Novena to St. Anthony the Abbot

  Posted on January 15, 2019  by admin  No comments

Note: Pray as a family or as an individual, Generally Starting from the 8th to the 16th of Jan-covers 9 days of the novena. Last day(10th day/actual feast day)  say the Opening Prayer, Psalm 91,  Our Father & Hail Mary & Glory be, the Litany and finally the closing prayer and Hymn (recited or sung).
 
Opening Prayer: St. Anthony the Abbot, the ancient and noble saint, we honour you as our intercessor and model of Christian love and total abandonment. In your love and dedication to the Lord, you left everything and followed our Lord to the desert.

The Church honours you greatly for your devout and austere way of life; a life dedicated to God and humanity. By your devotion to the master, you vanquished the evil one and with your eloquence, you rebuffed the heretics.

Because of your close friendship with God, the early church invoked your intercession with great benefit for the salvation of souls and against the onslaught of all kinds of diseases and sicknesses.

May we who strive to follow the same Lord and Master, have your special intercession and help against the onslaught of the evil one and against all temptations of the flesh, sicknesses, epidemics and pandemics and every kind of division and heresies, both within and against the Church of God and be able to lead a life of close union with Jesus our Lord.  Pray that we may be a true witness to the grace of Baptism, renewed at every Eucharistic encounter and respond to His constant call and invitation by leading a life of austerity and self sacrifice, a life dedicated and devoted to God and His holy will.

OUR FATHER & 3 HAIL MARYS

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Day 1

Today we invoke your special intercession for the Catholic Church:

O glorious St. Anthony, in your zeal for God’s holy people and his church, you left the desert to preach against the heresies which assailed the church. We invoke your special intercession for the church of Jesus, the bridegroom, so that we may be shielded from the many false teachings, heresies and new age spiritualities that have invaded the Church. May all who guide and govern the Church seek the path of true discernment, and guide the flock of Jesus as true shepherds and defenders of faith, so that the faithful may find their complete fulfillment in Christ and his liberating message.  May the many denominations that crop up each new day shelve their personal pride, hurt and ambitions and strive to work as one body; as genuine witnesses of Christ. May the church flourish in the abundance of the knowledge of Christ and seek to live by this knowledge of Christ; the way, the truth and the life.

Day 2

Today we invoke your special intercession for our Country:

St. Anthony of Egypt, when the great Christian and Roman Emperor, Constantine wrote to you, you blessed him and assured him of your prayers for the peace and prosperity of the empire and the Church. We today lift up to you our beloved country and pray for your special intercession and blessings so that we may enjoy peace and safety and that the divine wisdom and faith which Jesus revealed in Himself may spread unhindered by the working of His Holy Spirit.  Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; May the uneven ground become level, and the rough places a plain. And let the glory of the Lord be revealed to our nation, and all flesh see it together what the mouth of the Lord assures.

Day 3

Today we invoke your special intercession for our local Church and community:

O Father St. Anthony, you were one of those first monks to start a community of monks who lived together striving and living the Gospel way of life. Through your intercession may our parish of ………………  grow with the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of our hearts enlightened, that we may know what is the hope to which He has called us, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in us who believe, according to the working of His great might (Eph 1:17-19). May we be instruments that will produce the abundance of fruit of God’s kingdom and live in love and that unity which Jesus desired of his disciples, forgiving one another as Christ forgives us. May our pastors never tire in their zeal to serve the Lord who has called them out of this world to shepherd the flock of God. May they under your mantle of protection lead us, the flock of Christ into ever new pastures, so that our drooping spirits may be revived. Thus, we too fired by that zeal, closely assist them in the great task of labouring in his vineyard.

Day 4

Today we invoke your special intercession for vocations to flourish, especially to the consecrated life:

St. Anthony of Egypt, the faithful and wise servant in the household of God, you encouraged your own sister to join the convent and advised many young men in the way of the Lord. We pray that there may be more labourers in God’s vineyard. Especially that there may be more and more devoting themselves to a life of total abandonment to God’s will and be willing as obedient and faithful servants to carry out his mandate through much suffering and pain. May parents who bring their children up with much love and affection be willing to let go of them, to be available for the great task and mission of Christ and his Church.

