Novena to St. Ignatius of Antioch

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. 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 3: A bishop's faithful care

As bishop of Antioch for nearly forty years, Ignatius shepherded his flock through persecution with vigilance and tenderness. A disciple of the Apostle John, he had learned the Good Shepherd's heart at the source. Even in chains, his thoughts turned to the churches he loved, and he wrote to their pastors urging them to guard the faith, feed the weak, and bear with the difficult. His care reminds us that authority in the Church is a fatherhood spent for souls.

O Saint Ignatius, faithful shepherd who loved your flock unto death, intercede for the pastors of the Church today. Make them vigilant and tender, courageous in truth and patient in charity, that they may lead God's people safely home. Amen.

Today's intention:

For our bishops and priests, that they may shepherd God's people with courage and love.

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.