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Saint
George and the Dragon
A SHORT STORY OF ST. GEORGE
SAINT GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
The
best known form of the legend of St. George and the Dragon is
that made popular by the "Legenda Aurea", and
translated into English by Caxton. According to this, a terrible
dragon had ravaged all the country round a city of Libya, called
Selena, making its lair in a marshy swamp. Its breath caused
pestilence whenever it approached the town, so the people gave
the monster two sheep every day to satisfy its hunger, but, when
the sheep failed, a human victim was necessary and lots were
drawn to determine the victim. On one occasion the lot fell to
the king's little daughter. The king offered all his wealth to
purchase a substitute, but the people had pledged themselves that
no substitutes should be allowed, and so the maiden, dressed as a
bride, was led to the marsh. There St. George chanced to ride by,
and asked the maiden what she did, but she bade him leave her
lest he also might perish. The good knight stayed, however, and,
when the dragon appeared, St. George, making the sign of the
cross, bravely attacked it and transfixed it with his lance. Then
asking the maiden for her girdle (an incident in the story which
may possibly have something to do with St. George's selection as
patron of the Order of the Garter), he bound it round the neck of
the monster, and thereupon the princess was able to lead it like
a lamb. They then returned to the city, where St. George bade the
people have no fear but only be baptized, after which he cut off
the dragon's head and the townsfolk were all converted. The king
would have given George half his kingdom, but the saint replied
that he must ride on, bidding the king meanwhile take good care
of God's churches, honour the clergy, and have pity on the poor.
Novena
in honor of Saint George
PREPARATORY
PRAYER
Almighty
and eternal God! With lively faith
and
reverently worshiping Thy divine Majesty, I prostrate myself
before Thee and invoke with filial trust Thy supreme bounty and
mercy. Illumine the darkness of my intellect with a ray of Thy
heavenly light and inflame my heart with the fire of Thy divine
love, that I may contemplate the great virtues and merits of the
saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his
example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.
Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I humbly place before Thee, devoutly saving, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Vouchsafe graciously to hear it, if it redounds to Thy greater glory and to the salvation of my soul. Amen.
PRAYER IN HONOR OF SAINT GEORGE
O GOD, who didst grant to Saint George strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF SAINT GEORGE
Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end.
Prayer
My LORD and my God! I offer up to Thee my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, together with the merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother, Mary ever virgin, and of all the saints, particularly with those of the holy Helper in whose honor I make this novena.
Look
down upon me, merciful Lord! Grant me Thy grace and Thy love, and
graciously hear my prayer. Amen.
Happy 19th
Birthday, Son!
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