Starting on Saturday, April 24, 2010, the fifth anniversary of the coronation of Pope Benedict XVI, and running through May 2, the first Sunday of May, the Institute of Christ the King, one of the leading traditionalist societies in the Catholic Church, is offering a novena and spiritual bouquet in honor of Pope Benedict. They have asked all faithful Catholics to take part in this expression of "fidelity to the Vicar of Christ on earth in this hour when he is unjustly attacked."
The novena prayer that the Institute has chosen is Pope Leo XIII's Prayer for the Pope, a wonderful prayer that reminds us of the Pope's role as the visible symbol of the unity of the Church. An unjust attack on the Holy Father is an attack on all who are united to the Church, and, indeed, an attack on the Church Herself.
The dates the Institute has chosen have obvious significance. The second day of the novena fall on April 25, the Major Rogation Day, a traditional day of fasting and prayer (especially the Litany of the Saints) to ask for God's protection. The month of May has traditionally been dedicated to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and May 1, the penultimate day of the novena, is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, after whom Joseph Ratzinger was named 83 years ago.
To take part in the novena and to offer prayers for the spiritual bouquet, simply sign up on the Institute of Christ the King's website. Your name and the prayers that you will offer will be presented by the Institute to Pope Benedict himself.
And if you haven't already, please take a moment to show your support for the Holy Father by leaving a message on our form here on the About.com GuideSite to Catholicism.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Holy father congratulations on your 5th anniversary may you always be safe and well
Our beloved Holy Father, you are undergoing the harshest attacks from Satan and his followers. Do not falter, the Holy Spirit and our Prayers are with you to strengthen you. Offer your tributations to Christ and let the Heavenly Father prune Christ’s Bride through you and make her Holy as Her Bridegroom is Holy. You will suceed because that is why God placed on Saint Peter’s Seat at this particular time in the Life of our Holy Church. God bless you and reward you because you will certainly fulfil His Will
Dear Holy Father cogratulation on your fifth anniversary
God bless you Holy Father and thank you for all you have done and are doing for the Church. I am praying for you and have arranged for five Masses to be said for your intentions during this Easter season.
Holy father, please consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the same time as all the other bishops of the world. Thank you.
O Lord, we are the millions of beleivers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years.
Holy Father – You are the Vicar of Christ, and as Jesus told Peter even the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against
His Church as it appears to be doing now. With this assurance we ( The Church) will be vindicated and will overcome all our enemies within and without.
God is with You together with all the prayers of all faithful catholics throughout the world.
May The Truine God, Father Son and Holy Spirit,
Our Blessed Mother Mary, All the Apostles, Angels
and Saints Protect and Guide You and The ONE HOLY
CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
I Offer You All my Prayers, Daily Masses & Communions for the entire Month of May.