Year of St. Paul (June 29th 2008 - June 29th 2009)

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NOVENA TO ST. PAUL (BRIEF)

 For nine days, say the following prayers:  Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Antiphon:  O St. Paul, the Apostle, preacher of truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God, who chose you.

V.  You are a vessel of election, O St. Paul the Apostle.

R.  Preacher of truth to the whole world.

Let us pray – Lord, our God, who chose the Apostle Paul to preach Your Gospel, grant that the whole world may be enlightened by the faith which he announced to kings and nations, so that Your Church may be built up always as Mother and Teacher of peoples.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

 

Plenary Indulgence Offered for Pauline Year

Faithful Can Obtain It in Rome and Elsewhere
VATICAN CITY, MAY 12, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is offering those who visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls a chance to get a plenary indulgence during the Pauline Jubilee Year.

The indulgence was announced in a decree made public Saturday and signed by Cardinal James Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

The faithful can receive the indulgence during the Pauline year, marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Apostle's birth. The Pauline year runs from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009.

With the customary conditions, the faithful can obtain the indulgence by undertaking "a pious visit in the form of a pilgrimage to the papal basilica of St. Paul on Rome's Via Ostiense and [praying] in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff," the decree explained.

It added: "In order that the prayers pronounced on these holy visits may lead and draw the souls of the faithful to a more intense veneration of the memory of St. Paul, the following conditions are laid down: The faithful, apart from pronouncing their own prayers before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, [...] must go to the altar of the Confession and pray the 'Our Father' and the 'Creed,' adding pious invocations in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Paul; and such acts of devotion must remain closely linked to the memory of the prince of the apostles, St. Peter."'

Those who are not in Rome can obtain the indulgence "if they participate devotedly in a religious function or in a pious exercise held publicly in honor of the Apostle of the Gentiles: on the days of the solemn opening and closing of the Pauline Year in any place of worship; on other days determined by the local ordinary, in holy places named for St. Paul and, for the good of the faithful, in other places designated by the ordinary."

The decree also noted that the sick or those who legitimately cannot leave their homes, can obtain the indulgence if they "spiritually unite themselves to a jubilee celebration in honour of St. Paul, offering their prayers and suffering to God for the unity of Christians."

 

 

Litany in Honor of St. Paul

Charity of the Father,                                                                                          save us.

Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,                                                                       animate us.

Communication of the Holy Spirit,                                                                    sanctify us.

Blessed Paul,                                                                                                 pray for us

You who obtained the mercy of God,                                                                 pray for us

You in whom the Son of God was revealed,                                                       pray for us

You who were a vessel of election for Christ,                                                     pray for us

You who were made preacher, apostle and doctor of the Gentiles in truth,            pray for us

You whose apostolate was confirmed by marvels and wonders,                           pray for us

You who were a most faithful minister of the church,                                           pray for us

You who gave the nations the Gospel of Christ and your very life,                        pray for us

You who bore the faithful in your heart and in your chains,                                   pray for us

You who were crucified with Christ,                                                                    pray for us

You in whom Christ lived and spoke,                                                                  pray for us

You whom nothing could separate from the love of Christ,                                    pray for us

You who underwent imprisonment and toil,                                                          pray for us

You who suffered wounds and dangers,                                                              pray for us

You who were taken up into heaven while still living on earth,                               pray for us

You who glorified your ministry,                                                                          pray for us

You who awaited the crown after completing your mission,                                   pray for us

 

Lamb of God, who converted the persecutor Paul, spare us.

Lamb of God, who crowned the Apostle Paul, spare us.

Lamb of God, who glorified the martyr Paul, have mercy on us.

 

V. You are a vessel of election, St. Paul the Apostle.

R. Preacher of truth throughout the world.

 

Let us pray.

Lord God, you appointed Paul your apostle to preach the good news of salvation.  Fill the entire world with the faith he carried to so many peoples and nations, that your Church may continue to grow.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.