This is a prayer to St. Catherine, as well as other saints, and of course to God. St. Catherine of Alexandria was the patron saint of students, scholars, and philosophers, so naturally, she was popular with the learned poets of Ireland. Today (as with most people who ever lived) there is no historical proof of her existence or martyrdom. But according to legend, St. Catherine was a philosopher who frequented the Library of Alexandria. She was ordered by the Emperor to argue the Christian case against 50 pagan philosophers. She confounded them with her wisdom, so the angry Emperor killed the philosophers (another Irish hymn to Catherine says that God would punish the emperor for killing men of learning!), and then Catherine.
| Réalta [an] chruinne Caitir Fhíona fhóireas Gréagaigh, fóiridh forgla clann gach chóigidh ann ar éagaibh. Caitir Fhíona inghean [chasda] craobh na buaidhe, gnúis mar blath na habhla úire abhra [uaine].* Abhra uaine ag inghin Gréigríogh nar ghabh guidhe [a-táid] i ndath a gruadh gile 's snuadh na suibhe. Snuadh na suibhe [is] samhradh gréine* 'n-a gruaidh chorcha, iomdha glún as a fréimh feactha 'n-a céibh choptha. Ar deilbh corrshúl Caitreach-fíona nír cínn Gréigbean, súil chorr nachar fhéagh ar óigfhear béal donn déidgheal. Gnúis mar abhaill, ucht mar eala ógh nar truailleadh, nír ghile clúimh ná a bas bháingheal súil ghlas ghruaidhgheal. Ní fhaghaim ógh ar a gruaidhse gan a guidhe go síntear brat ar mo bhuile ó Mhac Muire.* Brighid Éireann agus Alban ógh na n-oiléan is í an blath braoingheal na mbanóg caoilthreabh [coiréal]. Athrachta fhóireas na Luighnigh lór a déine is í an bhanóg bhoinnfhionn Bhúille* coinneall chéire. Ciarán Caoimhfhionn, Colam Cille caomh an fhoireann Pádraig, Martain, Mongan, Manann Coman, Coireall. An Tríonóid, mórMhuire is Míchéal macradh gréine aoinmhíle déag banógh mBúille glanógh gléire. | Star of the world, Catherine, the helper of the Greeks, Helping the chosen children, saving each, there at their dying. Catherine, honored daughter, branch of virtue, a face like fresh apple blossom, green brow. * A green brow on the Greek king's daughter * not captured by a suitor -- in the shade of her cheeks is brightness and a berry's color. Berry's color and sun's garland* in crimson cheeks -- many a knee bending from the source in tufted locks. In the shape of her curved eyes, Catherine is not surpassed by Greek women. Curved eyes do not look at a young man -- bright-toothed dark mouth. Face like an apple, breast like a swan, a virgin not violated. Down is not brighter than her shining white hand-- green eyes, bright cheeks. The virgin with her cheeks will not be found without my suit; stretch your cloak over my madness, son of Mary.* Brigid of Ireland and Scotland, the virgin of the islands -- she is the misty-bright flower of the young women, coral-collared. Athrachta, helper of Limerick -- speedy enough is the white-soled young woman of the Boyle,* wax candle. Gentle white Ciaran, Columcille-- gentle the company-- Patrick, Martin, Mongan, Manann, Coman, Coireall. The Trinity, great Mary, and Michael -- sunny band-- eleven thousand noble virgins of the Boyle, flower of pure virgins. |
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 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 lustre 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.
Concluding 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
Prayer to Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Glorious St. 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 St. 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. Amen.
Litany to Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine Princess of Egypt,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine filled with wisdom,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine full of faith,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine converter of the emperor's wife,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine who gave up the throne and power for our Lord,
Pray for us.
Wife of Christ,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine most beautiful,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine most pure,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine ruler of the wheel,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine filled with heavenly wisdom,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine who holds the sword of the word,
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine who was taken to Mount Sinai,
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, Great Saint Catherine,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray
We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Catherine, Virgin, and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes because of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need (and name any special grace you may require). Amen.
Saint Catherine’s Prayer
Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for the tradition and example of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Give us grace to pursue her love of purity, to strive for her strength and courage, to adhere to her abhorrence of the world’s temptations and sinful desires, and to follow her faithfulness.
Empower us to break the wheel of worldly suffering and allow your wisdom to radiate through our lives, so that your glory may shine ever more brightly.
Bring those who seek your presence to share in the ministry and worship of this parish, and help us to welcome those who come in your name.
All this we pray through Jesus Christ, our servant leader, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen
.