Novena
Novena to Saint Benedict of Nursia
Nine-day novena to Saint Benedict Of Nursia · begins 2 July, ending on the eve of his memorial, 11 July
Nine days of prayer to the father of Western monasticism and patron of Europe, kept from 2 to 10 July before his feast on 11 July. The received prayer asks his intercession against the dangers that surround us daily, against selfishness and indifference, and for the grace to see and serve Christ in others.
Background
Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547) withdrew to Subiaco, gathered disciples, and at Monte Cassino wrote the Rule whose moderation and wisdom shaped the monastic life of the West; Paul VI proclaimed him patron of Europe in 1964, and Benedict XVI took his name. Devotion to him includes the Medal of St. Benedict with its exorcism formula, which is why the older manuals head this novena as a prayer for protection. It is a private devotion. The received form repeats one prayer on each of the nine days; the day-by-day subjects below are editorial and the prayer is unaltered.
Days
Intention
protection from evil, and the ordering of an ordinary life around prayer and work
Usually begun
2 July, ending on the eve of his memorial, 11 July
Structure
nine_days
Duration
9 days
Content subtype
full_novena