Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
Our Novena readings are excerpts from the Christmas letters of St. Paul of the Cross.
If you will be faithful, as I hope, then that spiritual Divine Birth will take place in the temple of your soul not only now, but always, provided you remain faithful and alone in your interior, reposing your spirit on the bosom of God in a sacred silence of faith and holy love.
In regard to these nagging temptations... despise them, abhor them and fear nothing. It is not true that you have been careless in dismissing them. But because they cloud your mind so that it seems to you that you have been negligent, make your protests to God that you wish rather a thousand deaths than sin. When such temptations come, divert yourself, distract yourself. But the best way is to flee in spirit to the bosom of God within, and this can be done in a moment: "Ah, sweetest Father, help!" That is sufficient.