The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest
Novena to Saint Cajetan
for
The Unemployed
celebrated at
The Church
of
The Holy Family
“
A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”
in residence
The Resurrection
Chapel of Atonement
5749 North Kenmore Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Sunday Afternoon at 2:30 PM
Novena to St. Cajetan
O glorious St. Cajetan, you studied to be a lawyer, but when you felt that the Lord was calling you to his service, you abandoned everything and became a priest. You excelled in virtues, shunning all material rewards for your labor, helping the many unemployed people of your time. You provided loans without interest and you attracted a lot of benefactors who donated to your resources so that you could go on with your activities. Look on us with mercy. We wish to find employment that could help us and our families live with dignity. Listen to our petitions, dear saint; you, who could easily give up the food on your table for the needy, bring our petitions to Jesus. Amen
You were a model of virtue among the priests of your time, O St. Cajetan. You sought not to receive payments from your ministry, and you taught people how to pray the rosary and develop devotions to saints. You were truly a spiritual shepherd, and your concern was always focused on the salvation of souls. But despite this, you were also aware that with hungry stomachs, the faithful would have difficulty in understanding God’s Word. You embarked to help them, not just by giving them bread but helping them gain their living by work. Look on us with pity, O glorious saint. We have many unemployed people in our midst and their families go hungry. We ask you to guide the fathers and mothers who are looking for work. Amen
Luke 8: 22-25
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
Prayers of Intercession:
Loving Father, in praying for the unemployed we think especially of those who through no fault of their own have lost their jobs and are now searching for other work for the sake of their families.
May they not grow despondent or come to regard themselves as useless.
We pray – St. Cajetan, hear our prayer.
The fear of unemployment looms around my life and my soul. The work that provides my livelihood and makes it possible for me to care for those I love is now absent. I worry that I won't be able to find another job.
I worry that I won't be able to do what gives me meaning. I worry that with so many out of work, my search for a new position will be useless. Most of all, I worry that I will become hopeless in this world.
Please let me trust in your endless and abundant provision. Remind me that your caring eye is upon me and that heaven's hand and heart are open wide to my need. Fill me with the hope that alone will help me through this time of difficulty and lead me to new work that fills my heart with joy.
We pray – St. Cajetan, hear our
prayer.
Loving Father, you who rejoices in both our work and our play, we come before you, unemployed, afraid, and shaken in my trust.
When we lose courage and hope while searching for work, be our rock of safety.
When we find it hard to believe in my talents, revive in us an appreciation of the gifts you have given to each of us.
When we begin to doubt our worth, help us to remember that I do not need to earn your love.
When our fears take hold and start to overwhelm us, let us find comfort in your care for us and for those we love.
Thank you for all those who continue to support and encourage us during this difficult time.
May it somehow bring us closer to one another and to you.
We pray – St. Cajetan, hear our prayer.
We pray for the courage to do your will while we seek employment. We ask that you keep us calm and patient so that we may know your will for each of us.
We pray for the strength to keep our motivations high during this journey. We ask for the determination to keep moving forward to do my part of this search.
We pray that we maintain a continued faith that God will move the mountains that might be in front of us.
We pray for ceaseless hope as we interact with others in the world. We trust that God is with us during all my interactions with employment concerns.
We pray – St. Cajetan, hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer:
You wanted all who are weary
to come to You for support.
Lord, I am worn out by my inability to find work.
Guide my steps to a
righteous path; give me the patience to find opportunities with a future.
Calm my worries and fears as my financial responsibilities mount.
Strengthen my resolve;
embolden my heart to open doors;
Open my eyes to see life beyond rejections.
Help me believe in me.
Let me realize other ways to
bring about Your kingdom on earth.
Let me grow as a person that I may be worthy for Your greater glory.
Amen.
Travel Suggestions to Holy Family
The Church of the Holy Family is in residence at Atonement Church, located at 5749 North Kenmore Avenue, just one block NW of the intersection of where Lake Shore Drive ends and turns into the start of Hollywood Avenue and North Sheridan Road. We encourage you to use Map Quest for specific directions. If you are in need of directions, please call 773-721-5383.
www.evangelicalcatholicchurch.org/chf.htm