Novena
Novena to Saint Francis of Assisi
Nine-day novena to Saint Francis Of Assisi · begins 25 September, ending on the eve of his feast, 4 October
Nine days of prayer to the Poverello, kept from 25 September to 3 October before his feast on 4 October. The received form is three short petitions, each followed by a Glory Be, asking for detachment from the world, sorrow for sin, and the grace to bear the mortification of Christ in our bodies.
Background
Francis of Assisi (1181/2-1226) renounced his father's wealth, rebuilt the Church by a poverty and obedience that Innocent III recognised, and two years before his death received the stigmata on Mount La Verna. Benedict XVI, teaching on him in 2010, drew out how his radical poverty was inseparable from his obedience to the Church and his love of the Eucharist. This is a private devotion. The received form repeats the same three petitions on each of the nine days, closing with five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory Bes in honour of the five wounds; the day-by-day subjects below are editorial and the prayers are unaltered.
Days
Intention
poverty of spirit, sorrow for sin, and conformity to Christ crucified
Usually begun
25 September, ending on the eve of his feast, 4 October
Structure
nine_days
Duration
9 days
Content subtype
full_novena