NOVENA PRAYERS
1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE
2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
3⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
4⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS
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1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE
DAY 7 - FEBRUARY 23
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Isabel of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in the humility she lived out.
St. Isabel of France, you were born with great political and worldly power. Despite this, you chose to humbly serve God as a consecrated virgin.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so humbly!
You worked to establish a convent for Poor Clares and to have a new rule written for the nuns to follow. When the new rule was approved by the Pope, he gave your convent the title Enclosed Sisters Minor, as St. Francis named his order the Friars Minor to emphasize humility.
Pray for me, that I may grow in the spirit of humility in my life. Pray that I may always do all I can to serve God humbly in my life.
Please also pray for (State your intentions here...)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
St. Isabel of France: Pray for us!
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2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
DAY 6 - FEBRUARY 23
“OF MYSELF I CAN'T DO IT.”
REFLECTION: The Saints have many different things to say about attaining holiness, but there is at least one point they all emphasize: the importance of humility. Gabriel Possenti was no exception in this regard, and he understood that it is impossible to make spiritual progress without first realizing who we are and who God is.
Gabriel's humility showed itself in the quiet little actions of everyday life as a Passionist religious. He would take the last place; he promptly obeyed even seemingly useless orders from his superiors; he sought to serve all with equal reverence; he didn't say a word about his former popularity in Spoleto. To all outward appearances, he was just another humble Brother preparing for the Passionist priesthood. Within, however, he was growing daily in extraordinary holiness.
Some make the mistake of thinking that humility means denying anything good about oneself. However, this attitude shows a lack of respect for God, who takes delight in all His creations. True humility consists not in “beating ourselves up,” but in truthfully acknowledging our need for God. Gabriel captured the essence of this virtue in a little note he made to himself: “Remember that of myself I can't do it.”
PRAYER: O good St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, you were taught by God to love the Passion of Jesus and to remember the Sorrows of Mary His Mother. By her side, you stood by the Cross of Jesus and shared her compassion. Following her, you grew in love for God and all His people. O St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, we humbly ask you to intercede before God on our behalf, especially for the intentions we now present before you.
For the vocation promotion endeavors
For all the women whom God is calling to join the monastic family
For the spiritual and temporal needs of the novitiate members and the novice directress
For all who pass through the novitiate – the holy training ground – that they will respond generously to God's graces poured out in their hearts during the time of intense formation
(State your intentions here...)
We place our trust in your prayers St. Gabriel and wish to follow your example. Remember us, and especially our youth, with compassion. Support us all our days by your holy prayers. And when this life is done, may we join you in heaven in the company of Jesus and Mary. Amen!
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows: Pray for us!
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3⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
DAY 2 - FEBRUARY 23
OPENING PRAYER: Ever Loving God, you called St. Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Black and Native American peoples. By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and oppressed. Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of Your Church, that we may be one in You. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
REFLECTION: EVANGELIZATION
I LOOKED UP IN WONDER AT GOD'S WONDERFUL WAYS AND THOUGHT HOW LITTLE WE IMAGINE WHAT MAY BE THE RESULT OF LISTENING AND ACTING ON A DESIRE HE PUTS INTO THE HEART. NOURISH BEFORE HIM GREAT DESIRES... MAY OUR DESIRE BE TO BRING HIM HEARTS, FOR ALL ARE HIS BY RIGHT, HAVING BEEN PURCHASED BY EVERY DROP OF HIS BLOOD. - St. Katharine Drexel
(State your intentions here...)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
CLOSING PRAYER: I wish to be one who conscientiously takes part in the unfolding of God's plans, and eventually have a glorious part in the final unfolding of time into the glory of God's Kingdom in heaven. If we are disciples (of Jesus) we shall be happy to spend ourselves and be spent for the salvation of souls. - St. Katharine Drexel
St. Katharine Drexel, model for those who evangelize, pray for us.
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4⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS
DAY 1 - FEBRUARY 23
"All those who, attracted by my love, and venerating my countenance, shall receive, by virtue of my humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of my divinity. This splendor shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features with my divine countenance." (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St. Gertrude).
THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS
"I firmly wish that my face reflecting the intimate pains of my soul, the suffering and love of my heart, be more honoured! Whoever gazes upon me already consoles me." (Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER: O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of her Divine Son, we ask your help in making a perfect Novena of reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PSALM 50 (51): 3-4
Have mercy on me, O God in your goodness,
in your great tenderness wipe away my faults:
wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin.
O most Holy Face of Jesus, look with tenderness on us who are sinners. You are a merciful God, full of love and compassion. Keep us pure of heart, so that we may see Thee always. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us; Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition … Pardon and Mercy.
PRAYER TO OUR ALMIGHTY FATHER: Almighty Father, come into our hearts, and so fill us with your love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace you, our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what you are to us. Say to our souls, I am your salvation, speak so that we may hear. Our hearts are before you; open our ears; let us hasten after your voice. Hide not your Face from us, we beseech you, O Lord. Open our hearts so that you may enter in. Repair the ruined mansions that you may dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of your only Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (St. Augustine)
Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be...
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)