40 Days for Life - Fall, 2023 Ottawa

Novena of Masses

For the permanent closure of the Bank Street abortion facility and the conversion of its staff

St. Mary’s Parish, 100 Young Street, Ottawa, ON  K1Y 3P7

Sunday October 1 – 11:00 am

Monday, October 2 – 9:00 am

Tuesday, October 3 – 9:00 am

Wednesday, October 4 – 9:00 am

Thursday, October 5 – 9:00 am

Friday, October 6 – 9:00 am

Sunday, October 8 – 11:00 am

Tuesday, October 10 – 9:00 am

Wednesday, October 11 – 9:00 am

For the closure of the Bank Street abortion facility and the conversion of the staff and abortionists.

St. Elizabeth Parish, 1303 Leaside Avenue, Ottawa, ON  K1Z 7R2

(corner of Merivale Road)

Friday, October 13 – 9:00 am

Saturday, October 14 – 4:30 pm

Sunday, October 15 – 9:00 am

St. Augustine Parish, 1060 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON  K2C 0A6

Monday, October 16 – 8:30 am

Tuesday, October 17 – 8:30 am

Wednesday, October 18 – 8:30 am

St. John the Apostle Parish, 2340 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON  K2C 0C9

Thursday, October 19 – 9:00 am

Friday, October 20 – 9:00 am

Saturday, October 21 – 5:00 pm

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF OUR NATION

Adapted from Daniel 9:5-19

O Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and have kindness for those who love you and keep your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and your ordinances and turned away from them. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name. Integrity, Lord, is yours: ours the look of shame we wear today. To us, Lord God, the look of shame belongs, to our Leaders, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God, mercy and pardon belong, because we have betrayed you and have not listened to your voice nor followed the laws you have given us through your servants the prophets. The whole of Canada has flouted your Law and turned away, unwilling to listen to your voice. We have not tried to appease our God by renouncing our crimes and being guided by your truth.

Lord, by all your acts of justice, turn away your anger and your fury from Canada. And now, our God, listen to the prayer and pleading of your servants. For your sake, Lord, let your face smile again on Canada. Listen, my God, listen to us; open your eyes and look on our plight. We are not relying on our own good works but on your great mercy, to commend our humble plea to you. Listen, Lord! Lord, forgive! Hear, Lord, and act! For your own sake, my God, do not delay, because we are your people. 

Praise sung before King Jehoshaphat’s Army in their battle against the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites

(2 Chron . 20:21)

“Give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love endures forever.”

intentions:

As we fast and pray for these 40 Days we beg God’s mercy and ask for an end to abortion in our land.

We pray for doctors and clinic staff who work in the abortion business, for a change of heart so that they will stop participating in abortions.

We pray for the closure of Ottawa’s main abortion site on Bank Street.

We pray for the families that are wounded by abortion; and for those grieving for lost family members.

We pray that our society will come to realize the negative impact that abortion has on our culture.

We pray that our government will legislate laws that protect children in the womb and their mothers.

We pray that those scarred by abortion will reach out for God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.

Prayer approved for use in the Archdiocese of Ottawa by Archbishop Marcel Gervais (deceased)

Almighty God, giver of all that is good, we thank You for the precious gift of human life:

-         For life in the womb, coming from your creative power

-         For the life of children, making us glad with their freshness and promise

-         For the life of young people hoping for a better world

-         For the life of the handicapped and disabled, teaching us humility

-         For the life of the elderly, witnessing to the ageless values of patience and wisdom; like Blessed Mary, may we always say “YES” to Your gift. May we defend it and promote it from conception to its natural end. And bring us at last, O Father, to the fullness of eternal life in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

from Priests for Life, USA

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion.  Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son. I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself Never to be silent, Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn. I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, and never to stop defending life until all my brothers and sisters are protected, and our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all, Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer for the end of abortion

Heavenly Father, we pray that the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land,

That those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart, that all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped to protect the precious gift of life,

And that all who have experienced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prière pour la fin de l’avortement

Père céleste, nous prions pour que notre pays soit libéré du fléau de l’avortement,

Que ceux qui en font la promotion soient amenés à un changement de cœur, 

Que tous ceux qui sont tentés de commettre un avortement soient aidés avec amour à protéger le don précieux de la vie, Et que tous ceux qui ont fait l’expérience de l’avortement puissent être consolés par le don de l’amour qui guérit. Nous te le demandons par Jésus-Christ Notre Seigneur.  Amen.

