# Day 3 Novena to Saints Joachim and Anne
*2008-07-20*

> Bill Young leads the third day of the novena to Saints Joachim and Anne, reciting the Apostles’ Creed and a heartfelt prayer asking for their intercession and the virtues they exemplified.

## Opening Invocation

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we begin our prayer. “O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me.” We repeat the Trinitarian doxology: “As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

## The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Prayer to Saint Anne

Blessed Saint Anne, you were chosen to be the mother of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. I admire the greatness of your vocation and the graces you received from the Lord. I unite myself with your holy protection and ask that, like you, I may live in humble openness and gratitude, loving my brothers and sisters, that I may one day praise God in eternity. 

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Saint Anne, Mother of God, pray for us. Through your patient suffering and steadfast faith, obtain for us the grace to accept the trials of this life with perseverance. 

Through your example of charity, grant us the love and mercy that reflect your own heart toward God and neighbor. 

Through your unwavering trust in God’s promises, help us to place our confidence in Him, that we may receive heavenly favors. 

Through the gratitude you showed for the grace of becoming Mary’s mother, inspire us to be ever thankful and receptive to God’s blessings. 

Through your holy sacrifice and dedication, give us the courage to offer our lives to God’s will, that we may be instruments of His love. 

Through your lifelong devotion, guide us to live as a righteous and holy people until the end of our days. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*May we imitate the humility, faith, and perseverance of Saints Joachim and Anne in our own journey toward God.*