Pray for nine days with Father Antoine Chevrier, a priest of the Diocese of Lyon and founder of the Prado, who was beatified in 1986 by Pope John Paul II, to entrust your intentions to him, ask for graces through his intercession, and pray for his canonization.
Every novena recalls the time of prayer spent by the disciples and the Virgin Mary in the Upper Room as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. The novena of prayer we propose is based on the teachings of Father Antoine Chevrier, who was beatified in 1986 by Pope John Paul II. This diocesan priest from Lyon and founder of the Prado is united in heaven, along with all the saints, with Jesus Christ himself « still alive to intercede on our behalf » (Hebrews 7:25).
We can therefore pray to Father Antoine Chevrier and ask him for graces for the people we know or for ourselves. This is also an opportunity to ask God to grant us the canonization of this priest, a friend of Christ and of the poor.
Day 1 – LThe Beautiful Mystery of the Incarnation
Day 2 – Proclaiming Jesus Christ to the poor—that's all there is to it!
Day 3 – Knowing Jesus Christ is everything!
Day 4 – Having the Spirit of God is everything!
Day 5 – Two Cities, One Mission
Day 6 – The Sincere Desire for Holiness
Day 7 – Out of love for Jesus Christ, who became my sustenance
Day 8 – For the love of Jesus Christ
Day 9 – For the love of Jesus Christ, who was born in a stable
Who is Antoine Chevrier?
Antoine Chevrier (1826–1879), a young priest, was appointed assistant pastor at Saint André Parish in the Guillotière neighborhood. He would spend his entire apostolic life in this place, which was home to a dense population of poor people who had come from the countryside in search of work on the outskirts of the big city. On Christmas Eve 1856, as he meditated before the manger of the Child Jesus, he realized that to fulfill his ministry, he must lead a Gospel-centered life similar to that of Jesus Christ. Called to follow the One sent by the Father more closely, he resolved to live in poverty and to study the Word of God daily—a practice he called «the Study of the Holy Gospel.».
In 1860, he took over a disreputable ballroom that was available for rent. It was called «Le Prado.» Father Chevrier retained this name. From then on, this place would enable him to live out his priesthood in two complementary ways: the Christian and human education of some of the most disadvantaged adolescents, and the formation of young men destined to become priests to evangelize the poor. He himself would write a book titled «The Priest According to the Gospel, or the True Disciple of Jesus Christ.».
From the very beginning, Father Chevrier was surrounded by various people who shared the same missionary calling, particularly laypeople. Some young women chose to enter consecrated life. Father Chevrier’s witness reminds us of the dignity of people who are suffering or facing difficult circumstances. They are in God’s heart and have the right to know that they are loved and saved by Jesus Christ. The Apostle of La Guillotière shows us the path that invites us to know, love, and closely follow the Savior. To this end, he never ceases to invite us to meditate on God’s work through the actions of His Son, Jesus Christ—at the manger, on Calvary, and in the tabernacle. In this way, each of our lives is transformed from within by the Holy Spirit, whom the Risen Christ communicates to us.
Meditating with an Icon
Every day of the week, there will be a meditation based on the icon of Sr. Cristina Baraldo, which evokes the birth of the Prado’s apostolic spirituality.
Novena Prayer – For the Canonization of Blessed Antoine Chevrier
God Our Father,
You have chosen Blessed Antoine Chevrier
to proclaim the Gospel to the poor
and to form apostles filled with your Spirit.
We thank you for everything that
you have already granted us through his intercession.
Father Chevrier guides us to follow
to know Your Son more intimately through the mysteries
of the Nativity, Calvary, and the Tabernacle,
helping us discover the beauty of your love.
Let him be the bearer of our prayer before You,
in order to obtain even greater graces.
(in particular, a specific blessing or healing)
We ask you,
You who live forever and ever.
Amen
A big thank you to the Diocese of Lyon
for this online publication on
What is a novena?
A novena is a prayer observed for nine consecutive days, either alone or in community, to entrust a specific intention to God: a request, an expression of thanksgiving, a trial, a matter of discernment…
But why 9 days?
This number comes from the Bible: after the Ascension, the apostles prayed for nine days with the Virgin Mary, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Since then, the Church has upheld this tradition as a time of persevering and trusting prayer.
To pray a novena is to take the time:
- to set down what you're carrying,
- to be open to God's work,
- to grow in faith and hope
A simple path… but a profound one.
Haven't heard of Hozana yet?
The video below will tell you more about Hozana, social prayer network. The dream of Thomas, its founder, is to bring millions of people together in prayer every day. And just for the record, Hozana’s offices are located in Lyon 5 (France). Have a blessed time praying on Hozana!