Pandemic Wisdom from the Saints:
A Novena for Vocations

By Father Philip Smith, STL
April 2020

Introduction

 These are strange times.  COVID-19 has upended the normal routine for most.  Thousands are dying from the virus throughout the world.  Panic and fear are rampant.  The economy seems to be on the brink of collapse.  Difficult times for sure.

We can find ourselves in the voice of Frodo in the early pages of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece The Fellowship of the Ring:  

“I wish it need not have happened in my time” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”[1]

During many difficult moments over the past 2,000 years, there have been Catholic men and women who made the choice to use well the time given them.  Pandemics are nothing new if one looks over the broad course of world history.  Deadly diseases have wreaked havoc frequently throughout history.  In each of these periods, there were Christians who did not shy away from the unique challenges of the times, boldly answering God’s call to serve.

Examining the lives of these saints, we discover that in times of epidemics God offers special graces to those who are open to them.  This novena reflects on some of the many holy men and women who embraced their vocation when epidemics were ravishing populations and destroying lives.  There is much spiritual wisdom we can learn from these priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, married persons, and single persons, who all persevered in living their faith during dark eras of history.  

Pope Benedict XVI once said: “God’s presence is always seen especially clearly in the saints. Their witness to the faith can also give us the courage to begin afresh today.”[2] We are not alone as we face grave challenges today.  Many saints confronted similar ills in the past.  They can teach us how to discover God’s presence in our trials.  Their legacy of perseverance brings us hope.  Now in heaven, they are cheering us on by their prayers. They are interceding for us, praying that we will be open to God’s will as we decide what to do with the time that is given us. 

[1] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, HarperCollins 2004, page 67.

[2] Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Cathedral Square, September 24, 2011.  Available online: http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110924_domplatz-erfurt.html

What Is A Novena? 

A novena is a nine-day period of prayer, emphasizing a particular intention or spiritual theme.  In fact, the word novena comes from the Latin word for “nine” (novem).  Biblically, we find precedent in the New Testament as Jesus’ disciples were praying together for nine days when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost (see Acts 1-2).

The novena in these pages will focus our attention on saints who faced the effects of pandemics in their own lives.  We can learn from their spirituality how to stay focused on Jesus and what he is asking of us during these challenging times.  In particular, this novena invites us to pray for greater openness to God’s call and to support each other in following our vocation.

Each day of the novena includes a short biography of a saint (or group of saints), a few questions for reflection and meditation, and a closing prayer.

While this novena can be prayed at any time, it would be fitting to pray it in the days leading up to the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, celebrated this year on May 3, 2020.  Thus, the novena would be prayed April 24 – May 2, 2020.  Another timely possibility would be to pray the novena in the days following the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, beginning the novena on May 4, 2020 and finishing on May 12, 2020.

Day 1:  Saint Giuseppe Moscati
Day 2:  Saint Maria Goretti
Day 3:  Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
Day 4:  Saint Marianne Cope
Day 5:  The Martyrs of Alexandria
Day 6:  Saint Catherine of Siena
Day 7:  Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Day 8:  Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Day 9:  Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta Marto

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

This novena is intended for private devotional use.

Resources

Saint Giuseppe Moscati
-Biographical article: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/faith-and-character/joseph-moscati-saint-doctor-and-miracle-worker.html

Saint Maria Goretti
-Resource website: https://mariagoretti.com/who-is-st-maria/

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
-Cause for canonization website: http://www.seelos.org

Saint Marianne Cope
-Biographical video: https://www.pbs.org/video/wcny-series-marianne-cope-saint-central-new-york/
-Biographical article: http://w2.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20050514_molokai_en.html

The Martyrs of Alexandria
-Biographical article: http://faith.nd.edu/?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=18324&cid=36028&ecid=36028&crid=0&calpgid=10817&calcid=24284

Saint Catherine of Siena
-Biographical resource:
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-04-29 

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
-Biographical article: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-voices/16th-and-17th-century-ignatian-voices/st-aloysius-gonzaga-sj/

 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
-Biographical article: http://saintsresource.com/kateri-tekakwitha

Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta Marto
-Biographical articles: https://denvercatholic.org/francisco-jacinta-marto-great-saints-changed-history/
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/blesseds-francisco-and-jacinta-marto/

All artwork in this novena is in the public domain, except: 

Page 1 – Author’s original photo at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio (USA).

Page 6 – Author’s original photo at La Tenda del Perdono, Nettuno (Italy).

Page 14 – Saint Catherine of Siena.  Photo courtesy of Corpus Christi University Parish, Toledo, Ohio (USA). Used with permission.

Page 18 – Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.  Photo courtesy of Corpus Christi University Parish, Toledo, Ohio (USA). Used with permission.