Day 8: Guardian of Our Lady
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Prayer
Glorious Saint John the Evangelist, the disciple whom Jesus loved and guardian of Our Lady, I come before you in this novena with confidence. You who knew Jesus with a unique intimacy and who brought to the world the deepest revelation of his love, intercede for me before the Lord. May I too discover that I am “the disciple whom Jesus loves.” Amen.
Meditation
After Jesus’ death, John took Mary “to his own,” as Jesus had asked him. According to tradition, he took her with him to Ephesus, where she spent the last years of her life. John was the guardian of Jesus’ Mother: he cared for her who had given birth to the Savior of the world.
This mission of protecting and caring for those whom God entrusts to us extends the mission each Christian receives. “Behold thy mother” is addressed to every disciple represented by John at Calvary.
Prayer of the Day
Saint John, guardian of Our Lady, intercede that I too may care for those whom God has entrusted to me with the same faithfulness with which you cared for Mary. Intercede for those who depend on me: my family, friends, and community. May I never abandon those entrusted to my care. May Our Lady, for whom you cared as a son, care for me as a mother. Amen.
Our Father × 1
Hail Mary × 1
Glory Be × 1
Closing Prayer
Glorious Saint John the Evangelist, beloved disciple of Jesus and guardian of Our Lady, receive the prayers of this novena. Intercede for me before the Lord and obtain for me the graces I need. May the revelation you proclaimed, “God is love,” become the certainty that sustains my life. May I live as “the disciple whom Jesus loves.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
