Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Novena to St. Anthony of Padua

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua - Say once a day for nine days, especially beginning on 4 June and ending on 12 June, the eve of the Feast of St. Anthony. 

O White lily of purity, sublime example of poverty, true mirror of humility, resplendent star of sanctity. O glorious St Anthony, who didst enjoy the sweet privilege of receiving into thy arms the Infant Jesus, I beseech thee to take me under they powerful protection. Thou in whom the power of working miracles shines forth among the other gifts of God, have pity upon me and come to my aid in this my great need.

(Mention your intentions here). 

 Cleanse my heart from every disorderly affection, obtain for me a true contrition for my sins and a great love of God and of my neighbour that serving God faithfully in this life, I may come to praise, enjoy and bless Him eternally with thee in Paradise. Amen 

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. 

Visit Catholic Tradition for a longer traditional novena to St. Anthony, with a distinct prayer for each day of the novena.

9 comment(s):

del_button June 4, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Jennifer said...

I always like when you post prayers and novena. I copy and print them for my prayer book.

Thanks, I'll start this one tonight.

del_button June 16, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Anonymous said...

Okay Seminarian Matthew,

You chose to reject my post of a true experience regarding my prayer to St Anthony for my nephew.

Sure it was a bit long-winded, but it was the truth, and I believe a spiritual experience brought about by prayer to St Anthony, incorporated with prayers to the Divine Mercy, plus the Rosary.

This experience might have helped someone believe. You could have edited it if you wished, but no, you chose not to print it?

I'm a Catholic, albeit not a perfect one, but I do pray and have a strong faith. I've been praying to St Anthony for years, and he's been miraculous in his help.

Jennifer speaks about starting a novena. I prayed it a little, but with great passion and faith - not perfectly and got results, yet you didn't print it? I'm confused to say the least!

del_button June 16, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Matthew said...

Anonymous, I did not reject your comment. My blog requires you to accurately enter the word verification, which prevents spam comments from flooding the posts. If you entered the verification wrong, your comment would be automatically deleted by Blogger.

Know that I did not delete your comment. It was never published.

del_button June 17, 2008 at 2:59 AM
Anonymous said...

Seminarian Matthew,

I'm so sorry. Please accept my sincerest apology. You are deserving of much respect, and are a holy man. I have been going through a very stressful period in my life, and lately been extremely oversensitive, and possibly a bit paranoid. I guess it's having to endure criticism and judgment from many whom I love.

In addition, my stepson (a good young man, but unChristened, yet a tad 'Puritanical') has refused to bring his baby to my husband's and my home, because I smoke cigarettes - in spite of never smoking when a child or baby is present, and providing lots of airing to our roomy home. (Our home is a loving, tolerant and welcoming one). I have been deeply hurt by this, as has my husband, and I feel totally rejected, and it is as if I'm contaminated. Doesn't help when one is experiencing menopause, and was never gifted with children of my own - a deep grief. There was also an inference of my not being familiar in handling babies, and I understand the natural overprotection with young parents of their first born. But my heart has been cut in two, so please try and understand my over-reaction.

God has obviously blessed you Matthew.

'Cath'

PS: Jennifer, I do hope St Anthony has answered your novena - I imagine the answer would be positive! He is an amazing saint indeed...

del_button June 17, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Anonymous said...

Seminarian Matthew,

I poured my heart out there, leaving my soul quite open, and would appreciate a response please.

My nephew experienced what I think is called the "odour of sanctity" at 3.00 pm on his birthday, 14th June (the day after St Anthony's feast day)and immediately thought of an experience I had described to him many years ago. He said the perfume/strong scent of fresh roses/flowers permeated the room for only a few seconds, and was like a waft, passing him by. He explained that he checked the room (where he was working, at someone else's home) and couldn't see flowers, candles, incense anywhere. He described that he felt 'clouded' for a while and couldn't concentrate on his work for a time.

I told him that I had been praying for him to St Anthony, as had his grandmother to the Divine Mercy, and Our Blessed Mother. He is 31, and an atheist, although baptized Catholic. He chuckled about it, but wanted to share it with me. He's not yet converted, but this was encouraging I felt.

I feel strongly that Saint Anthony has interceded here. Would be interested in your opinion...

"Cath"

del_button June 17, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Matthew said...

The smell of roses is considered a miracle indeed! It is very commonly attributed to the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Sometimes God allows saints to emit a beautiful perfume in order to draw more people to Himself and holiness. This perfume is smelt only by a privileged few, not all. St. Padre Pio had this gift and the smell of roses, incense, ammonia, and others was emitted from him. He said to some inquiring about them: "They are only a sign of my presence."

Father Agostino of San Marco in Lamis had a malfunctioned olfactory gland and could only smell strong odors. He said, "I smelt a number of times the perfume that many people smell. Even when I was distant from San Giovanni Rotondo I smelt it." The Gift of Perfume continued after St. Padre Pio's death. Not just places connected with him but also places in American and distant places of the world smelt the distinct perfume.

I would definitely attribute this to the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua, since it occurred on his feast day. I encourage you to please keep praying for his conversion. Like St. Monica, we must wait patiently for conversions, but God does hear our prayers and accepts our sacrifices.

del_button June 21, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Anonymous said...

Thank you Seminarian Matthew,

That is very confirming and encouraging. So interesting about St Padre Pio and the perfume also. I have heard of it and actually experienced it myself years ago, sometimes whilst praying the Rosay during a difficult period when I was devout, but my life has changed since then. I attributed this to a connection with having visited a site where Mary was purported to have appeared.

You feel confident it was from St Anthony? I feel this too, although the incident occurred actually the day after, ie 14th June on my nephew's birthday. I asked him what building he was in (he was doing some contracting computer work) and he said the home of a Jewish family. Then I started to think of Our Lady - her being originally Jewish etc..

It's just made me feel so happy, because it gives me hope about my nephew, that God has somehow blessed him or will do so, or has him in his care.

Hope I don't sound 'nuts'!

Cath

del_button June 21, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Matthew said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us here.

Pax tecum.

del_button January 4, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Davey said...

Did you know that St Anthony and

Padre Pio appear in two places at

the same time and I believe in

odour of Sanctity it happend to me

all the time

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