Each year, Catholics around the world prepare for the Feast of St. Benedict on July 11 by praying the St. Benedict Novena, a beautiful nine-day prayer asking for his powerful intercession. Beginning today, July 3, we invite you to join us in praying this novena and to bring a special intention before the Lord throughout these nine days.

Whether you are praying for peace within your family, protection over your home, healing, discernment, freedom from temptation, the strength to persevere in faith, or for a private personal intention, this novena is an opportunity to draw closer to Christ through the example and prayers of one of the Church's greatest saints.

Who Was St. Benedict?

St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547) is known as the Father of Western Monasticism. After leaving behind a life of comfort and worldly distractions, he devoted himself completely to God through prayer, work, and holy living. His famous Rule of St. Benedict, built upon the balance of prayer and labor (Ora et Labora—"Pray and Work"), continues to guide Benedictine communities throughout the world and has shaped Christian monastic life for more than 1,500 years.

His life was marked by unwavering trust in Christ and steadfast resistance against the temptations and attacks of the evil one. Numerous stories recount how St. Benedict overcame the devil through prayer, fasting, the Sign of the Cross, and complete confidence in God's power. Because of these accounts, he has become affectionately known as the "devil chaser" and is one of the Church's most beloved saints invoked for protection against evil.

Patron Saint of...

St. Benedict is the patron saint of:

• Europe
• Monks and monastic communities
• Students
• Those suffering from spiritual warfare
• People seeking protection against temptation and evil
• Those praying for peace in their homes and families

His well-known St. Benedict Medal bears powerful prayers of exorcism and protection, reminding us that Christ has already conquered sin and death. While sacramentals are never superstitious objects or good luck charms, they are visible signs that encourage us to place our trust completely in Jesus and to seek His grace through the prayers of the saints.

A Beautiful Reminder of God's Protection

As you pray this novena, you may wish to place a visible reminder of your faith within your home.

Our St. Benedict Wall Crucifix, found in the Prayer & Devotional Collection at Marie Madeleine, beautifully combines the saving power of Christ's Cross with the beloved St. Benedict Medal. Made in Italy, this elegant crucifix features a nickel-plated cross with genuine olive wood inserts, an antique silver Christ figure, and the powerful St. Benedict medal.

Whether displayed in your entryway, family room, prayer corner, or bedroom, it serves as a daily reminder that Christ is our refuge and that we seek His protection through the intercession of St. Benedict. It also makes a meaningful gift for housewarmings, weddings, new homeowners, or anyone desiring to deepen the spiritual life of their home.

You can also carry St. Benedict's protection with you through our handcrafted St. Benedict Chaplet, also available in our Prayer & Devotional Collection. Handmade by Knots of Grace, this beautiful finger rosary-style chaplet features luminous yellow transparent beads, making it easy to carry in a pocket, purse, backpack, or car. Each chaplet includes complete prayer instructions, allowing you to pray wherever the day takes you while keeping your heart centered on Christ.

Join Us in Prayer

Over the next nine days, we invite you to pray the St. Benedict Novena with one specific intention close to your heart. Perhaps you are praying for someone who has wandered from the faith, for healing, for protection over your children or grandchildren, for freedom from anxiety or temptation, or simply for a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Whatever your intention may be, entrust it confidently to the Lord through the powerful intercession of St. Benedict.

May these next nine days strengthen your faith, bring peace to your heart, and remind you that Christ is always victorious over darkness.

St. Benedict, pray for us.

The St. Benedict Novena begins below. Pray this novena each day from July 3 through July 11, concluding on the Feast of St. Benedict on July 11.

St. Benedict Novena Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Glorious Saint Benedict, sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet. I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.

To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.

Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.

May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.

Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.

Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.

(mention your petition)

Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.

Amen.