Queen of the Apostles Novena

INTRODUCTION

“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”
(Acts 1:14).
In preparation for the Solemnity of Pentecost and the Feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, we gather "spiritually" in the Upper Room. Together with Mary and the Apostles, we confidently invoke the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the entire world.
On this spiritual journey, we will be guided by the teachings of our Founder. His words, addressed especially to the Daughters of St. Paul, will help us know, love, and spread devotion to Mary in her title as Queen of the Apostles: the one who first gave Jesus to the world.
This Novena takes on a special meaning this year: we wish to entrust the Congregation's journey of this six-year term to Mary's maternal intercession. We place in her hands the Chapter Direction, the fruit of our Twelfth General Chapter, and the profound needs of a humanity awaiting peace, light, and blessing.

The Novena is structured as follows:
– Prayer intention for the day
– Invitatory
– Word of God
– Short hymn to the Holy Spirit (of your choice)
– Thoughts of Blessed Alberione on Mary, Queen of the Apostles
– Antiphon and Magnificat
– Intercession (cf. Proper Vespers of the day)
– Our Father
– Prayer
– Song to Mary (of your choice)

Invitatory

Antiphon: Hail Mother of the Church, Teacher and Queen of the Apostles, alleluia, alleluia.
1. I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head.
2. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called the Son of God.
3. She gave birth to her first born Son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.
4. This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed, and you yourself shall be pierced by a sword.
5. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn he said to the disciple, “There is your Mother.”
6. Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brethren.
7. Mary Immaculate, ever Virgin Mother of God, having finished the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

Antiphon to the Magnificat
Receive our prayer, O Mary, our Mother, Queen and Teacher. Beseech your divine Son, the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his vineyard. Alleluia.

Magnificat
(Lk. 1:46-55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Concluding prayer
God our Father,
you gave the Holy Spirit to your apostles
as they joined in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
By the help of her prayers
keep us faithful in your service
and let our words and actions be so inspired
as to bring glory to your name.
Grant this through Christ your Son our Lord.

 

Day 1 – Thursday, May 14

The Pope, Vicar of Christ on earth
Let us pray for PopeLeo XIV, Vicar of Christ on earth: following the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, may he guide the People of God with evangelical wisdom, meekness of heart, and tireless charity.

Invitatory
Word of God
“But since we have the same spirit of faith as it is written, ‘I believed, therefore I spoke,’ we also believe, and therefore we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. For everything is for your sake, so that as grace, being increased by many, may cause thanksgiving to abound, to the glory of God (2 Cor 4:13-15).”

Hymn to the Holy Spirit

Thoughts of Blessed Alberione

In the order of nature, God has placed beside us a woman: our earthly mother; she is the sweetest memory, the dearest memory of our life. (…) And just as in the order of nature, so too in the order of grace, God has placed beside us a mother: the Blessed Virgin Mary. He gave her to us when He made her the Mother of God; He proclaimed her [our mother] when Jesus was at the last line, so to speak, of His testament of love. He had already left Himself as food and drink, and finally He gave the last thing that remained to Him: His mother: “Behold, O John, your mother” (FSP33**, p. 237).

V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.

Antiphon and Magnificat

Intercessions

United in fraternal joy, let us invoke the risen Christ, whom the Father has established as the beginning and foundation of our hope:
O King of glory, hear us.
Lord Jesus, who by your blood and by your resurrection entered once and for all into the sanctuary of heaven,
— lead us with you to the glory of the Father.
You sustained the faith of the apostles and confirmed their mission through the witness of your Spirit,
— grant that bishops and priests may be effective messengers of your word.
You are for all the source of reconciliation and peace,
— grant that Christians may be united in communion of faith and charity.
By faith in your resurrection you healed the lame man at the gate of the temple,
— turn your gaze upon our sick and reveal your glory to them.
You are the first fruits of saving death and resurrection,
— admit into your immortal light those who have hoped in you.
(Special intention)

Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

 

