Novena in Preparation for the
Feast
of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin and Martyr
(November 16 – November 24)
One night Catherine dreamed that
she accompanied the hermit to a sanctuary, whence angels came to meet her. She
fell on her face before them, but one of the angelic band bade her, "Rise
dear sister Catherine, for the King of glory delighteth to honor thee."
She rose and followed the angels to the presence of the queen of heaven, who
was surrounded by angels and saints and was beautiful beyond description. The
queen welcomed her and led her to her divine Son, Our Lord. But He turned from
her, saying: "She is not fair and beautiful enough for me."
Fourth day
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.
Coronation
of the Virgin with St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. John the Evangelist
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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