Novena Day Five

Saint Anthony, Hope of the Sick

Dear Saint Anthony,

You knew well the experience of disappointment and sickness during your time on earth.

Illness is one of the greatest of our human sufferings. It forces us to rely on others, leaves our daily tasks undone, and it upsets our self-assurance and composure. It can even make us feel useless.

Help me, good Saint Anthony, in times of sickness and trouble. Teach me how to draw spiritual gains from my times of bodily ills. Intercede with God for the sick in our communities: those who suffer the disease of addiction, who struggle in their mental or physical health, or find themselves with failing bodies.

Help me to be a source of hope and comfort for all those who are sick in spirit, mind, or body.

May our efforts during this Novena help us to grow in love of Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Pray for us, Saint Anthony, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!

Novena Prayer to Saint Anthony

O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…