St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Augustine by Lorenzo Lotto
Novena in Preparation for the Feast
of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin and
Martyr
Ninth day
A pious legend, recognized by the Church, says that angels bore Catherine's body to Mount Sinai, and buried it there.
A pious legend, recognized by the Church, says that angels bore Catherine's body to Mount Sinai, and buried it there.
Lesson
St. Catherine, for her erudition and the spirit of piety by
which she sanctified it, was chosen the model and patroness of Christian
philosophers. Learning, next to virtue, is the noblest quality and ornament of
the human mind. Profane science teaches many useful truths, but when compared
with the importance of the study of the science of the saints, they are of
value only inasmuch as when made subservient to the latter. The study of the
saints was to live in the spirit of Christ. This science is taught by the
Church, and acquired by listening to her instructions, by pious reading and
meditation.
Be intent on learning this science, and order your life
according to its rules. It is the "one thing
necessary," for it is the foundation of all wisdom and true happiness.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. cx. 10).
Prayer of the Church
O God, who didst give the law to Moses on the
summit of Mount Sinai, and by the holy angels didst miraculously transfer there
the body of blessed Catherine, virgin and martyr; grant us, we beseech Thee, to
come, through her intercession, to the mountain which is Christ. Through the
same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
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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