St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena

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St. Catherine of Alexandria was an early Christian martyr who lived in the late 200s and early 300s. She is venerated as one of the great early martyrs of the Church.

Let’s ask for intercession from this courageous martyr in this novena!

About St. Catherine of Alexandria

St. Catherine of Alexandria was born around 287 to pagan parents. According to tradition, Catherine was a member of the nobility. She was well-educated, intelligent, and scholarly as a young girl.

When Catherine was fourteen, she received a vision of the Blessed Mother and the Infant Jesus. The vision moved her greatly, and she decided to convert to Christianity.

During her teenage years, the emperor, Maxentius, began persecuting Christians. Rather than hide from persecution, Catherine boldly visited the emperor to denounce his cruel actions.

Emperor Maxentius decided against immediately executing Catherine. Instead, he called together fifty learned philosophers and orators to debate her. Catherine readily accepted this challenge, and she allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through her.

The words Catherine spoke in defense of the faith were so moving that many of the pagan listeners immediately converted to Christianity. Maximus had these new converts executed and ordered that Catherine be tortured and imprisoned.

Catherine was tortured through scourging. She was scourged so severely that her body was covered in wounds, but she refused to renounce her Faith. Instead, she raised her eyes to Heaven, showing no fear or pain.

When the brutal scourging did nothing to move Catherine from her faith, the emperor ordered her to be imprisoned without food. But during her imprisonment, angels appeared to her and tended to her wounds. Christ also appeared to her, and a dove brought her food each day.

Catherine’s example of courage became widely known, and over two hundred people came to visit her. Many were inspired to convert to Christianity by her example.

When the emperor realized that torture was not moving Catherine to renounce her Faith, he changed tactics and proposed marriage to her. Even though this would have given Catherine great power as an empress, she refused. Instead, she said that she was married to Christ and that her virginity belonged to Him.

After her refusal, the emperor ordered that she die a torturous death on a breaking wheel. This form of death was normally used only for the most awful criminals. But when Catherine touched the wheel she was to die on, it miraculously shattered.

Seeing that the torturous death he planned for her would not work, the emperor ordered her to be beheaded instead. She faced her death bravely.

According to legend, angels brought Catherine’s body to Mt. Sinai. Emperor Justinian later ordered that a monastery be established there in her honor. St. Catherine’s monastery still stands today and is one of the world’s oldest monasteries.

St. Catherine of Alexandria’s Feast Day: November 25th

Why Pray the St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena?

St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patron saint of unmarried girls, students, and apologists.

Since she was very studious and academically inclined, St. Catherine of Alexandria is a great saint to seek intercession from if you are in need of prayers for your studies. Her example can also be very inspirational for students!

St. Catherine of Alexandria also spoke with great eloquence in defense of the Faith, so she’s a great saint to turn to for prayers if you have a need or a desire to defend the Faith.

You can pray the St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena for any intention!

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena Prayers

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 1

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the deep love for You that led her to become a Christian despite the persecution that she knew she might face.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you were born into a pagan family, in a society that was hostile to Christianity. You did not have the benefit of an upbringing in the Faith. But when you received a vision of the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus, you knew you wanted to be part of the Christian Faith.

Pray that I may actively choose to love God, as you did!

Even though you knew that your choice to become a Christian could lead to your suffering and death, you did not hesitate to devote your life to God.

Pray for me, that I may be as devoted in my choice to follow Christ as you were.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 2

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the strength she showed when she chose to confront the murderous emperor Maxentius about his unjust treatment of Christians.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you knew when you became a Christian that the path you were choosing would not be easy. You knew that the society in which you lived was hostile to Christianity. Rather than hiding your new faith in safety, you boldly ventured out to confront the emperor about his treatment of Christians.

Pray that I may be as bold in my defense of others as you were!

You did not fear to tell the emperor that his actions were wrong. You bravely confronted him, never fearing for your own safety.

Pray for me, that I may be as courageous in speaking out against evil as you were.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 3

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate her courage and devotion to You as she faced torture and death for the sake of her Faith.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you knew that confronting the emperor could lead directly to your death for being a Christian. But you bravely spoke up on behalf of your Faith and your suffering brothers and sisters. And you came to suffer much along with them.

Pray that all who suffer for their faith may be strong and never waiver in their devotion!

You endured torturous scourging, imprisonment, and starvation because of your Christian faith. You remained faithful  bravely, out of love for God.

Pray for me, that I may be as steadfast in my faith as you were.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 4

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the faithfulness and devotion she showed by speaking up in defense of the Faith to the emperor’s learned men.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you boldly confronted the emperor about his evil behavior toward Christians. And when he said that you must debate his learned orators and philosophers, you readily accepted the challenge.

Pray for grace for everyone who is called upon to defend the Faith as you were!

You spoke with such eloquence about the Faith that many of those listening to you decided to convert to Christianity. You allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through you, and you allowed Him to use you as an instrument for His glory.

Pray for me, that I may always allow God to work through me.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 5

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the fortitude she showed in holding fast to her Faith despite torture and imprisonment.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you knew that you could face a lot of suffering over your faith. But you did not fear, because you had faith that God would reward you.

Pray that I may have faith like yours!

You endured a brutal scourging, starvation, and imprisonment. The emperor attempted time and again to make you give up your faith in order to avoid more suffering. But you held fast courageously, knowing that God would reward you for choosing to serve Him no matter the cost.

Pray for me, that I may always choose to do what is right, no matter how hard it may be.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 6

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You that she showed in refusing to renounce her Faith despite being deprived of food.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you willingly chose to become a Christian, despite the hardships and sufferings that you knew you might face for your Faith.

Pray that we may never let our sufferings deter us from serving God!

When the emperor saw that a brutal scourging would not make you abandon your faith, he ordered you to be imprisoned with no food. Because of your faithfulness, God cared for you in this trial and sent a dove to give you food.

Pray for me, that I may be as faithful as you were even amidst sufferings.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 7

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the deep love and courage she showed that led many to conversion.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you suffered many trials at the hands of the emperor. You were scourged harshly, imprisoned, and starved. But despite your harsh sufferings, you refused to renounce your faith.

Pray that we may never let our trials turn us from the path of holiness!

Your courageousness in suffering was so great that many were impressed by you. Over two hundred people came to visit you while you were imprisoned, and many of them came to believe in Christ because of your example.

Pray for me, that I may never miss an opportunity to be a holy example to others.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 8

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in choosing a martyr’s death over the prospect of great earthly power.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, the emperor tortured you severely in an attempt to make you renounce your faith. Despite your many sufferings, you remained faithful and refused to turn away from God.

Pray that I may be as faithful as you were!

When the emperor saw that torture would not make you renounce your faith, he tried to tempt you with earthly power. But even when he proposed marriage, you refused this position of great power in order to remain faithful to Christ.

Pray for me, that I may never allow the chance for earthly power to move me from my devotion.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena - Day 9

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

Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the courage she showed in facing her brutal martyrdom for love of you.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, you refused to renounce your faith when you were brutally tortured. When the emperor saw that even an offer of great worldly power could do nothing to move you from your faith, he ordered you to be brutally killed. Even the prospect of death did not deter you.

Pray that I may be as devoted to God as you were!

The wheel you were to be killed on shattered by the grace of God, so the emperor ordered you to be beheaded instead. You faced this beheading bravely, and you happily left this life behind for Heaven.

Pray for me, that I may be courageous for my faith, even to the point of death if necessary.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

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

Amen.