GENERAL THEME:
“DIVINE MERCY: SOURCE OF HOPE FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION IN AFRICA”
INTRODUCTION
Dear brothers and sisters, friends of Divine Mercy. On December, 8th, the Holy Father Francis proclaimed an extraordinaire jubilee of Mercy and has opened in Rome the gate of God’s Mercy. In communion with the Pope, more than 10000 gates of Mercy were opened in different Dioceses throughout the world.
During this holy year of Mercy, in Rwanda will take place an extraordinary event: an African Congress on the theme ‘DIVINE MERCY: SOURCE OF HOPE FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION IN AFRICA’ which will be held in Kigali, from 9th to 14th September 2016.
The Congress is a time of encounter of the diversity of cultures and nations, in order to live together the communion of believers who entrust themselves to the Divine Mercy. This Congress will be therefore a time of grace for discovering more the depth of goodness and Mercy of God. Finaly, this Congress is a theological reflection on the challenges of our time seeking in the Divine Mercy the SOURCE OF HOPE FOR AFRICA. Consequently, it is a time to form ourselves to be merciful as our Celestial Father is Merciful (Lk 6, 36).
In order to prepare ourselves well for the Congress on Divine Mercy, the organizers of the Congress: namely his Lordship Thaddée NTIHINYURWA, Archbishop of Kigali helped by a commission for the Congress propose you a novena that is broadcast monthly by Radio Maria, from January 1st 2016 at 3.PM during the nine first days of each month; until September 2016; there will be also talks on Divine Mercy at Radio Maria. Let us associate to this prayer, to prepare more ourselves to do our own experience of the Mercy of God and to become in our turn, apostles of Mercy in act. ‘Happy are the Merciful’ Mt 5, 7.
May this Congress kindle a candle of hope and love in the process of eradicating evil et appeasing our hearts as Saint John Paul II teaches us in the encyclical Dives in Misericordia: ‘The art of Mercy consists in drawing good from evil.’
Dear friends of Divine Mercy, in preparing ourselves to live together this event of the African Congress in the Church of Rwanda, let us carry one another to sources of Mercy to become in our turn apostles of Mercy. Let us inspire ourselves with the of Saint Faustine who asks to Jesus to transform her entirely in Mercy: ‘Help me, Lord, that my tongue be merciful, so that I never utter evil to my neighbour, but that I have for each a word of consolation and pardon…May your mercy rest in me, O my Lord. Amen’
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
THE FIRST DAY: LET US PRAY FOR THE THIRSTY OF DIVINE MERCY.
On this first day of our novena we meditate on the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Saint Luke; so that we may recognize in our journey the thirsty of Divine Mercy.
The Word of God: Luke 19, 1-10
He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.’ And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, ‘He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.’ But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four time over. And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.’
Let us pray
God our Father, we offer you all the thirsty of your holy Mercy. Look at those who seek their pleasure in richness, in the extortion of others’ goods, prisoners of corruption, grant them the grace to happy with their salary. Grant a sharing heart to all live in egoism; grant also a compassionate heart to those who extort the aids destined to refugees, poor, and to all who are in distress; so that our continent be a great family of believers saved by your great Mercy. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE SECOND DAY: LET US PRAY FOR WOMEN IN DIFFICULTIES
On this second day of our novena, we meditate in the Gospel of Saint John, the Mercy of Jesus to the adulterous woman condemned by the society; so that in our turn, we may welcome the merciful love, and carry in our prayers women in difficulty.
The Word of God: John 8, 1-11
While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more.’
Let us pray
God our Father, in front of our sins, you are Merciful. Look with bounty all sinners who do not have any favour to repent, and save rejected women by the society who are known prostitutes in their families. May your Mercy deliver your wounded children because of sexual abuse and free those who suffer the consequences of prostitution, abortion, and the reject of their own children. Welcome in your Mercy all these sinners so that they may feel your love and may be healed by you.
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE THIRD DAY: LET US PRAY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT STABLE IN FAITH
On this third day of our novena, we meditate on the life of Saint Peter Apostle; so that we may have a great trust in the Divine Mercy we who are his witnesses, and that we may not fear our weakness that leads us always into doubts and betrayal of the Master.
The Word of God: Luke 22, 54-62
After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, ‘This man too was with him.’ But he denied it saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A short while later someone else saw him and said, ‘You too are one of them’; but Peter answered,’ My friend, I am not.’ About an hour later, still another insisted, ‘Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.’ Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ He went out and began to weep bitterly.
Let us pray
Lord God our Father, you know all about us. It is by the grace of your mercy that we advance in our journey; look at people who are not stable in their faith, and those who believe themselves to be strong by their own strength. May the anguishes of their failures be replaced by the joy of recognizing that you loved them first. Grant your Mercy to the habitants of our countries who still believes in their gods, may your Mercy bring them back to you, that Africans may become the people to whom you are the sole God. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE FOURTH DAY: LET US PRAY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFINED IN THEIR PROBLEMS
On this fourth day of our novena, we meditate on how Divine Mercy manifested in the blindness of Bartimaeus. This teaches us to beseech the Lord to join us in our own blindness so that his Mercy spreads in the darkness that prevent us from moving toward holiness.
