Novena To Our Lady Of Africa (April 22 - April 30)

Repeat the following Novena prayers every day for 9 consecutive days.

(This Novena involves the Act of Entrustment to Mary, Our Lady of Africa, by Pope John Paul II on Friday, May 5, 1989 at the Limbe Cathedral in Blantyre.)

Blessed Lady, you are truly the Queen of our Hearts,
for our inmost thoughts are revealed to you.
Look with kindness upon this land of Malawi,
upon its people and their leaders.
See the goodness in their hearts
and their desire for God,
and lead them along the path of peace,
harmony and prosperity.
Fill them with love for one another
and for all mankind.

You who are both Virgin and Mother,
intercede for all families,
especially those that are troubled.
Help husbands and wives
to live in mutual and lasting fidelity,
and to bring up their children
in the love of God and neighbour.
May the women of Malawi find in you
the perfect model of their femininity.

Comfort the many refugee families
who have fled their native lands
in search of safety and peace.
5 Be a Mother of Compassion
to those who suffer from illness,
poverty, misfortune or despair.

I entrust to you the local Churches in Malawi:
all the bishops, priests, religious and laity.
Mother of the Church, intercede for them.
Strengthen and encourage the clergy
in the ministry of the word
and the celebration of the Sacraments.
Inspire their preaching and teaching
with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fill all men and women religious
with joy and zeal in their special consecration to God
for the service of the Church.
Help many more young people to heed God’s call
to the priesthood and religious life.

The laity of Malawi look to you
as their Guide and Protectress.
Through your intercession may they grow in faith.
By word and example may they bear witness to God’s love
in their local communities
and in the public life of their country.
Lady of the Magnificat,
inspire them to work for greater justice in the world
through the conversion of hearts
away from sin and towards your Son.

Seat of Wisdom,
obtain for all students and teachers
an ever greater understanding of the mysteries of faith
and their application to daily life.
May the young people of Malawi seek God’s will
in their lives and build a future bright with hope
for all the people of this land
and for all humanity.

Today, dear Mother,
we are spiritually united
with the missionaries of a century ago
whose hearts leapt for joy on hearing “Jambo Maria” (Ave Maria)
for the first time on the lips of the sons
and daughters of this land.
Like them we do not fear the future,
for we know that Malawi is truly yours,
in the hearts and souls of all who belong to Christ.

“Jambo Maria”: Daughter as well as Mother of your Son.
To him be glory for ever.

Amen.

[Mention your need(s) here...]

Our Lady of Africa,
Pray for us.

Our Lady of Africa,
Pray for us.

Our Lady of Africa,
Pray for us.

[Source: http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1989/may/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19890505_affidamento-maria.html]