# Day 5: Novena to Saints Joachim and Anne
*2008-07-22*

> Bill Young continues the novena to the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and shares a special prayer for the sick dedicated to his friend, John.

## A Prayer for the Sick

I want to share a prayer that I prayed with my friend John this past Sunday called the Prayer for the Sick. I would like to dedicate this prayer to him. 

Oh my God, this sick person comes before you to ask for what he or she desires and considers to be the most important thing. God, allow these words to enter his heart: it is important to be healthy in soul. Lord, may your holy will be done in him in everything. If you want him to be healed, may his health be given to him; but if this is not your will, may he continue to carry his cross. I pray also for us who are here for him; purify our hearts to make us worthy of manifesting your holy mercy in ourselves. Protect him and relieve his pain. Let your holy will be done in him, and may your holy name be revealed through him. Help him to carry his cross with courage. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## Opening the Novena

We now continue with day five of the novena to the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Oh God, come to my aid; oh Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose again. He ascended into heaven. He 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.

## Intercessions to Saint Anne

Blessed are you, Saint Anne, for having among all mothers had the Immaculate Virgin Mary as your daughter. I admire the greatness of your vocation and the grace of the Lord for which you were adored. I unite myself to your most holy protection and consecrate all my life to Jesus and to the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Grant that I may live as you did, actively awaiting the Lord Jesus in an attitude of humble openness and gratitude. May I allow myself to be loved by Him, and by loving my brothers and sisters, may I come one day to praise and bless Him in eternity. Amen.

Saint Anne, glorious mother of Mary, through the unfailing patience with which you bore the sorrows of your seniority, obtain for us the grace of continuous acceptance in the face of all trials of this life. 

Saint Anne, through the fervent and ceaseless prayer with which you asked God to console you with the gift of fertility, obtain for us the true spirit of prayer in order to allow holy virtues to grow in our hearts.

Saint Anne, through the life of religious sacrifice and your prayers, grant that the fervor of our prayers may be accompanied by the spirit of sacrifice, so that we may be worthy of heavenly graces.

## Trust and Devotion

Saint Anne, through the gentle feelings with which you moved the heart of God, and through your almsgiving and works of charity, grant us a charity similar to yours, so that He may have mercy on us.

Saint Anne, through the holy confidence with which you hoped for the fulfillment of your desires, obtain for us a steadfast trust, so that we may be sure to obtain favors from heaven.

Saint Anne, through the marvelous gratitude you showed God for the grace of becoming a mother, grant that we may always be grateful to God for the favors we receive, that we may be worthy to receive full graces.

Saint Anne, through the pure and holy love you had for Mary, grant that we always love your daughter, who is our mother, so dear to us and so holy, in order to attain the merit of her protection.

## Offering and Holiness

Saint Anne, through the great sacrifice of offering your daughter from such a young age to divine service in the temple, grant that we, with holy courage, may offer the sacrifice of God with anything He wishes to ask of us, in order to obtain His holy will and His blessings.

Saint Anne, through the fervent holiness with which you served God all the days of your life, pray to the Lord that we may always be righteous and holy people until the end of our days. Saint Anne, Mother of the Mother of God, pray for us. Amen.

*Through the intercession of Saint Anne, we seek the grace of patience, a spirit of sacrifice, and a steadfast trust in God's holy will.*