To the Band of Brothers: October 19, 2020

Fr. Willie ‘87
Good morning!

Want to hear (actually, read) a funny joke?

A man goes to the door of a Franciscan community and knocks. A friar opens the door. The man says, “Father, I want to ask a favor. Can you please offer a novena so I can get a Lexus?” The confused Franciscan asks, “My son, what is a Lexus?” The man replies, “It’s a beautiful luxury car made in Japan. It’s very expensive.” The friar, somewhat perturbed says, “Absolutely not!” Then closes the door.

The same man then goes to the door of a Jesuit community and knocks. A priest opens the door. The man says, “Father, I want to ask a favor. Can you please offer a novena so I can get a Lexus?” The Jesuit asks, “My son, what is a novena?” (insert laughter).

Let me emphasize, it’s a joke. While it may be true we Jesuits know what a Lexus is, I assure you we also know what a novena is. The question is, do you?

Novenas have been a part of our Catholic culture for thousands of years. Like the rosary, it’s one of the many ways our Church encourages us to offer prayers in creative and symbolic forms. The word “novena” comes from the Latin word “novem” which means “nine.” It takes its inspiration from the nine days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost when the Apostles were in the upper room praying (Acts 1:13-2:4). This event in the New Testament is considered the first novena.

Since then, Catholics have been praying novenas, spending nine days praying for different intentions. If you have a big test coming up, you can spend nine days prior to the exam praying the Holy Spirit can enlighten you and your studies. If you have a loved one who is having surgery, you can spend nine days prior to the surgery praying the Holy Spirit guides the doctors and nurses for a successful outcome. Novenas can be tailored to include prayers directed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. Ignatius, or any of the members of the heavenly court.

Sometimes, when the cause of someone is introduced for canonization, a novena can be prayed to ask that person to intercede for an intention. If the intention is fulfilled or a miracle experienced, it can possibly be presented as evidence for canonization.

Recently, I wrote about Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who was beatified a couple of weeks ago by the Church. This means he is one miracle away from being canonized and proclaimed a saint. Novenas have already been written and are being encouraged by the faithful for particular intentions that Blessed Acutis can intercede for.

Since the summer, as a community, we have been praying daily for the health and recovery of sophomore Anthony Parodi. He has valiantly fought like a warrior throughout these difficult and challenging months. We have prayed rosaries, celebrated masses, and sent encouraging messages. Now, at the suggestion of Gabriel Moreno ‘26, we will begin today at morning prayer the novena to Blessed Carlo Acutis for Anthony’s health and his family.

As you know, there is strength in numbers, so we will post the novena on our social media pages. I highly encourage the whole Belen community to join us these nine days for this prayer. Let us together ask Blessed Carlo Acutis to intercede for our Belen brother in need. At the end of the day, the power of our prayer goes a long way to make our intentions clear and prepare our hearts to listen to God’s response. Click here to download today's prayer. 

Auspice Maria,
Fr. Willie ‘87
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.