Novena to St. Ignatius of Loyola

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 Loyola

Opening prayer:

Glorious St. Ignatius, who once sought the glory of earthly kings and then gave your whole life to the King of Heaven, obtain for me a generous heart. Teach me to desire nothing but the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: Discernment of spirits

Ignatius learned to notice the movements of his heart, observing how some thoughts left him hollow and restless while others gave lasting joy. From this he distinguished the consolation that comes from God from the false promises of the enemy that glitter and then fade. He teaches us to read our inner life with honesty and prayer, weighing not only what we desire but where each desire finally leads the soul.

O wise Saint Ignatius, master of the discernment of spirits, obtain for me the light to know the movements of my heart. Help me to recognize the gentle peace of God and to reject the empty promises of the enemy, that I may follow only what leads me to Him. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the wisdom to discern God's voice amid the many voices within me.

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. Ignatius, faithful soldier of Christ, help me to set the world rightly in my heart, choosing always what leads me closer to God. With you I pray: take, Lord, all that I have, for You have given it; give me only Your love and Your grace, and that is enough for me. 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.