Prayer shared with us by a pro-lifer after time spent with the Lord in prayer and meditation:

A Prayer for Our Nation Canada and the Church Penned September 8-10, 2023\

If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Heavenly Father, we come before You now as a people of faith, humble, and contrite before the multitude of sins committed on our land, and we ask for Your forgiveness through the sacrifice paid for us by Your Son Jesus on the cross. You have set before us life and death, and have instructed us to choose life, that we and our descendants might live (Deuteronomy 30:19). Yet, we live in a society that has increasingly chosen to pursue and celebrate death. Father, in Your mercy, preserve and protect Your witnesses who remain faithful to You and Your commands. Strengthen all those who follow Jesus’ example in serving the sick, poor, weak, and marginalized, in restoring health, and in honouring the dignity of Your children who are made in Your image and likeness.

We pray for all people in leadership positions, that their offices be cleansed by the most precious Blood of Jesus. We pray that You raise up leaders who are empowered by Your Holy Spirit. Enlighten their minds so that they may know and be guided by the Truth, to enable them to govern with wisdom, good judgement and righteousness. May the laws that we follow reflect Your precepts. Free us from the hands of our enemies, that we may be free to worship You without fear, holy and righteous in Your sight, all the days of our life (Luke 1:74-75). Protect Your servants, oh Lord, and bless the work of their hands. Lord, may righteousness flourish in our land, and peace abound, till the moon be no more. May You have dominion in our land from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! (Ps 72:78).

Keep from the evil one all Your children. Unite them that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You love us and have sent to us Your Son, Jesus. Sanctify us in the truth of Your word and consecrate us. (John 17:15-23)

Help us to discern, understand, and root out the cause of spiritual disease afflicting our nation. Spread the light of truth, goodness, and beauty into the hearts and souls of the people of our nation so that they will turn again towards You who are Life. Awaken Your people to the realities of Your truth by Your presence. Come Lord Jesus into our world and make it new, for we need You. Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, have mercy upon us, Your people, and come to our aid. Make known to the world the reality of Your Kingdom! Come and be light for our eyes, comfort for our hearts, strength for our souls, and restoration for our world! Through the victory gained on the cross by our Lord Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Help us to focus on You, O God. Come Holy Spirit, come into our world and bring restoration to this land through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

For only in God shall our souls be at rest. It is He for whom we are searching and for whom we long. Apart from Him, there is no other. Cultivate in us a desire to rest at His feet, to be in His Holy and Divine Presence where there are no worries, no fear, no sadness or trepidation. When we are with the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords who loves us, of whom should we be afraid? (Psalm 27). He holds the key to everlasting life. May our people turn to You and be saved. May the nations tremble and know that You are God who created the Heavens and the Earth, and may every knee bend at the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10). Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty (Rev 4:8).

May our people listen to Your words, O Lord, and hear the sound of Your heart beating for us. For You came into the world to redeem us from our sins. In You, we find life, and apart from You, there is nothing. You are the Word of everlasting life. Let us come, take, and eat. For we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:5). May our people harken to the sound of Your voice. May our people obey Your precepts and live.

