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Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux

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 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 3: The sweetness of the Holy Name

Bernard wrote that the name of Jesus is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and gladness in the heart, a name that heals the sick and consoles the grieving. He taught that this Name is both medicine and light, dispelling the darkness whenever it is invoked with faith. He teaches us to call upon it often, as a remedy in temptation and a comfort in sorrow, keeping it always upon our lips and within our heart.

O St. Bernard, who found in the name of Jesus honey and healing and light, obtain for me the habit of calling on that holy Name throughout the day, that it may be my remedy in temptation, my comfort in sorrow, and the joy of my heart. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the habit of calling on the name of Jesus throughout the day.

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.

About this prayer

A nine-day novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the 'mellifluous Doctor' of the Church, Cistercian reformer, and tireless lover of Jesus and Mary, whose words on loving God still set hearts aflame.

History

Born near Dijon in 1090, Bernard entered the struggling monastery of Cîteaux at twenty-two, bringing thirty companions with him, and was soon sent to found Clairvaux. From his cloister he reformed monastic life, counseled popes and kings, and preached across Europe, earning the title 'Doctor Mellifluus,' the honey-sweet teacher. A burning lover of the Holy Name and of the Virgin Mary, he wrote 'On Loving God' and many sermons on the Song of Songs, and died at Clairvaux in 1153.

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.

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