El Santo Padre nos ha pedido rezar por la paz en el mundo – especialmente que no haya guerra en Irak. Este lunes comenzamos la Novena al Niño Jesús. Se encuentra las hojitas a la entrada de la Iglesia. La intención parroquial es la resolución de nuestros problemas económicos. También se puede añadir intenciones individuales o familiares – por ejemplo, de encontrar un buen trabajo, salud, poder tener un niño, etc. La siguiente es una oración que se puede rezar cada día antes o después de las oraciones de la novena.

Divino niño Jesús de Praga, atraído por tus palabras de confianza y de tu mirada de paz, vengo a Tí para conversar de amigo a amigo. Sólo en Tí, Salvador mío, podré encontrar la paz que mi corazón ansía, y que en ninguna parte puedo encontrar. Perdona mis pecados, buen Jesús, sé que mucho te he ofendido, pero tú prometiste perdonar a quien acudiera a tí con fe y con amor... Necesito tu gracia y tu fortaleza para seguir el camino del bien. Sé Tú el Maestro que me guíe por este mundo de tinieblas y de confusión. El ejemplo de Tu infancia sea para mí norma y recuerdo en todas mis actividades y ocupaciones, y me haga merecedor de Tu promesa: "Cuanto más me honréis, más os favoreceré". Amén.

NOVENA AL NIÑO JESÚS DE PRAGA (Para problemas economicos, salud, niños)

Día primero (Lunes, 17 de marzo, San Patricio, Misa en Inglés, 8:30 a.m): Oh dulce Niño Jesús, a tus pies, consciente de mi poquedad, me dirijo a Tí que eres mi todo. Tengo gran necesidad de tu ayuda. Mírame con piedad y, ya que eres omnipotente, socorre mi necesidad.

Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina infancia, oh Jesús, concédeme la gracia que insistentemente te pido (se expresa) si es un bien para mí y es conforme a tu voluntad. No mires mis pecados, sino mi fe y tu gran misericordia.

Himno del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús.

Jesús, dulce memoria,del corazón armonía,más que el vino, más que todo,tu presencia es alegría. Tu canto es el más suavey el más grato al oído;tu pensamiento es el más dulce,Jesús, Hijo de Dios y Rey mío.Esperanza del penitente,benigno con quien te invoca,bueno con quien te busca,¿Qué será el encontrarte? La lengua no puede decir,ni la palabra expresar,sólo quien te encontró,sabe lo que es amar. Jesús, eres nuestra alegría,eres nuestro premio eterno;en Tí está nuestra gloriaahora y por los siglos. Amén.V. Bendito sea el nombre del Señor.R. Ahora y por siempre

Oración Oh Dios, que has constituído a tu Unigénito Salvador del género humano, y quisiste que fuese llamado Jesús, concédenos un día poder contemplar en el cielo Aquel que veneramos en la tierra con el Santo Nombre. Amén.

Día Segundo (Martes, 18 de marzo, Misa 8:30 a.m.; en Latin 8 p.m.) Oh esplendor celeste del Padre, en quien brilla la divinidad, te adoro profundamente, mientras te confieso verdadero Hijo de Dios. Te ofrezco el humilde homenaje de todo mi ser. No permitas que jamás me separe de Tí, mi sumo bien. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día tercero (Miércoles, 19 de marzo, Fiesta de San José, Misa Inglés 6 p.m.; Español 7 p.m.) Oh Niño Jesús, al contemplar tu semblante, me siento con gran confianza; sí, todo lo espero de tu bondad. Irradia, oh Jesús, tu gracia sobre mí y mis seres queridos, así podré cantar tu infinita misericordia. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día cuarto (Jueves, 20 de marzo, Misa en Inglés 8:30 a.m.; Confesiones 4-8 p.m.) Oh Jesús, te reconozco mi soberano absoluto. No quiero servir al demonio, a mis pasiones, al pecado. Reina, oh Jesús, sobre este pobre corazón y hazlo tuyo para siempre. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día quinto (Viernes, 21 de marzo, Misa en Inglés, 8:30 a.m., Via Crucis 8 p.m.) Yo te contemplo, oh redentor dulcísimo, revestido de un manto de púrpura. Es tu uniforme real. ¡Cómo me habla de sangre! Sangre derramada por mí. Haz, oh Jesús, que corresponda a tanto sacrificio y no rechace cuando se me presente cualquier trabajo de sufrirlo por tí. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día sexto (Sábado, 22 de marzo, Misa en Inglés, 8 a.m. y 5 p.m.; Español 6:30; Vigilia Juvenil 6:30 p.m. a 6 a.m.) Oh amabilísimo Niño, al mirarte sostener el mundo, mi corazón se llena de gozo. También a mí me sostienes cada instante, me guardas como tuyo. Cuídame, oh Jesús, y socorre todas mis necesidades. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día séptimo (Domingo, 23 de marzo, Misas en Inglés, Español y Filipino) Sobre tu pecho, oh Niño Jesús, brilla una Cruz. Es el estandarte de nuestra redención. También yo, oh Divino Salvador, tengo mi cruz, que, si bien es ligera, con frecuencia me agobia. Ayúdame a sostenerla, para que la lleve siempre con fruto. Bien sabes cuán débil soy. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día octavo (Lunes, 24 de marzo, Misa en Inglés 8:30 a.m.) Junto con la Cruz, sobre tu pecho vislumbro, oh Niño Jesús, la imagen de tu corazón. Tú eres el verdadero Amigo, que generosamente se prodiga y se inmola por la persona amada. Lléname de caridad, oh Jesús, y enséñame a corresponder a tu Amor. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

