Let us pray this novena from 18 to 26 July (feast of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim). Plan to go to confession and receive Holy Communion during the novena.
First day
Glorious Saint Anne, Mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, you share the lot of the saints in the light of God, and you are all-powerful over the Heart of your Grandson. He came on earth to bring the Good News to the poor and to heal the hearts of those who suffer. Bring sinners and the just to His Father, teach people to love their brothers and sisters, bring peace to our world, calm our souls and give us hope. My good mother, I come to you with great confidence. Hear my requests at the beginning of this novena, and plead for me with the Lord.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Second day
I come to you, Saint Anne, daughter of Abraham, the friend of God and the father of believers.
The word of God was spoken to me; I came to know Jesus Christ. But I am overwhelmed by the worries, riches and pleasures of life, and I find myself weary.
I lend my ear to lying tales, and I feel how lost I am.
I would like to pray and sing, yet here I am lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Quick, come to my help!
I want ears to hear, eyes to see, and a noble and generous heart to welcome the promise of a God who is all tenderness.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Third day
Glorious mother of Mary, Saint Anne, necessary link in God’s plan, chosen stage for a people on its way to freedom and consolation, you shine among the poor. In search of God: “You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord.” And I, where is my hunger? Where is my thirst?
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Fourth day
Anne, Mother of Mary, your daughter is the Immaculate One,
free from all sin, blessed among all women.
And now, at the foot of the Cross of her beloved Son,
her heart is pierced: no one is spared.
See my pain, see my misery: who will rescue me from this body of death?
Comfort me as a mother comforts her child. May it be given to me to know the Father of Jesus Christ, the God of all consolation, who comforts us and invites us to comfort others.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Fifth day
Saint Anne, how many people thirst for happiness, how many dream of justice and peace, of freedom and love!
How many seek God without knowing it, unaware that it is towards Him that they are walking.
I would so much like to show them the way, the truth and the life!
They would surely believe me if I were a saint, if I lived my faith.
They would surely believe me if I were sure of this God to whom I have given my faith.
Saint Anne, show me the Mother of God; lead me through her to the One who frees, saves and gives life.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Sixth day
Saint Anne, you are the lady with the torch, wrapped in brightness and radiant with beauty: reflect on us the Light that springs from the hands of God. Over the sadness of our sins, may the brightness of the eternal day rise; over our anguish, may peace and mercy rise; in the human heart, may the glory of God rise, and all will see the salvation of our God.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Seventh day
Anne, Mother of Mary, you chose a land, and your people sang the wonders of God that you gave them to see: the sick are healed, the anxious find peace, wounded hearts find rest. And all give you thanks, while the proud go away empty-handed. I do not know the right words to say from the depths of my poverty, but you, speak to me of peace and forgiveness, of light and strength.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Eighth day
Saint Anne, God wants you to be honoured here: grant that I may serve you with joy, glorify you with humility and please you with holiness. And I pray to you: when I go astray, be on my road; in my weakness, be my strength; in my anguish, be my peace; in my darkness, be my light; in my night, be my star.
Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Ninth day
Saint Anne, my novena is coming to an end, and I want to live in hope.
Tomorrow is unknown; tomorrow will not be an easy day; the path is never a flat road without obstacles. Tomorrow will have its share of grief and suffering, of setbacks and betrayals. But God is at work today, and tomorrow as yesterday, and all your life speaks of Him. It is towards Him that you draw me. Today and tomorrow Jesus Christ is at work, He who is your pride and your joy; for your joy and for my good, tomorrow will be an encounter with the Risen One.
Through Him, with Him and in Him, O God almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. Amen!
Saint Anne, Mother of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, help us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
May Saint Anne and Saint Joachim bless us!
