Skip to the text

Novena to St. Anthony the Abbot

Day 4

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 St. Anthony the Abbot

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Anthony, who left all things to seek God alone in the silence of the desert, draw us away from the distractions that scatter our hearts. Teach us to thirst for God above every passing thing. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: Combat with the demons

In the desert Anthony was assailed by the devil with terrors and seductions, with phantoms and beasts and despairing thoughts, yet he stood firm by faith, by prayer, and the sign of the Cross. He answered every assault with the name of Christ. He shows us that no temptation, however fierce, can overcome a soul that clings to the Lord and refuses to fight in its own strength.

O Saint Anthony, fearless warrior of the desert, you put the enemy to flight by the sign of the Cross and the name of Jesus. Stand by me in my own temptations. When the evil one whispers fear or allurement, teach me to answer only with Christ, and to trust His strength rather than my own. Amen.

Today's intention:

For strength to resist temptation and the snares of evil.

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:

Holy father Anthony, valiant soldier of Christ, obtain for us courage in temptation and constancy in prayer. May we, with you, fight the good fight to the end and rejoice forever in the presence of God. 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. Anthony the Abbot, father of monasticism, seeking his help in silence, prayer, and spiritual combat.

History

St. Anthony the Abbot (c. 251–356) was a wealthy young Egyptian who, hearing the Gospel call 'sell what you have and follow Me,' gave away his goods and withdrew into the desert. There he battled fierce temptations and demons, persevering in prayer and penance, and became the father of Christian monasticism. His life, written by St. Athanasius, drew countless souls to the desert and still teaches us the way of inward combat.

How to pray it

Pray once each day for nine consecutive days. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the opening prayer, prayerfully read the meditation and offer the day's intention, then conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and the closing prayer.

Found in