Día noveno (Martes, 25 de marzo, Misa en Ingles 8:30 a.m.; Latin 8 p.m.) Tu diestra omnipotente, oh Niño Jesús, cuántas bendiciones ha derramado sobre aquellos que te honran y te invocan. Bendíceme también y bendice toda mi vida. Bendice mis deseos y socorre mis necesidades. Escucha piadoso mis votos, y bendeciré cada día tu Santo Nombre. Padre nuestro - Ave María - Gloria Por tu divina Infancia, etc.

This Lent we do not lack motives for prayer. Our Holy Father has asked us to fast and pray ardently for peace. I hope all are doing that so war may be avoided in Iraq – and that the terrible biochemical weapons will never be utilized. We need to pray for greater stability so that the world economy can improve. When I was in Peru I saw the effects of the global recession – so many young people and families sinking for lack of decent jobs. Of course, here in Seattle we are very much feeling the effects of this prolonged economic downturn. For these intentions I ask you to join in the Novena to the Child Jesus. It begins this Monday and continues until March 25. At the entrances of the church you will find single sheets with the prayers for each of the nine days. We will recite the prayers at the conclusion of the Prayers of the Faithful in each Mass, but I also encourage you to say them at home with your family. The specific intention in our parish is for a resolution of our parish economic problems. Each individual or family may offer the Novena for their own intentions – for example, to find a good job, for health, to be able to have a child, etc. Following is a prayer by Fr. Cyril, which can be said before or after the Novena prayers.

PRAYER BY FATHER F. CYRIL OCD

Jesus, you decided to become a child, and I'm coming to you full of trust. I believe that your attentive love forestalls all my needs. Even for the intercession of your Holy Mother, you can meet my necessities, spiritual as well as material, if I pray according to your holy will. I love you with all my heart, all my strength.

I beg your pardon, if my weakness makes me sin. I repeat with the Gospel "Lord, if you want you can heal me." I leave you to decide how and when. I am ready to accept suffering, if this is your will, but help me not to become hardened to it, rather to bear fruit. Help me to be a faithful servant and for your sake, holy Child, to love my neighbor as myself. Almighty Child, unceasingly I pray you to support me in my necessities of the present moment. Grant me the grace to remain in you, to be possessed and possess you entirely, with your parents, Mary and Joseph, in the eternal praise of your heavenly servants. Amen

Novena to Child Jesus

For children and prosperity (finances, emotional well being, health)

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY CHILD OF PRAGUE O Divine Child Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Father, You are the true light that enlightens everyone coming into this world. It is through You that I am, it is through You that all things have been made, and without You nothing would be. It is therefore just that I devote myself to You without reserve. In gratitude for all the love with which You love me, I devote to you all the love my heart is capable of. I ardently desire to love you still more, to offer You a heart less unworthy of You. Accept this ardent desire, O amiable Child-God, and kindly bless it.

You have suffered for us and have borne our infirmities, in order that we might one day deserve to be associated with Your eternal happiness. I want to unite my sufferings to Yours, so that You may give them merit and they may be sanctified. As You have been weeping for me, because of my sins, help me by Your grace to weep for them myself.

