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
_

1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. ISABEL OF FRANCE

DAY 8 - FEBRUARY 24

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Isabel of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in choosing to live penitentially.

St. Isabel of France, you were born the daughter of a king and spent your childhood at court. Despite the worldly riches that must have surrounded you, you chose to cast off worldly things for the sake of your vocation.

Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!

As a consecrated virgin, you lived out the rule of the convent you established. You spent the rest of your life in prayer, virtuous practices, and mortification.

Pray for me, that I may grow in a spirit of holy penance in my life. Pray that I may become more devoted to God each day.

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 7 - FEBRUARY 24

“GOD IS THINKING OF US! NOTHING CAN HAPPEN TO US EXCEPT BY GOD'S WILL.”

REFLECTION: These words can sound like a mere pious sentiment – until you learn the circumstances under which they were spoken. Gabriel Possenti and the other Passionist seminarians had been moved to the remote town of Isola to escape the revolutionary violence that was tearing through Italy. Eventually the trouble made its way even to this isolated town; the rebels looted the Passionist retreat where Gabriel and his companions were staying, and then the opposing royal army rushed in to search the monastery for fugitives. It was in the midst of all this upheaval that Gabriel spoke these words of confidence to his terrified friends – and even went out to defend the townspeople with remarkable courage!

Trust in God is a virtue that shines particularly brightly in the life of St. Gabriel. He understood that God is mercy itself, and that He arranges all things for our good. While it is easy to say that we trust God, it is only in difficult circumstances that we can see how deeply rooted our trust is; the incident above is evidence of how solid was Gabriel's confidence in his Heavenly Father.

Gabriel did not practice trust only in the face of physical suffering; he brought this virtue to bear in his spiritual trials as well. When his poor health and the touchy political situation in Italy made it impossible for him to realize his dream of being ordained a priest, he could easily have doubted God's love for him; after all, wasn't it God Who had given him the dream of becoming a priest and Who was now snatching that dream from him? However, Gabriel's confidence in God enabled him to accept this heavy cross with peace, since he knew that the Lord's plans, while often mysterious, are ultimately motivated by His infinite love and lead to the greatest possible good for each of us.

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!
_

3⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL

DAY 3 - FEBRUARY 24

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: PEACE

PEACEFULLY DO AT EACH MOMENT WHAT AT THAT MOMENT OUGHT TO BE DONE. IF WE DO WHAT EACH MOMENT REQUIRES, WE WILL EVENTUALLY COMPLETE GOD'S PLAN, WHATEVER IT IS. WE CAN TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF THE MASTER PLAN WHEN WE TAKE CARE OF THE DETAILS. - 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, steadfast in trust, pray for us.