Novena to St. Thomas More

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. Thomas More

Opening prayer:

O steadfast St. Thomas More, who held fast to God's law amid the favor and threats of kings, look upon me as I begin this novena. Win for me a clear conscience and the courage to keep it, whatever the cost. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: Integrity in public office

As Lord Chancellor of England, More judged swiftly and justly, clearing the backlog of the courts and famously refusing the bribes and favors that corrupted so many around him. He held power as a servant, not a master. He shows us that authority is a sacred trust from God, to be exercised with honesty, diligence, and the fear of the Lord, for the good of all.

O St. Thomas More, just judge who served the common good without corruption, obtain integrity and the fear of God for all who hold public office, that they may use their authority honestly for the good of those entrusted to them. Amen.

Today's intention:

For honesty and justice among those who hold public office.

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:

O St. Thomas More, good servant of your king but first of God, present my petitions to the Lord for whom you laid down your life. Teach me to serve faithfully in the world without surrendering my soul, until I share your joy in heaven. 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.