atonement and unite yourself closely to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. During these nine days you will stand before God as an offering; always and everywhere, at all times and places, day or night, whenever you wake up, pray in the spirit. In spirit, one can always remain in prayer. (325)
Saint Barbara also appeared to St. Faustina wearing a brilliant crown of stars and holding a brilliant sword in her hand, she too recommended nine days of Holy Communion.
August 22. This morning Saint Barbara, Virgin, visited me and recommended that I offer Holy Communion for nine days on behalf of my country and thus appease God’s anger. This virgin was wearing a crown made of stars and was holding a sword in her hand. The brilliance of the crown was the same as that of the sword. With her white dress and her flowing hair, she was so beautiful that if I had not already known the Virgin Mary I would have thought that it was She. Now I understand that each virgin has a special beauty all her own; a distinct beauty radiates from each of them. (1251)
Divine Mercy for America Prayer Guide
Oh, how blessed we are to have the saints to help us in the battle for souls. The Divine Mercy for America Prayer Guide includes a beautiful Litany of the Saints, instructions on how to pray the Chaplet of Mercy, the prayer for the conversion of sinners, and more to help facilitate the recital of these novenas for our country. Whether praying alone, with your family, or in a group, please be sure to sign up to let us know you are part of the movement to change the tide in our country by registering here.
Materials to help you with the novenas:
- Novena of Holy Hours
- Way of the Cross
- Novena of the Litany of Saints
- Divine Mercy for America Prayer Guide
- Novena of Holy Communions
- Novena of the Chaplet of Mercy
All references to Diary: Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M, Stockbridge, MA 01263. All rights reserved. www.marian.org
