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St Monica

Background: St Monica (331 – 387) was born in Tagaste, Algeria. She was the mother of St Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430).

St Monica’s husband was a “pagan” who, it is said, had a violent temper and multiple wayward habits! Her good deeds towards the Church, helping the poor and needy, annoyed him greatly. (Read More…)

Small Red-coloured Cross
Statue of St Monica holding a book

Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, you perserveringly pursued your wayward son, not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.

Intercede for all mothers so that they may learn to draw their children to God.

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime yet you never despaired or lost hope.

With confidence, persistence and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband, Patricius, and your beloved son, Augustine.

Grant me that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, Dear St. Monica, that God may favourably hear my plea:

[State your request…)

… and grant me the grace to accept His will in all things. This I ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …

… St Monica, Pray for Us …

See Also:

Prayers to St Monica

Brief Account of St Monica’s Life

Brief Account of St Augustine’s Life

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St Gerard Majella

Background: St Gerard Majella was an Italian Lay Brother (1726 – 1755) of the Redemptorists. His divine help is sought for children, unborn children, women in childbirth, mothers, expectant mothers, motherhood, the falsely accused, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy. [Continue reading at Wikipedia.org)

Small Red-coloured Cross
Image of St Gerard Majella holding a Cross

Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven.

Accomplish Your work, O Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth.

Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask….

(Share your request …)

And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me.

St Gerard, go before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this earnest and urgent request.

St Gerard, graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.

Concluding Prayer

O Good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before the throne of God and wonder-worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help.

While on earth, you fulfilled all of God’s designs; help me also, to always do God’s holy will.

St Gerard, beseech the Master of Life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, to bless me with offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the kingdom of God’s glory in the life to come. Amen.

Prayers: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … (3 times)

… St Gerard Majella, Pray for Us …

See Also:

Prayers to St Gerard Majella

Litany in Honour of St Gerard Majella

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St Francis Of Assisi

Background:

St Francis (1881 – 1226)was born into a prosperous silk merchant family of seven children at Assisi, Italy. His first name was Giovanni but his father nicknamed him Francesco – the Frenchman. He enjoyed the good-life trappings of wealth, despite having been held captive for a year following a military expedition.

There are many inspirational stories which led to St Francis’ realisation that his short mortal life had a greater purpose than pleasurable short-term gain. Read More…

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O Beloved Saint Francis, gentle and poor, your obedience to God, and your simple,
deep love for all God’s creatures, led you to the heights of heavenly perfection
and turned many hearts to follow God’s will.

Image of St Francis of Assisi kneeling in prayer

Now in our day, in our search for personal peace, intercede for us as we come before the Lord with our special requests…

(State your intentions…)

O Blessed Saint of God, from your throne among the hosts of heaven, present our petitions before our faithful Lord.
May your prayers on our behalf be heard and may God grant us the grace to lead good and faithful lives. Amen.

Say: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

… St Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us …

See Also:

Life of St Francis

Prayers to St Francis

Litany in Honour of St Francis

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Grace – St Francis Xavier

Small Red-coloured Cross

We have come together to worship the Lord our God and to honour the memory of His great missionary, St. Francis Xavier. Through his powerful intercession, let us pray for ourselves, for the missionary efforts of the church, and for all the People of God.

For missions and missionaries throughout the world, that through the proclamation of the Good News of salvation, all people may come to know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.

V. Let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Church, that renewed by the Holy Spirit, she may show forth to the world the mystery of the Lord and be an instrument of redemption for all.

V. Let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For Christian unity, that the Spirit of Christ, dwelling in all who believe, may bring us to that fullness of unity which Jesus desires — one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

V. Let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For the unrepentant, that moved by God’s loving mercy revealed in Jesus, they may repent their sins and open their hearts to the divine life of grace.

V. Let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For ourselves, that we may be ever faithful to our baptismal commitment to Christ, and bring Christ’s word and Christ’s love to the world in which we live.

V. Let us pray to the Lord: R. Lord, hear our prayer.

Let us pray: Lord God, our Father, we honour the memory of the Apostle of the Indies and Japan, St. Francis Xavier. The remembrance of the favours with which You blessed him during life and of his glory after death fills us with joy, and we unite with him in offering to You our sincere tribute of thanksgiving and of grace.

We ask You to grant us, through his powerful intercession, the inestimable blessings of living and dying in the state of grace. We also ask You to grant us the favours we seek in this novena.

