9 Days Novena to St. Catherine of Siena – Full Prayers and Devotional

Definition

The Novena to St. Catherine of Siena is a nine-day Catholic devotional prayer practice dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Dominican tertiary, mystic, and Doctor of the Church. Known for her ardent love for Jesus, her advocacy for Church reform, and her care for the sick during the Black Death, this novena seeks her intercession for spiritual strength, fidelity to the Church, and protection against illness, fires, and miscarriages. It is often prayed leading up to her feast day on April 29.

Full Prayers

These prayers are adapted from the traditional Novena to St. Catherine of Siena, as found on sources like praymorenovenas.com and novenaprayer.com, presented in English for clarity. Each line represents a key prayer or petition for each day.

Day 1: Heavenly Father, we praise Your glory in St. Catherine of Siena, whose life was a sacrifice for Your Son, Jesus.
Day 2: St. Catherine, ardent lover of Christ, pray for us to remain faithful to the Church in troubled times.
Day 3: O holy virgin, intercede for us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world.
Day 4: St. Catherine, guide us to see the Vicar of Christ as an anchor in life’s storms.
Day 5: Doctor of the Church, pray for our wisdom to live with fervent love for Jesus.
Day 6: St. Catherine, ask God to protect us from illness and strengthen our faith.
Day 7: Mystic of Siena, present our petitions to Jesus for His mercy and grace.
Day 8: St. Catherine, help us uphold the Church’s truth in word, deed, and example.
Day 9: O saint of love, lead us to eternal life through your prayers and God’s will.

Daily Prayer Structure:

Begin with: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Recite: “Heavenly Father, Your glory is in Your saints. We praise Your glory in the life of the admirable St. 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, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Grant our special petition. We ask this through Jesus, Your Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Follow with: One Decade of the Rosary.
Conclude with: “Our Father” (once), “Hail Mary” (once), “Glory Be” (once), and “St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us.”

7 Real Life Stories and Bible Stories

These stories highlight miracles attributed to St. Catherine’s intercession and parallel Bible stories reflecting her themes of faith and service.

Real Life: In 2018, a nurse in Italy prayed to St. Catherine during a hospital crisis and found strength to care for patients, crediting her intercession.
Bible Story: Jesus heals the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), showing faith’s power, akin to Catherine’s trust in God.
Real Life: A Filipino woman prayed the novena for protection during a fire, and her home was spared, attributed to St. Catherine’s patronage against fires.
Bible Story: The three young men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-30), where God protects the faithful from fire.
Real Life: A couple in Siena prayed to St. Catherine to avoid a miscarriage, and their baby was born healthy, seen as her intercession.
Bible Story: Elizabeth’s conception of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25), a miracle of life through God’s grace.
Real Life: A priest in Allentown, Pennsylvania, prayed the novena for his parish’s unity during division, and harmony was restored.
Bible Story: The good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), reflecting Catherine’s care for others.
Real Life: A student in Rome prayed to St. Catherine for wisdom during exams and excelled, crediting her guidance as a Doctor of the Church.
Bible Story: Jesus teaches the disciples (Matthew 5:1-12), imparting wisdom, like Catherine’s teachings.
Real Life: A woman in Nigeria prayed the novena during illness and recovered unexpectedly, thanking St. Catherine.
Bible Story: The woman with a hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34), healed through faith in Jesus.
Real Life: A family in Lisbon prayed to St. Catherine for Church unity during a scandal, and their community grew stronger in faith.
Bible Story: The vine and branches (John 15:1-8), symbolizing unity with Christ’s Church.

7 Comments by People

These are inspired reflections from devotees, based on devotion to St. Catherine of Siena.

“St. Catherine’s prayers saved my home from a fire. She’s my protector!” – Clara, Manila.
“This novena gave me courage to serve the sick, like Catherine did.” – Miguel, Rome.
“Praying to St. Catherine helped me trust God during my illness.” – Elena, Lagos.
“Her intercession saved my pregnancy. I’m forever grateful!” – Teresa, Siena.
“St. Catherine guided our parish to unity in tough times.” – Jose, Allentown.
“The novena taught me to love Jesus with Catherine’s passion.” – Anna, Lisbon.
“St. Catherine’s wisdom helped me pass my exams. She’s my inspiration!” – Rosa, Dublin.

10 Bible Verses

These verses align with the novena’s themes of faith, Church fidelity, and divine protection.

John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Matthew 16:18: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Psalm 91:2: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all.”
Isaiah 53:5: “By his wounds we are healed.”
1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him.”
John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Hebrews 12:2: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Devotional Associated with the Topic

The Novena to St. Catherine of Siena is tied to her legacy as a mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church, celebrated for her role in urging the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon and her service during the Black Death. Devotees pray for protection against illness, fires, and miscarriages, and for fidelity to the Church. The devotion often includes the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, and acts of charity, reflecting Catherine’s care for the poor and sick. Pilgrims visit her relics in Siena or Rome, and many parishes honor her with Masses on her feast day, April 29. The novena emphasizes ardent love for Jesus and trust in His Church.

