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Novena to St. Catherine of Alexandria

Day 4

10 min
Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena to St. Catherine of Alexandria

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Catherine, virgin and martyr, who confessed Christ before kings and confounded the wise of this world, intercede for me before the throne of God. Obtain for me a share in your wisdom, your purity, and your unshakable courage. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: Courage before the powerful

Catherine did not flatter the emperor but rebuked his cruelty to her face, fearing God more than any earthly throne. She gives courage to all who must speak the truth before those who hold power. Where others bowed in fear, she stood unmoved, knowing that the favor of God outweighs the wrath of kings. Her boldness was not pride but the freedom of a soul that owed allegiance to Christ alone, and it shames our cowardly silences before the strong of this world.

O St. Catherine, who feared God more than the emperor's throne, obtain for me the courage to confess my faith before the powerful of this world. Let no fear of man ever silence the truth You ask me to proclaim. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the courage to confess my faith without fear of the world.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

St. Catherine of Alexandria, faithful unto death and crowned with glory, lead me along the path of truth and keep me steadfast in the faith. By your powerful intercession, help me to love wisdom that comes from above and to remain Christ's to the end. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

About this prayer

A nine-day novena to St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr, whose God-given wisdom confounded the pagan philosophers and whose courage broke even the wheel of torture — patroness of students, scholars, and all who seek the truth.

History

According to ancient tradition, Catherine was a noble and learned maiden of Alexandria in the early fourth century who confronted the emperor Maxentius for persecuting Christians. When fifty pagan philosophers were summoned to refute her, she instead converted them by her wisdom. Condemned to die on a spiked wheel, she touched it and it shattered; she was then beheaded, and is honored among the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

How to pray it

Pray once each day for nine consecutive days. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the opening prayer, prayerfully read the meditation and offer the day's intention, then conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and the closing prayer.

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