A Prayer for Holiness

Amelia's Christmas Novena - Day 8

In kindergarten, Amelia got to play Mary in the school nativity play.¹ She had been diagnosed with MLD only a couple months earlier, and was already unable to walk for even short distances. She spoke only with great difficulty. But she managed to say her one line. She loved pretending to be Mary, and every time I bring it up, even now, she smiles excitedly.

Mary, Queen of the Angels, Mother of God, and our mother, you love all your children here on Earth, including and especially Amelia. Please intercede for us, and ask your Son for a miracle. As at the wedding feast at Cana, we know He is a good Son, and he will see the goodness in your request. And please come to the aid of all of us who are praying for Amelia, that we may follow your example in seeking the good and avoiding evil, in accordance with your Son’s will.

Amelia’s Christmas Novena - Day 8

O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.

Your incarnation forever changed the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.

We also pray for the healing of Amelia, and that her miraculous cure will bring all who know her closer to You.

May Your Holy Will be done in our life and with these intentions.

We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

1. Along with several other little girls; everyone got one line.