Novena to SS. Peter and Paul

Day 3

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.

Novena to SS. Peter and Paul

Opening prayer:

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, chosen pillars of Christ's Church, you laid down your lives in Rome for the faith you proclaimed. As I begin this novena, obtain for me a faith as firm as Peter's and a zeal as burning as Paul's. Watch over the Church you founded with your blood. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: Denial and threefold love

In the high priest's courtyard Peter swore three times that he did not know the Man; the cock crowed, the Lord turned and looked at him, and he went out and wept bitterly. Yet he was not cast off. By the Sea of Tiberias the risen Lord asked him three times, 'Simon, do you love me?', and to each answer entrusted His flock: 'Feed my sheep.' The threefold charge undid the threefold denial, teaching us that no fall is final for the heart that loves and repents.

O glorious Saint Peter, who wept for your denial and were raised up to feed Christ's flock, obtain for me the grace of true contrition and tears for my sins, and the love that answers, 'Lord, you know that I love you,' even after I have fallen. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace of contrition and a love that rises after every fall.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

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.

Closing prayer:

Glorious Apostles, Peter holding the keys and Paul wielding the sword of the Spirit, intercede for the Church and for the Holy Father who sits in Peter's chair. Keep me faithful to the apostolic faith you handed down. Lead me at last to the crown you now wear. 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.