Feast of Santa Dorotea

Santa Dorotea, ora pro nobis

February 6th is the Feast of St. Dorothy of Caesarea, 4th-century Virgin and Martyr. One of the Four Capital Virgins, she is the patron saint of florists, gardeners and greengrocers. According to tradition, St. Dorothy was arrested and tortured for being a Christian. Instead of renouncing her faith, she converted the two apostatized sisters trying to persuade her to abjure the one true God. They were all sentenced to death. Driven before the pagan judge, Teofilo, he mockingly said, “Bride of Christ, send me some fruits from your bridegroom’s garden.” Praying before her execution, an angel in the form of a boy appeared and offered the astonished judge a basket of flowers and fruit. Bowing her head, St. Dorothy was beheaded. Following her example, Teofilo converted and was immediately decollated.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer by St. Dorothy of Caesarea. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva Santa Dorotea!

Prayer to St. Dorothy of Caesarea

By the radiance of your holy life you did draw the two sisters united in spirit into Eternal Light; and did send roses and apples from Paradise to Theophilus. O Dorothy, as fellow contestants you were counted worthy of Divine glory. Ask that we who praise you may receive the forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, November 25th — December 3rd (Feast on December 4th)

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 the saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.

Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I humbly place before Thee, devoutly saying, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." 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. Barbara

O God, who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfillment of Thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of St. Barbara

Intrepid virgin and martyr, St. Barbara, through thy intercession come to my aid in all needs of my soul. Obtain for me the grace to be preserved from a sudden and unprovided death; assist me in my agony, when my senses are benumbed and I am in the throes of death. Then, O powerful patroness of the dying, come to my aid! Repel from me all the assaults and temptations of the evil one, and obtain for me the grace to receive before death the holy sacraments, that I breathe forth my soul confirmed in faith, hope, and charity, and be worthy to enter eternal glory. Amen.

  St. Barbara, at my last end
    Obtain for me the Sacrament;
  Assist one in that direst need
    When I my God and Judge must meet:
  That robed in sanctifying grace
    My soul may stand before His face.

Prayer

My Lord and my 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 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.

* For more on St. Barbara and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. Pictured is my makeshift shrine with icon.

Novena to Santa Caterina d’Alessandria

Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, November 16th — 24th (Feast on November 25th)

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 the saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.

Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I humbly place before Thee, devoutly saying, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." 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.

Prayer

My Lord and my 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 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.

* For more on Santa Caterina d’Alessandria and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. The accompanying photo was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Feast of Santa Margherita di Antiochia

Santa Margherita, ora pro nobis

July 20th is the Feast of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, Virgin and Martyr. She is the patron saint of farmers, nurses and pregnant women. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and Four Capital Virgins, St. Margaret of Antioch is invoked against infertility and for safe childbirth. Widely venerated in Southern Italy, she is the principal patron of Pozzillo (CT), Licodia Eubea (CT), Latiano (BR), Cappadoci (AQ), Pettorano Sul Gizio (AQ), Castelluccio Superiore (PZ), and Villamagna (CH), among others. 

In addition to the martyr’s palm, she is often depicted with a dragon. According to tradition, the Devil in the guise of a great serpent appeared before Margaret to tempt and deceive her. Instead of succumbing to the foul fiend's treachery she simply made the sign of the cross and he fled recoiling in pain. Other versions of the story say she was swallowed whole by a dragon and pressing her cross against the creature’s stomach she emerged unharmed, thus her association with pregnancies and labor. 

In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to Saint Margaret. The accompanying photo was taken at the Parish of S. Margherita e S. Nicola del Pumpulo in Pastena, Salerno. Evviva Santa Margherita di Antiochia!

Prayer to Saint Margaret of Antioch

O God, grant us through the intercession of Thy holy virgin and martyr Margaret, undauntedly to confess the Faith, carefully to observe the chastity of our state of life, and to overcome the temptations of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and thereby escape the punishments of eternal damnation. Amen

Feast of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, ora pro nobis

December 4th is the Feast of Santa Barbara of Nicomedia, Virgin and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and Four Capital Virgins, she is invoked against lightning, fire and diseases. Patron saint of miners and artillerymen, she is also the principal patroness of Sommatino (CL), Paternò (CT), Gravà (CT), Tremestieri Etneo (CT), Castellana Sicula (PA), Villaggio Mosè (AG), Malò (ME), Francavilla di Sicilia (ME), Davoli (CZ), Amaroni (CZ), Salento (SA), and Corleto Monforte (SA), among others.

In celebration, I'm posting a prayer to St. Barbara. The accompanying photo was taken at the Museo del Duomo in Ravello. Evviva Santa Barbara!

Prayer to Saint Barbara

O God, Who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfillment of Thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Feast of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, ora pro nobis

November 25th is the Feast of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria (St. Catherine of Alexandria), Virgin and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and Four Capital Virgins, she is, inter alia, the patron saint of millers, potters, mechanics, spinners, archivists, librarians and hat makers. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, she is also the patroness of Caprioli (SA), Santa Caternina (SA),  Melito (SA), Grammichele (CT), San Pietro Clarenza (CT), Santa Caterina (CT), San Pietro Clarenza (CT), Pedara (CT), Locri (RC), Mongrassano (CZ), Santa Caterina Albanese (CZ), Monteverde (AV), Santa Caterina dello Ionio (CZ), Santa Caterina di Nardò (LE), Santa Caterina Villarmosa (CL), Santa Maria a Toro (BN), and Viggianello (PZ), among others. 

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The accompanying photo of St. Catherine of Alexandria (c. 1650) from the workshop of Bernardo Cavallino was taken at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. Evviva Santa Caterina!

Prayer to St. Catherine of Alexandria

Glorious Saint Catherine, virgin and martyr, help me to imitate your love of purity. Give me strength and courage in fighting off the temptations of the world and evil desires. Help me to love God with my whole heart and serve Him faithfully. O Saint Catherine, through your glorious martyrdom for the love of Christ, help me to be loyal to my faith and my God as long as I live.