PREPARATORY PRAYER
For Each of the Following Novenas
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 saying, "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.
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. GEORGE
OGOD, who didst grant to St. 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 ST. GEORGE
FAITHFUL servant of God and invincible martyr, St. 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.
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. BLASE
OGOD, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr Blase, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. BLASE
ST. BLASE, gracious benefactor of mankind and faithful servant of God, who for the love of our Saviour didst suffer so many tortures with patience and resignation; I invoke thy powerful intercession. Preserve me from all evils of soul and body. Because of thy great merits God endowed thee with the special grace to help those that suffer from ills of the throat; relieve and preserve me from them, so that I may always be able to fulfil my duties, and with the aid of God's grace perform good works. I invoke thy help as special physician of souls, that I may confess my sins sincerely in the holy sacrament of Penance and obtain their forgiveness. I recommend to thy merciful intercession also those who unfortunately concealed a sin in confession. Obtain for them the grace to accuse themselves sincerely and contritely of the sin they concealed, of the sacrilegious confessions and communions they made, and of all the sins they committed since then, so that they may receive pardon, the grace of God, and the remission of the eternal punishment. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ERASMUS
OGOD, grant us through the intercession of Thy dauntless bishop and martyr Erasmus, who so valiantly confessed the Faith, that we may learn the doctrine of this faith, practise its precepts, and thereby be made worthy to attain its promises. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. ERASMUS
HOLY martyr Erasmus, who didst willingly and bravely bear the trials and sufferings of life, and by thy charity didst console many fellow-sufferers; I implore thee to remember me in my needs and to intercede for me with God. Staunch confessor of the Faith, victorious vanquisher of all tortures, pray to Jesus for me and ask Him to grant me the grace to live and die in the Faith through which thou didst obtain the crown of glory. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. PANTALEON
OGOD, who didst give to St. Pantaleon the grace of exercising charity toward his fellow-men by distributing his goods to the poor, and hast made him a special patron of the sick, grant, that we, too, show our charity by works of mercy; and through the intercession of this Thy servant preserve us from sickness. But if it be Thy will that illness should afflict us, give us the grace to bear it patiently, and let it promote our soul's salvation. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. PANTALEON
ST. PANTALEON, who during life didst have great pity for the sick and with the help of God didst often relieve and cure them; I invoke thy intercession with God, that I may obtain the grace to serve Him in good health by cheerfully fulfilling the duties of my state of life. But if it be His holy will to visit me with illness, pain, and suffering, do thou aid me with thy powerful prayer to submit humbly to His chastisements, to accept sickness in the spirit of penance and to bear it patiently according to His holy will. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
The Blessed Virgin Receives Holy Communion from St. JohnTHE BLESSED VIRGIN RECEIVES HOLY COMMUNION FROM ST. JOHN
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. VITUS
GRANT us, O God, through the intercession of St. Vitus, a due estimation of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ; so that, for its salvation, we bear all trials with fortitude. Give this Thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a guide and protector to Christian youths, that following his example they may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. VITUS
ST. VITUS, glorious martyr of Christ; in thy youth thou wast exposed to violent and dangerous temptations, but in the fear of God and for the love of Jesus thou didst victoriously overcome them. O amiable, holy youth, I implore thee by the love of Jesus, assist me with thy powerful intercession to overcome the temptations to evil, to avoid every occasion of sin, and thus to preserve spotless the robe of innocence and sanctifying grace, and to bring it unstained to the judgment-seat of Jesus Christ, that I may forever enjoy the beatific vision of God which is promised to the pure of heart. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CHRISTOPHORUS
OGOD, who didst make St. Christophorus a true Christ-bearer, who converted multitudes to the Christian faith, and who didst give him the grace to suffer for Thy sake the most cruel torments; through the intercession of this saint we implore Thee to protect us from sin, the only real evil. Preserve us, also, against harmful elementary forces, such as earthquake, lightning, fire, and flood. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHORUS
GREAT St. Christophorus, seeking the strongest and mightiest master thou didst find him in Jesus Christ, the almighty God of heaven and earth, and didst faithfully serve Him with all thy power to the end of thy life, gaining for Him countless souls and finally shedding thy blood for Him; obtain for me the grace to bear Christ always in my heart, as thou didst once bear Him on thy shoulder, so that I thereby may be strengthened to overcome victoriously all temptations and resist all enticements of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and that the powers of darkness may not prevail against me. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. DIONYSIUS
OGOD, who didst confer Thy saving faith on the people of France through Thy holy bishop and martyr Dionysius, and didst glorify him before and after his martyrdom by many miracles; grant us through his intercession that the Faith practised and preached by him be our light on the way of life, so that we may be preserved from all anxieties of conscience, and if by human frailty we have sinned, we may return to Thee speedily by true penance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. DIONYSIUS
