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Novena for the Sick, to St Josemaria Escrivá

Day 8

10 min
Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Day 8: Jesus invites us to work with Him

St. Josemaría says:

Remember this at the moment of sorrow or expiation: the Cross is the symbol of the redeeming Christ. It has ceased to be the symbol of evil, becoming instead the sign of victory. (The Forge, 782)

Therefore, if God wills that we be struck down by some affliction, take it as a sign that he considers us mature enough to be associated even more closely with his redeeming Cross. (Friends of God, 124)

If you realise that those sufferings — physical or moral — mean purification and merit, bless them. (The Way, 219)

Is it not true that as soon as you cease to be afraid of the Cross, of what people call the cross, when you set your will to accept the Will of God, then you find happiness, and all your worries, all your sufferings, physical or moral, pass away? The Cross of Jesus is truly sweet and lovable. The pains do not count there; only the joy of knowing ourselves to be co-redeemers with him. (The Way of the Cross, II)

Pray the prayer to Saint Josemaría:

O God, through the mediation of Mary our Mother, you granted your priest Saint Josemaría countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian's ordinary duties. Grant that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving you and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love. Deign to grant me, through the intercession of Saint Josemaría, the favour of… (make your request). Amen.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

About this prayer

A nine-day novena to St. Josemaría Escrivá for the sick and those who care for them, drawn from his own writings on illness, suffering, and trust in God's Will.

History

Composed by Fr. Francisco Faus and first published in Brazil in 2006 with the imprimatur of the Bishop of Santo Amaro (São Paulo). Each day weaves together passages from St. Josemaría's writings — The Way, The Forge, Furrow, Friends of God, The Way of the Cross, Holy Rosary — with two intentions: one to be prayed by the sick person, the other on their behalf. The novena is freely distributed by Opus Dei.

How to pray it

Pray once daily for nine consecutive days. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, read the day's reflection from St. Josemaría's writings, and choose one of the two intentions — Prayer of the sick person, or Prayer for the sick person. Conclude with the Prayer to Saint Josemaría and one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, finishing with the Sign of the Cross.

Portuguese text: Pe. Francisco Faus, *Novena dos Enfermos a São Josemaria Escrivá* (imprimatur, Santo Amaro, 2006), as printed by Opus Dei Brazil — [PDF](https://odnmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/files/novena%20enfermos20161004-154859.pdf); prayer to St Josemaría: Opus Dei, *Oração a São Josemaria Escrivá* — [opusdei.org](https://opusdei.org/pt-br/article/oracao-a-sao-josemaria-escriva/)

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