Great Novena

What is the purpose of Great Novena?

The years of 2007 and 2008 are marked by special joy and thanksgiving in all local Churches, the Church in Canada and Catholics around the world. In 2007 the Diocese of Peterborough commemorated its 125th anniversary and in 2008 the 49th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Quebec City followed by the XXIII World Youth Day in Sydney Australia. In order to prepare the Diocese for these important events in the life of the Church, the Office for Evangelization is organizing a nine-month period of prayer, reflection and action called “The Great Novena” beginning on September 14th 2007 and concluding on June 14th 2008, the day before the beginning of the International Eucharistic Congress.

What does the Great Novena consist of?

During the nine consecutive months of The Great Novena ‘Morning Watch’ will be held in nine different parishes throughout the Diocese, one parish per month. ‘Morning Watch’, an event which originated in June 2005 and is led by young people from around the Diocese, combines catechesis, social action and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

‘Morning Watch’ typically takes place over a weekend beginning in the afternoon on Saturday, continuing throughout the night and ending with the Parish Mass the next Sunday morning. The social service project takes place on Saturday afternoon, followed by supper and a 45-minute catechesis. Adoration begins around 7:00 pm and continues throughout the night concluding around 8:00 am with Benediction and the participation in the Parish Mass followed by breakfast.  

• Ideas for Social Service Projects
  • Collecting food for a Food Drive
  • Assisting the Local St. Vincent De Paul Society
  • Visiting a Seniors’ residence
    
    
• Ideas for Catechesis
  • The meaning of Christian Marriage
  • The Real Presence
  • The meaning of the Sacrament of Confession
  • Prayer
  • Suffering
  • Heaven and Hell

The Traveling Monstrance

The Morning Watches of the Great Novena will have a special relationship to the International Eucharistic Congress as the Monstrance which will be used in the all night Eucharistic Adoration was blessed on May 20th by Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada. This Monstrance will serve as a concrete sign of the unity of the Church in French and English Canada, and a reminder of our common faith in the Real Presence.    

Parish Program for ‘The Great Novena’

There are four elements of the Great Novena in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress: Spiritual, Catechetical, Social and Missionary. Some of the suggestions below are likely already part of parish life. However, they can be done for the intentions of the International Eucharistic Congress in order that the spiritual purpose directing each good work may be renewed and strengthened. Some of the suggestions are meant to be observed privately, others publicly. Especially young people can be involved in these projects. To this end, a letter has been addressed to the youth representative of each parish.    

Spiritual

• Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
• Extended thanksgiving after Holy Communion
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
• Fasting for the intentions of the International Eucharistic Congress.
• Family prayers (e.g. the Holy Rosary) for the intentions of the International Eucharistic Congress.

Catechetical

• Making the R.C.I.A. program widely available to all parishioners.
• Homilies, reflections and bulletin articles on the Eucharist
• Providing pamphlets of Church teachings on the Eucharist
• School visits to explain the faith in the Eucharist
• Encouraging well instructed young adults to help in the sacramental catechesis for elementary school children

Social

• Encouraging people to join St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Join some Development & Peace projects
• Food, clothing or toy drive for the poor
• Parish visits to hospitals, homes of the sick, prisons etc.

Missionary

• Make use of mass media, especially catholic websites to spread the faith
• Support missions in Canada and abroad through prayer, sacrifice, volunteer work and raising awareness of missionary causes
• Door-to-Door missions offering prayers for those who live there
• ‘Come Home’ Programs for estranged Catholics
• Distributing prayer cards and pamphlets in public places