NOVENA PRAYERS

1⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS

2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE

3⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
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1⃣ NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY FACE OF JESUS

DAY 7 - FEBRUARY 18

"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): 14-15

Give me again the joy of your help,
with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.

Lord Jesus! After contemplating Thy features, disfigured by grief, after meditating upon Thy passion with compunction and love, how can our hearts fail to be inflamed with a holy hatred of sin, which even now outrages Thy Adorable Face!

Lord, suffer us not to be content with mere compassion, but give us grace so closely to follow Thee in this Calvary, so that the approbrium destined for Thee may fall on us, O Jesus, that thus we may have a share, small though it may be, in expiation of sin. Amen.

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 IN HONOUR OF MARY: Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail Mary, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, our mistress, our wealth, our mystic rose. Queen of our hearts, our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our dearest hope! We are all Thine, and all we have is Thine. O Virgin blessed above all things, may Thy soul be in us to magnify the Lord; may Thy spirit be in us to rejoice in God. Place Thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon our hearts, that in Thee and through Thee we may be found faithful to God.

Grant, most gracious Virgin, that we may be numbered among those whom Thou art pleased to love, to teach and to guide, to favour and to protect as Thy children. Grant that with the help of Thy love, we may despise all earthly consolation and cling to heavenly things, until through the Holy Spirit, Thy faithful spouse, and through Thee, His faithful spouse, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us for the glory of the Father. Amen. (St. Grignion de Montfort)

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be...

O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)
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2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE

DAY 2 - FEBRUARY 18

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 her eagerness to have a close relationship with You.

St. Isabel of France, you were a pious and devout child despite the worldly concerns that surrounded you. You requested a spiritual director to assist you in your spiritual life when you were very young.

Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!

You retained some Franciscan priests as your personal confessors. Through their assistance, you grew more closely united to God.

Pray for me, that I may be as eager as you were to grow to a close relationship with God.Pray that I may be given the assistance I need to have an intimate relationship with God.

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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3⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

DAY 1 - FEBRUARY 18

I COULD NEVER BE A SAINT

REFLECTION: Have you ever had this thought? After reading the lives of extraordinary mystics like Teresa of Avila, or courageous missionaries like Francis Xavier, you might be left feeling weak and sinful by comparison. Even some of the more approachable Saints, like Therese of Lisieux, seemed to be destined for holiness from their earliest days. What hope is there for “normal” people like you and me?

Let me tell you about a young man who just might have the answer.

Francis Possenti was at the center of social life in his town of Spoleto. He was handsome, outgoing, ahead of all the trends, and always ready to have fun. He was such a good dancer at parties that his friends nicknamed him il ballerino! He was Catholic, as were most of the people of Spoleto, but his piety was not the sort to attract attention.

Yet deep within him God had planted the seed of great holiness – the same seed He plants in each of our souls at Baptism. It was Francis' choice to cultivate this “mustard seed” that allowed God to make this carefree young man into the great Passionist saint we know today as Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. I hope that after these nine days of reflection on his life, you'll see why it's possible for anyone to become a great saint!

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!