Novena to St. Francis of Assisi

Day 9

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. Francis of Assisi

Opening prayer:

St. Francis of Assisi, poor and humble lover of the poor and humble Christ, look upon me with your fatherly kindness. Teach me to seek God above every earthly treasure and to follow the Gospel without reserve. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 9: Sister Death

Dying, Francis welcomed 'Sister Bodily Death' as part of God's good creation and asked to be laid upon the bare earth. He met his end singing praise, showing that for the friend of God death is a homeward gate. Having lived in poverty and trust, he feared nothing at the last, for he saw in death not an enemy but a sister sent to lead him home to the Lord he had loved above all.

O St. Francis, who welcomed Sister Death with a song of praise, obtain for me a holy and peaceful end. Free me from the fear of dying, let me live so poor and trusting that death becomes a sister, and lead me home singing to the God I have loved. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace to meet death in peace, singing God's praise.

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. Francis, seraphic father marked with the wounds of Jesus, carry my prayers to the Lord whom you loved with all your heart. Obtain for me the grace I seek and make of me, like you, an instrument of His peace. 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.