NOVENA PRAYERS

1⃣ NOVENA TO ST. GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

2⃣ NOVENA TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
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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, follower of the suffering Christ, pray for us.