St. Anthony Christmas Novenas

Dear Friend,

You often hear people say, “Christmas is for children.” Jesus himself taught that unless we become like little children, we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Of course, children are special to my brother friars and me too, for it is the innocent children of our missions who have suffered the most severe consequences of social upheaval, disease, and poverty.

The children we serve know that it is due to the kindness of generous people like you that we are able to provide them with shelter, food, medicine, clothing, education and the other essentials of life.

We invite you to share in our annual celebration of two Christmas Novenas to the Christ Child in honor of St. Anthony of Padua. Together, we will implore St. Anthony’s compassionate intercession, that God may surround us with the protection of the Holy Angels.

The Novena in petition will begin on December 24 and end on New Year’s Day; the Novena in thanksgiving will begin January 1 and end January 9 in Bethlehem.

Please join us in these special devotions. My brother friars, our associates, and the children in our missions would be honored to include you, your intentions, and your petitions in our prayers – and to know that you are present with us in spirit.

As an expression of your devotion to the Christ Child, if you could send a special Christmas offering for the poor in our world-wide missions, we would be deeply grateful. Large or small, your gift can help to turn despair into hope.

May God bless you for having such a loving heart.

With my personal wishes for a Blessed Christmas,

Father Robert, O.F.M.