Novena Prayers to Saint Thomas More
June 21, 2014 News
Prayer for Religious Freedom
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we come before you // to entrust our prayers and petitions for our Church, nation and families. // We pray for the conversion of hearts to protect religious freedom, // the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of marriage. // We beg for your mercy and forgiveness // for ways we have turned from your love, // and pray in reparation for those sins committed against life and freedom. // We pray that our hearts be united to yours // in order that all mankind may come together to worship and adore you // in unity rooted in love and mercy. // We do this through the intercession of // Our Blessed Mother, Mary Immaculate; // St. Joseph, Guardian of the Church; // St. Thomas More and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, our diocesan patrons; [St. Raymond] // and all the angels and saints. Amen.
Novena Prayers to St. Thomas More
Litany of St. Thomas More
(To be prayed each day after the Novena prayers that follow)
V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy. V. Christ, have mercy R. Christ have mercy V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord, have mercy. V. Christ hear us R. Christ, graciously hear us
V. St. Thomas More, Saint and Martyr,
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Patron of Justices, Judges and Magistrates.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Model of Holiness in the Sacrament of Marriage.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Teacher of his Children in the Catholic Faith.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Defender of the Weak and the Poor.
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Thomas More, Promoter of Human Life and Dignity.
R. Pray for us.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
R. Have mercy on us.
Let us pray:
O Glorious St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life – the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
First Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of prudence. You never thrust yourself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, you tested the strength of your powers and waited on God’s will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtues of patience, prudence, wisdom and courage.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Second Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of diligence. You shunned procrastination, applied yourself with fervor to your studies, and spared no effort in achieving mastery in any skill. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and persistence in my preparations for all undertakings.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More, page
Third Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of industriousness. You threw yourself wholeheartedly into everything you did, and you found enjoyment even in the most serious things. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of always having suitable employment, the grace to find interest in everything fitting, and the fortitude always to pursue excellence in whatever task God gives me to do.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Fourth Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a brilliant lawyer and a just and compassionate judge. You attended to the smallest details of your legal duties with the greatest care, and you were unflagging in your pursuit of justice tempered by mercy. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to overcome every temptation to laxity, arrogance, and rash judgment in my (legal) duties.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Fifth Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of humility. You never allowed pride to lead you to take on enterprises beyond your abilities; even in the midst of earthly wealth and honor, you never forgot your total dependence on your Heavenly Father. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of an increase in humility, and the wisdom not to overestimate my own powers.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Sixth Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model husband and father. You were loving and faithful to both of your wives, and a diligent provider and example of virtue for your children. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of a happy home, peace in my family, and the strength to persevere in chastity according to my state of life.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Seventh Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of Christian fortitude. You suffered bereavement, disgrace, poverty, imprisonment and a violent death; yet you bore all with the strength and good cheer for which you were known throughout your life. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to bear all the crosses that God sends me with patience and joy.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Eighth Day
Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a loyal child of God and a steadfast son of the Church, never taking your eyes off the crown for which you strove. Even in the face of death, you trusted in God to give you the victory, and He rewarded you with the palm of martyrdom. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me and mine the grace of final perseverance and protection from sudden and unprovided death, so that we may one day enjoy the Beatific Vision in your glorious company.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.
Ninth Day
Dear St. Thomas More, you spent your whole earthly life preparing for the life to come. Everything you endured prepared you not only for the glory God wished to bestow upon you in heaven, but for your work as the patron of lawyers, judges and statesmen, and steadfast friend to all who call upon you. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for us aid in all our necessities, both corporal and spiritual, an follow in your footsteps, until at last we are safely home with you in the mansions our Father has prepared for us in heaven.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God’s Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God’s will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Now is said the Litany of St. Thomas More.