Pray and Reflect with Bishop Myron J. Cotta, Diocese of Stockton
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our dearest Mother Mary, behold us, your children, as we humbly come in prayer before you. In you, the Author of Life assumed the fullness of human nature, redeeming us by sacrificing his life for our salvation, obtaining for us participation in eternal life through the Holy Spirit.
With you, we treasure every human life created in God’s image, and we grieve for any action or social structure that undermines that dignity. We come before you today, led by the Holy Spirit and united as one family in your Son, to offer this Novena as a spiritual bouquet, with confidence in the power of your intercession before our Almighty God and Father.
May he hear and grant our earnest request that the hearts of voters in our state be moved to reject and defeat Proposition 1, and may we be guided by the Holy Spirit to rebuild and strengthen a culture of life in the hearts and minds of all we encounter. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray and Reflect with Bishop Myron J. Cotta, Diocese of Stockton
Feast of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska
First Sorrowful Mystery: The agony in the Garden.
“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”‘ (Mt 26:36-39).
“Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony” (CCC, 2849).
Our Father, 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery), Glory be to the Father.