Novena to Saint Anthony
St Anthony of Padua (Lisbon, 1195 — Padua, 1231), Doctor of the Church, Franciscan preacher and wonderworker, is known as the saint of the whole world. This novena prepares for his feast on June 13. In many regions the popular devotion of the Thirteen Tuesdays, linked to his intercession, is also prayed.
Offering Prayer (every day)
Glorious St Anthony, faithful servant of Jesus and of the Immaculate Virgin, we offer you this novena in honour of your virtues and your charity for the poor. By the merits of your whole life, obtain for us from the Lord the grace we ask in faith. Amen.
The Nine Days
Day 1 — The Christ Child in his arms
Tradition holds that the Child Jesus appeared one night to St Anthony in the house of his host, allowing himself to be embraced. This scene is the heart of Antonian iconography: to preach Christ is to embrace him.
St Anthony, who embraced the Christ Child, grant that we too may welcome him into our hearts; obtain for us tenderness toward the little ones and faithfulness in the small works of every day. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 2 — Evangelical Doctor
Anthony entered the Canons Regular of St Augustine, but, drawn by the Franciscan martyrs of Morocco, passed to the Order of Friars Minor. He became the first professor of theology in the new Order, with the blessing of St Francis himself.
Evangelical Doctor, teach us to love and to study the Word of God. May it be light for our steps and food for our souls. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 3 — Preacher of the poor
St Anthony travelled through southern France and northern Italy preaching to heretics and the forgotten. He did not mind being heard in churchyards and town squares — what mattered was to announce Christ.
Preacher of the poor, give us love for those who suffer; help us to share our bread. May we never pass indifferently by a brother in need. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 4 — The miracle of the fish
In Rimini, when the heretics refused to listen, Anthony preached on the seashore; and the fish, the chronicles say, came to the surface to hear the Word. It was a sign that Truth conquers even the hardness of the human heart.
Patron of preachers, help us to speak of God with simplicity; obtain the conversion of those who today close their ears to the faith. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 5 — The recovered Psalter
A novice fled the friary carrying off Anthony’s Psalter. Through the saint’s prayer, the demon tempting the novice frightened him, and he returned bringing back the book. For this reason St Anthony is invoked by those who lose anything.
Saint of lost things, help us to find what we have lost — but above all the path of grace, when we have strayed from it. Restore us to the Father. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 6 — Patron of marriage
During his life, St Anthony reconciled separated spouses, provided dowries for poor girls so they could marry, and blessed whole families. He is invoked as protector of marriage and of those engaged.
St Anthony, protect those engaged to be married and married couples; obtain for us holy, faithful, fruitful marriages. Reconcile divided families. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 7 — Defender of the little ones
At the saint’s feet in Padua, the poor received bread — a custom that survives today in St Anthony’s Bread. His charity knew no limits of race, condition, or religion.
St Anthony of the poor, teach us to share; obtain for the hungry bread, for the lonely company, for the sick care, and for the sorrowful consolation. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 8 — Model of holiness
Anthony died young, only 36 years old. Less than a year after his death, Gregory IX canonised him — a rare case in the history of the Church. His holiness shone incontestably.
Saint of the Lord, give us the holiness of small steps, of daily fidelity, of hidden prayer. Do not let us settle for mediocrity. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 9 — Doctor of the Church
In 1946, Pius XII proclaimed St Anthony Doctor of the Universal Church, with the title of Evangelical Doctor. His preaching, eight centuries later, still nourishes the faith of the People of God.
Evangelical Doctor, obtain for us today the grace we entrust to your intercession: (state the intention). Hear us as you have always heard the trust of your devotees. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Final Prayer (every day)
O God, who gave to your people St Anthony as an outstanding preacher and powerful intercessor in their needs, grant us to follow the teachings of the Christian life and to experience, in all adversities, your help through his intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In many regions the Responsory of St Anthony (Si quæris miracula) is then prayed.
In Latin
Si quæris miracula, mors, error, calamitas, dæmon, lepra fugiunt, ægri surgunt sani. Cedunt mare, vincula; membra resque perditas petunt et accipiunt iuvenes et cani. Pereunt pericula, cessat et necessitas; narrent hi qui sentiunt, dicant Paduani.