Novena to St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Day 1

Daily Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.

V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And you shall renew the face of the Earth.

Let us pray.

Father, through St. Cyril of Jerusalem you led your Church to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of salvation. Let his prayers help us to know your Son better and to have eternal life in all its fullness. Through his intercession, extend your saving hand to Terri Schindler-Schiavo, and grant her abundant life in this world and in the world to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Day 1 Prayer

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, as a champion for the faith you valiantly defended the Incarnation of Christ against the Arians, and for that you have been named a Doctor of the Church. In our own era, we have forgotten the value of human life, and we have forgotten that the human body was made a temple of the Holy Spirit by that same Incarnation. Pray for us, we beg you, that we may recognize the dignity of every human life and strive to guard the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Through your intercession, we humbly ask God our Father to grant our request...

Proposed Intention for Day 1: ...that all Catholics and other Christians will be united in the effort to save Terri Schindler-Schiavo's life.

On Earth, you were a champion for Christ, confessing his Incarnation without ceasing; now, in Heaven, you are a champion for his Mystical Body. Through your intercession, may our Heavenly Father bring all members of the one Body to respect and protect the lives of all their brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.