Novena to St. Monica

Day 5

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. Monica

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Monica, mother of tears and of unfailing hope, you never ceased to pray for those entrusted to your love. Obtain for me a heart that does not grow weary in prayer, and present my petitions before the throne of God. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 5: Docility to wise counsel

Monica sought out holy bishops and humbly accepted their guidance, even when told simply to wait, to be patient, and to keep praying. She did not demand that grace move on her timetable nor force her zeal upon Augustine. She teaches us that perseverance is wedded to humility, trusting the Church to direct our love rightly, lest our very fervor run ahead of God and harm the souls we long to save.

O humble St. Monica, who bent your zeal to the counsel of holy pastors, obtain for me a docile and teachable heart. Save me from the impatience that runs ahead of God, and let me seek wise guidance in my trials, trusting that the Church He founded will lead my love along the surest path. Amen.

Today's intention:

For humility to seek and follow holy counsel in our trials.

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. Monica, who saw your prayers answered beyond all your hope, intercede for me and for all I carry in my heart. Teach me to wait upon God with patience and to trust that no tear shed for love of souls is ever wasted. 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.