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Novena to St. Mary Magdalene

Day 4

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. Mary Magdalene

Opening prayer:

St. Mary Magdalene, faithful disciple who loved the Lord with an ardent and undivided heart, you sought Him in tears and found Him risen. As I begin this novena, kindle in me your love for Jesus and your longing to be near Him. Teach me to seek the Lord above all things. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: Sitting at the Lord's feet

Tradition has long contemplated Mary at the feet of Jesus, listening to His word as the one thing necessary, the better part that would not be taken from her. In a world of many cares and distractions, she shows us the value of stillness before the Lord. She teaches us to choose that better part, to sit quietly in His presence and let His word take root, before we rise to serve and to act.

O glorious Saint Mary Magdalene, who chose the better part at the feet of the Lord, obtain for me the grace to sit quietly at Christ's feet and listen to His word, that amid all my cares I may treasure His presence as the one thing necessary and let it order my whole life. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace to sit at Christ's feet and listen to His word.

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. Mary Magdalene, first witness of the Resurrection and herald of the risen Christ, obtain for me a heart that loves much and clings to the Lord. May I, like you, seek Him faithfully in this life and rejoice to hear Him call my name. Lead me to the joy of Easter that never ends. 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

Nine days with the Apostle to the Apostles, who loved much, stood by the Cross, and first met the risen Lord.

History

St. Mary Magdalene, freed by Jesus from seven demons, followed Him faithfully and helped support His ministry. She stood near the Cross when others fled and went to the tomb at dawn, where the risen Lord called her by name and sent her to announce His resurrection. For this the Church honors her as the Apostle to the Apostles.

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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