(State your request…)

But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

… St Francis Xavier, Pray for Us …

Small red Cross surrounded by lilies

Related Links:

Prayers to St Francis Xavier

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St Bridget of Ireland

O Glorious St. Bridget, Patroness of Ireland and Mother of the Churches, protect the Irish Church and preserve the true Faith in every Irish heart, at home and abroad.

St Brigid of Ireland

St Bridget, obtain for me the grace to walk faithfully in the path of Christian perfection during life, and so to secure a holy and happy death, with life everlasting, in your blessed company.

[Share your request…]

Merciful God, graciously grant my request but only if it is for Your greater honour and glory, and the salvation of my soul.

I ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Saint Bridget of Kildare, Pray for us. (x3)

Litany of St. Bridget (For private recitation only.)

Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Divine Son, have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Virgin of Virgins, Pray for us.
Blessed St. Bridget, Pray for us.
Consecrated spouse of the King of Kings, Pray for us.
Corner-stone of the Monastic Institute in the Island of Saints, Pray for us.
Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us.
Model of Irish Women, Pray for us.
Mother of Religious, Pray for us.
Pattern of holiness, Pray for us.
Intercessor for the Irish clergy, Pray for us.
Mediator for the Irish people, Pray for us.
Protector of the faith preached by St. Patrick, Pray for us.
Enjoying with him the clear vision of God, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.

Let us Pray.

O God, the Author of all sanctity, grant that we who inhabit the Island of Saints, may through the intercession of St. Bridget, walk in their footsteps on earth, and so arrive with them to the possession of Thee in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pour forth on us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the spirit of Thy wisdom and love, with which You have replenished Thy holy Servant, St. Bridget, that sincerely obeying Thee in all things, we may, by a zealous imitation of her virtues, please Thee in faith and works. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

… St Bridget of Ireland: Pray for Us …

Related Links

Prayers to St Bridget

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St Catherine of Alexandria

St Catherine was the beautiful daughter and scholar of a pagan King and Queen who ruled Alexandria in Egypt. At around fourteen, following an appearance from the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Catherine converted to Christianity and gave herself in mystical marriage to Jesus. Her beliefs and actions influenced many others who followed her example and likewise, converted to Christianity. Emperors, rulers and great philosophers attempted to dispute her teachings but she outwitted them with her pro-Christian arguments. In the process, several of them converted to Christianity but they were immediately martyred.

Emperor Maxentius also tried to win her over by proposing marriage. Again she refused, so in his fury, he ordered her execution by the “Breaking Wheel.” (The execution process involved tying the subject to a cartwheel, breaking their bones with hammers or other available instruments and leaving them to die – it was a barbarous form of torture and execution.) The wheel, however, miraculously fell apart when St Catherine touched it so, he ordered her immediate beheading. St Catherine’s Feast Day is the 25th of November.

Small Red-coloured Cross

Almighty and eternal God, with lively faith and reverent worship, I bow before You and invoke, with absolute trust, Your supreme power and mercy.

St Catherine of Alexandria

Illumine the darkness of my mind with a ray of Your heavenly light and inflame my heart with the fire of Your Divine love, so that I may contemplate the great virtues and merits of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in whose honour I make this novena, and following her example imitate, like her, the life of Your Divine Son.

Moreover, I beseech You to graciously grant,
through the merits and intercession of St Catherine,
the petition that I humbly place before You, devoutly acknowledging, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Make your request…)

Merciful God, graciously grant my request, if it is for Your greater honour and glory, and the salvation of my soul.

