Novena to St. Benedict – Day 5: Service to Christ
Join in praying the Novena to St. Benedict to seek his intercession and powerful protection.
Today's Focus: Service to Christ
On this fifth day, we focus on serving Christ in others. St. Benedict taught that every person we encounter is Christ, and we should serve them with love and reverence.
Prayer for Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Saint Benedict, sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet. I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me. Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor. Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
We also pray for these intentions… (State your intentions here)
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Reflection
St. Benedict\'s famous instruction to welcome all guests as Christ reminds us that every act of service to others is an act of service to Christ Himself.
As we reflect on this aspect of St. Benedict\'s life and teaching, let us ask ourselves how we can apply these lessons to our own lives and grow in holiness.
May St. Benedict\'s intercession help us to overcome our weaknesses and to grow stronger in our faith and love for God and neighbor.
How to Make an Excellent Novena
Trust in St. Benedict
Trust completely in St. Benedict\'s powerful intercession and his ability to help you. Turn to him with confidence in every need.
Be Persistent
Pray this novena with persistence and faith. St. Benedict will not fail to help those who turn to him with trust.
Be Specific
Present your specific needs and intentions to St. Benedict. He wants to help you with the particular difficulties you face.
Be Grateful
Thank St. Benedict for his intercession and for the graces you receive. Gratitude opens our hearts to receive more blessings.
Closing Prayer
O glorious St. Benedict, help me to see and serve Christ in everyone I meet. May your example of welcoming all as Christ inspire me to serve others with love and reverence. Amen.