To mark the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on 20 November, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, has invited families to participate in a special Novena of Prayer by saying a prayer together for Mercy in the Family each evening for nine evenings.
In his message to the parishes of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Archbishop Eamon said, “As the Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close on 20 November, I invite you and your families to join me in a Novena for Mercy in the Family, beginning at 6.00pm on the evening of Friday 11 November and ending on Sunday 20 November, the Feast of Christ the King.”
Archbishop Eamon continued, “Please gather whoever is at home on each of the nine evenings shortly after six o’clock for just a few moments, and pray this short prayer together:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Holy Family of Nazareth, bless our family.
Keep anger and violence far from our door.
May our home be a place of love, mercy and forgiveness.
Share our moments of happiness with us.
Whenever things are difficult, help us to overcome together the problems that come our way.
Be with families in Ireland and around the world who are homeless or suffering.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph come into our home and our hearts and stay with us always.
Amen
“If you have Holy Water at home, ask each person present to make a Sign of the Cross on their forehead and pray for any special family intentions you might have. (You can get Holy Water at your local Church).
“Finish by saying the Our Father together.”
Archbishop Eamon concluded his message by welcoming parishioners to visit the Holy Door at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, or at Saint Peter’s Church in Drogheda, before the end of the Jubilee Year and also to consider coming as a family to Confession some time before Christmas.
ENDS
