St. Anne of the Sunset Parish warmly invites the faithful and the wider community to participate in the 119th Novena to Good St. Anne from July 18–26. This year’s novena is inspired by the teachings of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and his newly published book, The Force of the Gospel: Our Christian Faith in Ten Words.
In the book’s introduction, Pope Leo XIV highlights three foundational words that illuminate the richness of Christian life: Christ, Communion, and Peace. “Ten words are not many, but they can start a conversation on the richness of Christian life,” the Holy Father writes. He reflects that these three words are deeply connected and reveal how an encounter with Christ leads to communion with God and neighbor, which becomes a witness of peace in the world. (Vatican News)
The 119th Novena to Good St. Anne will offer nine days of prayer, reflection, sacramental grace, healing, and mission. Through the intercession of Good St. Anne, grandmother of Jesus and patroness of St. Anne of the Sunset Parish, the faithful are invited to deepen their relationship with Christ, strengthen communion within the parish community, and embrace their call to become witnesses of peace.
In a world often marked by division and isolation, the Holy Father reminds Christians that “the desire for communion, recognizing that we are brothers and sisters, is the antidote to all extremism.” (Vatican News)
St. Anne’s 119th Novena invites parishioners to enter more deeply into this call through persistent prayer and daily meditations.
As has been the tradition for many years, the novena will be led by the Redemptorist Fathers. This year the priests preaching the novena will be Father Patrick Keyes, Father Ted Lawson and Father John Schmidt.
Novena Masses and daily meditations by Pope Leo XIV
Day I, Saturday, July 18
Christ – The Center of Everything
Mass Times: 8:45am & 5:00pm
Day II, Sunday, July 19
The Gospel – Good News
Mass Times: 8 & 10am
Blessing of Families
Monday to Friday Mass Times: 8:45am, 2:30pm & 7pm
Day III, Monday, July 20
Communion – Antidote to Extremism and Division
Day IV, Tuesday, July 21
Encounter – The Beginning of Healing
Day V, Wednesday, July 22
Mercy – The Shape of God’s Love
Home Visits
Day VI, Thursday, July 23
Truth – A Light That Frees
Confessions
Day VII, Friday, July 24
Hope – A Christian Signature
Anointing of the Sick
Day VIII, Saturday, July 25
Peace – A Gospel Gift and Mission
Mass Times: 10am & 5pm
Procession
Day IX, Sunday, July 26
Mission – Overflow of Communion
Mass Times: 8 & 10am
Throughout the novena, participants will be invited to seek the intercession of Good St. Anne, as they encounter Christ more deeply, strengthen communion within their families and parish community, and receive God’s healing mercy. Through blessings, reconciliation, anointing, and communal prayer, the Novena honors the faith, love, and devotion of St. Anne while renewing the Church’s mission to accompany God’s people and form missionary disciples.
As Pope Leo XIV teaches, Christ is the source of communion, and communion bears the fruit of peace. The 119th Novena seeks to make this journey tangible for the faithful of San Francisco, inviting all to experience anew the transforming force of the Gospel.