GLORIOUS servant of God, St. Dionysius, with intense love thou didst devote thyself to Christ after learning to know Him through the apostle St. Paul, and didst preach His saving name to the nations, to bring whom to His knowledge and love thou didst not shrink from martyrdom; implore for me a continual growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus, so that my restless heart may experience that peace which He alone can give. Help me by thy powerful intercession with God to serve Him with a willing heart, to devote myself with abiding love to His service, and thereby to attain the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CYRIACUS
OGOD, who didst grant to St. Cyriacus the grace of heroic charity and trustful resignation to Thy holy will; bestow upon us, through his intercession, the grace to walk before Thee in self-denying charity and to know and fulfil Thy will in all things. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CYRIACUS
ST. CYRIACUS, great servant of God, loving Christ with all thy heart, thou didst for His sake also love thy fellow-men, and didst serve them even at the peril of thy life, for which charity God rewarded thee with the power to overcome Satan, the arch-enemy, and to deliver the poor obsessed from his dreadful tyranny; implore for me of God an effective, real, and true charity. Show thy power over Satan also in me; deliver me from his influence when he tries to tempt me. Help me to repel his assaults and to gain the victory over him in life and in death. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ACHATIUS
OGOD, who didst fortify Thy holy martyr Achatius with constancy and trustful reliance on Thee in death; grant us through his intercession at the hour of our death to be free from all anxiety and victorious in our last combat with the enemy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. ACHATIUS
VALIANT martyr of Christ, St. Achatius, who preached Christ faithfully before kings and judges, and didst gain the victory over the enemies of God; help me through thy powerful intercession to resist and gain the victory over all the enemies of my salvation, over the world and its allurements, over the concupiscence of the flesh, and over the temptations of Satan. I implore thee particularly to assist me in my agony, when the powers of hell rise against me to rob my soul. Then do thou come to my aid and repel the assaults of the enemy, so that I surrender my soul into the hands of my Redeemer in faith, hope, and charity, and confiding in His infinite merits. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. EUSTACHIUS
OGOD, who didst lead Thy holy martyr Eustachius safely through many trials and dangers to the glorious crown of martyrdom; enlighten and strengthen us through his intercession, that we persevere in Thy love amid the trials of this life, and by resignation to Thy holy will come forth from the darkness of this earth into the light of Thy eternal glory. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. EUSTACHIUS
HEROIC servant of God, St. Eustachius, cast from the height of earthly glory and power into the deepest misery, thou wast engaged for a long time in the labor of a menial servant, eating the bitter bread of destitution; but never didst thou murmur against the severe probation to which God subjected thee. I implore thee to aid me with thy powerful intercession, that in all conditions I may resign myself to the holy will of God, and particularly that I may bear poverty and its consequences with patience, trusting in God's providence, completely resigned to the decrees of Him who humbles and exalts, chastises and heals, sends trials and consolations, and who has promised to those who follow Him in the spirit of poverty His beatific vision throughout all eternity. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. GILES
OGOD, we beseech Thee to grant us through the merits and intercession of St. Giles to flee from the vanity and praise of this world, to avoid carefully all occasions of sin, to cleanse our hearts from all wickedness by a sincere confession, to leave this world in Thy love and rich in good works, and to find Thee gracious on the day of judgment. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. GILES
ZEALOUS follower of Christ, St. Giles; from early youth thou didst take to heart the words of our Saviour: "Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart." Therefore thou didst flee from the praise and honors of the world, and wast rewarded with the grace to preserve thy heart from all sin and to persevere in a holy life to a ripe old age. I, on my part, through pride, self-confidence, and negligence, yielded to my evil inclinations, and thereby sinned grievously and often, offending my God and Lord, my Creator and Redeemer, my most loving Father. Therefore I implore thee to help me through thy mighty intercession to be enlightened by the Holy Ghost, that I may know the malice, grievousness, and multitude of my sins, confess them humbly, fully, and contritely, and receive pardon, tranquillity of heart, and peace of conscience from God. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. MARGARET
OGOD, grant us through the intercession of thy holy virgin and martyr Margaret, undauntedly to confess the Faith, carefully to observe the chastity of our state of life, and to overcome the temptations of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and thereby escape the punishments of eternal damnation. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. MARGARET
ST. MARGARET, holy virgin and martyr, thou didst faithfully preserve the robe of holy innocence and purity, valiantly resisting all the blandishments and allurements of the world for the love of thy divine Spouse, Jesus Christ; help me to overcome all temptations against the choicest of all virtues, holy purity, and to remain steadfast in the love of Christ, in order to preserve this great gift of God. Implore for me the grace of perseverance in prayer, distrust of myself, and flight from the occasions of sin, and finally the grace of a good death, so that in heaven I may "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CATHERINE
OGOD, who didst distinguish Thy holy virgin and martyr Catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a victorious combat with the enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, through her intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the saints, that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CATHERINE
ST. CATHERINE, glorious virgin and martyr, resplendent in the luster of wisdom and purity; thy wisdom refuted the adversaries of divine truth and covered them with confusion; thy immaculate purity made thee a spouse of Christ, so that after thy glorious martyrdom angels carried thy body to Mount Sinai. Implore for me progress in the science of the saints and the virtue of holy purity, that vanquishing the enemies of my soul, I may be victorious in my last combat and after death be conducted by the angels into the eternal beatitude of heaven. Amen.
Prayer (p. 221).
