Novena to Blessed John Henry Newman: Day 9

Thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity, as on all days of this Novena

Reading:
From the Holy Father's interview, given on the in-coming flight to the UK
"I must admit that I am not worried, because when I went to France, it was said that it was the most anti-clerical country, ................. and with very few believers; when I went to the Czech Republic it was said that it was the most irreligious country in Europe and the most anti-clerical also. Yes, all Western countries have, each one in its own way strong anti-clerical and anti-Catholic opinions, but they also have a strong presence of faith. I have seen in France and in the Czech Republic a warm reception from the Catholic community, great attention from agnostics who are still seeking, who wish to know and find the values that assist the progress of humanity and they were attentive, hoping maybe to hear from me something in in this vein. As regards tolerance and respect from anti-Catholics, naturally Great Britain has had its own history of anti-Catholicism. This is obvious; but it is also a country with a great history of tolerance. And so I am sure that there will be a positive welcome from Catholics and believers in general, attention from those who are seeking how to move forward in our time, and respect and tolerance where there is anti-Catholicism. I am going in good spirits and with joy."

Petition:
Blessed John Henry Newman, we beseech your intercession for our Holy Father Pope Benedict, that he may continue to lead us by precept and example and with his great courage, wisdom, humility, gentleness and kindness. We ask your prayers that he may continue to receive from God, the comfort, strength, health and energy which he needs in the exercise of his ministry as Successor of St Peter, and that he may be kept safe from his enemies.

For ourselves, we beg your intercession that we should come together under his leadership as Vicar of Christ on earth. Heeding him, may we pray with you: 'O that God would grant the clergy to feel their weakness as sinful men, and the people to sympathise with them and love them and pray for their increase in all good gifts of grace'. Pray for us that we may increasingly become, 'not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it.'

Dear Blessed John Henry, we pray with our Holy Father 'that through (your) intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision (you) so clearly set before us.'

On, this your first Feast Day, we honour you with joyful reverence, love and gratitude. Amen

(Quotes from the Holy Father and from Cardinal Newman's Sermons as they appear in the homily at Cofton Park and the Address to the Bishops)

Please make your personal petition here.

One Our Father; one Hail Mary; one Glory be to the Father.

Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for us,

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us. Amen