May we stand strong, for the Lord of hosts is with us (Ps 46:7). He has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). Let us turn to Him, lay hold of the sins in our life, and bring them to Him. He who makes all things new shall wash away our iniquities and make us whole. Let us experience the great love of the Father for us. We are His dearly beloved children in whom He delights. Let nothing separate us from Your love, not our sins, not our failings, not our guilt, or omissions, for in Christ we have been redeemed. For this reason, He came, to meet us in our sinfulness and give us everlasting life. For what greater love is there than this, that one should lay down one’s life for one’s friend (John 15:13). We are no longer slaves, but friends to You (John 15:15). May we come to know the immensity of the love You have for us and be welcomed into the home of our Father.

More than anything, You want to have a relationship with Your children who have become distant. Forgive us for preoccupying ourselves with things that have taken us away from our Father’s heart. Help us to seek You in all the circumstances of our life. Help us to trust You, that You will act if we turn to You with all our heart, mind and soul. May our people turn our hearts toward Your face and seek You in all that we do. We ask for Your presence to come into this dark and broken world. We give You permission to come into our world and to make all things new according to Your word. We trust in Your power to waken the dead, to cure the sick, and heal the afflicted. You have come to set prisoners free (Luke 4:18) and to bring life to the full (John 10:10). We welcome You Lord into our life, our city, our province, and our country. We humble ourselves before You; we call upon Your name, Jesus, and we give You permission to act in and through us, by our prayers. Hear us, oh Lord. May Your light shine ever brighter, ever stronger in each of our hearts so that we may represent Your kingdom here on Earth. We are Your ambassadors here on Earth (2Cor 5:20). Wherever we go, there shall You be. Enable us to bring Your presence with Your authority into every aspect of our daily life. By invoking Your presence in every circumstance of our life, we shall see miracles begin to flow and doors that were previously closed to us, now open according to Your ordinances (Matt 7:7).

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Lord, You told us that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we would say to this mountain, pick up and move, and it would move (Matt 7:20). Help us to grow in our faith in You. We pray with faith that Your will be accomplished on Earth as it is in Heaven (Matt 6:10) and that where two or three are gathered in Your name, there You are in our midst (Matt 18:20). And whatever we ask shall be done according to Your holy will (Matt 18:19). But first, we offer You our hearts, and we seek You for Your sake, to be in relationship with You. From this place of intimacy and union, Your power and love shall flow into our hearts, and from our hearts, to all the world. So we turn to You now Lord, repenting of our sins, because we love You and wish to serve You. We thank You for Your love, goodness, providence, mercy, and blessings.

Prepare our hearts for a new springtime, for a rebirth, a cleansing, a renewal, and a fresh beginning. May it begin with our prayers. We pray for Your coming, that You will come to visit us in our land. May Your glory be revealed in every heart, and in every nation. May Your presence soften every hardened heart. Open the eyes of the blind, allow the deaf to hear, and bring the dead to new life in You. Where sin and death abound, Your grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20); we ask you to come now with Your power and glory, Lord, that all these things may take place in our nation, Canada, in Your name, according to Your will.

Lord may Your words bear fruit in our lives as we follow in Your ways and make our own Your words of life:

6"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

11 And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:6-12)

In Your precious and Holy Name, may all praise and glory be to You, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: The Dawn of Day by Lucien Deiss. Text: Based on Revelation 21:1-5; 22:20 V1 - For soon the dawn of day will come and the light will burst forth in your night. For soon the dawn of day will come and the love in your heart will rejoice. On this day of the Lord, on this day of our joy, peace and beauty will fill the earth. R.

V2 - For soon the angel’s choir will sing and the portals of heaven open wide. For soon the angels’ choir will sing and the glory of Christ will appear. On this day, earth and heaven will be joined in Your love, and the feasting will never end. R.

V3 - For soon your pain will disappear and the wound in your heart will be healed. For soon your pain will disappear, and the Lord will take you in His arms. No more death, no more tears, no more grief, no more pain, for the old world will pass away. R. V4 - For soon Your Kingdom will be here and Your love will abide in our lives. For soon Your Kingdom will be here and the brightness of Christ will be seen. On this day, without end, gathered all in Your home, face to face we will see You, Lord. R.

R: For soon, O Lord, Your day will come; yes, soon, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen