NOVENA TO SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO · 2019. 7. 25. · 3 | Novena to St. Francis Caracciolo DAY ONE Opening Prayer: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who bestowed

NOVENA TO SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO Priest and Founder of the Order of Clerics Regular Minor –

Adorno Fathers and Brothers The Pioneer of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Patron of Eucharistic Congresses Patron of Italian Chefs Co-patron of Naples

Feast: June 4th

2 | Novena to St. Francis Caracciolo

RITE OF EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Hymn: O Salutaris Hostia O salutaris Hostia, Quae caeli pandis ostium Bella premont hostilia Da robur fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna Gloria Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in Patria. Amen. O Saving Victim opening wide The gates of heaven to man below! Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. To Thy great name be endless praise Immortal Godhead, One in Three; Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with Thee. Amen.


DAY ONE

Opening Prayer: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! We thank you and honor you for the holy life of St. Francis Caracciolo, hunter of souls, whose abandonment to your Divine will to follow your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ has inspired us to implore his aid to be granted courage and strength in our fragile life. May we imitate St. Francis in his holiness to attract more souls to you and find comfort, contentment and peace in Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met [him]. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to


give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Reflection:

From The Life of St. Francis Caracciolo – Saint Francis and his vocation

Ascanio Caracciolo, born on October 13, 1563 in Villa Santa Maria (Chieti) belonged to one of the most important noble families in southern Italy, famous for having given the Church cardinals, bishops and capable administrators. At the age of 22, having been miraculously cured from a serious illness, he decided to consecrate himself totally to the Lord and desired to pursue the path to the priesthood. To this end he went to Naples, where he joined in prayer, penance and study an intense activity at the service of the poor and the sick, especially at the hospital of the Incurables. Ordained a priest in 1587, he began his apostolate by joining the White Robes of Mercy (Compagnia dei Bianchi della Misericordia), whose purpose was to assist the sick, the poor, the prisoners and those condemned to death.

Later, due to a postal mistake, he received a letter addressed to another Ascanio. The letter was from Augustine Adorno, a Genoese nobleman, who for a time also volunteered in the hospital of the Incurables and was involved with the White Robes of Mercy. In


the letter, Adorno asked Ascanio Caracciolo to collaborate in the foundation of a new Order. Ascanio Caracciolo (the future Saint Francis Caracciolo) was accepted by him as a sign of Providence: together with the two applicants, he went on retreat to the Hermitage of Camaldoli in Naples, where their rule was drafted. At his suggestion, to the three evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, a fourth one was added: that of not seeking any ecclesiastical dignities and honors. On July 1, 1588 Pope Sixtus V approved the rule and on April 9, 1589, Adorno and Ascanio made their profession. Ascanio assumed the name of Francis, for the great devotion he had towards the “Poor One” of Assisi. Having obtained the approval, he worked with great devotion for the growth of the Order in Italy and Spain, and many, attracted by his holiness, consecrated themselves to the Lord in this new religious family that soon consolidated itself with the foundation of numerous communities. He supported the efforts and also the trials for the spread of the Order with a profound interior conversion that manifested itself in prayer and adoration by day and by night, and by means of penance, humility and the renunciation of all that might seem to bring him honor.

In 1608, together with his brother Antonio, a Theatine religious, he went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Holy House at Our Lady of Loreto. Arriving near the


sanctuary, he suddenly exclaimed: "Here is the place of my rest." Then he went to Agnone, where he had been invited by the priests of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri who, thinking of joining the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers and Brothers), had asked him to open a house near their church of the Holy Annunciation. Stricken by a violent fever, he managed to receive the Viaticum on his knees, then went into agony repeating: "Let's go, let's go!" and to those who asked him "Where?", he replied: "To heaven, to heaven!" He died on June 4 of the same year, the eve of the feast of Corpus Christi.

