"Overcome evil with good." Taken from St. Paul the Apostle, this was the personal motto of a Marian priest when he was chosen to be the Bishop of Vilnius, Lithuania, as he rescued the order when it was down to its last member. Dubbed the "Marian Renovator," the Lithuanian-born Blessed George Matulaitis (1871-1927) was the priest who envisioned religious working together with the laity for the good of the Church. The principles he wrote about are defining points of the Association of Marian Helpers. As he was the renovator of the Marian Community, we are allowed to celebrate his commemoration as a feast day, each year, on Jan. 27.
You can learn more about this beloved Marian priest here.
Enroll in the Blessed George Novena at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
Listen to the podcast of Fr. Joe Roesch, MIC, as he reads from Blessed George's journal.
At the beginning of the Novena, with deepest trust in God's help, call to mind your intention for graces you need, agreeing to accept God's will.
FIRST DAY
Father All-holy, I thank You for the life of Blessed George, totally dedicated to the cause of Christ the Savior, in which he persevered disregarding difficulties and suffering. Through his intercession, I ask You to grant that I never lose heart because of life's difficulties, but entrust everything to You and steadfastly walk along the road of the Christian life. Just like Blessed George, may I dwell with You within my heart, rejoicing, working, and suffering with You.
Blessed George, I ask you today to intercede with God for ... (here mention your personal intention).
Prayer for a special grace through the intercession of Blessed George:
O God, our Lord and Father, You surround us always by Your care; receive our humble petition, and through the intercession of Blessed Archbishop George, who suffered so much for Your glory and for the increase of Your Kingdom on earth, grant me the grace ..., for which I ask You with confidence, promising to live from now on with greater fidelity to your commandments. Amen.
Our Father ... Hail, Mary ... Glory be to the Father ...
Prayer for canonization of Blessed George:
Most holy and undivided Trinity, You choose to make Your home in the hearts of Your faithful servants, and, after their death, to reward their merits with the glory of Heaven. Bring it about, we ask, that Your servant, Blessed Archbishop George, who, with apostolic zeal, faithfully served the Church under the patronage of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, may be numbered among the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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You can access each day of the Novena here.
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