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Novena to St. Vincent de Paul

Day 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. Vincent de Paul

Opening prayer:

St. Vincent de Paul, father of the poor and apostle of charity, you who recognized Christ in the least of His brethren, turn your fatherly heart toward me. Teach me to love God in deeds and to serve Him in those who suffer. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: Conversion of heart

Vincent's youth was marked by ambition for a comfortable benefice, until grace turned his eyes outward to the souls and bodies of the abandoned. His own conversion teaches that God can redirect any life to His purposes. A poor dying peasant's confession and a humbling encounter with a galley slave's misery pierced his heart, and from that hour he sought not his own ease but the will of God in the wretched.

O St. Vincent de Paul, whom grace converted from comfort to charity, obtain for me a true change of heart. Loosen my grip on ease and self-seeking, turn my eyes toward the needs of others, and let me find, as you did, my whole life's purpose in the service of God and His poor. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace of a true conversion away from selfish comfort.

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. Vincent de Paul, who never turned away from a soul in need, present my petition to God who is rich in mercy. Obtain for me the grace I ask, and a heart enlarged to share His love with the poor. 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. Vincent de Paul, the great apostle of charity, who saw the face of Christ in the poor and gave his life to their service.

History

Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) was a French priest who, after a youth seeking comfort, was converted to a life poured out for the abandoned. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and, with St. Louise de Marillac, the Daughters of Charity, organizing the care of the sick, the galley slaves, foundlings, and the destitute. He is honored as the patron of all works of charity.

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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