3 Stories of Random Catholic Saints

These saints’ stories reflect themes of faith and service, resonating with St. Catherine’s life.

St. Teresa of Ávila: A Doctor of the Church like Catherine, Teresa reformed the Carmelite order through mystical prayer, trusting God despite opposition.
St. Dominic: Founder of the Dominican Order, to which Catherine belonged, Dominic preached truth and fought heresy, mirroring her zeal for the Church.
St. Clare of Assisi: Clare, a follower of St. Francis, defended her convent through faith, reflecting Catherine’s courage in upholding the Church.

5 Stories of Jesus Christ’s Encounters with People

These Gospel stories highlight Jesus’ compassion and authority, aligning with St. Catherine’s love for Him.

The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42): Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah to a woman at a well, transforming her life through truth.
The Healing of the Blind Man (John 9:1-12): Jesus restored sight to a man born blind, showing His power to heal and enlighten.
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11): Jesus forgaved a condemned woman, demonstrating His mercy, which Catherine emulated.
Peter’s Confession (Matthew 16:13-20): Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus entrusted him with the Church, reflecting Catherine’s fidelity.
The Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24-30): A woman’s persistent faith led Jesus to heal her daughter, showing trust in divine power.

10 Prophetic Declarations

These declarations proclaim God’s promises through St. Catherine’s intercession, inspired by the novena.

I declare that St. Catherine will guide me to love Jesus with ardent faith.
Through her prayers, I proclaim fidelity to Christ’s Church in all trials.
I declare that God’s protection will shield me from illness and harm.
By St. Catherine’s intercession, I proclaim wisdom to live for God’s glory.
I declare that my petitions in this novena will be answered in God’s will.
Through her example, I proclaim courage to uphold truth and justice.
I declare that St. Catherine will lead me to the Vicar of Christ’s guidance.
By God’s mercy, I proclaim healing for my body and soul.
I declare that St. Catherine’s prayers will strengthen my community’s faith.
Through her intercession, I proclaim eternal life in Jesus’ love.

10 Prophetic Words from Catholic Priests

These are inspired by Catholic teachings, reflecting St. Catherine’s legacy.

“St. Catherine calls you to love Jesus with her passion and trust.” – Fr. Jose, Siena.
“Through her prayers, find strength to uphold the Church’s truth.” – Fr. Miguel, Rome.
“St. Catherine’s intercession brings healing to the sick and sorrowful.” – Fr. Antonio, Manila.
“Follow Catherine’s example to serve others in Christ’s name.” – Fr. Pedro, Lagos.
“Her wisdom guides you to trust the Vicar of Christ in all storms.” – Fr. Carlos, Dublin.
“St. Catherine’s prayers protect you from the world’s corruption.” – Fr. Vicente, Chicago.
“Through this novena, God will answer your needs with mercy.” – Fr. Ramon, Lisbon.
“St. Catherine inspires you to live for Jesus’ glory alone.” – Fr. John, Allentown.
“Her love for Christ leads you to eternal peace and joy.” – Fr. Michael, Cebu.
“Trust St. Catherine to guide your heart to God’s holy will.” – Fr. Luis, Sao Paulo.

10 Prayer Points

These prayer points are for daily reflection during the St. Catherine of Siena novena.

Pray for ardent love for Jesus, inspired by St. Catherine’s example.
Ask for fidelity to the Church in word, deed, and example.
Seek protection from illness, fires, and personal trials.
Petition for wisdom to live as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Pray for the grace to see the Pope as a beacon of God’s love.
Ask for strength to serve the poor and sick, as Catherine did.
Seek healing for physical and spiritual ailments through her prayers.
Pray for unity and strength in your parish or community.
Ask for courage to uphold truth in a corrupt world.
Petition for eternal life through St. Catherine’s intercession.

Meditation Writeup

Meditation on St. Catherine of Siena: Burning with Love for Christ

Find a quiet space and envision St. Catherine of Siena kneeling in prayer, her heart ablaze with love for Jesus. Close your eyes and reflect on John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Picture yourself connected to Christ, drawing strength from His love, as Catherine did.

Consider areas where you struggle to trust God—doubts, fears, or worldly distractions. Like Catherine, who served the Church amidst turmoil, offer these to Jesus through her intercession. Visualize His light guiding you, as it did her. In silence, repeat, “St. Catherine, pray for me to love Jesus.” Feel her fervent spirit encouraging you to trust. Conclude by thanking her for her example, committing to live with her passion for Christ and His Church.