Closing Prayer:

PRAYER TO OBTAIN FAVORS THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO

O my powerful intercessor before God, St. Francis Caracciolo, by the burning love with which you testified on earth- and continue to testify in heaven - towards Jesus, our beloved Savior, and towards Mary his Mother most pure, by the sympathizing charity with which you comforted the afflicted and looked after the sick, I implore you, obtain for me who beseech you the grace (make your petition), through Christ our Lord. Amen Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…


Benediction: Page 25 Prayer to Saint Francis Caracciolo: Page 28

DAY TWO

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: Mark 14: 22-24 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Reflection:

From The Life Saint Francis Caracciolo – Devotion to the Eucharist

The statue of Saint Francis Caracciolo in Saint Peter’s Basilica presents to us St. Francis Caracciolo as a worshipper and promoter of Eucharistic adoration. He continuously adored the Most Blessed Sacrament for entire nights during which his heart melted like wax and he wept copious tears. To promote the worship of


the heavenly bread of the Eucharist, he established that the members of his Order, alternatingly, would spend time, on a daily basis, before the Most Blessed Sacrament. He also prescribed that this pious exercise be considered as the principal distinction of his Order.

St. Francis celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with utmost reverence and respect and with an extraordinary purity of conscience; he was known to spend long moments of preparation, which was followed by a fervent and tender act of thanksgiving.

My dear brothers and sisters, how do you value the Eucharistic sacrifice? Which place do you give to the Eucharist in your life?

Closing Prayer: Page 6

Benediction: Page 25

Prayer to Saint Francis Caracciolo: Page 28


DAY THREE

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: Luke 4:16-21 Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Reflection:

From the Life of Saint Francis Caracciolo – Father of the poor, the suffering and the needy

In his lifetime, St. Francis loved the poor. His charity towards them was so great and known to all that he was called the “Father of the poor.” He had been accustomed to helping the poor since his childhood


days, influenced by the piety of his parents.

Here are just a few examples of his love for the poor from his life. One day, St. Francis left the place where he was residing and found the entrance full of poor people; he ordered the gatekeeper to give them bread, but the gatekeeper pointed out that there were just five loaves of bread necessary to satisfy the meal for the members of the community that evening. St. Francis reassured him, saying that the Lord would always provide for the religious. In fact, shortly afterwards, he met a gentleman whom he had never seen before who gave him generous alms. Moved by pity at the sight of a poorly clad and cold man, he clothed him with his own garments. The following day, a merchant sent to him two fabric parts accompanied by a generous monetary gift.

On another occasion, he was informed in spirit that a certain Pietrantonio Prisco did not have anything to feed his family. Without speaking about this verbally, someone approached St. Francis who gave him, with a smile, a large sum of money. He stated in the form of a pleasantry: “May God accompany you, I cannot make more, this will be enough for you for the coming days.”

Thus, practicing with devotion the corporal works of mercy, without retaining himself, Francis lived a life of simplicity and evangelical poverty and in an irrefutable way the effectiveness of the faith and of the Catholic


religion by looking after the needs of the people, especially the poor and the needy, as well as of the society.

My dear brothers and sisters, if St. Francis Caracciolo loved the needy it is because he saw in them the face of God. Do you also see Jesus suffering in the needy? How much do you allocate for them in your budget?




DAY FOUR

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: John 19: 25-27 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman,


behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. Reflection:

From the Life of Saint Francis Caracciolo – Devotion to Mary

From his childhood Francis gazed upon his Star, not the star of the popular superstition, but the Morning Star which leads us to the way of safety: the Blessed Virgin Mary. He developed a strong devotion to her. Already at a young age, he accustomed himself to reciting the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Rosary, and the wearing of the scapular and other forms of veneration.

He was accustomed, not only on the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, but also every Saturday, to preach a sermon in her honor, and to try to attract a lot of people because of the choice of music and the recitation of Litanies. This practice has been maintained in all churches of the Adorno Fathers and Brothers.

In his devotion to Mary, St. Francis never separated her from her son, Jesus. In all the meditations of the "Seven Stations," St. Francis reflects on the pains of his heavenly mother of and in so doing, gathers from it a greater compassion for the sufferings of Jesus.


