# Novena to Divine Tenderness
*2015-08-15*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Stephen of Hungary and leads the faithful in a novena to Divine Tenderness, invoking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

## St. Stephen of Hungary

Good morning, this is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer at Lunch podcast. Today is Sunday, August 16, the feast day of St. Stephen of Hungary. Stephen was born into a pagan royal family, but at the age of ten he was baptized and became a Christian. He succeeded his father as king and worked tirelessly to bring the faith to his people. He decreed that for every ten towns, one should build a church and have a resident priest. He gave generously to the poor, sometimes secretly, and lived a life of charity and devotion.

## Prayer for Hungary and the World

Let us pray for St. Stephen, for his homeland of Hungary, and for all nations, that we may draw ever closer to Christ our Lord. Eternal Father, move us with your infinite tenderness toward all humankind.

## Novena to Divine Tenderness (August 16‑24)

We now begin the novena to Divine Tenderness, expressed in love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

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

Eternal Father, moved by infinite tenderness for all humanity, who sent your Divine Son, Jesus, to earth, grant that I may come to know your tenderness and live according to your will. Lord, be praised with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, without end. Amen.

O Jesus, tenderness of the Father, who came to earth to pour out your merciful tenderness upon all people, grant me the grace to be filled with this tenderness so that I may live in hope of eternal salvation. Lord, be praised with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, without end. Amen.

O Holy Spirit, most tender love, proceeding from the Father and the Son, who after the Ascension descended upon the apostles and the whole Church, kindle in my heart a flame of love, that I may taste your ineffable sweetness and receive divine inspiration. Lord, be praised with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, without end. Amen.

## Closing Prayer

Let us pray. O Jesus, tenderness of the Father, who has sent the splendors of heaven to look down upon us, have mercy on our weaknesses and suffering, that we may be drawn ever closer to your divine love. Amen.

*May the tenderness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fill our hearts and guide us toward deeper communion with Christ.*