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Novena to St. Lucy

Day 9

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. Lucy

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, whose very name proclaims the light of Christ, look kindly upon me as I begin this novena. By the steadfast faith that carried you through fire and sword, obtain for me the grace I seek and a heart enlightened by God. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 9: Light in the Advent night

Lucy's feast falls in the darkest days of the year, lighting a candle as the Church awaits the Sun of Justice at Christmas. She invites us to carry the small, faithful flame of hope until the dawn of our Savior breaks. The prophet Malachi foretold the Sun of Justice rising with healing in His rays; Lucy, the bearer of light, points beyond herself to that true Dawn, bidding us watch and pray until He comes.

O radiant St. Lucy, who shine like a candle in the deep December dark, obtain for me a hope that watches faithfully for the coming of Christ. Keep the flame of my longing alive through every shadow, that when the true Sun of Justice dawns I may go out to meet Him with joy. Amen.

Today's intention:

For hope that watches faithfully for the coming of Christ.

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. Lucy, bright lamp of the Lord, who preferred to lose your eyes rather than betray your Bridegroom, watch over my body and my soul. Keep the eyes of my faith clear and fixed on Christ, and lead me at last to the light that never fades. 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. Lucy of Syracuse, virgin and martyr, whose name means 'light.' Patroness of the blind and of all who suffer in their eyes, she shines amid the Advent darkness as a witness to the courage and purity born of faith.

History

St. Lucy was a young noblewoman of Syracuse in Sicily who consecrated her virginity to Christ around the year 304, during the persecution of Diocletian. Denounced as a Christian by a suitor she refused, she endured torture and was martyred by the sword. Her feast on December 13 has long brought light into the heart of Advent, and her name (Lucia, 'light') made her the natural patroness of eyesight and the inner light of faith.

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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