St. Andrew Novena

Elizabeth Foss posted a photo of the St. Andrew chaplets that she and her family made last Advent. I was inspired to do the novena this Advent with our family. I might even order some beads and medals. :)

This fall, I have been feeling very stretched between my toddler and high school senior (not to mention the three in between and the one far away), and we've taken school down a notch for the younger children. During Advent, we will do our math, read lots of beautiful Advent and Christmas stories, and create beautiful things. Our Mother Church has given us this time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Holy Child. I want to soak up the beauty and joy of this preparatory season and do as Elizabeth said,

"In our family, we have long set aside this season for digging deeply into traditions. We do much, much more crafting than we do at any other time of year. Our academic work is narrowed to math, lots of reading from great picture books and Christmas-themed chapter books, and lots of narrating. We focus on Advent devotions and drink deeply from the well of our Church. It's a busy time and we all learn so much.At some point, Michael returns from college and fits right in--more than any other time of the year, this time is familiar and warm and welcoming for him. After immersion in faith and family, we return to "school as usual" in January more relaxed and more connected to one another and to our Savior because of our Advent traditions. It works for us."

This sounds exactly like the place I would like our family to be this Advent and Christmas.

So we begin with the St. Andrew novena, a tiny moment for God each day in the midst of all the preparatory rush.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! To hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

We are praying for so many things and people right now that it would be impossible to list them all here. Please know that if you are reading this, you are probably on the list, too, for all your intentions, spiritual and temporal needs this holy season.

And who knew that St. Andrew was the patron Saint for women trying to conceive? If you know of anyone who needs this prayer, you can add it to your own devotions, along with the prayer to Our Lady of la Leche in the sidebar. :)