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 SS. Abdon and Sennen

"They Were Persians, but coming to Rome, courageously confessed the faith of Christ in the persecution of Decius in 250. They were accused of burying the bodies of the Christians, which had been cast out without burial, in their own ground; and being apprehended by order of the emperor, they were commanded to sacrifice to the false gods of the pagans. This they refused to do, and with great constancy professed their faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Upon which they were confined in prison, and when Decius returned to Rome, were led in chains in his triumph. They were dragged before the idols, but shewed the greatest contempt for them. They were then exposed to bears and lions, but the wild beasts dared not touch them. At length they finished a glorious martyrdom by the sword. The Christians at Rome did not treat them as strangers, but as brethren united to them in the hope of the same blessed country; and after their death carefully deposited their bodies in the house of a sub-deacon called Quirinus.

Pray for all in persecution and trouble, that they may be supported with heavenly comforts. And since the suffering of the martyrs is a reproach of all impatience, confess your weakness in this point, and pray for remedy. But let your endeavours accompany your prayers, and forget not your duty in the time of trial. Be watchful against all manner of anger and dejection. These are two mischievous passions, which enslave the mind, darken the understanding, and hinder all the effects of grace. Make your first opposition against these; and let no deceitful reasoning flatter you into them. Having gained ground here, you have in this removed the greatest obstacles, and may hope by degrees to advance, so as to stand constant under the most oppressing evils. This is the constancy of the martyrs: pray for it daily, and on this day especially beseech these holy martyrs to procure it for you." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

St. John Vianney, Lover of Sinners O holy Priest of Ars, you spent many long hours daily in the confessional. People came to you for forgiveness of their sins from far-off places. Although you despised sin, you always received the sinner with much love and forgiveness.

O holy confessor of the Lord, St. John Vianney, awaken in Father ___ a sense of his sinfulness before the eyes of God. By your Priestly example, grant him a love of the reception of the Sacrament of Penance. Obtain for him the understanding that it is in confessing his sins that Godʼs mercy is poured out upon him and he draws closer to Christ. Obtain for him a deep hatred of sin and the grace to resist temptation. Teach him the value of frequent confession, where he meets Jesus, our Savior, the source of all mercy and consolation. Contrite and forgiven may all those with whom he comes in contact act with that same mercy. Pray that Father ___ always love the Sacrament of Penance. Pray that he may call sinners to repentance with his good example and lives in complete service to our Lord.

Novena Prayer:
O holy Priest of Ars, St. John Marie Vianney, you loved God and served Him faithfully as His Priest. Now you see God face to face in heaven. You never despaired but persevered in your faith until you died. Remember now the dangers, fears and anxieties that surround Father ___ and intercede for him in all his needs and troubles especially console him in his most difficult moments, grant him serenity in the midst of crisis, and protect him from evil. O St. John Vianney, I have confidence in your intercession.
Pray for Father ___ in a special way during this novena.