Novena to St. John of the Cross
Day 4
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. John of the Cross
Opening prayer:
O glorious St. John of the Cross, Mystical Doctor, who loved Christ crucified above every consolation, come to my aid as I begin this novena. Teach me to seek God alone, and obtain for me the grace I now ask through your powerful intercession. Amen.
Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.
Day 4: The dark night of the soul
John gave the Church the great teaching of the dark night, when God withdraws felt consolation to purify the soul and deepen its faith. He assures us that the darkness is not absence but the secret nearness of a God who is leading us home. He likened it to night travel guided only by the flame of love within. Faith, he taught, sees best in the dark, and the soul that walks on without sight walks most surely toward the dawn.
O wise St. John of the Cross, who walked through the dark night trusting only the flame of love within, obtain for me a faith that holds fast when all sweetness is taken away. When God seems far and prayer grows dry, teach me to believe that He is nearest then, leading me unseen toward the everlasting dawn. Amen.
Today's intention:
For faith that holds fast to God when consolation is withdrawn.
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.
Pater noster
Liber cantualis, 1983, p. 27 · Transcribed by Richard Chonak · GregoBase, CC0
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.
Ave Maria Mode I
The Liber Usualis, 1961, p. 1861 · Transcribed by Andrew Hinkley · GregoBase, CC0
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. John of the Cross, who passed through the dark night and was set ablaze by the living flame of love, lead me along the narrow path of faith. Detach my heart from all that is not God, and let me rest at last in Him who is my All. 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.