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Novena to St. John Vianney

Jul 26–Aug 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. John Vianney

Opening prayer:

Glorious St. John Vianney, humble priest of Ars, who spent yourself wholly for the salvation of souls, obtain for me a like hunger for God. By your prayers, draw me away from sin and closer to the heart of Christ. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 1: Perseverance against all odds

John Vianney struggled bitterly with Latin and study, was nearly dismissed from the seminary, and only with great difficulty was at last ordained. Yet he never gave up his hope of the priesthood, leaning on prayer and dogged effort where talent failed him. He teaches us that holiness depends not on talent but on a will that refuses to surrender, and that God delights to accomplish His greatest works through those the world judges unfit.

O humble Saint John Vianney, who reached the altar only through long perseverance, obtain for me the grace never to give up what God asks of me. When my weakness discourages me, strengthen my will and my trust, that I may press on toward the goal He has set before me. Amen.

Today's intention:

For perseverance in pursuing what God asks despite my own weakness.

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:

Holy Curé of Ars, friend of sinners and lover of the Eucharist, intercede for all priests and for the conversion of poor sinners. Obtain for me the grace I now implore, and a heart that loves God as you loved Him. 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.

About this prayer

A nine-day novena to St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, patron of parish priests, whose austerity, zeal for souls, and long hours in the confessional drew sinners from across France back to God.

History

Born near Lyon in 1786, John Vianney struggled greatly with his studies and was ordained only with difficulty. Sent in 1818 to the small, indifferent village of Ars, he transformed it by prayer, penance, and tireless preaching. In his last years he heard confessions for up to sixteen hours a day; pilgrims came from everywhere to seek him, and he is honored as the patron of priests.

How to pray it

Pray once each day for nine consecutive days. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the opening prayer, prayerfully read the meditation and offer the day's intention, then conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and the closing prayer.

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