Novena to St. Athanasius

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. Athanasius

Opening prayer:

St. Athanasius, intrepid bishop and pillar of the true faith, you confessed Christ as true God when nearly the whole world turned away. Strengthen me as I begin this novena, that I may hold fast to the truth without fear. Obtain for me from God the grace I now ask and a heart firmly fixed on Christ. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: Athanasius against the world

When emperors, bishops, and crowds embraced Arianism, Athanasius stood almost alone for the truth, earning the title "Athanasius against the world." Powerful men sought his ruin and councils condemned him, yet he would not bend the faith to please the age. He teaches us that truth is not decided by numbers, and that one faithful soul, anchored in God, can hold the line until the storm passes and the light returns.

Lord, who upheld Athanasius when the world turned against him, grant me courage to stand for the truth even when I stand nearly alone. Anchor me so deeply in You that no opposition can move me from the faith, and let me trust You to vindicate it. Amen.

Today's intention:

For courage to stand for the truth even when I stand nearly alone.

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:

St. Athanasius, who endured exile and slander rather than betray the faith, teach me your steadfast love of the truth. Help me to adore the eternal Son, consubstantial with the Father, and to confess Him before the world. By your prayers, may I persevere in the faith of Nicaea until I see God face to face. 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.