Novena: prayer for the sick

Today the Diocesan Novena to St Thérèse begins; it will run for nine weeks in preparation for her visit. Each week there is an intention for prayer; a short paragraph relating the intention to Thérèse's life is given, as is an intercession. People are also encouraged to use the prayer for the visit to Lancaster over these weeks. The image here is from the church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in St Annes.

Intention for this week: Prayer for the Sick

Recently the annual Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes took place. The shrine has always been a place of prayer for the sick, and St Thérèse’s mother, Blessed Zélie Martin, made a pilgrimage there when she was diagnosed with cancer. Thérèse herself was just 24 when she died. For the last 18 months of her short life she suffered great illness, and on 30th July 1897 (112 years ago this week) she received the anointing of the sick. Today’s readings at Mass remind us that God provides for His people in their need; this week we pray that He will provide the sick with healing and with a constant sense of His presence.

Intercession:
Let us pray for all who suffer with illness – that the example and prayers of St Thérèse will help them to unite their suffering with the Lord’s cross.