Anne
O loving God,
to turn away from you is to fall,
to turn toward you is to rise,
and to stand before you is to abide forever.
Grant us, dear God,
in all our duties your help,
in all our uncertainties your guidance,
in all our dangers your protection,
and in all our sorrows your peace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Saint Augustine of Hippo
354-430
The Shrine of Saint Anne
When Monsignor J. C. Marquis showed the relic of Saint Anne to the gathering of faithful in the small church of Saint Jean Baptiste on May 1, 1892, likely he and the church’s Pastor, Father Frederick Tetreau, could not foresee what would develop from that simple act. In the ensuing weeks, crowds by the tens of thousands came to the church, from New York City and throughout the region, to venerate the relic of Saint Anne in a moving display of faith and love.
And for 119 Julys since, Saint Jean Baptiste has been the site of an annual novena in honor of Saint Anne - wife and mother, grandmother, and woman of faith. You can see that same faith and love in the faces of eager pilgrims each year, in the fervor of their prayers, and in their trust in God’s grace and goodness. Believe me, it is something marvelous to behold!
We invite you to be part of the 2011 edition of the Annual Novena of Saint Anne here at Saint Jean Baptiste. Be with us whenever you can. It is a joy to connect with old friends, for whom the novena is a long-treasured personal ritual or a family tradition, and to make new friends and acquaintances and introduce them to the tenderness and compassion of the grandmother of Jesus.
Our principal speaker this year is Father Boniface Ramsey, the Pastor of Saint Joseph’s Church, Yorkville. Father Boniface’s family moved into the neighborhood in the early 1940s, before he was born, and his older brother attended our grade school and sang in the choir. Father is a very gifted speaker, and someone with a long and happy association with Saint Anne’s Shrine. The Parish Staff will celebrate and preach the noon-hour Mass and devotions.
The Blessing (Anointing) of the Sick will take place at the 12:15 Mass on Saturday, July 23, and the Blessing of Babies, Children, and Expectant Mothers at the 12:00 Mass on Sunday, July 24. These special blessings communicate God's tenderness and care for those who bear the cross of suffering and pain as well as for the youngest and most fragile members of the church.
One of the most inspiring and unique aspects of the novena is the nightly procession of the Blessed Sacrament. This expression of belief and love, in addition to the celebration of Mass itself, underscores the strong connection at Saint Jean Baptiste between the Eucharist and the Novena of Saint Anne. We reverence the Lord who comes to us in the sacrament which memorializes his death and resurrection until he returns in glory.
Some might wonder where and when the practice of praying for specific needs over nine consecutive days began. Its Christian origins are found in Acts of the Apostles 1:13-14. There, the evangelist Luke describes the life of the first Christian community in Jerusalem following Jesus' ascension and prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and concludes: "All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." This was the first "novena," nine days of intense prayer in preparation for the promised gift of the Spirit.
We look forward to seeing you from Sunday, July 17, through Tuesday, July 26, for the Annual Novena and Feast of Saint Anne. Even if you cannot be present, please send us your intentions and requests to be included in prayer throughout the novena and on the feast day, July 26. Your faith and love are part of the story, too!
Father Anthony Schueller, S.S.S.
Pastor, Saint Jean Baptiste Catholic Church
June 15, 2011
Annual Novena and Feast of Saint Anne
Sunday, July 17 - Tuesday, July 26, 2011
WEEKDAYS
7:30 a.m.
Mass
8:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer
11:30 a.m.
Reconciliation
12:00 p.m.
Rosary
12:15 p.m.
Novena Mass and Devotions
5:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer
5:15 p.m.
Benediction
5:30 p.m.
Mass
7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation
7:30 p.m.
Novena Mass, Devotions, Eucharistic Procession, Benediction
SATURDAY, JULY 23
9:00 a.m.
Mass
11:30 a.m.
Reconciliation
12:00 p.m.
Rosary
12:15 p.m.
Novena Mass, Anointing of the Sick, Devotions
4:30 p.m.
Reconciliation
5:15 p.m.
Benediction
5:30 p.m.
Mass
7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation
7:30 p.m.
Novena Mass, Devotions, Eucharistic Procession, Benediction
SUNDAY, JULY 24
9:00 a.m.
Mass
10:30 a.m.
Mass
12:00 p.m.
Novena Mass, Blessing of Babies, Children, and Expectant Mothers, Devotions
4:30 p.m.
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet
5:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer
5:15 p.m.
Benediction
5:30 p.m.
Mass
7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation
7:30 p.m.
Novena Mass, Devotions, Eucharistic Procession, Benediction
TUESDAY, JULY 26 - SAINTS ANNE AND JOACHIM
7:30 a.m.
Mass
8:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer
11:30 a.m.
Reconciliation
12:00 p.m.
Rosary
12:15 p.m.
Mass and Devotions
5:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer
5:15 p.m.
Benediction
5:30 p.m.
Mass
7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation
7:30 p.m.
Mass, Devotions, Eucharistic Procession, Benediction
Saint Jean's is handicap-accessible from Lexington Avenue via elevator on the south side of the church building.