I also devote to You all my joys. I only have the ambition and the will to seek those things pleasing to your service, by the practice of the virtues taught in the mysteries of Your Divine Childhood. I beg You to help me by Your grace to acquire the gentleness, the humility, the childlike simplicity, the filial confidence and the perfect obedience, of which you give me such a splendid example.

May I progress in holiness and one day possess the rewards promised in heaven to those who practice the lessons of your Holy Childhood. Amen

NOVENA TO THE CHILD JESUS

DAY 1 (Monday, March 17, St. Patrick, 8:30 a.m. Mass)

O Sweet Child Jesus, here at Your feet is a soul that, conscious of its nothingness turns to You, who are all. I have so much need of Your help. Look on me O! Jesus, with love since You are all powerful, help me in my poverty.

Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be... By your Divine Infancy, O! Jesus, grant the grace that I now ask (Express it) if it is according to Your will and for my true good. Do not look upon my unworthiness, but rather on my faith and show me Your infinite mercy.

Day 2 (Tuesday, March 18, St. Cyril, 8:30 a.m. Mass; 8:30 p.m. Latin Mass) O Splendor of the heavenly Father, in whose face shines the light of the divinity. I adore You profoundly and I confess You the true Son of the living God. I offer You, O Lord, the humble homage of all my being, Grant that I may never separate myself from You, my highest goal. Pray the BOLD response

Day 3 (Wednesday, March 19, Feast of St. Joseph, 2:15 Children’s Stations, 6 p.m. English; 7 p.m. Spanish) O Holy Child Jesus, in gazing upon Your countenance, from which comes the most beautiful of smiles, I feel myself filled with a lively trust. Yes. I hope for all from Your goodness. Shed, O Jesus, on me and on those dear to me Your smile of grace and I will praise Your infinite mercy. Pray the BOLD response

Day 4 (Thursday, March 20, 8:30 a.m. Mass; Children’s Confession, Confessions 4-8 p.m., Parish Council) O Child Jesus, whose forehead is adorned with a crown, I accept You as my absolute sovereign, I do not wish to serve any longer the evil one, my passions, or sin. Reign, O Jesus over this poor heart and make it all Yours forever. Pray the BOLD response

DAY 5 (Friday, March 21, 8:30 a.m. Mass, Soup Supper 5:45-6:45, Stations 7 p.m.) I gaze upon You, O Most Sweet Redeemer, dressed in a mantle of purple. It is Your royal attire. How it speaks to me of blood! That Blood which You have shed solely on my account. Grant, O Child Jesus that I may respond to Your great sacrifice and not refuse when You offer me some difficulty to suffer with You and for You. Pray the BOLD response

DAY 6 (Saturday, March 22, 8 a.m. Mass; 5 p.m. English; 6:30 p.m. Spanish) O Most Lovable Child, in contemplating You as You sustain the world, my heart fills with joy. Among the innumerable beings that You sustain, I also am one. You look on me, uphold me at every instant and guard me as Your own. Look after, O Jesus, this humble being and help it in its many necessities. Pray the BOLD response

Day 7 (Third Sunday of Lent, English, Spanish and Filipino Masses) On Your breast, O Child Jesus, shines a Cross. It is a standard of our redemption. I also, O Divine Savior, have my cross, that, although light, very often weighs me down. Help me to bear it and may the carrying of it be fruitful. You well know how weak and worthless I am. Pray the BOLD response

Day 8 (Monday, March 24, 8:30 a.m. Mass) Together with the cross, I see on Your breast, O Child Jesus, a little golden heart. It is the image of Your heart, which is truly golden on account of its infinite tenderness. You are the true friend that generously gives Himself; even immolates Himself, for the one He loves, Continue to pour out on me. O Jesus, the enthusiasm which Your love inspires and teaches me to respond always to Your great love. Pray the BOLD response

Day 9 (Tuesday, March 25, Feast of Annunciation, 8:30 a.m. Mass; 8:30 p.m. Latin) How many blessings, O Little Child has Your almighty right hand poured out on those who honor You and call upon You. Bless me also, O Child Jesus, my soul, my body and my interests. Bless and help me in my necessities, and grant me what I now desire. Listen with compassion to my prayers and I will bless Your Holy Name everyday. Pray the BOLD response