St Andrew~The First Called
St Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist, but at John's words: "Behold the Lamb of God", Andrew knew that there was one greater than John that he should follow. When Jesus realized Andrew was following behind him, Jesus asked him: "Whom do you seek?" Andrew inquired of Jesus about where he lived; Jesus simply replied, "Come and see." In a relatively short time this disciple would come to recognize Jesus as Messiah. So it is that St Andrew became the first of Jesus' disciples. He would then tell his brother Peter.Andrew and Peter would eventually give up their fishing business to follow Christ at all times.
It is believed that Andrew went to Greece after the Ascension of Our Lord. He would be given the crown of martyrdom by being put to death on a cross to which he was tied, not nailed. He would suffer for two days before dying, but continued to preach to those who gathered around him in those two days.
Prayer To St Andrew
O glorious St. Andrew, you were the first to recognize and follow the Lamb of God. With your friend, St. John, you remained with Jesus for that first day, for your entire life, and now throughout eternity. As you led your brother, St. Peter, to Christ and many others after him, draw us also to Him. Teach us to lead others to Christ solely out of love for Him and dedication in His service. Help us to learn the lesson of the Cross and to carry our daily crosses without complaint so that they may carry us to Jesus. Amen.
St Andrew Christmas Novena
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 Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
O glorious St. Andrew, you were the first to recognize and follow the Lamb of God. With your friend, St. John, you remained with Jesus for that first day, for your entire life, and now throughout eternity. As you led your brother, St. Peter, to Christ and many others after him, draw us also to Him. Teach us to lead others to Christ solely out of love for Him and dedication in His service. Help us to learn the lesson of the Cross and to carry our daily crosses without complaint so that they may carry us to Jesus. Amen.
St Andrew Christmas Novena
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 Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)
Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897
Comments
The one year I prayed it most passionately was the year of Desert Storm back in the 90's, and I really felt my prayer was answered because that war was so short.
God bless you with a peaceful Advent!
You are so good to be able to pray this prayer 15 times a day! Not sure of the significance of the number either.
God bless you for sticking with this and for your fervor.