Say: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

… St Catherine of Alexandria: Pray for Us …

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Feast Day Dates

  1. Angels & Archangels [Feast Day: 29th September]
  2. Bl. Antonio Rosmini [Feast Day: 9th July]
  3. Christ The King [Feast Day: Sunday between 20th and 27th November]
  4. Christmas – Infant Jesus [Feast Day: 25th December]
  5. Divine Mercy [Feast Day: Sunday immediately after Easter Sunday]
  6. Express Novena of St Mother Teresa [ A one-day, any-day Novena]
  7. Holy Souls In Purgatory [Feast Day: 2nd November]
  8. Holy Spirit [Feast Days: Baptism of Jesus & Pentecost]
  9. Immaculate Conception [Feast Day: 8th December]
  10. Infant of Prague [Novena: A one-day, any time Novena.]
  11. Our Guardian Angel [Feast Day: 2nd October]
  12. Our Lady of Fatima [Feast Day: 13th May]
  13. Our Lady of Guadalupe [Feast Day: 12th December]
  14. Our Lady of Knock [Feast Day: 21st August]
  15. Our Lady of Lourdes [Feast Day: 11th February]
  16. Our Lady of Mount Carmel [Feast Day: 16th July]
  17. Our Lady of Perpetual Help [Feast Day: 27th June]
  18. Our Lady of Sorrows [Feast Day: 15th September]
  19. Our Lady of the Epiphany [Feast Day: 6th January]
  20. Precious Blood of Jesus [Feast Day: Previously 1st Jul but removed from Roman Calendar]
  21. Priests & Clergy [Can be said at any time]
  22. Sacred Heart of Jesus [Feast Day: 19 days after Pentecost – a Friday]
  23. St Agatha [Feast Day: 5th February]
  24. St Alphonsus de Liguori [Feast Day: 1st August]
  25. St Andrew The Apostle [Feast Day: 30th November]
  26. St André Bessette [Feast Day: 6th January – 7th in Canada]
  27. St Anne [Feast Day: 26th July]
  28. St Anne & St Joachim [Feast Day: 26th July]
  29. St Anthony Mary Claret [Feast Day: 24th October]
  30. St Anthony of Padua [Feast Day: 13th June]
  31. St Benedict [Feast Day: 11th July]
  32. St Bernadette Soubirous [Feast Day: 16th April]
  33. St Blaise [Feast Day: 3rd February]
  34. St Bonaventure [Feast Day: 15th July]
  35. St Bridget of Ireland [Feast Day: 1st February]
  36. St Bridget of Sweden [Feast Day: 23rd July]
  37. St Catherine of Alexandria [Feast Day: 25th November]
  38. St Catherine of Siena [Feast Day: 29th April]
  39. St Charles Borromeo [Feast Day: 4th November]
  40. St Christopher [Feast Day: 25th July]
  41. St Columba (Colmcille) [Feast Day: 9th June]
  42. St David of Wales [Feast Day: 1st March]
  43. St Dominic [Feast Day: 8th August]
  44. St Dymphna [Feast Day: 15th May]
  45. St Francis de Sales [Feast Day: 24th January]
  46. St Francis of Assisi [Feast Day: 4th October]
  47. St Francis Xavier [Feast Day: 3rd December]
  48. St George [Feast Day: 23rd April]
  49. St Gerard Majella [Feast Day: 16th October]
  50. St Joseph [Feast Day: 19th March]
  51. St Jude The Apostle [Feast Day: 28th October]
  52. St Margaret Mary Alacoque [Feast Day: 17th Oct – Visitation Order]
  53. St Maria Goretti [Feast Day: 6th July]
  54. St Martin de Porres [Feast Day: 3rd November]
  55. St Monica [Feast Day: 27th August]
  56. St Nicholas of Myra [Feast Day: 6th December]
  57. St Oliver Plunkett [Feast Day: 1st July]
  58. St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina [Feast Day: 23rd September]
  59. St Patrick [Feast Day: 17th March]
  60. St Paul [Feast Day: 29th June]
  61. St Peregrine of Laziosi [Feast Day: 1st May]
  62. St Peter The Apostle [Feast Day: 29th June.]
  63. St Philip Neri [Feast Day: 26th May]
  64. St Philomena [Feast Day: 11 August]
  65. St Rita of Cascia [Feast Day: 22nd May]
  66. St Roch [Feast Day: 16th August]
  67. St Rose of Lima [Feast Day: 23rd August]
  68. St Teresa of Avila [Feast Day: 15th October]
  69. St Teresa of Calcutta [Feast Day: 5th September]
  70. St Thérèse – The Little Flower [Feast Day: 1st October]
  71. St Thomas More [Feast Day: 22nd June]
  72. St Vincent de Paul [Feast Day: 27th September]
  73. Three Magi (Wise Men or Kings) [Feast Day: 6th January]
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St Thomas More

Background: St Thomas More (1478 – 1535) was born into an upper-class family in London. He was educated at St Anthony’s School, deemed “one of the finest available”. He studied classics at Oxford University and became fluent in Latin and Greek but left university after only two years for a legal career. He was elected to Parliament in 1504 and thereafter, began a long political career to the office of Lord Chancellor. However, it came to an abrupt end when he opposed the King’s marriage annulment to Queen Catherine of Aragon and among other things, opposed the supremacy of the English Crown, which belittled the Papacy. For these acts, St Thomas More was tried for treason and executed.

