NOVENA TO SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA IN CRITICAL TIMES – DAY 1

ACT OF CONTRITION

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all, because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER

Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of his beloved spouse, the Church. Father, honour her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life and a beacon of light to the harbour of your love, in this dark night of your times and men’s souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition. We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen (Mention your request here…) Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

MEDITATION: DAY 1

(Silent Reflection & Personal Prayer)

PRAYER TO SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

(Patron Saint of Fire Prevention, Bodily Ills, Illness, Miscarriages, etc.)

O marvellous gem of the Church, Seraphic Virgin, Saint Catherine, by your extraordinary virtue and the good you achieved for the Church and society, you are acclaimed and blessed by the whole world. O turn your generous countenance towards me who, confident in your powerful patronage, calls you with all the ardour and affection I have, supplicating that you obtain, through your prayers, the favours that I so ardently desire (state here what you desire or need). You were a victim of charity so that, to benefit your neighbour you obtained from God the most astonishing miracles, becoming the joy and hope of all; you cannot cease to help, listening to the prayers of those who clamour to your heart – the heart that you received from the Divine Redeemer in celestial ecstasy. Yes, O Seraphic Virgin, demonstrate once more the proof of your power and of your resplendent charity, so that your name may always be most blessed and exalted. Grant us that, having experienced your most efficacious intercession here on earth, we may be able to one day give you our thanks in heaven, and enjoy with you eternal joy. Amen

LITANY OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us. (repeat after each line)
St. Dominic, glorious Patriarch,
St. Catherine of Siena,
Benevolent mother of the poor,
Merciful mother of the sick,
Refuge of the sorrowful,
Intercessor for sinners,
Rose of patience,
Model of humility,
Lily of chastity,
Vessel of graces,
Zealous promoter of the honour of God,
Lustre of holiness,
Example of mildness,
Glory of the Order of Preachers,
Fruitful mother of spiritual children,
Promoter of peace,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Follower of Jesus,
St. Catherine, who did give the blossoms of your innocent youth to the service of your Heavenly Spouse,
St. Catherine, whom Jesus Himself did feed with His Body and Blood,
St. Catherine, who exchanged her heart with the Heart of Jesus,
St. Catherine, who was blest with His Holy Wounds,
St. Catherine, who was taken to Heaven to the celestial nuptials,
St. Catherine, who did receive a hundredfold, reward for all her labours and merits,

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O glorious Virgin, St. Catherine, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray, O God, who gave St. Catherine, graced with the special privilege of virginity, patience to overcome the assault of evil spirits and to stand unshaken in the love of your Name. Grant, we beseech you, that after her example treading under foot the wickedness of the world and overcoming the wiles of all enemies, we may safely pass onward to your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.