1833 – 1894
Foundress of the Congregation
of the
Daughters of Divine Charity
(for private devotion only)
A Novena in Honor of Mother Franziska Lechner
The Daily Prayer:
Prayer to obtain graces through the intercession
of Mother Franziska Lechner
God, our Father, you blessed Mother Franziska with such strong experiences of your love that she dedicated herself to the tireless performance of your will. With trust in your providence she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity to serve the needs of the Church and of the poor in joyful simplicity.
That all may know your love as she did, we now present our special needs to you.
(personal intention)
Grant our petition through the intercession of Franziska Lechner. By the help of her prayers may we too work generously for the sake of the kingdom of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Day one:
Mother Franziska loved God above all things.
Reflect:
No one loves us as much as God, our Heavenly Father. His love is absolutely faithful and unchanging even when we sin or are forgetful of His presence. He sent His Son, Jesus, to make that love visible to us and to bring the Good News of God’s love and our goal of eternal life.
General Intention:
That all people may come to know the heavenly Father’s love and be inspired to love and serve their brothers and sisters, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day two:
Mother Franziska took her troubles to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
Reflect:
A gift that only a loving Lord could plan and carry out, to be with us in a concrete, visible fashion so that we, like His disciples can see and touch and be intimately united with Him.
General Intention:
That Jesus may be reverently honored in the celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Mass and in the tabernacles of the all churches and chapels, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day three:
Mother Franziska had a compassionate heart for the suffering
Reflect:
How many people all over the world, and very close to me have very much to suffer, sometimes in secret, invisible ways.
General Intention:
That our hearts may always be open in compassion and practical help for all those who suffer in any way, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day four:
Mother Franziska was a courageous woman. She was not discouraged by failure or lack of human and material resources.
Reflect:
Jesus often said to His disciples, “Do not be afraid!” Much good is left undone because we are afraid of hurt, loss, or even what others will think. If Jesus is to use us for good, we must, with His grace, overcome our fears.
General Intention:
That we may never refuse to help or to begin a good project because of fear. That you give leaders the courage to be guided by principles of love and justice, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day five
Mother Franziska was a wise woman. She saw God’s will in the happenings in the world of her day and responded according to principles of God’s love.
Reflect:
Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Meditation on the Word of God is its nourishment. Wisdom penetrates the appearance of things, pointing to God and His purpose. Guided by wisdom all our actions become blessings.
General Intentional:
That we may always see the events of the world and in our lives through Jesus’ eyes, and respond according to the loving intentions of His heart, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day six:
Mother Franziska was a dynamic woman. She traveled readily to visit her distant foundations, encouraging, advising and helping her sisters.
Reflect:
Apathy is a great temptation against the call of Jesus to bring the Good News in word and action to our world. With God’s grace we have unlimited power for good by responding to the opportunities for kindness and service that are all around us.
General Intention:
That we may know the difference between true fatigue and apathy and never be kept from doing good because of simple inertia, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day seven:
Mother Franziska was a strong woman. She was true to her word. People, her sisters, the poor, ecclesiastical and civil authorities could count on her.
Reflect:
Jesus lived the truth. He wants our words to be true so that others can see that we live what we speak and that they can count on us to be faithful to our great and small commitments.
General Intention:
That we may be serious in making promises and then stay true to what we say. That all levels of society may again discover the beauty and value of honesty, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day eight:
Mother Franziska was a praying woman. Never did she imagine that she could do good on her own power. In every joy, need and sorrow she turned to God for guidance and help, using every opportunity to communicate with the Lord in love.
Reflect:
Prayer is living in the presence of God. Jesus came to live among us to convince us of His constant company in all our joys and sorrows. We need only remember.
General Intention:
That all those who despair in loneliness and pain come to realize that they are not alone, but that a loving God stands ready to comfort and help them, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Day nine:
Mother Franziska was a joyful woman. She placed great value on recreation, creativity and fun.
Reflect:
Joy is a gift from God. It is independent of circumstances. We must fill our souls with all that is good, true and beautiful. Then, even in times of suffering, the thought of being loved and cared for by a God whose love for us is infinite and unchanging, can be a motive for joy, which is after all, our eternal destiny.
General Intention:
That all those who are searching for happiness in ways that lead away from God, may discover the basis for true and lasting joy, we pray to the Lord.
The Daily Prayer
Please share any answers to prayer with:
Daughters of Divine Charity
Viale Vittorio Veneto 141
00046 Grottaferrata (Rome)
Italy e-mail fdc-grottaferrata@iol.it
