St. Catherine of Bologna Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Catherine of Bologna was an Italian nun. She lived in the 1400s, and she was a member of the Poor Clares.
During her lifetime, St. Catherine of Bologna worked as a teacher. She was also a writer and an artist.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy woman in your life!
About St. Catherine of Bologna
St. Catherine of Bologna was born in 1413 in Bologna, Italy. Her family was part of the aristocracy, and her father was a diplomat to a marquis.
Catherine was raised in the court of the marquis, where she received a good education in reading, writing, and the arts. She was particularly skilled in painting, playing the viola, and Latin.
The marquis’ daughter soon married and wanted Catherine to continue serving her. But Catherine felt called to religious life and chose to leave the court.
When Catherine was just thirteen years old, she became a Franciscan Tertiary in the convent of Corpus Domini at Ferrara. In the convent, Catherine worked to live with as perfect virtue as possible. Those around Catherine recognized her deep holiness.
In 1432, Catherine and some other women from her convent established a new monastery of the Poor Clare order. In this new monastery, Catherine was always ready and eager to serve in the humblest positions. She frequently worked baking, laundering, and caring for animals.
Soon, Catherine was appointed as Superioress of her convent. In this role, she was responsible for the spiritual care of all the sisters.
The reputation of Catherine’s convent for its holiness began to spread. She herself was well-known for her piety, kindness, and charity.
In 1456, Catherine went back to Bologna with her superiors. The governors of Bologna asked that she establish a new convent there and become its abbess.
Throughout her time as a nun and an abbess, Catherine continued to create artistic works. She painted a picture of St. Ursula that is still displayed in Venice today.
Catherine also wrote many spiritual works and pieces of poetry. She wrote the Treatise on the 7 Spiritual Weapons Necessary for Spiritual Warfare, in which she documented visions she experienced of Jesus and Mary.
In 1463, Catherine became ill and died. Eighteen days after her burial, her body was exhumed because many miraculous cures had already been attributed to her. There was also a sweet smell coming from her grave. Her body was found to be incorrupt, and it is still incorrupt today.
Catherine’s body today is dressed in her religious habit and seated upright behind glass in the chapel of the Poor Clare convent in Bologna.
Catherine was beatified in 1524 by Pope Clement VII, and she was canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI.
St. Catherine of Bologna’s Feast Day: March 9th
Why Pray the St. Catherine of Bologna Novena?
St. Catherine of Bologna is the patron saint of artists. You can seek her intercession if you are an artist, or for an artist you know.
She is also the patron saint of liberal arts. You can ask her for prayers if you are studying or teaching liberal arts, or for someone you know who studies or teaches liberal arts.
Additionally, St. Catherine of Bologna is the patron saint against temptations. She is a great saint to seek prayers from if you are undergoing temptation, or for someone you know who is being tempted.
You can pray the St. Catherine of Bologna Novena for any intention!
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena Prayers
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed as she worked in the arts.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you received an education in the arts as a young girl. You then pursued a life of holiness as a nun, eager to serve God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so eagerly!
Throughout your many years pursuing holiness in the monastery as a nun and an abbess, you continued to create artistic works. You painted a beautiful work of holy art that is still displayed today.
Pray for me, that I may seek to glorify God in all that I do each day. Pray that I may do all I can to serve Him in my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed by choosing to serve You in the religious vocation.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you had the opportunity to live out your life comfortably at court. But instead, you chose to leave behind the world and to serve God in the religious life.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!
As you began living out your vocation in the religious life, you strove for holiness and perfection each day. You spent the rest of your life serving God faithfully as His bride in the convent.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God faithfully in my life. Pray that I may strive for holiness each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in her openness to Your will in her life.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you were eager to serve God in the religious life when you were still a very young woman. For the rest of your life, you continued seeking to serve God in whatever ways He called you to serve Him.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God!
You helped establish new convents and were eager to serve in the humblest positions. Under your leadership as Superioress and Abbess, your convents gained a reputation for holiness and attracted many new members.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready to serve God in whatever ways He might call me to. Pray that I may seek to serve God more fully each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in her tireless quest for holiness throughout her life.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you eagerly entered religious life as a young woman. In this vocation, those around you recognized your deep holiness as you worked to live with as perfect virtue as possible.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Under your leadership, your convent’s reputation for holiness began to spread. During your time as Superioress and Abbess, you were well-known for your piety, kindness, and charity.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to live my life with as perfect virtue as I possibly can. Pray that I may never tire of seeking to grow in holiness.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed by faithfully living out her vocation to religious life.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you were eager to devote your life to God in the religious vocation. Though you were still very young when you first entered religious life, you wholeheartedly began to serve God in your vocation.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so wholeheartedly!
While in the convent, you strove each day for perfection in virtue. You worked tirelessly in service of God and your convent for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to carry out the duties of my vocation faithfully each day, as you did. Pray that I may never tire of seeking to grow in holiness.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue she showed in choosing to serve You through humble work.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you were eager to serve God in any way you could while you lived out your religious vocation. In the new Poor Clare convent you helped to establish, you were always eager to serve God in even the humblest positions.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so eagerly!
You frequently worked baking, laundering, and caring for animals. You did not shirk from unpleasant tasks but embraced them in humility.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to grow in humility in my life. Pray that I may take every opportunity to grow in holiness.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed through her good works as a superior in her convent.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you were appointed Superioress of your convent. As you worked to carry out your duties of responsibility for the spiritual care of your sisters, you never wavered in your devotion to God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so unwaveringly!
While serving as a superior in your convent, your reputation for holiness spread. Your virtuousness helped your order to grow and thrive.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to lead others to God by my example and words. Pray that I may never weary of seeking to serve God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You she showed in her endeavors composing spiritual works.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you worked for holiness and perfect virtue each day. Even though you were busily carrying out the duties of your religious vocation, you devoted efforts to composing spiritual works as well.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You wrote many spiritual works during your years in the convent, including a treatise on spiritual warfare. You never tired of seeking to serve God through the gifts that He had given you.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God through the gifts He has given to me. Pray that I may never tire of seeking to grow in holiness and service.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Catherine of Bologna Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we Thank You for giving us St. Catherine of Bologna as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue with which she dedicated her life to serving You and Your Church.
St. Catherine of Bologna, you eagerly entered religious life at a young age so that you might serve God more wholeheartedly. You persevered in holiness throughout many years in this vocation.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You worked tirelessly as a religious sister and a superior of your convent. You became known for your piety, kindness, and charity. Through your holy efforts, you served God and His Church in many ways.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God and His Church in every way I can. Pray that I may never tire of seeking to do God’s will.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.