A novena to St. Benedict is nine days of prayer asking the help of St. Benedict of Nursia (about 480–547), the father of Western monasticism, who is invoked for protection against evil, for peace in the home, for the dying and for a life of balanced prayer and work. Each day of this novena takes one theme from St. Benedict’s life and Rule, joins it to a passage of Scripture, and ends with the prayer of the St. Benedict medal. Many people pray it before his feast, July 11 (beginning July 2), or before March 21, the day of his death. Below are how to pray the novena and the nine days.
A short prayer to St. Benedict, written for this page:
St. Benedict, father of monks and friend of God,
protect me and my home from every evil, teach me to pray and to work in peace,
and help me in this need: (name your intention). Amen.
How to pray the novena
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Read the Scripture and the short reflection for the day.
- Pray the daily prayer and name your intention.
- Close with the prayer of the St. Benedict medal, below, and a Glory Be.
The prayer of the St. Benedict medal (every day)
The words on the back of the St. Benedict medal, a prayer of exorcism against evil:
The Holy Cross be my light;
Let not the dragon be my guide.
Begone, Satan, do not suggest to me thy vanities;
Evil are the things thou profferest, drink thou thy own poison.
See the St. Benedict prayer for the Latin text and the meaning of the medal.
The nine days
Day 1: Listen
St. Benedict’s Rule begins with the word “Listen.” Jesus also calls us to stillness (Psalm 45:11, Douay-Rheims):
Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
St. Benedict, help me to listen to God with the ear of my heart. Amen.
Day 2: Seeking God first
(Proverbs 3:5–6, Douay-Rheims):
Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.
In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
St. Benedict, you left the city to seek God alone. Help me to put Him first. Amen.
Day 3: Prayer and work
(Colossians 3:23–24, Douay-Rheims):
Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.
St. Benedict, teach me to pray and to work, ora et labora, and to do everything for God. Amen.
Day 4: Humility
St. Benedict taught that humility is the ladder to God. Jesus calls His disciples to deny themselves (Matthew 16:24, Douay-Rheims):
Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
St. Benedict, help me to take up my cross and to follow Jesus in humility. Amen.
Day 5: Peace
The Benedictine motto is Pax, “Peace” (Philippians 4:6–7, Douay-Rheims):
Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
St. Benedict, bring peace to my heart and to my home. Amen.
Day 6: Hospitality
St. Benedict wrote that every guest should be welcomed as Christ (Matthew 25:35–36, Douay-Rheims):
For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:
Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
St. Benedict, open my heart and my door to those in need. Amen.
Day 7: Protection against evil
(Ephesians 6:11, Douay-Rheims):
Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.
St. Benedict, protect me, my family and my home from every attack of the evil one. Amen.
Day 8: Under the shadow of the Most High
(Psalm 90:11–12, Douay-Rheims; Psalm 91 in other numberings):
For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.
In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
St. Benedict, ask God to send His angels to guard us in all our ways. Amen.
Day 9: A holy death
St. Benedict died standing in the chapel, supported by his monks, his hands raised in prayer, after receiving Communion (Psalm 115:15, Douay-Rheims):
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
St. Benedict, patron of a happy death, be with me and with all the dying at our last hour, and grant my intention if it is God’s will. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I pray the novena to St. Benedict?
From July 2 to 10, before his feast on July 11, or at any time, especially when you need protection or peace.
Why is St. Benedict the patron of a happy death?
Because he died peacefully in prayer, standing before the altar, after receiving the Eucharist.
What is the St. Benedict medal?
A sacramental bearing the image of St. Benedict and a prayer against evil, used for protection.
More prayers
- St. Benedict prayer
- Prayer for a happy death
- Catholic prayer for protection
- St. Michael prayer
- Novenas
- Patron saint of kidney disease
Texts and sources
- The prayer of the St. Benedict medal, from Michael Ott, “Medal of Saint Benedict,” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), public domain.
- Psalm 45:11, Proverbs 3:5–6, Colossians 3:23–24, Matthew 16:24, Philippians 4:6–7, Matthew 25:35–36, Ephesians 6:11, Psalm 90:11–12 and Psalm 115:15 (Douay-Rheims).
- The daily reflections and prayers were written for this page.