NOVENAS, ADORATION, SPECIAL LITURGIES, DEVOTIONS AND TRADITIONS
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help: The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour) depicts the Mother of God holding the Divine Child while the Archangels Michael
and Gabriel present before Him the instruments of His Passion. The original
painting, done in the thirteenth century, was brought to Rome towards the end of the
fifteenth century by a pious merchant, who, dying there, ordered by his will that the
picture should be exposed in a church for public veneration. It was displayed in a church,
to which crowds flocked. For nearly three hundred years many graces were obtained
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. The image was lost for nearly forty
years, and in 1865, Pope Pius IX ordered that the image should be again publicly
venerated. This was but the first favor of the Holy Father towards the
icon.
A replica of this icon is on display in one of the alcoves of St. Justin Martyr
Church.
First Friday: It is on the First Fridays of each month that we especially remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, our Savior. Masses on First Fridays are at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass and continues through 8:00 a.m. Saturday.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Monthly): The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held the First Friday of each month, from after the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Anyone is welcome to open themselves to the light and graces of our Lord in the exposed Blessed Sacrament, knowing that Christ will not let us leave His presence without His blessings and benefits. Members of the Nocturnal Adoration Society and the Orange Vigil Adorers worship throughout the night at St. Justin's in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: On January 1, a Holy Day traditionally associated with new beginnings, Mary is set before the community as a person of contemplative peace.
Santo Niņo Fiesta: The Filipino Community of St. Justin Martyr invites everyone to celebrate the Santo Niņo Fiesta, commemorating the Feast of the Holy Infant. Held in January, the celebration includes a Mass, procession, potluck lunch, and "Sinulog".
Candlemas Day: Candlemas Day, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated each year on the February 2, exactly forty days after Christmas. It is on this day that you may bring candles from home into church to be blessed.
Feast of St. Blase: On February 3, the Feast of St. Blase, you may have your throats blessed at our Masses. Blase served as bishop of Armenia in the fourth century. Little is known about his life, but tradition tells us that St. Blase saved a small boy from choking on a fish bone. Because of this, his help is sought for those who are sick, especially those who are afflicted with illnesses of the throat. On this day, the Church continues its ministry to the sick with the blessing of throats.
Lent: The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Thursday at the Mass of the Lord's Supper. At that point, the Triduum begins, and continues until the Easter Vigil Mass, at which the celebration of the Church's greatest feast, Easter, begins. Lent is a forty day journey, during which the Church commemorates the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Recalling this, the Church also has guidelines for Fast and Abstinence to follow during Lent: Everyone 14 years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Everyone who is at least 18 years of age and not yet 59, is bound also to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Ash Wednesday: Ashes are distributed during Masses on Ash Wednesday. The ashes imposed on our foreheads on this day are a reminder of our unworthiness and sinfulness. Ashes remind us of our original sin and our need of redemption. Ashes will be distributed during the Masses after the Gospel, not at Communion time and not after Mass.
Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross are traditionally said on the Fridays of Lent. At each station, prayers are said in remembrance of Christ's journey, suffering, and final victory. The Eighth Grade class of St. Justin school portrays the Living Stations once a year.
The Feast of St. Joseph: March 15 is the Feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary.
Palm Sunday: Passion or Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn and intense period of worship in the Christian faith. On Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem which foretells the victory of his Resurrection and his return to earth in glory. The blessing and distribution of palms takes place on Palm Sunday at all of the regularly scheduled Masses at St. Justin's.
On Monday of Holy Week, the Diocese has a Chrism Mass, which will be at 5:30 p.m. at St. Columban's Church in Garden Grove (714-534-1174). At this Mass, the holy oils of the sick, the oil of the catechumens, and the sacred chrism oil is blessed. These oils are then taken back to each parish and are used throughout the year. All priests and parishioners of the Diocese are invited to attend the Chrism Mass.
On Holy Thursday, a Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated. This Mass celebrates Christ's institution of the Eucharist and of the priesthood. During the Mass, all of the Eucharistic Ministers are recommissioned. Members of our service organizations are represented at this Mass, as they represent the apostles during the rite of the washing of the feet. Following the Mass, there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
On Good Friday, we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. St. Justin's has the Stations of the Cross, which are followed by the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross.On Holy Saturday, the Church waits at the Lord's tomb, meditating on His suffering and death. The altar is left bare and the sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated. It is a day of waiting.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Eastertime's special sacramental identity and liturgical character begins at the Easter Vigil, held the evening before Easter Sunday. The experiences of the risen Christ and the gift of the Spirit in the initiation rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the East Vigil are all part of the great celebration of Easter.
Mother's Day Novena: A wonderful way to remember mothers during the month of May is through the Mothers Day Novena. St. Justin Martyr Church has a series of Masses for mothers, beginning on Mothers Day and continuing for eight days. To have your mother or other special women, living or deceased, be remembered at this Novena, you may fill out an envelope found at the exits of the church at the beginning of May. Mothers Day cards for the Novena are also available.
Anniversary of St. Justin Martyr Parish: May 25.
St. Justin Martyr Feast Day: June 1.
Father's Day Novena: A wonderful way to remember fathers during the month of June is through the Fathers Day Novena. St. Justin Martyr Church has a series of Masses for fathers, beginning on Fathers Day and continuing for eight days. To have your father or other special men, living or deceased, be remembered at this Novena, you may fill out an envelope found at the exits of the church at the beginning of June. Fathers Day cards for the Novena are also available.
All Souls Masses: November 2 is All Souls Day. It is the commemoration of all the faithful departed, an annual day of prayer for the dead. Because it falls on a Sunday, our regular Mass schedule will be followed.
All Souls envelopes: During the month of November, one Mass each day is said at St. Justin Martyr Church for the souls of those people whose names have been written on the special All Souls envelopes, available in the church in late October. Everyone is invited to write the names of deceased loved ones on the envelopes, and drop them in the collection basket or at the parish office. These envelopes, along with a book in which names of the deceased are written, will be on display near the icon of St. Justin throughout the month of November.
All Souls Memorial Book: During the month of November, there is a Memorial Book of All Souls, in which individuals can write the names of their deceased loved ones. This book is a visible reminder of those who have passed before us and have left an impact on our lives. The book will be on display in the church throughout November.
Thanksgiving Day Mass: In addition to the regularly scheduled 6:30 a.m. Mass, there is a special Parish Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. This is a multi-lingual celebration of our parish family, unity, and diversity. It is a special time we come together to worship and give thanks as one parish family. November is also a month of THANKS. We collect food for the needy of our community on Thanksgiving Day at our Masses, which is sorted and distributed by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Simbang
Gabi Masses: "Simbang gabi",
meaning "going to church in the evening", is the traditional pre-Christmas
novena of nine Masses in the Philippines. It shows the Filipino rite of celebrating life
in more festive ways through prayers, music, Christmas images and symbols integrated in
the nine days of liturgical celebrations. As is customary, after Mass the celebration
continues with a variety of native dinners shared by the worshipping community.