Day 2 – Friday, May 15

Conversion to the Gospel
Let us pray for the conversion of hearts to the Gospel: may the Holy Spirit enlighten the leaders of nations and all those holding public responsibilities, so that their every decision may be oriented to the common good and the dignity of the person.
Invitatory
Word of God
“But whatever gains I had, these I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness for myself that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. This righteousness is that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, so that by any means I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Phil 3:7-11).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, is presented in the act of offering her blessed Jesus to the world. In this way, she carries out the apostolate (…). Thus, for the Daughters of St. Paul, Our Lady is a continual school. She keeps Jesus in her heart and offers Him to the world: Jesus, who with one hand carries Sacred Scripture to give it to humanity, and with the other blesses. Every Daughter of St. Paul, in contemplating Our Lady, should think: on the one hand, to keep Jesus in her heart by sanctifying herself; and on the other, to do good for others through the apostolate (FSP41, p. 164).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat (p. 3)
Intercessions
Let us pray with one accord to Christ, the source of life and the beginning of all holiness:
Reign among us, O Lord.
Jesus our Savior, crucified in the flesh, yet forever living and life-giving in the Spirit,
— grant that, dead to sin, we may live a new life according to the Spirit.
You who sent the disciples to preach the Gospel to every creature,
— sustain with your Spirit the missionaries of your word.
You who received from the Father all authority in heaven and on earth to bear witness to the truth,
— guide with your wisdom those who govern us.
You who command us to await your coming in glory with vigilance and active service,
— grant that the more we await the new heavens and the new earth, the more we may labor for progress and peace.
You descended to the realm of the dead to bring the message of salvation to the ancient fathers,
— gather all our departed into eternal joy.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

Day 3 – Saturday, May 16¹

Christian unity and interreligious dialogue
Let us pray for the healing of wounds among Christians, so that we may walk toward full communion. We pray to the God of peace to teach us the art of meeting with our brothers and sisters of all religions, in respect and harmony.
Invitatory
Word of God
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. And he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:4-9).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
What is the devotion that must be spread throughout the world? Give Mary all the most beautiful titles (…), yet the one most fitting to her is the title Queen of the Apostles.What, then, is our Marian mission? To make Mary, Queen of the Apostles, known; to lead others to imitate her and to pray to her.
The first devotion we find in the Church is devotion to the Queen of the Apostles as we find her in the Upper Room. Over the centuries, this devotion has somewhat faded and grown dim. To us has been entrusted the sweet task of gathering the faithful around Mary, Queen of the Apostles; to you belongs the task of reawakening this devotion; to you belongs the fulfillment of this most sweet mission within the Church. This means reviving the apostolates and fostering vocations (FSP47, p. 479).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
Let us joyfully acclaim Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father: You are the King of glory, O Christ.
Lord, who brought our fragile humanity to heaven,
— destroy the ancient sin in us and restore our lost dignity.
You came down to us on the path of love,
— through it lead us all to where you are.
You promised to draw all things to you,
— do not allow us to be separated from the Church, which is your body.
You have preceded us into the house of glory,
— grant that we may dwell there from now on with our hearts.
When you come to judge the world,
— let us celebrate your infinite mercy together with our deceased brothers.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary
¹ For community prayer, First Vespers of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated. For personal prayer, see the proposal of the day.

 

Day 4 – Sunday, May 17²

(Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)
Families, parishes and religious communities
Let us pray for families, parishes, and religious communities: may the Spirit make them welcoming and safe places, where forgiveness is daily “bread” and the joy of faith is witnessed and shared.
Invitatory
Word of God
“Above all, maintain fervent love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality toward one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever speaks, let him speak with the words of God; whoever serves, let him serve as one strengthened by God, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen!” (1 Pt 4,8-11).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
Imitate and pray to the Queen of the Apostles, your protectress and mother. Entrust yourselves to her so that she may help and guide you. Pray to her to prepare the hearts of readers, to inspire vocations, and to protect you from dangers, especially unforeseen ones. And hope for everything from her.
In times of joy, thank her; in times of sorrow, ask her to grant you conformity to the divine will. Only in this way will your apostolate be truly sacred and spiritual, and you will not confuse it with mere business or commerce.
I recommend these things to you: pray that Our Lady may obtain them for you who are listening to me and for all the Daughters of St. Paul now scattered throughout the world (FSP40, p. 59).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
Let us joyfully acclaim Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father:
You are the King of glory, O Christ.
Lord, who have carried our fragile humanity into heaven,
— destroy in us the ancient guilt and restore to us our lost dignity.
You came down to us by the path of love,
— through that same path lead us all to where you are.
You promised to draw all things to yourself,
— do not allow us to become separated from the Church, which is your Body.
You have gone before us into the house of glory,
— grant that even now our hearts may dwell there.
When you come to judge the world,
— grant that together with our departed brothers and sisters we may celebrate your infinite mercy.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary
² For community prayer, the Second Vespers of the Ascension of the Lord are celebrated. For personal prayer, see today's suggestion.