Preparatory Prayer (p. 219).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. BARBARA
OGOD, who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfilment of Thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. BARBARA
INTREPID virgin and martyr, St. Barbara, through thy intercession come to my aid in all needs of my soul. Obtain for me the grace to be preserved from a sudden and unprovided death; assist me in my agony, when my senses are benumbed and I am in the throes of death. Then, O powerful patroness of the dying, come to my aid! Repel from me all the assaults and temptations of the evil one, and obtain for me the grace to receive before death the holy sacraments, that I breathe forth my soul confirmed in faith, hope, and charity, and be worthy to enter eternal glory. Amen.
St. Barbara, at my last endObtain for me the Sacrament;Assist one in that direst needWhen I my God and Judge must meet:That robed in sanctifying graceMy soul may stand before His face.
Prayer (p. 221).
PREPARATORY PRAYER
(By St Alphonsus Liguori.)
GREAT princes of heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions, wealth, preferment, and even life, and who now are crowned in heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory; have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears, and obtain for me from God, for whom you gave up all things and who loves you as His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life, to overcome all temptations, and to persevere in God's service to the end, that one day I too may be received into your company, to praise and glorify Him, the supreme Lord, whose beatific vision you enjoy, and whom you praise and glorify for ever. Amen.
Preparatory Prayer (p. 237).
MEDITATION
THE practice of honoring and invoking the saints to obtain, through their intercession, help in the various needs of body and soul, is as old as the Church. At what period, however, the custom of having recourse to the fourteen saints called Holy Helpers originated, is unknown. Nevertheless it is certain that each one of them was invoked for his intercession with God since his entrance into heaven. Prayer is the Christian's resource in every difficulty: and difficulties and trials are never wanting on earth.
Because the needs of mankind on earth are various, the faithful selected certain saints as intercessors in certain cases of distress, and obtained relief; hence these saints came to be regarded as special patrons in such trials, and were called Holy Helpers.
PRACTICE
MAKE this novena with full confidence in the power of the intercession of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. During their earthly life they devoted their whole energy to the spreading of God's kingdom and the relief and succor of their fellow-men. Much more efficiently can they do so now when they are in the enjoyment of eternal happiness, and can supplicate for us at the very throne of God.
The saintscanhelp us through their intercession. God hears their prayers and He wrought miracles to confirm us in this belief, even whilst His servants sojourned here on earth. Theydesireand are willing to help us. St. Bernard says: "In heaven hearts do not grow cold; they are rather rendered more affectionate and tender. By receiving the crown of justice the saints were not hardened against the sufferings of their brethren on earth."
Therefore, in calling on them, have full confidence in their power and ability to come to your aid.
Prayer
WE BESEECH Thee, O Lord, to hear the prayer which we send up to Thee in honor of Thy glorified servants, the Fourteen Holy Helpers: and as we can not rely upon our own justice, grant our petition through the intercession of those whose merits have made them especially dear to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Death of the Blessed VirginDEATH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
LORD, have mercy on us.Christ, have mercy on us.Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.Holy Mary, queen of martyrs, pray for us.St. Joseph, helper in all needs, pray for us.Fourteen Holy Helpers, pray for us.St. George, valiant martyr of Christ, pray for us.St. Blase, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, pray for us.St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, pray for us.St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, pray for us.St. Vitus, special protector of chastity, pray for us.St. Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers, pray for us.St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, pray for us.St. Cyriacus, terror of hell, pray for us.St. Achatius, helpful advocate in death, pray for us.St. Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, pray for us.St. Giles, despiser of the world, pray for us.St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, pray for us.St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray for us.St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying, pray for us.All ye Holy Helpers, pray for us.All ye saints of God, pray for us.In temptations against faith, pray for us.In adversity and trials, pray for us.In anxiety and want, pray for us.In every combat, pray for us.In every temptation, pray for us.In sickness, pray for us.In all needs, pray for us.In fear and terror, pray for us.In dangers of salvation, pray for us.In dangers of honor, pray for us.In dangers of reputation, pray for us.In dangers of property, pray for us.In dangers by fire and water, pray for us.Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.From lightning and storms, deliver us, O Lord.From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.From eternal damnation, deliver us, O Lord.Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.Through Thy birth and Thy life, deliver us, O Lord.Through Thy cross and passion, deliver us, O Lord.Through Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord.Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary, deliver us, O Lord.Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, deliver us, O Lord.On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou convert us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou protect and propagate Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou preserve peace and concord among the nations, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. George Thou preserve us in the Faith, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Blase Thou confirm us in hope, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Dionysius Thou give us tranquillity of conscience, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy holy will, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Eustachius Thou give us patience in adversity, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Achatius Thou grant us a happy death, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Giles Thou grant us a merciful judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Margaret Thou preserve us from hell, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Catherine Thou shorten our purgatory, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of St. Barbara Thou receive us in heaven, we beseech Thee, hear us.That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers, we beseech Thee, hear 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, O Lord.
V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.
Let us Pray
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS
FOURTEEN Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in heaven; because you persevered till death you gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor you as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to you in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by your intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join you in heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His saints. Amen.