Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Aug 11–19

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. Bernard of Clairvaux

Opening prayer:

O St. Bernard, mellifluous Doctor and faithful servant of Mary, your every word breathed love for Jesus Christ. Teach me to love God for his own sake, and to find in his Holy Name the sweetness that drew your heart heavenward. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 1: Leaving the world

The young Bernard renounced wealth and a brilliant future to enter the poor and rigorous monastery of Cîteaux at twenty-two, persuading even his brothers and some thirty companions to follow him. His fervor breathed new life into a struggling community and soon bore fruit in the founding of Clairvaux. He teaches us that the love of God is worth every earthly sacrifice, and that one heart wholly given can draw many others toward heaven.

O St. Bernard, who left riches and renown to seek God in the poverty of Cîteaux, obtain for me the courage to prize Him above worldly success, that I may let go of all that holds me back and draw others with me toward Him. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the courage to seek God above worldly success.

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. Bernard, who taught us never to despair of Mary's help, present to her the petition I bring in this novena. Obtain for me a heart on fire with love of God, and lead me at last to contemplate forever the One whom you so longed to see. 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.