 

Day 5 – Monday, May 18

The integral formation of every Daughter of St. Paul
Let us pray for each Daughter of St. Paul: may each one grow in awareness of being an apostle in every stage of life, joyfully collaborating in the evangelizing mission of the Church.
Invitatory (p. 3)
Word of God
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons. By him we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom 8:14-17).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
What the Blessed Virgin Mary did for the first Apostles, she has also done for us. Therefore, let us consider Mary as the Queen of our apostolate; let us turn to her, hope for everything from her, and carry out our apostolic duty under her maternal gaze.
Mary is the model for apostles of every age. She gave Jesus to the world; let us also give Him through the press! Let the apostolate be carried out in a supernatural spirit: never for the accumulation of money or for other merely human purposes.
Mary is also our wise counselor. Let us turn to her in every doubt, every uncertainty, and every temptation (…). Mary is Mother, Teacher, and Queen of the Apostles; therefore, she is our Mother, Teacher, and Queen (FSP39, pp. 652–653).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
Let us give thanks to Christ, who gives the consoling Spirit to his Church. United with our brothers and sisters throughout the world, let us say with faith:
Protect your people, O Lord.
You who have chosen priests as co-workers in your work of redemption,
— grant that people may always find your word upon their lips.
Grant that the rich may reach out their hands to the poor in order to build a world that is more just and more fraternal,
— so that all may recognize one another as brothers and sisters in God our Father.
Spread the light of the Gospel throughout every part of the earth,
— grant that all peoples may embrace the faith.
Send your Spirit to console those who suffer,
— grant salvation and peace to the whole world.
Purify the souls of the departed,
— and welcome us into heaven together with the blessed.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

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Day 6 – Tuesday, May 19

Proclaiming the Gospel in the digital world.
Let us pray for the “inhabitants” of the digital world: in a time marked by fragmentation and propaganda, may the Lord grant everyone a critical spirit, analytical ability, and sound judgment, so that the internet may be a place of truth and authentic relationships.
Invitatory (p. 3)
Word of God
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches our hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that in all things God works for good for those who love him, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom 8, 26-29).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
Mary is Mother, Teacher, and Queen of the Apostles. Mother, because she has given and continues to give to the Apostles the divine grace that is the life of the soul. Teacher, because she exercised the apostolate in a perfect and ineffable way by giving Jesus to the world. Queen, because she surpassed and assisted all the Apostles.
Today, let us pray that Mary may grant vocations to many, assist them, and make their apostolate fruitful. Let us pray that those who are called may be holy and be formed in holiness.
A vocation is the work of God, who in His mercy chooses someone for a special state of life, whether religious or priestly (FSP41, p. 172).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
Glory and honor to Christ, who has made us sharers in his Spirit. Let us raise our prayer to him:
Christ, hear us.
Pour out upon the Church the Spirit who proceeds from the Father,
— that he may purify her, strengthen her, and spread her to the ends of the earth.
Enlighten legislators, judges, and those who govern,
— grant that they may work for the good of the whole community.
Send your Spirit as Father of the poor,
— that he may help and console the humble and the afflicted.
Sanctify those whom you have chosen as ministers of your mysteries,
— grant that they may always remain faithful to your will.
Bring to completion in the souls and bodies of the departed your work of salvation,
— grant them eternal joy through your passion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

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Day 7 – Wednesday, May 20

Vocations to the mission
Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood, to consecrated life, and to the laity: may the Lord raise up hearts open to the needs of the world, ready to dedicate themselves to the service of the Church, especially alongside those most in need.
Invitatory
Word of God
“What eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed them to us through his Spirit, for the Spirit searches through all things, even the depths of God. For who knows the things of a man except the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given to us by God” (1 Cor 2:9-12).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
Whoever wishes to be an apostle and does not allow Mary to enter into his life deprives himself of an indispensable help (…).
The apostolate must be holy in order to sanctify, wise in order to instruct, and zealous in order to overcome the obstacles it encounters. The first field the apostle must cultivate is his own soul; the first work is the interior life; the first soul to be saved is his own.
The apostle must sanctify the mind in a faith that becomes ever more enlightened and living; sanctify the will in a docility ever more conformed to God; sanctify the heart in union of desires, dispositions, and life with the Heart of Jesus; sanctify the body so that every energy may be reserved for God. For all this, the apostle needs Mary (CVV, p. 536).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
United with our brothers and sisters who already enjoy the first fruits of the Spirit, let us praise and invoke God our Father:
Lord, hear us.
Almighty God, who have given Christ the glory of sitting at your right hand in heaven,
— grant that we may still recognize him present here on earth in the Church and in all those in need.
You who commanded us to listen to your Son,
— grant that all may hear his voice and be saved.
Send your Spirit into the hearts of your faithful,
— may he purify us from evil and fill us with zeal for what is good.
May your Spirit guide the course of our history,
— and lead the world along the path of peace.
Welcome our departed shepherds into eternal rest,
— and renew within us the hope of the resurrection to come
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

