Novena for the Feast of Our Lady Woman of Valor

It is a tradition in the Catholic Church to pray special prayers called a novena nine days before an important feast. The Feast of Our Lady Woman of Valor is an important feast in the Pastoral Center for Migrants in Tel Aviv and it is celebrated on the Saturday closest to May 10. We publish here the prayer of the novena.

Day 1

Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while the House of the Lord lies in ruins? (Haggai 1:4)
She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. (Proverbs 31:17)
Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we come before you asking that you build up our community in Tel Aviv. Be our Rock in all trials and keep us united, loving you and desiring always to serve you with all our heart. Come and by your Holy Spirit renew our strength and inspire in us new initiatives to build your Kingdom. Give to each one zeal and fidelity to your Gospel.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 2

They came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. (Haggai 1:14)
She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household. (Proverbs 31:15)
Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we pray for all migrants throughout the world, who had to leave their homeland in order to find work or refuge. Be for them their homeland, their home and their consolation. Enable each one to find the means needed to provide for their needs and those of their families so that they might also come to the aid of those who are in even greater need.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 3

Take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:4)
Strength and dignity are her clothing, she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
Lord, with Our Lady Woman of Valor, we confide to your care all children, especially those most in danger because of war, famine and disease. We come before you, carrying in our prayers orphans and all abandoned children. Give to each one the necessary help as well as courage and generosity to those who serve them.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 4

Consider how you have fared. (Haggai 1:7)
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
Through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we pray, Lord, for all the inhabitants of this neighborhood in the midst of which you have placed us. Place your light and your hope in their hearts. Help the most needy and those who have despaired. Make us witnesses of your love so that your Name can be proclaimed.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 5

Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. (Haggai 1:8)
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. (Proverbs 31:18)
Through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, Lord, we ask you to come and manifest your glory in our midst. Make the light of your Gospel shine over us so that we might become missionaries of your love wherever you send us to live and work. May our whole life bear witness to your Kingdom.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 6

Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God. (Haggai 1:12)
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we pray that you might keep us united in faithfulness to prayer, ever persevering in our trust in your Word and confirmed in the joy of serving you. We ask you to stir up many vocations to serve you.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 7

I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, (…) my spirit abides among you; do not fear. (Haggai 2:4-5)
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (Proverbs 31:11)
Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we seek to intercede for our brothers and sisters, all Christians suffering because of their faith or their ethnic or religious identity in this region and throughout the world. Give to each one the grace of trusting in the Holy Spirit, Defender and Consoler. Give to each the strength to give witness to you.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 8

The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give peace. (Haggai 2:9)
Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. (Proverbs 31:29)
Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we beg you for peace in this region and in each of our own countries of origin. Make us artisans of peace through the practice of justice and charity. We confide to you all victims of conflicts and violence and their loved ones so that they might find their consolation in you.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…

Day 9

For I have chosen you, says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:23)
A woman of valor who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
Lord ; through the intercession of Our Lady Woman of Valor, we pray for the Holy Land in which we live. Come and bless all its inhabitants and leaders and protect them all. Inspire those who have responsibilities to work for the common good. Come and fill us all with your Holy Spirit, Spirit of Good Counsel and Strength, so that each one of us work with all his or her heart to build a just society where each one has a place.
Our Father
10 X Hail Mary…