Our Lady of the Way Novena May 16-24
As St. Ignatius worked to establish the Society of Jesus, he would pray before the late medieval mural of Mary, which was originally on an external wall of the small chapel of Santa Maria della Strada (Our Lady of the Way) in Rome. Ignatius would have known the image well and, throughout his life, had a particular devotion to Our Lady under whose patronage he placed the Society of Jesus. The small chapel of Madonna della Strada was demolished to make way for the Church of the Gesù, the first Jesuit church in Rome, which was begun in 1568 and consecrated in 1584. Ignatius left specific instructions that the image of Our Lady of the Way was to be preserved in the new church and today it is venerated in the north chapel of the Gesù.
Novena Prayer to Our Lady of the Way
v. O Lady of the Way, guide our steps along the often steep and rocky path of life.
r. When we come to the end, be for us the door of heaven and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Let us pray.
O Mary, you always brighten our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Our Lady of the Way, who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith. O loving Mother, you know what we need, and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee. Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, for the intention we now place be-fore you: (here state your request). Help us, Our Lady of the Way, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who took upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows, so as to lead us, through the Cross, to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.
Our Lady of the Way: - pray for us.
Novena prayer and blessing with the relic of St. Francis Xavier, SJ, at all Masses,
is celebrated annually March 4-12.
Novena Prayer in Honor of St. Francis Xavier
I join with you, St. Francis, in bowing before the God of all Creation.
When I look at the great things you did during life, I see what marvels can be achieved
by a person blessed by God.
I join with you in praising God and giving thanks or all the good things I have been given.
Dear St. Francis, please pray to God for me and ask that I may live and die in God’s favor.
Please ask God for me, my intention for this novena,
[pause for silent intentions]
provided, of course, that this would be good for me. In the end, my only wish is for whatever gives glory to God and is good for my health in body, mind, and spirit.
Amen.
JesuitPrayer offers daily reflections that are rooted in Ignatian Spirituality and based on the daily scripture. These reflections are written by a different member of the Jesuit community each day. The site regularly features reflections from members of the Jesuit community residing across America.
In 2020 Saint John’s Parish embarked on a 33-day Novena to ask for Mary’s intercession during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this past year, Mary has faithfully protected and walked with our parish family though this unprecedented time.
In 2021 A new perpetual lamp for Our Lady’s shrine was blessed and placed at Our Lady’s Shrine.
Triduum in Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 10-12, 2026 at Noon mass will also be livestreamed.
Tune in to the parish livestream for three consecutive days of Masses in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Novena prayers and litany will be prayed at the conclusion of each Mass.
Please join us as we pray for the mercy, compassion, and peace found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
