Novena to Pray for Contemplative Religious Vocations

This is a heartfelt cry that should deeply engage the one who utters this prayer, for God only answers those who resolutely desire to do His Will. While Father Muard is not yet a canonized saint, it is certain that great blessings can be obtained from him, following the example of the holy souls who have passed away; the entire history of the Church recounts this. Anyone who learns about the life of our Father Jean-Baptiste Muard, founder of Notre-Dame de la Pierre-qui-Vire, will quickly be convinced of this. His biography by Abbot Brûlé, his confessor, the one written by Gaëtan Bernoville, winner of two prizes from the French Academy, and the admirable work by Abbot Dom Denis Huerre can easily be found in bookstores and also in digital format

Here is the prayer of Father Muard that we have chosen for the novena:

“Deeply moved by Your infinite kindness toward me, O my God, after so many years of lukewarm service to You, I wish at last to put an end to my long infidelities and give myself to You in the most absolute way. Therefore, I make to You today, my loving Saviour, the sacrifice of my whole self. I consecrate to You my heart with all its affections, my soul with all its thoughts; I immolate my body to You through the penance I wish to practice every day of my life. I make myself, O my sweet Jesus, the victim of Your divine Heart and Your slave, placing in Your hands my freedom, all my personal rights, and all ownership of my being, so that, O my God, I no longer wish to consider myself master of myself, but as belonging exclusively to You. And You, O my loving and sweet Jesus, deign to accept the humble offering I make to You and count me among those who desire to love You ever more.” My needs are immense, You know this; it is for You, good Master, to provide for them now that I belong to You. My weakness is extreme, and I tremble lest my good will may not last. O Jesus, You who are so good, come to my aid, and make eternal the resolutions You have inspired in me! Amen.”

Dom Marie-Jean-Baptiste of the Heart of Jesus