Novena to St. Ignatius of Antioch

Day 1

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. Ignatius of Antioch

Opening prayer:

O God, who crowned the courage of St. Ignatius of Antioch with the palm of martyrdom, grant that we who honor his witness may share his ardent love for Your Son. Through his intercession, kindle in us the same longing to belong wholly to Christ. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 1: The wheat of God

On the road to Rome, in chains and guarded by soldiers, Ignatius wrote that he was God's wheat, to be ground by the teeth of beasts into the pure bread of Christ. He did not flee the cross but embraced it as a harvest. He shows us that suffering offered in love is never wasted, but, like a grain that falls and dies, is transformed into something that nourishes the whole Body of the Church.

O glorious Saint Ignatius, who longed to be ground like wheat into the bread of Christ, obtain for me a heart that fears no trial when it is offered in love. Teach me to lose my life for the Lord, that I may truly find it in Him. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace to offer our sufferings in union with Christ, that they may bear fruit for souls.

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:

Glorious St. Ignatius, you ran to martyrdom as to a wedding feast, that you might be united forever with the Lord you loved. Obtain for us hearts undivided, a love stronger than fear, and a Church bound together in charity and truth. 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.