Novena to María Teresa and her Blesses Martyr Daughters
PRAYER
O God, glory and crown of the martyrs, who granted Blessed María Teresa Ferragud Roig to resemble Your Son in a death like His, after encouraging her daughters to be faithful to their Spouse until the end, witnessing their martyrdom; we ask You, through her intercession and that of her four martyr daughters, -Josefa, María Jesús, Verónica, and Felicidad-, to grant us the graces we now implore. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Mary, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us. (with the necessary permissions)
THEMES FOR THE NOVENA
1st day: Renunciation of the World
Biblical text: 1 Jn 2, 15-17
Text from the Blessed, Poem by Josefa Masiá
From now on, I renounce all vain pleasures, consolations, and delights, embracing suffering.
2nd day: Discovering One’s own Vocation
Biblical text: 1 Cor 7, 1-7
Text from the Blessed: From the Writtings of José María Alonso Bonet
In conversations at home, I often spoke to them about the excellence of the religious life and encouraged them to perform, as much as possible, all the acts of piety related to their age. Thus, it was no surprise that the religious vocation soon began to take root in those souls.
3rd day: Faithfulness
Biblical text: 2 Ts 2, 13-17
Text from the Blessed, Poem by Josefa Masiá
Because I am to blame and in this I speak the truth that I have not corresponded to You with all my faithfulness
4th day: Renunciation of Oneself
Biblical text: Lc 14, 25-27
Text from the Blessed, Poem by Josefa Masiá
Love is born amidst sorrow, lives in humiliation, grows in abandonment, and reigns in persecution.
5th day: Communion
Biblical text: Fp 2,1-12
Text from the Blessed: From Fray Serafín to Felicidad, September 1936?
If anyone has the honor of being a saint, it is precisely the one who has conquered all of this and has humbled himself; and as long as we do not embrace this path, we lose everything. Despite all repugnance, we must live in society, as persons, if we wish to have merit before God. What will we argue when we find ourselves in our final judgment? Will we then see the reasons that now seem so certain? You need to become convinced that, if you want to, life is easier, and only then is it useful. Work to suffer for your neighbour, whoever it may be; if you do not do this, you will lose everything. It is imperative not to show displeasure to anyone, not even to enemies. Meditate on this and work, without worrying about how others do it. In the end, you will not be asked about others, but about yourself, and only the one who suffers wins.
6th day: Fraternal Correction
Biblical text: Mt 18, 15-20
Text from the Blessed: From Fray Serafín to his mother, 19th of Septembre, 1935
When you need to correct something, it is essential to consider what is being said, and repeating the same thing many times is a sin; this is a lack of charity. I say this because there are people who are unhappy with how you treat them, and naturally, you do not pay attention to what you say and the manner in which it is expressed. Even if we are right, we have no right to disturb others with our manner; and we must not forget that in this, as in all things, we can reach a serious offense.
7th day: Chastity
Biblical text: Mt 19, 1-12
Text from the Blessed, Poem by Josefa Masiá
I want to be a child in candour and humility, in obedience and purity, and in holy simplicity.
8th day: Accepting suffering in the flesh
Biblical text: 1 Pe 4, 1-4
Text from the Blessed: From Fray Serafín to Felicidad, September 1936?
I realize the situation in which we live there, in our home; but we must not delude ourselves, as everywhere we would have something to suffer. Moreover, it is very true that it depends exclusively on our will whether life turns out to be more or less pleasant. If only we had a little more faith and took things as they are in themselves… We do not consider that we all have our selfishness, that we blindly believe we are right, that we are not attended to as we deserve… We believe all this, and how mistaken we are!
9th day: Preparation for Death
Biblical text: Mc 14, 32-50
Text from the Blessed: From Fray Serafín to his mother, 24th of September 1936
My dear mother: I suppose you will receive my letter from the 21st, and in this one, I tell you as always to have patience and not to cease asking God for the necessary strength. Regarding what I mentioned in my previous letter, do what seems best to you, as we do not know what is best; moreover, we must always be prepared for anything, even the greatest evil, since our lives are in God’s hands. Let us all be steadfast in conforming to His will and not cease in our requests, so that everything may be meritorious.