The Word of God: Mark 10, 46-52
They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizeable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, son David, have pity on me.’ And many rebuked him, telling to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage; get up, he is calling you.’ He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Let us pray
Lord our God, you know that your absence in our life means death for us. Receive all that prevent us to see you in our lives, and that keep our soul in the darkness. Look at your children who live in poverty, who are penalized and slaves, those who have debts, those who have lost hope in the future, and those who live begging,… Grant them to recognize your voice that consoles, that they may see you and trust in you, you who pass always by the ways of their lives. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE FIFTH DAY: LET US PRAY FOR THE MEMBERS OF FAMILIES THAT THEY MAY BE MERCIFUL
On this fifth day of our novena, we meditate on how much the Divine Mercy rejoices over a converted sinner who comes back to God. Let us learn to do as the Celestial Father does and pray for our families, that they may be places of joy for the converted.
The Word of God: Luke 15, 11-32
Then he said, ‘A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration started began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’
Let us pray
Merciful God, our true house is you; and your Mercy welcomes us as we are. Look with favour at our families, make them sources of your Mercy; so that your scattered children find in it in their turn a welcoming that encourages them to start a new life in you. Grant that all who welcome them be living signs of your love that welcomes them. We entrust to you also African refugees who go back poor to their countries, so that they may find in their families a warm welcoming in your Mercy. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE SIXTH DAY: LET US PRAY FOR DESPERATE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY MAY KEEP HOPE IN THE DIVINE MERCY UP TO THE END
This sixth day of our novena, we meditate on how the Divine Mercy comes to our rescue in the last moments; let us pray for desperate people so that they may keep hope up to the last minute.
The Word of God: Luke 23, 39-43
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’ The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, ‘Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Let us pray
Merciful Father; your love is infinite. It looks for us any time and manifests to us in good time. Look at your children in distress so that they may have a heart that receives you as God the Saviour. May your light shine on all who are in their last moment and on all who are desperate; may your light grant them full trust in you.
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE SEVENTH DAY: LET US PRAY FOR PEOPLE WHO MISTREAT OTHERS
On this seventh day of our novena, we meditate on our call to be merciful toward others, as God has been merciful to us. And we pray also for those who ignore the received goodness and who instead mistreat others.
The Word of God: Mathew 18, 23-35
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of the servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servant saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.’
Let us pray
Lord God, Merciful, you love us despite our faults; you forgive us so that we may forgive also others. Look at all whom you have forgiven but who today mistreat others. May your Mercy remind them the forgiveness they were granted from you so that they may be merciful toward their brothers and sisters. Grant to all those who mistreat others, to use this time of your mercy that you offer us, so that they may give again value to your mistreated children as you granted us to be called your children we who were sinners. Lord, through the sorrowful passion of your Son Jesus come to save and console your mistreated children. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE EIGHTH: LET US PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED; SO THAT THEY MAY GET THE STRENGTH TO FORGIVE
On this eighth day of our novena, we meditate on the Divine Mercy we find in the crucified Jesus.
The Word of God: Luke 23, 33-35
When they came to the place called the skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.’ They divided his garments by casting lots.
Let us pray
Lord our God, it is difficult for us to love and to forgive our enemies. But you teach us that your child must know to forgive. Today your African people asks you to grant them a merciful heart to endure before those who persecute them because of their faith. May your Mercy grant them strength to forgive always their persecutors and terrorists. May your Mercy grant us also, we who beseech you, to hold a blessing word to those who discourage us and ignore your name. Make us true witnesses of your goodness until the end of our life. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
THE NINTH DAY: LET US PRAY SO THAT WE MAY BE MERCIFUL
On this ninth day of our novena, we meditate on the good Samaritan who was merciful. May his example teach us to listen to the voice of Jesus who sends us to be his witnesses among our brothers and sisters.
The Word of God: Luke 10, 25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, ‘Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘What is written in the law? How do you read it?’ He said in reply, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ He replied to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.’ But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was the neighbour to the robbers’ victim?’ He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Let us pray
God, Merciful Father, you have revealed to us in different ways the secret of your Mercy. Today we entrust all our whole self to you so that you may transform us in mercy as your Merciful. Grant us an unconditional love, without limit, that we may rejoice to go with courage toward our brothers and sisters who are in need. Free us from the routine of the law and habits that make us always forget the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Grant us the grace and pride to bring your consolation to all who are in difficulties. Amen
- Other prayers that accompany
- The Rosary of Divine Mercy
- Litany of Divine Mercy
- Prayer of Consecration
- Prayer for the holy year
Invocation of Saints
- Saint Faustine
- Saint John Paul II
- Saint John XXIII
- Our Lady of Mercy
PRAYER FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY
Lord Jesus Christ, You who taught us to be merciful as our heavenly Father and told us that to see You is to see Him, show us your face and we will be saved. Your gaze full of love freed Zacchaeus and Mathew from the slavery of money, the adulterous woman and Madeleine from the quest of happiness through only creatures; You made Peter to cry over his betrayal, and promised paradise to the repentant criminal. Grant that each one of us may listen the word told to the Samaritan woman as to us: if you knew the gift of God! You are the visible visage of the invisible Father, of God who manifested his almighty through forgiveness and Mercy: Grant that the Church be in the world you visible visage, You who are its Risen Lord in glory. You wanted that your servants to be dressed of weakness in order to feel a true compassion to those who are in ignorance and error: Grant that whoever talks to them may feel heard, loved and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate all of us in his anointing so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of Lord’s grace and that with renewed enthusiasm, your Church announces to the poor the Good News, the prisoners and oppressed freedom, and that the blind may recover sight.
We ask this through Mary, Mother of Mercy and to You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.