“For his greater suffering and pain Jesus himself had arranged that his mother would be present at the pains and sufferings of his passion, because her presence, far from giving him relief or consolation would instead give him additional suffering and grief. His pain was increased by the suffering of his sweet mother whom he loved so much. On that occasion she must have been pierced to the heart and soul by the sword of sorrow, prophesied so long before by Simeon when he said: “a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:35)



Prayer to Saint Fr ancis Caracciolo: Page 28

DAY FIVE

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12


When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Reflection:

From the Life of Saint Francis Caracciolo – The Act of Humility

Among the qualities of St. Francis, one cannot overlook his humility. He never liked or desired to be praised by other people for any motives. One day, as he had to cross the properties and the lands of his family, the peasants who regarded him as a saint showed him


signs of respect. Terrified by these honors, he stopped in their midst and publicly, knelt down and, kissing the crucified tenderly, complained to him for allowing this to happen. Then he stood up and prayed for the assistance to direct all his affection towards Jesus, the Redeemer and not towards himself who as he said, was always a great sinner. While speaking like this, he cried and his face showed such confusion that he seemed to be ashamed of himself. He then went to hide himself the best he could and the morning at dawn he left without saying anything to anybody.

When he was Father General, he refused all the honors and privileges inherent to the charge; he was going personally to ask for alms to help the poor of Christ, he rendered the humblest services to the religious, to the disabled people, he made the beds, cleaned the church, the house, the rooms, and was devoted to the humblest work.

The Bull of canonization affirms “… with an unconquered constancy, he refused ecclesiastical dignities which were offered to him by the Pope Paul V and also, several times, by the Great ones of Spain”. Blessed humility achieved in him such genuine glory!

My dear brothers and sisters, how do you engage yourself to follow in the footsteps of such a humble man? How do you react when they ask you to offer a


humble service?




DAY SIX

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: John 15: 12-17 Jesus said to his disciples: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."


Reflection:

From the Life of Francis Caracciolo – Preacher of Divine love

In his life, St. Francis Caracciolo dedicated himself to the preaching of the love of God to all the people and particularly those who had lost faith. This is why he was called The Hunter of Souls. Apparently healthy, but rather weak, he accepted with a heroic resignation the various diseases of which he was afflicted with and the deprivations during the trips which he always made on foot and while begging. Because he was not protecting himself from the rain and bad weather, he often contracted extreme painful bronchitis, which he bore with joy than with patience.

It is hardly believable that one would identify these austerities by just looking at him. St. Francis was nicknamed the “man of bronze” due to his undying charity, his amiable smile, which he always held —and as much as possible — he hid from others his penances.





DAY SEVEN

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: Roman 8: 35-39 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Reflection:

From the Life of St. Francis Caracciolo – Our Intercessor

The first “canonization” of Saint Francis was that of the voice of the people, that is to say, how people had sensed and recognized his holiness so that in Agnone and Naples all used to call him “the Holy Priest.” The graces and miracles were many; the desire of people


to get his relics became extremely zealous and at the same time alarming. For this reason, it became necessary to clandestinely transfer his body from Agnone.

My dear brothers and sisters, how do you do justice to the gift of such a powerful intercessor! What have you ever asked of God by his intercession and you were not granted?




DAY EIGHT

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:23–27 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must


deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.” Reflection:

From the Life of Saint Francis Caracciolo – On the Passion of Christ (First Part)

In his life, St. Francis united himself to the passion of Christ. Every day, at different times of the day (in the morning, at noon, in evening and at night), St. Francis Caracciolo spent time to reflect upon the passion of Christ. This is to be found in his book: “The seven stations on the passion of Christ.” Every day Francis used to reflect upon the seven stations in the way that Jesus did, from the Upper Room of the last supper to Calvary.

On Sunday, St. Francis used to think about Jesus Christ at the last supper in the upper room. On this day he meditated on Christ who desired very much to eat his paschal meal with his disciples and so in the morning, he meditated upon Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, at noon he meditated upon Jesus instituting


the Eucharist. In the evening he used to meditate upon the priestly prayer of Jesus (Jn 17-19).

On Monday, St. Francis used to look at Jesus on the Mount of the Olives. In the morning, at noon, in evening and at night he meditated upon the bitter sufferings that Christ experienced in the Garden of the Olives. Here he saw how the heart of Christ was troubled. Jesus is troubled and distressed (Mk 14:33).

On Tuesday, he meditated on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. At night, he meditated upon the kiss of Judas, the disciple who betrayed him. In the morning he looked at Jesus, after receiving the kiss of Judas, being arrested by those who crucified him. At noon he used to meditate upon Jesus abandoned by his disciples after his arrest; Jesus is left alone. In the evening he looked at Jesus tied and being brought to Anna.

My dear brothers and sisters when you are before the Cross of Jesus or when you wear it, do you remember that it is for the great love he had for you that he died? Or are you just pleased with its beauty?





