This National Marriage Week 2021 (February 7-14), and World Marriage Day (February 14), St. Michael’s Abbey revisits its Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage, in collaboration with the St Josemaria Institute.

Introduction

St Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975), priest and founder of Opus Dei, believed that “those who are called to the married state will, with the grace of God, find within their state everything they need to be holy, to identify themselves each day more with Jesus Christ, and to lead those with whom they live to God.”

The Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage is inspired by St Josemaria’s desire to help all married couples, and those preparing for marriage, to find meaning and encouragement in their vocation through a commitment to daily prayer and friendship with God, especially when facing inevitable difficulties and times of trial.

The novena reflections are all taken from the homily by St Josemaria Escriva, “Marriage: A Christian Vocation”, published in the book Christ is Passing By (Scepter Publishers, 1974).

What is a novena?

A novena is a personal commitment that one makes to pray for nine consecutive days to ask God for answers to a specific request, struggle, or intention. The novena prayer is repeated each day and can be accompanied by reading and reflection. Novenas can be prayed throughout the year and are often prayed in preparation for a feast day of the Church.

Who should pray this novena?

The Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage is ideal for engaged couples and for married couples. St Josemaria’s reflections on marriage would also be helpful in guiding those who are discerning their state in life.

How to pray this novena:

Choose a date and time (e.g. end of day, after dinner) to start the novena
Read the reflection of the day slowly in front of a crucifix or image of the Holy Family
Meditate on the reading and ask God to let you see what you need to understand
Pray one of the two prayers indicated for the day (for the married or engaged)
End with the Prayer for the Family and ask God for your specific request(s)

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The Novena

Day 1

THE VOCATION TO MARRIAGE: A SUPERNATURAL CALLING

Day 2

THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE: ONE FLESH OF TWO BODIES

Day 3

HUSBAND & WIFE ARE CALLED TO HOLINESS

Day 4

THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LOVE: LIVING CHASTITY IN MARRIAGE

Day 5

SELF-GIVING & BEING OPEN TO CHILDREN

Day 6

SUFFERING & FORGIVENESS

Day 7

CREATING A BRIGHT HOME THROUGH FAITH & AFFECTION

Day 8

CREATING A CHEERFUL HOME — FRIENDSHIP WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Day 9

UNITED WITH CHRIST: BECOMING SOWERS OF PEACE & JOY

Download PDF of Novena

To order copies of the booklet for The Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage from the St. Josemaria Institute, click here.

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