Suggested use of the Missionary Cenacle Novenas

This booklet of Holy Spirit novenas is intended to help us live out Article 11 of our Rule of Life. We, as members of the Missionary Cenacle Family, should be widely known for our consistent promotion of devotion to the Holy Spirit. In the words of Father Judge:

The greatest help a Missionary Servant can offer (to the Church) is the help of spiritually trained Lay Apostles. They will try to realize the power of the faithful for good. They will prudently try to encourage in them a missionary spirit. To effect this, Missionary Servants will induce those coming under their influence to pray to the Holy Spirit for His Gifts and Fruits, Wisdom and Fortitude especially, and encourage them to some work of charity or zeal. That this may produce greater fruit Missionary Servants will strive to organize such good-willed young (men and) women into groups, train them in Missionary Cenacle practices and encourage them to be zealous that God's name be hallowed, His Kingdom come and His will be done. (MCM, p. 171)

The beginning, the continuation and all activity of the Cenacle is grounded on a practical devotion to the Holy Spirit, and if any explanation is asked of any good that may have been done, we know of no other reason than the devotion practiced in the Cenacle to the Holy Spirit. To accomplish this purpose, there is need of universal prayer. Therefore, we are actively engaged in a crusade of prayer to the Holy Spirit. (MCMp.323)

A secondary purpose for this booklet is to help promote vocations to the Missionary Cenacle Family. It is possible that by encouraging the use of the novena among young adult Catholics

· they will come to know us personally, especially ff we invite them into our homes to pray

· they will learn of the existence of the Missionary Cenacle Family

· they will learn something about our unique charism

· they may become more open to the influence of the Holy Spirit and to the possibility of a special call

Starting a novena with young adults in your area

Promote a novena to the Holy Spirit in ways that make sense in your own circumstances. Choose a

date to involve all area members of the Missionary Cenacle Family in promotion. Personally invite young

adults in leadership roles and involve them in promotion. Aim for quality, not quantity. A small intimate

prayer group may be more effective than a large gathering. If the novena becomes a regular event, for

example three times a year, you may gradually come to involve more people.

Time and location

The ideal location for the beginning and end in of the novena is in your own home. Thus, young

adults are being welcomed into our lives. Tie the novena to the current liturgical season. Make

it clear that the novena is time-limited, not a long-term commitment. They only commit to

continue the novena on their own until the ninth day when everyone gathers for the closing.

Individuals might want to gather in smaller groups for prayer during the nine days of the novena. They can make arrangements among themselves at the first gathering. The group may choose for each to share a particular intention for the novena at the beginning, so that everyone may pray for one another during the novena. These suggestions could be made at the gathering to begin the novena.

Introduction/Follow-up

Don't try to give a mini-course in Cenacle History. A brief explanation of who we are and why we do this is certainly necessary, but keep it light. At the closing, find out if anyone wants to join in another novena during the next liturgical season, and choose data if there is interest.

Get a mailing list if feasible. Seek out ways to make contact. Invite them to other Cenacle Family activities, including volunteer opportunities. Make sure n and volunteer promotional literature is visible. Don't do any overt vocation "recruitment" at the prayer gathering. Be satisfied with spreading a devotion to the Holy Spirit and developing relationships with young adult Catholics in your town.