NOVENA PRAYERS

1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE

2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
_

1⃣ 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!
_

2⃣ 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!