Perseverance & loved ones
St. Monica Novena
Nine days. A little space for God each day.
An original devotional novena from Life of the Saints. These are newly written prayers, not a historic or Church-approved formula. About these texts.
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Day 1 of 9
Bring your loved one
Reflect
You can name your concern before God without disguising how much it hurts. Prayer begins with honesty rather than a perfect feeling of trust.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Receive my worry for the person I love and help me entrust them to you. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 2 of 9
Wait with hope
Reflect
Waiting does not make your love meaningless. Seek the grace to be faithful today without demanding that everything change at once.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Sustain my hope when I cannot see progress. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 3 of 9
Listen with love
Reflect
Concern can make us quick to lecture. Patient listening may help another person feel respected even when you disagree.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Teach me to listen with love and to speak without contempt. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 4 of 9
Release control
Reflect
Loving someone does not give us control over their choices. Offer God both your hopes and the limits of what you can do.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Help me love freely without trying to force another person’s response. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 5 of 9
Seek wise support
Reflect
A painful concern need not be carried in isolation. A trusted friend, pastor, or qualified professional can help you find perspective.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Lead me toward wise counsel and keep me from isolating myself. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 6 of 9
Speak gently
Reflect
Truth can be offered with humility. Consider whether your words leave room for a continuing relationship.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Guide my speech so that honesty and kindness can remain together. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 7 of 9
Keep healthy boundaries
Reflect
Persevering in love does not require accepting mistreatment. Prayer can accompany wise boundaries and appropriate help.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Give me discernment to love with both compassion and wisdom. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 8 of 9
Pray with gratitude
Reflect
Gratitude need not deny sorrow. Notice a good gift that is present alongside the concerns you still carry.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Open my eyes to your gifts while I continue to wait and pray. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
Day 9 of 9
Continue in trust
Reflect
This novena is not a deadline for God or another person. Let your prayer continue as a faithful offering of love.
Original reflection from Life of the Saints.
Pray
Prayer for this day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I bring you the intention I hold in my heart. Keep me steadfast in love and free me from measuring prayer only by visible results. Through the intercession of St. Monica, help me respond to your grace with faith, hope, and love. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Monica, pray for us.
You have reached the final prayer. Carry one practice into the days ahead.