Novena to St. Francis de Sales

Day 8

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 de Sales

Opening prayer:

O gentle St. Francis de Sales, friend of every soul, draw us to the sweetness of God's love. Calm our restless hearts and teach us to serve the Lord with patience, charity, and unwavering trust. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 8: A zealous shepherd

As Bishop of Geneva, Francis traveled tirelessly through mountain villages, preached, heard confessions, and wrote thousands of letters and leaflets to bring straying souls home, never wearying of patience even toward the hostile. He labored for the conversion of hardened hearts with both firmness and tenderness. His zeal shows us that love of souls, not ambition, is the true heart of every apostolate.

O Saint Francis de Sales, zealous shepherd who spent yourself for straying souls, kindle in me a true love for those who have wandered from God. Let me labor for their good with patience and tenderness, never tiring, never harsh, and draw many back to Christ by the same gentle charity that filled your heart. Amen.

Today's intention:

For zeal in leading others closer to God.

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:

O holy Bishop and Doctor, who sought in all things only the good pleasure of God, obtain for us a heart wholly conformed to His will. May we, asking nothing and refusing nothing, find true peace in loving surrender. 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.