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 9 - FEBRUARY 25
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 by her life of service to You and Your Church.
St. Isabel of France, you could have married and lived a comfortable life at court. Instead, you chose to devote your life to God as a consecrated virgin.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served with such devotion!
As you lived out your vocation of virginity, you established a convent. You lived out the rule of this convent and supported the convent through your own wealth.
Pray for me, that I may always be a devoted servant of God and His Church. Pray that I may never waver in my commitment to God and His Church.
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 8 - FEBRUARY 25
“MY MOTHER, MAKE HASTE!”
REFLECTION: Over the past few days we have reflected on Gabriel Possenti's vocation, as well as some of the virtues that helped him to live that call from God to the fullest. Today we turn to the most important moment of his life: his entrance into eternity. For a long time Confrater Gabriel had been suffering with the dreaded disease of tuberculosis, growing weaker and weaker every day, until he could no longer leave his bed or even wear the rough fabric of his beloved Passionist habit. His faithful mentor, Fr. Norbert, was keeping watch with him.
Of course, there was someone else in that room – someone who, though invisible, was making a last-ditch effort to shake this heroic young man's virtue. At least three different times, Gabriel experienced temptations so sudden and violent that it was immediately clear that they had come from the Prince of Darkness himself. With the help of Fr. Norbert's blessing and Gabriel's own fervent prayer, however, the assaults passed and left the dying Brother in peace.
Despite his difficulty in breathing, Gabriel was able to say several short prayers, among them a heartfelt aspiration to Our Lady: “My Mother, make haste!” He was unable to finish his final prayer vocally, but he gave a far more eloquent testimony to his fellow Religious who had gathered at his bedside. At the moment of death, he seemed aglow with joy, glimpsing the Blessed Mother whom he had loved so much in life coming to lead him to Heaven. He then breathed forth his soul in peace.
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 4 - FEBRUARY 25
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: SERVANT OF THE POOR
KINDNESS IS THE NATURAL FRUIT OF GOODNESS OF HEART. HE (JESUS) LOVED EVERY HUMAN BEING AS THE IMAGE OF GOD ... AND SO ALL THAT CAME WITHIN RANGE OF HIS BENEVOLENCE WERE TREATED KINDLY FOR GOD'S SAKE AND THEIR OWN. - 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 3 - FEBRUARY 25
"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): 6B-7
You are just when you pass sentence on me,
blameless when you give judgment.
You know I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.
PRAYER OF POPE PIUS IX: Jesus! Cast upon us a look of mercy: turn your Face towards each of us as you did to Veronica; not that we may see it with our bodily eyes, for this we do not deserve, but turn it towards our hearts, so that, remembering you, we may ever draw from this fountain of strength the vigour necessary to sustain the combats of life. Amen.
Mary, our Mother, and 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 OF SAINT FRANCIS: All highest, glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of our hearts, give us true faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility, so that with wisdom, courage and perception, O Lord, we may do what is truly your holy will. Amen.
TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS: We salute you, through the Holy Face and Sacred Heart of Jesus, O all you Holy Angels and Saints of God. We rejoice in your glory, and we give thanks to our Lord for all the benefits which He has showered upon you; we praise Him, and glorify Him, and for an increase of your joy and honour, we offer Him the most Holy Face and gentle Heart of Jesus. Pray that we may become formed according to the heart of God. Amen.
Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be...
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)