The Haiti Committee invites everyone to participate in a Novena for Haiti and especially for the Notre Dame de Lourdes community. A Novena is a nine day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or make special petitions.  (Novena is derived from the Latin novem, meaning nine.)  As the definition suggests, the Novena has always had a sense of urgency and neediness.

Due to the current conditions in Haiti, the Haiti Committee is unable to go on their normal Mission Trip this  January.  Instead, they are asking that everyone join in praying a Novena for Haiti.  We will begin praying the novena on Monday, January 23^rd and will pray it each day through Tuesday, January 31^st. These dates coincide with the dates that a Mission Trip would normally be taken.

You may pray the Novena at any time that is convenient to you.  Please pray it all nine days.  Help us offer up our prayers for our sisters and brothers in Haiti during these especially challenging times. Please encourage others to join us.
 
Dear Mother of Perpetual Help, from the cross Jesus gave you to us for our Mother. You are the kindest, the most loving of all Mothers. Look tenderly on the people of Haiti especially those in Belle Fontaine as they endure hunger and illness; as they suffer from the dysfunction of their government; as they suffer from the greed of others.

Ease their burdens and make their faith strong so that they may   always have confidence and trust in your care. 

Bring their dead into your eternal rest and comfort those who mourn them.

Bring their wounded and all those who suffer into your healing presence and strengthen those who serve them.

And finally, O Mother, bring us all an abiding sense of your care and compassion that we may respond with generous hearts, open hands and a renewed sense of solidarity with all your children, especially those in Haiti who have the greatest need.

Pray the Hail Mary ten times.

Dearest Mother, help us to avoid sin which separates us from our heavenly Father and from one another.  Full of trust in you we place the people of Haiti under the mantle of your maternal protection and confidently hope for your powerful help.   Amen.

Learn more about our Sister Parish in Haiti here.