Novena in Preparation for the
Feast
of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin and
Martyr
Sixth day
After the death of
Sabinella, Emperor Maximin came to Alexandria and declared a persecution
against the Christians. Catherine appeared in the temple and held an argument
with the tyrant, utterly confounding him. The emperor ordained that fifty of
the most learned men of the empire be brought to dispute with her; but,
sustained by the power of God, Catherine not only vanquished them in argument,
but converted them to the true Faith. In his fury Maximin commanded that the
new Christians be burned; and Catherine comforted them, since they could not be
baptized, by telling them that their blood should be their baptism and the
flames their crown of glory.
Preparatory Prayer
Almighty and eternal God! With
lively faith and reverently worshiping Thy Divine Majesty, I prostrate myself
before Thee and invoke with filial trust Thy supreme bounty and mercy. Illumine
the darkness of my intellect with a ray of Thy Heavenly light and inflame my
heart with the fire of Thy Divine love, that I may contemplate the great
virtues and merits of Catherine of Alexandria and following her example
imitate, like her, the life of Thy Divine Son.
Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits
and intercession of Catherine, the petition which through her I humbly place
before Thee, devoutly saying, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
(Mention intentions here)
Vouchsafe graciously to hear it, if
it redounds to Thy greater glory and to the salvation of my soul. Amen.
Prayer in Honor of St. Catherine
O God, Who didst distinguish Thy
holy Virgin and Martyr Catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a
victorious combat with the enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee,
through her intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the Saints,
that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Conversion of empress Faustina by Saint
Catherine of Alexandria. By Johann Georg Unruhe.
Invocation of St.
Catherine
St. Catherine, glorious Virgin and
Martyr, resplendent in the luster of wisdom and purity; thy wisdom refuted the
adversaries of Divine truth and covered them with confusion; thy immaculate
purity made thee a spouse of Christ, so that after thy glorious Martyrdom
Angels carried thy body to Mount Sinai. Implore for me progress in the science
of the Saints and the virtue of holy purity, that vanquishing the enemies of my
soul, I may be victorious in my last combat and after death be conducted by the
angels into the eternal beatitude of Heaven. Amen.
Prayer
My Lord and God! I offer up to Thee
my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, together with the merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother, Mary ever
virgin, and of all the Saints, particularly with those of the holy helper
Catherine of Alexandria in whose honor I make this novena. Look down upon
me, merciful Lord! Grant me Thy grace and Thy love, and graciously hear my
prayer. Amen.
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