(Novena Dates: 14th June – 22nd June)

Small Yellow Cross

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of prudence. You never thrust yourself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, you tested the strength of your powers and waited on God’s will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtues of patience, prudence, wisdom and courage.

Pray: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Portrait of St Thomas More

Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favour I seek, namely:

(Share your request) and the election of state and local leaders who will defend life, marriage and religious liberty.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.

Litany
V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Christ, have mercy R. Christ have mercy
V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Christ hear us R. Christ, graciously hear us
V. St. Thomas More, Saint and Martyr, R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Patron of Justices, Judges and Magistrates. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Model of Holiness in the Sacrament of Marriage. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Teacher of his Children in the Catholic Faith. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Defender of the Weak and the Poor. R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Promoter of Human Life and Dignity. R. Pray for us.

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. R. Have mercy on us.

Let us pray:
O Glorious St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defence and promotion of the sanctity of human life – the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Related Link
Small yellow coloured Cross surrounded by lilies

Prayers to St Thomas More

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St André Bessette

Background: St André Bessette (1845 – 1937) was born in a small town outside Quebec, Montreal. He was the ninth of thirteen children. At 9yrs, his father, a carpenter, died in a tree-fall accident and at 12, his mother died from TB.

St André became a Lay Brother and remained in the same congregation for over 40yrs. His duties were primarily porter, laundry assistant and sacristan. He regularly visited the sick, blessing them with oil and seeking St Joseph’s intercession. During an epidemic, he miraculously nursed many dying back to good health in the name of St Joseph. St André became so well known for his miracles that following his death, more than a million people filed past his coffin.

St André Bessette was canonised a Saint in 2010 by Pope Benedict. His Feast Day is 6th January, the day of his death, aged 91.

Small Red-coloured Cross

Lord, you chose Brother André
to spread devotion to Saint Joseph,
and to dedicate his life to the poor and afflicted.
Grant through his intercession
the favour(s) that I now request…

Photograph of a smiling St Andre Bessette

[State your intentions…]

Grant me the grace to imitate his piety and charity, so that, with him, I may share the rewards promised to all who care for their neighbours out of love for you.
I make this prayer in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Pray: 3x Our Father… 3x Hail Mary… 3x Glory Be…

••• St Bro André Bessette, Pray For Us (x3)•••

Prayer to St Joseph for Protection
O St Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong,
so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.

Image of a Statue of St Joseph.

O St Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.

O St Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

••• St Joseph, Patron of Departing Souls, Pray For Me •••

Small red Cross surrounded by lilies

Related Links:

Prayers to St Joseph

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Our Lady of Sorrows

Background: The title, Our Lady of Sorrows, originates from seven of Mary’s most sorrowful events in her life and it reminds us of the deep sacrifices she made for all of humanity.

The special events are:

1. Mary with Joseph at the Temple in Jerusalem and being told by Simeon, “A sword will pierce your heart”. (Luke 2:34-35)
2. Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt, to avoid Herod finding Jesus and killing him. (Matthew 2:13)
3. Mary and Joseph frantically searching for three days for Jesus in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43-45)
4. Mary meeting Jesus as he carried his Holy Cross to Calvary.
5. Mary watching Jesus die on the Holy Cross. (John 19:25)
6. Mary watching the soldier thrust a spear into Jesus’ side. (Matthew 27:57-59)
7. Mary, with others, placing Jesus’ body in the tomb. (John 19:40-42)

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is the 15th September.

Small Red-coloured Cross

Most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son.
Look with a mother’s tenderness and pity on me, who kneels before you.
I venerate your sorrows and I place my requests with family confidence in the sanctuary of your wounded heart.

Image of Our Lady of Sorrows

Present them, I beseech you, on my behalf to Jesus Christ, through the merits of his own most sacred passion and death, together with your sufferings at the foot of the Cross.
Through the united virtue of both, obtain the granting of my petition.

To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries if not to you, Mother of Mercy?
You drank so deeply of the chalice of your son, you can understand our sorrows.

Holy Mary, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of your Divine Son.
Intercede for me and obtain from Jesus:

[State your request…]

…if it be for His honour and glory and for the good of my soul. Amen.

Pray: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

… Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us …

Related Links:

Prayers to: The Blessed Virgin Mary

Novenas to Our Lady of: Epiphany  Fatima, Guadalupe, Knock, Lourdes, Mount Carmel, Perpetual Help, Sorrows