The Society of St. Vincent dePaul encourages parishioners to pray this novena in preparation for the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul by beginning on September 18 and ending September 26. The feast day follows on September 27.

The novena can be started anytime that one wishes to reflect on the teachings of the Saint. (Source: Frédéric’s E-Gazette An e-newsletter from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul™) Printable PDF – St._Vincent_de_Paul_Novena

September 18, 2014

NOVENA TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

A novena is made up of nine days of prayers for a special cause. The novena in honor of St. Vincent de Paul is prayed in a reflective manner to help us gain a deeper understanding of the life of this saint and to ensure personal conversion and sanctifi- cation

NOVENA PRAYER

God you were patient with St. Vincent de Paul as you moved him from self-centeredness to be centered on you. Help me through his intercession to grant me this petition and to know that you will grant what I desire in your own time (your intention here) . I thank you God for everything and I will imitate St. Vincent de Paul in growing in holiness through prayer, participation in the sacraments and service to my neighbor especially the poor.

Amen.

FIRST DAY (Conversion)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul became a priest to better his social position and even tricked a bishop to ordain him at the age of 19. He showed us that no one is born a saint. We are all sinners on a journey to sainthood.

Reflection questions for your own life

What are the areas in my life that need to be purified and allow the light of God to touch it? This can happen only with God’s graces. In what ways do I call on God in my daily life for conversion? Do I see myself on a path to conversion as a convert?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by one Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and one Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

SECOND DAY (Virtues)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent encouraged people to grow in all the virtues but especially that of simplicity, humility, gentleness, mortification (self- denial), and zeal for souls (love for others).

Reflection questions for your own life

Have I taken time to know what virtues are and to grow in them? Can I take time to learn about the five virtues that were so impor- tant to this great saint?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by one Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and one Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

THIRD DAY (Defending the Faith)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

During his lifetime, there was a heresy called Jansenism?) St. Vincent fought to defend the true faith even at the cost of losing friends and reputation.

Reflection questions for your own life

Our faith is challenged every day. Like St. Vincent de Paul, how do I live and stand for the truth? Am I afraid to create ripples, to lose friends or to experience financial loss?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by one Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and one Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

FOURTH DAY (Founder)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent cared for and worked with many groups. He lived his call to leadership by founding communities for religious and the laity.

Reflection questions for your own life

Each one of us is called to be a leader in our family, at work, in the neighborhood, wherever we find ourselves. How do I use my God given gifts to lead others to God?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by one Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and one Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

FIFTH DAY (Eucharist & Confession)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent felt that one of the most important ministries he had to do was to encourage people to receive the sacraments especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation on a regular basis. In the rule of life for the members of his congregation they were to receive reconciliation at least once a week.

Reflection questions for your own life

When was the last time I went to confession to receive forgiveness for my sins by Christ the healer of souls? Do I worthily receive and know that it is truly Jesus when I consume His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at the Eucharist? How is my faith change by these sacraments?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by One Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and One Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

SIXTH DAY (Poor)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent is well known for his care for the poor. He grew up in humble surroundings.

Reflection questions for your own life

We are all poor in some way; perhaps not materially but spiritually. We all need God. How am I helping the poor when I see them in my neighborhood, my workplace, on the streets and when they come to my door? How am I living a life of simplicity?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by One Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and One Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

SEVENTH DAY (Priests)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent felt working with the poor was as important as helping semi- narians and priests grow in holiness in order to be good shepherds of God’s people.

Reflection questions for your own life

Do I help in the formation of seminarians and priests through my prayers and financial support? What can I do to support the priest/s of my par- ish?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by One Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and One Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

EIGHTH DAY (Evangelization)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

The congregation founded by St. Vincent was not named after a saint but was called the Congregation of the Missions. His experience showed him the need to preach the Good News of salvation to everyone, especially the poor.

Reflection questions for your own life

By virtue of Baptism we are evangelizers. How do I share the gospel in word and action daily? Are there more ways that I can evangelize? Do I take time to know my faith through faith formation?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by One Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and One Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

NINTH DAY (Blessed Trinity)

Reflection on the life of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent encouraged everyone to honor God – the Holy Trinity. They were to make this alive through prayer and intentional actions toward each person in daily living.

Reflection questions for your own life

How do I honor God in my life daily? How am I conscious of the pres- ence of the loving God around me? Do I pray everyday?

Pray the Novena prayer, an Our Father followed by One Hail Mary to honor the Incarnation and One Glory Be to honor the Blessed Trinity.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Vincent was born April 24, 1581 in Pouy, France. He was ordained a priest at the age of 19. On January 25th ,1617, Vincent preached his sermon on general confession. This is traditionally regarded as the first sermon of the mission. This happened after he heard the confession of a dying man. In the same year, 1617, after encountering the needs of an ailing, poor family and inspiring an outpouring of generosity by parishioners, Vincent established a group of lay women to provide organized material service to the poor: the Confraternities of Charity. The group evolved into the Ladies of Charity, an organization of lay women who offer care, concern, and relief to the poor. In 1625 Vincent formally founded the Congregation of the Mission to evangelize the rural poor. Vincent co-founded the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac in 1633. Vincent died in Paris on September 27th ,1660 and Louise de Marillac died the same year on March 15th. Pope Benedict XIII declared Vincent to be Blessed on August 13th ,1729 Pope Clement XII declared Vincent to be a Saint June 16, 1737. Louise de Maurillac was declared a Saint in 1934. In 1885 Pope Leo XIII declared Vincent to be the Patron of Charitable Endeavors.