DAY NINE

Opening Prayer: Page 3 Scripture Reading: John 19: 31-37 Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced.” Reflection:

From the Life of Saint Francis Caracciolo – On the Passion of Christ (Second Part)


On Wednesday St. Francis used to look at Jesus in front of Anna and Caiaphas. At night, he looked at the innocent Jesus being condemned. In the morning he meditated upon Jesus being despised in the house of Caiaphas. During the day, St. Francis reflected upon the suffering that Jesus experienced when Peter denied him. In the evening, he gazed upon Jesus who was sent to Pilate, tied like a thief after being despised in the house of Caiaphas.

On Thursday he meditated upon Jesus in the house of Herod. At night, he united himself to Jesus who was sent to Herod to be interrogated by him. In the morning, he meditated upon Jesus who was in front of Herod and who refused to answer his questions. During the day, he used to meditate upon Jesus clothed in purple. In the evening, he meditated upon Jesus being sent back to Pilate by Herod.

On Friday, St. Francis once again looked at Jesus in the house of Pilate. In the evening, he looked at Pilate putting Barabbas and Jesus at the same level and asking the people to make a choice between them. In the morning he looked at Pilate giving the order to scourge Jesus in spite of his innocence. During the day he used to meditate upon Jesus being crowned with thorns. In the evening he meditated upon Jesus being handed on by Pilate to be crucified and upon his death on the Cross.


On Saturday he used to look at Jesus at Calvary. At night, he looked at Jesus dying at Calvary, being very tired and he also meditated upon his crucifixion. In the morning he looked at the suffering of Jesus when they nailed him on the cross. During the day he used to meditate upon the seven words of Jesus on the cross. In the evening he meditated on the burial of Jesus.

St. Francis did not only meditate upon the suffering of Christ but he also united himself to his passion.

What about you my dear brothers and sisters? Does the passion of Christ tell you anything?





RITE OF BENEDICTION AND REPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Hymn: Tantum Ergo Tantum ergo sacramentum, Veneremur cernui Et antiquum documentum, Novo cedat ritui Praestet fides supplementum, Sensuum defectui. Genitori, genitoque, Laus et iubilatio Salus, honor, virtus quoque, Sit et benedictio Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail; Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son who reigns on high, With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen.


Priest: You have given them Bread from heaven. Panem de caelo praestitisti eis. All: Having within all sweetness. Omne delectamentum in se habentem. Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, You gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of Your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of Your Body and Blood help us to experience the salvation You won for us and the peace of the kingdom where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. Oremus. Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabilis, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.


The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.

Blessed be His Holy Name.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.

Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the

Altar.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy.

Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.

Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.

Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Blessed be St. Joseph, her Most Chaste Spouse.

Blessed be God in His Angels and Saints.

May the heart of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament

be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection

at every moment in all the tabernacles of the world,

now and until the end of time. Amen.


Prayer to Saint Francis Caracciolo

Pray for us, St. Francis adorer of God, hunter of souls!

You did not hesitate to leave everything to belong

completely to Christ, your Lord.

Teach us to love interior silence;

teach us fidelity in listening to the Beloved;

teach us perseverance in humbly allowing ourselves

to be loved by the living God.

You, who made yourself all things for all people

to bring to every heart in every way the joy and beauty

of the Gospel,

obtain for us burning charity, to make us humble,

luminous witnesses of divine Love in every one of

our decisions, actions and thoughts.

Pray for us, Saint Francis, an exemplar in spending

your days and nights

consumed with burning love under the sun of God!

Amen.


Reposition Hymn: O Sacrament Most Holy O Sacrament Divine. All praise and all thanksgiving; Be every moment Thine, Be every moment Thine. or Holy God, we praise Thy name! Lord of all, we bow before Thee; All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heaven above adore Thee; Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.


Imprimatur:

Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone, D.D. Bishop of Charleston

South Carolina

May 2018

For the Greater Glory of the Risen Christ! Ad Maiorem Resurgentis Gloriam!

Order of Clerics Regular Minor Adorno Fathers and Brothers

575 Darlington Avenue Ramsey, NJ 07446

www.adornofathers.org

Documents

NOVENA TO SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO · 2019. 7. 25. · 3 | Novena to St. Francis Caracciolo DAY ONE Opening Prayer: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who bestowed