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 8 - FEBRUARY 24
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Isabel of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in choosing to live penitentially.
St. Isabel of France, you were born the daughter of a king and spent your childhood at court. Despite the worldly riches that must have surrounded you, you chose to cast off worldly things for the sake of your vocation.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
As a consecrated virgin, you lived out the rule of the convent you established. You spent the rest of your life in prayer, virtuous practices, and mortification.
Pray for me, that I may grow in a spirit of holy penance in my life. Pray that I may become more devoted to God each day.
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 7 - FEBRUARY 24
“GOD IS THINKING OF US! NOTHING CAN HAPPEN TO US EXCEPT BY GOD'S WILL.”
REFLECTION: These words can sound like a mere pious sentiment – until you learn the circumstances under which they were spoken. Gabriel Possenti and the other Passionist seminarians had been moved to the remote town of Isola to escape the revolutionary violence that was tearing through Italy. Eventually the trouble made its way even to this isolated town; the rebels looted the Passionist retreat where Gabriel and his companions were staying, and then the opposing royal army rushed in to search the monastery for fugitives. It was in the midst of all this upheaval that Gabriel spoke these words of confidence to his terrified friends – and even went out to defend the townspeople with remarkable courage!
Trust in God is a virtue that shines particularly brightly in the life of St. Gabriel. He understood that God is mercy itself, and that He arranges all things for our good. While it is easy to say that we trust God, it is only in difficult circumstances that we can see how deeply rooted our trust is; the incident above is evidence of how solid was Gabriel's confidence in his Heavenly Father.
Gabriel did not practice trust only in the face of physical suffering; he brought this virtue to bear in his spiritual trials as well. When his poor health and the touchy political situation in Italy made it impossible for him to realize his dream of being ordained a priest, he could easily have doubted God's love for him; after all, wasn't it God Who had given him the dream of becoming a priest and Who was now snatching that dream from him? However, Gabriel's confidence in God enabled him to accept this heavy cross with peace, since he knew that the Lord's plans, while often mysterious, are ultimately motivated by His infinite love and lead to the greatest possible good for each of us.
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 3 - FEBRUARY 24
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: PEACE
PEACEFULLY DO AT EACH MOMENT WHAT AT THAT MOMENT OUGHT TO BE DONE. IF WE DO WHAT EACH MOMENT REQUIRES, WE WILL EVENTUALLY COMPLETE GOD'S PLAN, WHATEVER IT IS. WE CAN TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF THE MASTER PLAN WHEN WE TAKE CARE OF THE DETAILS. - 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 2 - FEBRUARY 24
"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): 5-6A
My offences truly I know them;
My sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
What is evil in your sight I have done.
Most Holy Face of Jesus, we are truly sorry that we have hurt you so much by constantly doing what is wrong; and for all the good works we have failed to do. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Joseph, intercede for us, help us to console the Most Holy Face of Jesus. Pray that we may share in the tremendous love Thou hast for one another, and for the most Holy and Blessed Trinity. Amen.
Through the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition... Pardon and Mercy.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: Come, Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, all powerful God of love, Thou who didst fill the Virgin Mary with grace, Thou who didst wonderfully transform the hearts of the apostles. Thou who didst endow all Thy martyrs with a miraculous heroism, come and sanctify us, illumine our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgments, set our hearts on fire and preserve us from the misfortune of resisting Thine inspirations. We consecrate to Thee our understanding, our heart and our will, our whole being for time and for eternity. May our understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations and to the teachings of Thy Holy Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may our heart be ever inflamed with love of God and neighbour, may our will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may our whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and Thee be honour and glory forever. Amen.
Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be...
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)