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What is a 'Novena'? 
The word signifies 'nine' and refers to public or
private devotion that extends for nine consecutive days or, in less common
usage, for nine consecutive weeks, with the devotion being held on a particular
day for those nine weeks. The Church approves of such devotional
practices which can be a help to prayer.
Family Life is something the Church asks us to cherish, protect and
defend. We invite you to follow these prayers each day from 1st to 9th
July, making your own novena for your family and for all the families in our
parish, deanery and diocese. In doing so, we are praying for the success
of the World Meeting of Families.
St Joseph, Patron of Families, pray for us!
Include each day : Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be
Saturday 1st July - The family, the first and principal transmitter of the
faith
O God, you have given Christian families the honour and responsibility to transmit
the faith to their children. Grant them the strength to carry out this task
faithfully which you have entrusted to them. Through Jesus Christ, our
Lord
Sunday 2nd July - God One and Triune
God Almighty Father, you sent the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification
to the world to reveal your wondrous mystery to men. Grant us to profess
the true faith, to know the glory of everlasting Trinity, and to adore your all powerful
Unity. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Monday 3rd July - The Person of Jesus Christ, the centre and synthesis of the
Christian faith
Father of goodness and God of all consolation, you so loved the world that you
gave it your only begotten Son. Make Christian families capable of presenting
you to their children as the way that brings us to You. Through Jesus
Christ Our Lord.
Tuesday 4th July - The Holy Spirit and the Church Almighty and eternal God, you sent your Spirit to the Apostles. Lavish
this Spirit of love upon us too so that we will give faithful witness to the love
and you wanted as the distinctive mark of the Son's disciples. You who
live and reign forever and ever. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Wednesday 5th July - The sacraments, special moments for the transmission of
the faith
Grant us, Lord, that we who have received the sacraments will manifest in all
the circumstances of life the mysteries of the death and resurrection of your
Son in which we have shared. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Thursday 6th July - The Commandments of God's Law
O God, you put the fullness of the Law in love of you and of neighbor.
Grant us to keep your commandments so that we may attain eternal life.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Friday 7th July - Sunday, The Eucharist and other expressions
O God, you gather us together every Sunday around the table of your Word and
your Son's Body and Blood to celebrate the memorial of Risen Lord. We ask
that when the Sunday without sunset comes, you will let us live as a united
family and praise your mercy forever. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Saturday 8th July - Sunday: Popular piety
God, Our Father, you proposed the Holy Family as a wonderful example of your
People. Grant us that by imitating its domestic virtues and united by the
bonds of love, we will enjoy the everlasting rewards in our home in
heaven. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Sunday 9th July - The Blessed Virgin Mary
Our lord and God, through Mary's virginal birth you gave men the fruits of
salvation. Grant that we may know the intercession of Mary from whom we received
your Son Jesus Christ, The Author of life. You who live and reign forever
and ever.
Pontifical Council for the Family and Archdiocese of Valencia
2005. Reproduction is authorized for the intended purposes of these catecheses | 
