NOVENA PRAYERS
1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
3⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS
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1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
DAY 9 - FEBRUARY 26
SAN GABRIELE D'ADDOLORATA, PREGA PER NOI!
REFLECTION: Some would say this is the end of Gabriel Possenti's story. His brief life was marked by no extraordinary miracles, his death made no headlines, and perhaps many thought he would rest in a simple grave beside his Passionist brethren until the resurrection. Soon after his death, in fact, the Italian government suppressed all religious Orders, and the monastery where he was buried was deserted.
But God has a way of making His loved ones far more well-known after their death. The local people, remembering the holiness of their “Santino” (little Saint), continued to visit his grave. Fr. Norbert, deeply convinced that his former directee was in Heaven, helped to spearhead the process of his canonization. Within 35 years of Gabriel's death, ninety miracles had been attributed to his intercession! He was beatified in 1908 and canonized in 1920. In 1914 the first great shrine was built in his honor at Isola Gran Sasso; in the 1970s a new sanctuary was built to accommodate the flood of pilgrims. Today, the Shrine of St. Gabriel is one of the largest in Europe, attracting thousands and thousands of faithful – especially youth – every year.
Would anyone, meeting the worldly young Francis Possenti, have imagined what he would become? Would anyone from his home town of Spoleto have dreamed that people from around the world would come to venerate him and ask his intercession? Would any of his Passionist brothers have thought the hidden life of this young religious would one day attract such droves of modern young people? In the face of these stunning facts, the message is clear: God can make anyone a saint – and a great saint – if they only strive to be faithful to Him!
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us, that we may follow in your footsteps to become the saints God created us to be!
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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2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
DAY 5 - FEBRUARY 26
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: SUFFERING OF CHRIST
OFTEN IN MY DESIRE TO WORK FOR OTHERS I FIND MY HANDS TIED, SOMETHING HINDERS MY CHARITABLE DESIGNS, SOME HOSTILE INFLUENCE RENDERS ME POWERLESS. MY PRAYERS SEEM TO AVAIL NOTHING, MY KIND ACTS ARE REJECTED, I SEEM TO DO THE WRONG THING WHEN I AM TRYING TO DO MY BEST. IN SUCH CASES I MUST NOT GRIEVE. I AM ONLY TREADING IN MY MASTER'S STEPS. - 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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3⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS
DAY 4 - FEBRUARY 26
"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): 8-9
Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me Wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me. I shall be whiter than snow.
O Lord Jesus, who has said, learn of me for I am meek and gentle of heart, and who did manifest upon Thy Holy Face the sentiments of Thy divine heart, grant that we may love to come frequently and meditate upon Thy divine features. We may read there Thy gentleness and Thy humility, and learn how to form our hearts in the practice of these two virtues which Thou desires to see shine in Thy servants.
Mary, our Mother, and Saint Joseph, help us.
Through the merits of Thy precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition... Pardon and Mercy.
PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE DOLOURS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN: O Most Holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs! Who stood beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on us as we kneel before you to venerate your Dolours and place our requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of your wounded heart. Present them on our behalf to Jesus, through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with your sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the favour which we humbly ask. To whom shall we go in our wants and miseries if not to you. O Mother of Mercy, who having so deeply drunk of the chalice of your Son, graciously alleviate the sufferings of those who still sigh in this land of exile. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE SOULS IN PURGATORY: My Jesus, by the sorrows you suffered in your agony in the garden, in your scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken. Deliver them from the dire torments they endure. Call them and admit them to your most sweet embrace in Paradise. Amen.
Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be...
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)