A very moving example of simple faith...

[sandyRoe]

The following is the text of one of several similar advertisements in the Belfast Telegraph this evening. Are you, like me, touched by this display of simple faith?

"Saint Clare
Ask St Clare for 3 favours, 1 business, 2 impossible, say nine Hail Mary's for nine days before a lighted candle. Pray whether you believe or not.
Publish on the ninth day.
Powerful Novena.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored, glorified and loved throughout the world forever, Amen.
Your request will be granted no matter how impossible it may seem.
P.S. "

[owdhamer]

Not simple faith , sounds more like blind faith , but if it works for some ???

[Zhukov]

...still waiting for the P.S.,here!

[Mamyalynne]

When I was growing up, Novenas were very much a family thing, indeed I think they evolved that way.

[ummmm]

It was NEVER granted...

[NOX]

Mine was never granted either...and it should have been.

[askyourgran]

I see regular publications in our Yorkshire Evening Post for Novenas to St Clare and another patron saint, I believe there is one in there tonight. It makes me wonder who does this so often and spends money on advertising (not cheap). We used to have a convent in the area I'm not sure where the nuns have moved to, but I wondered if it could be from them. It is an act of faith as you say, and I wonder how many non-believers/Catholics or those in trouble have tried this prayer themselves.

[ummmm]

I prayed hard....

[starone]

It's a bit like those chain letters - if you do this or that and pass on this letter to at least 12 other people in the next 15 minutes you will get your reward but if you don't you can expect 7 years bad luck.

[Mamyalynne]

Not really there is no threat in a Novena.

[starone]

I was being facetious mamya. I think I am too tired so I'm off to bed.

[nailit]

what a load of superstitious codswallop..

[ummmm]

No threat....just pray.

[craft1948]

I've been round the local Convent of the Poor Clares............a beautiful, very serene place, but also a bit spooky.

[Mamyalynne]

True and then pray some more xxx

[ladyalex]

Perhaps the point of the novena is that it gives time to consider what you are asking for and may lead you towards a solution of your problem on your own.

It's not for me, but I can see that going through a ritual like this might give comfort.

[micmak]

Sounds like a load of codswallop to me.

[nailit]

Deja vu mikmac.

[paddywak]

It's a case of what ever floats your boat, despite being brought up a catholic I personally think religion in general is a load of rubbish my mother on the other hand found a lot of comfort in the belief that there was a better life waiting for her and that praying to the various saints would help make things better for herself and her family, myself included.

[nailit]

Bet that it never worked though paddy.

[naomi24]

Good morning Sandy, //Are you, like me, touched by this display of simple faith?//

'Touched' seems like a good word. ;o)