July 28-August 5th, 2023
“Mary the Dawn, Christ the Perfect Day!”
Novena Mass 7:30 PM at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows.

 In the prayer of the Angelus on Sunday, January 1, 2023, Pope Francis reminded all Catholics to entrust their lives to the Virgin Mary, who is celebrated as the Mother of God. Pope Francis reminds us that we have much to learn from the Blessed Mother and that she has a particular way of teaching us, her children, how to love and serve her Son.

Our Blessed Mother does not speak much but is vigilant and concerned for our spiritual and bodily human needs. Mary comes towards us to hear our needs and to give the answer. She brings all our concerns to her Son, who is our Savior. The language of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Motherly and active. She has a silent concern for us, her adopted children. Pope Francis reminds us that the typical maternal language of Mary is the tenderness of taking care of.

We will be guided by the ancient Marian hymn “Mary the Dawn” during our Novena. In the beautiful verses of this ancient hymn, we are all reminded that Mary takes care of all our concerns by taking them to her Son, our Hope, and our Salvation.

 

Friday, July 28
Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day!
   For the Salvation of Souls
Presider – Fr. Jim Fee, OMI

Saturday, July 29 
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!
    For Those Who Struggle with Hopelessness (Healing Anointing of The Sick )
Presider – Fr. Chava Gonzalez, OMI

Sunday, July 30
Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
    For Those Who Have Lost Their Faith
Presider – Fr. Raul Salas, OMI

Monday, July 31
Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!
    For Those Affected by Violence
Presider – Fr. Mark Dean, OMI

Tuesday, August 1
Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood!
    For Healing of Physical Infirmities
Presider – Fr. Elvis Mwamba, OMI

Wednesday, August 2
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!
    For Those Called to Marriage/ For Struggling Marriages
Presider -Fr. Mark Dean, OMI
Homilist: Deacon Doug Boyer- Diocese of Belleville

Thursday, August 3
Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!
    For Those Called to Priesthood/ Religious Life
Presider – Fr. Mike Powell, OMI

Friday, August 4
Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!
    For Our Universal Vocation to Joy
Presider – Fr. Victor Manuel Patricio-Silva, OMI

Saturday, August 5
Feast Day: Our Lady of the Snows: Mary the mother, Christ the mother’s Son
by all things blest while endless ages run.
    In Gratitude for Mary’s Intercession for Our Needs
Presider – Bishop Michael McGovern, Bishop of Belleville