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
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1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE

DAY 7 - FEBRUARY 23

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 the humility she lived out.

St. Isabel of France, you were born with great political and worldly power. Despite this, you chose to humbly serve God as a consecrated virgin.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so humbly!

You worked to establish a convent for Poor Clares and to have a new rule written for the nuns to follow. When the new rule was approved by the Pope, he gave your convent the title Enclosed Sisters Minor, as St. Francis named his order the Friars Minor to emphasize humility.

Pray for me, that I may grow in the spirit of humility in my life. Pray that I may always do all I can to serve God humbly in my life.

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 6 - FEBRUARY 23

“OF MYSELF I CAN'T DO IT.”

REFLECTION: The Saints have many different things to say about attaining holiness, but there is at least one point they all emphasize: the importance of humility. Gabriel Possenti was no exception in this regard, and he understood that it is impossible to make spiritual progress without first realizing who we are and who God is.

Gabriel's humility showed itself in the quiet little actions of everyday life as a Passionist religious. He would take the last place; he promptly obeyed even seemingly useless orders from his superiors; he sought to serve all with equal reverence; he didn't say a word about his former popularity in Spoleto. To all outward appearances, he was just another humble Brother preparing for the Passionist priesthood. Within, however, he was growing daily in extraordinary holiness.

Some make the mistake of thinking that humility means denying anything good about oneself. However, this attitude shows a lack of respect for God, who takes delight in all His creations. True humility consists not in “beating ourselves up,” but in truthfully acknowledging our need for God. Gabriel captured the essence of this virtue in a little note he made to himself: “Remember that of myself I can't do it.”

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 2 - FEBRUARY 23

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: EVANGELIZATION

I LOOKED UP IN WONDER AT GOD'S WONDERFUL WAYS AND THOUGHT HOW LITTLE WE IMAGINE WHAT MAY BE THE RESULT OF LISTENING AND ACTING ON A DESIRE HE PUTS INTO THE HEART. NOURISH BEFORE HIM GREAT DESIRES... MAY OUR DESIRE BE TO BRING HIM HEARTS, FOR ALL ARE HIS BY RIGHT, HAVING BEEN PURCHASED BY EVERY DROP OF HIS BLOOD. - 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.