A novena to St. Catherine of Siena, Day 8.

To Queen Giovanna of Naples, written in trance.

We have three chief foes.

First, the devil, who is weak, if I do not make him strong by consenting to his malice?

He loses his strength in the power of the blood of the humble and spotless lamb.

The world, with all its honors and delights, which is our foe, is also weak, save insofar

as we strengthen it to hurt us by possessing these things with intemperate love.

In the gentleness, humility, poverty, and in the shame and disgrace of Christ crucified,

this tyrant, the world, is destroyed.

Our third foe, our own frailty, was made weak, but reason strengthens it by the union which God has made with our humanity, arraying the word with our humanity, and by the death of that sweet and loving word, Christ crucified.

So we are strong, and our foes are weak.

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 Biden, 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. Help us to pass unscathed

through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the Church in word, deed, and example.

Help us always to see in the vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life and a beacon of light

to the harbor of your love in this dark night of your times and men's souls.

Grant also to each of us our special petitions.

We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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