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Day 8 – Thursday, May 21

Fidelity to the Pauline ideal
Let us pray for all the Daughters of St. Paul: may the passing of the years not obscure the beauty of the charism received, but rather make it brighter and more fruitful, so that each sister may be a channel of “light and blessing” for humanity.
Invitatory
Word of God
“For the love of Christ compels us, knowing that one died for all; therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. So that we no longer regard anyone as human. For though we once knew Christ as human, we no longer know him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:14-17).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
We must resolve to love Our Lady every day, every moment, throughout our whole life until death, so that afterward we may rejoice in her presence forever in heaven.
Love is as strong as death, and the holy devotion of our hearts must never weaken or waver, because we desire that our hearts be possessed only by the Blessed Virgin Mary, entirely belonging to Mary and always to Mary. Blessed are the children of this Mother! Yes, blessed indeed, because if we belong to Our Lady, we shall be protected by her at every hour and at every step (FSP33**, p. 116).**
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
Let us pray to Christ the Savior, that he may grant us the fullness of his Spirit:
Sanctify, O Lord, the people you have redeemed.
May your Spirit build up the Church in unity and peace,
— and preserve her from every division and discord.
You who have redeemed us from the slavery of Satan,
— free the world from greed and every form of oppression.
Christ the Lord, consecrated by the Spirit for the messianic ministry while praying to the Father,
— grant that priests may deepen their life of prayer and make it fruitful in the Spirit.
May your Spirit enlighten the powerful of the earth,
— so that they may overcome the temptations of power and sincerely seek the good of humanity.
You who live in the glory of the Father,
— receive the departed into your everlasting light.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary

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Day 9 – Friday, May 22

The Sanctuary of the Queen of the Apostles in Rome
Let us pray for all of us members of the Pauline Family, that we may learn to know and love ever more the Shrine of the Queen of Apostles: may this “Marian home” desired by the Founder continue to be a beacon of spirituality and the beating heart of the mission.
Invitatory
Word of God
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Therefore if we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16-18, 22, 24-25).
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Thoughts of Blessed Alberione
The church of the Queen of the Apostles has been built; now the greater task begins. Hold it very dear. Be convinced that you have the mission of spreading the fruits, the love, and the devotion to the Queen of the Apostles, and above all of making good use of the church for the needs that all of us have (…).
Let this place, this center, be regarded as the city of the Queen. Be deeply devoted to your sanctuary and strongly attached to it, because all of you come here and depart from here to go out into the world; you leave from your Mother in order to go to souls.
And whenever possible, return to the Mother. Even from afar, let there remain within you a longing to see the Mother, the Queen, the Teacher (FSP56, pp. 390–391).
V. Queen of Apostles, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to the Lord, Alleluia.
Antiphon and Magnificat
Intercessions
God the Father willed to pour out the gift of the Holy Spirit even upon the Gentiles. Let us pray that in our time the wonders of Pentecost may be renewed:
Pour out your Spirit upon us, O Lord.
Father, who made the light of your Son shine in the darkness of the world,
— reveal to the peoples of today the splendor of your truth.
You who consecrated your Son in the Holy Spirit as Messiah and Savior,
— grant that he may continue to pass among us, doing good and healing all.
Grant us through your Spirit the light of the heart,
— strengthen in faith those who doubt and those who waver.
Send forth your Spirit, comfort in weariness,
— raise up those who are overcome by fatigue and discouragement.
Fulfill the hope of our departed brothers and sisters,
— that at the coming of Christ they may share in the glory of the resurrection.
(Special intention)
Our Father
Concluding prayer
Song to Mary
3 The community can choose between First Vespers of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of the Apostles, p. 281ff of the Liturgy of the Pauline Family, or the Novena proposed here.