Novena of Saint Rafqa

DAY ONE
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to God, the Father who called Rafqa to the Holy Monastic life and was for her a father and a mother. Worship to the Son, who made her a disciple of sufferings and redemptions. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, who strengthened her patience and perseverance . Through her intercession, Lord, answer my prayer and grant me the grace that I am asking (…) and I shall exalt You, Father and Son and Holy Spirit with Her all days of my life, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory).

PRAYER
We ask You, Saint Rafqa, to spread real joy in our world which is suffering; to comfort sad people and make them happy and caring; to teach us to pray with faith in Jesus Christ and to live our life peacefully. Medicine was incapable of curing you, so You cured sick people by supporting pain and sharing with Jesus Christ the Mystery of Redemption. We ask You to wipe off the tears; to cure sick people; to fill people’s hearts with joy and love; to make us follow Your steps and virtues in order to glorify, with You the Virgin Mary, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

DAY TWO
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, Our Lord Jesus Christ who submerged Saint Rafqa with tenderness; who nourished her life with the Blessed Sacrament; who filled her with joy and peace; who made her body and soul a Holy spiritual temple, so she was able to combine in her monastic life between the mission, the good work and the life of asceticism and prayers.
Oh! Our Lord, through Saint Rafqa’s intercession, send to your Church faithful workers and grant me the grace that I am asking for (…) and I shall exalt you with Her and with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY THREE
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Holy Spirit, who made Saint Rafqa an example for us in carrying the cross, when she repeated with St Paul: “I only know Jesus crucified”. So, she became a new messenger of suffering humanity. Enable us to follow her example with faith, hope and charity. Oh! Wise Spirit, Grant mr through Saint Rafqa’s intercession the grace that I am asking in the novena (…), according to your Holly Will and I shall glorify you along with the Father and the Son, forever. Amen. (Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY FOUR
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Jesus Christ my God, You tested the child Rafqa by taking her mother, then, You gave her Virgin Mary, Your mother, as a substitute. Oh! Our Lord, keep Saint Rafqa as a Holy yeast amongst the Christian Families and an example for every sufferer, handicapped and invalid; for every blind, sick and sad; for every child and orphan, so that they can carry your cross with love and joy. Oh! Our Lord, answer my prayer and grant me, through the intercession of Saint Rafqa, the grace that I am asking for (…) and I shall praise you with Her, forever. Amen. (Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY FIVE
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Celestial Spouse, who took the heart of the pure Rafqa while she was young, so she stopped seeing her beauty, happiness or comfort except through you. You called her to the Evangelical mission, she worked and taught tirelessly, spreading your words and Your Evangelical teachings into the hearts of old and young people. Grant me Lord, through Saint Rafqa’s intercession, this grace (…) and I shall live the true love and the true peace which You constitute their source, and I shall glorify You with Her, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY SIX
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Jesus Christ, who guided and protected Saint Rafqa in times of difficulty. She prayed and felt that You were calling her for more sacrifice and humility. So, she joined the Lebanese Maronite Order and she was an example to her sisters in maintaining the laws, the frequent prayers and the silent work. Grant us Lord, through the intercession of Saint Rafqa, help and Christian enlightenment to the fathers and mothers, educational and spiritual knowledge to the teachers, Holiness to the monks and nuns. Grant me, Lord, through the intercession of Saint Rafqa this grace (…) according to Your Will and I shall respond to Your call in my life and glorify You, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY SEVEN
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Saint Rafqa who asked Jesus Christ the grace of sharing his sufferings. Your demand was immediately granted: You lost Your sight, rheumatism crippled You Your whole life, You were nailed to the cross of sufferings and pains for twenty nine years. Yet, You remained patient and thankful to God, repeating: “in participation with Your sufferings and Your crown of thorns”. You accepted Your sufferings with joy and happiness with a permanent smile on Your face. I ask you Saint Rafqa, to obtain from your Divine Spouse the grace that I am asking for (…), so I shall glorify Him with You, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY EIGHT
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh! Saint Rafqa, friend of the Cross and partner of the Crucified in the Mystery of Redemption. Stay with us always and let us follow You, messenger of the pain, joy, good and love. Pray that the sufferers accept their fate, courageously, and consider it as a cross of salvation to them and to the whole world; so they will complete with their sufferings the Divine Redeemer’s sufferings and be sanctified and sanctify the world. Obtain from Jesus Christ the grace that I am asking for (…) so I shall glorify Him with You, forever. Amen.
(Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).

DAY NINE
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Oh! Saint Rafqa, true disciple of Jesus Christ and partner of the Redeemer in the Mystery of Redemption. You rushed to serve the Lord and offered yourself to Him as a complete and pure sacrifice. I ask you Saint Rafqa, to obtain from Jesus Christ the grace of blessing my country, my family and myself; to help me to contribute in the fulfillment of His Kingdom. Obtain from Jesus Christ the grace that I am asking for (…) and I shall praise with You the Holy Trinity that crowned You with the Eternal Glory. Amen. (Here the believer prays once: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory and the prayer: We ask You, Saint Rafqa…).