Ocasiones
Novena to Saint Benedict
Nine days of prayer to the father of monks, asking protection through Christ's Cross and the intercession of the Medal of St. Benedict.
4 min read
Pray one day at a time for nine consecutive days (ideally July 3–11). Each day, say the day's invocation and the traditional prayer of the Medal of St. Benedict.
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DAY 1 — Protection
O Saint Benedict, by the power of the Holy Cross, defend me from all evil, visible and invisible.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 2 — Humility
O Saint Benedict, teach me to live in obedience to Christ and the rule of the Gospel.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 3 — Purity
O Saint Benedict, guard my heart that I may flee temptation and the vanities of the world.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 4 — Peace
O Saint Benedict, grant peace to my home and establish order and charity within it.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 5 — Fidelity
O Saint Benedict, strengthen my fidelity to prayer and to work sanctified by God.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 6 — Prayer and work
O Saint Benedict, help me unite prayer and labor in the service of God and neighbor.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 7 — Conversion
O Saint Benedict, grant me grace to turn from evil and always seek God's will.
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 8 — Intercession
O Saint Benedict, present to God the needs of the Church and my family (mention your request).
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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DAY 9 — Graces
O Saint Benedict, father of monks and protector of the afflicted, obtain from God the grace I carry in my heart (mention your request).
May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!
Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil — drink the poison yourself!
May the holy cross be my protection. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
When to pray
During the nine days before the feast of St. Benedict (July 11), when blessing the home with the medal, or whenever seeking spiritual protection.