Day 5

Today we invoke your special intercession for our families, especially the children:

O humble St. Anthony, you submitted to your parents and after the death of your parents you did well by taking care of your sister and led her too in the way of Christ. Teach us by your example to teach our children the Gospel way of life and also to respect their elders and not displease them by insolent behavior. May families be a training ground for true Christian virtues and a place where the seeds of true vocations are sown. May our families never fail to witness Christ to a deteriorating disintegrating world where sin, glamour and self-centered pleasures are extolled above Christ centered teachings and human values. May the Gospel that spoke to your heart and made you respond to the Master, speak constantly to their conscience in the midst of a sinful and wicked generation that walks the way of death and destruction.

Day 6

Today we invoke your special intercession for all those who are lonely and hurting, depressed and facing psychotic problems:

O glorious and mighty St. Anthony, while you were in the isolation of the desert, you must have felt the pangs of loneliness, melancholy, despair and desolation but you rose above these pressures and pulls by clinging to the Master. Be the help of those who are suffering from hurts, depression, despair of life and suicidal tendencies that they may not look at their own weaknesses, hurts and pain but rather look to Him alone, who is able to save us from our many calamities. We ask your intercession to plead with the Heavenly Father and His precious son Jesus to free them from the chains of fears and deep hurts of loneliness and rejections. Obtain that heavenly balm to soothe their restless souls and hurting hearts and then fill them with His pure consoling and comforting love.

Day 7

Today we invoke your special intercession for those under the bondage of the evil one and suffering all kinds of oppressions:

O humble St. Anthony, you conquered the evil one with the spirit of true humility; through complete surrender and trust in God. Teach us to humbly surrender to God all that oppresses us. Seek for us in God’s presence the forgiveness for those wrongs committed by our parents and ancestors, even as we renounce those sins that we have committed against the commandments of God, especially the first commandment.  By your proximity with Jesus set us free from every oppression of the evil one so that we may serve our God in the freedom of heart and mind. Break the yoke of curses, hexes, witchcraft, black magic and anything which is not of God’s holy reign. May we, by your persistent intercession be freed from the onslaught of the evil one and the temptation of daily life. Let our eyes see the victory of Jesus Christ our Lord, which was ever visible in your persistent example and intercession.

Day 8

Today we invoke your special intercession for those suffering from infectious diseases and skin infections. Invoke his special intercession on new forms of diseases such as bird flu, swine flu, etc.:

As sin and evil increases, so also diseases, pestilence and calamities increase in our world. The human world has turned away from God and his commands and even grievously sinned against Him by not acknowledging the goodness of the Creator who has revealed Himself in the things He has created and provides us with everything that is good for sustenance.  We count on His mercy and ask for your special intercession O glorious and ever triumphant St. Anthony, the friend of God and the human race. Pray that the good Lord looking at the great sacrifice offered by His son Jesus may look with mercy and on us, and in His compassion may forgive the ever growing sins of the human race. May the good Lord who made His light shine in darkness heal us of all sicknesses, infectious diseases and deadly pestilences, epidemics and pandemics. Subjugate every hindrance of hurt, unforgiveness, revenge, insecurities, guilt, shame and fears that prevents God’s grace, so that the peace and health of God may reign in our hearts and being.

Day 9

Today we invoke your special intercession for our unskilled labourers, suffering and without a job, especially in times of recession:

O Noble St. Anthony, you not only laboured in God’s vineyard but also laboured for your own bread. Look with pity upon the suffering millions without job, food, clothing and shelter. May God through your intercession have compassion on these who cry out to Him for their daily bread. May they be able to put their trust in God who cares for His own and feeds His chosen with good things.  In total trust and confidence may they seek to remove those blocks and obstacles that makes them anxious and worried and prevents them to labour according to God’s wisdom; which is a kingdom of righteousness and power.

Litany of Saint Anthony the Abbot

V. Lord, have mercy on us. R. Lord, have mercy on us.    
V. Christ, have mercy on us. R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. R. Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Christ hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven: R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Mary, Mother of God. R. Pray for us.
V. First among all monks, your name they hail, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Prince among the saints, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. God’s life in the desert and His voice in the wilderness, Great St. Anthony,     Pray for us.
V. Charity has gained such heights for you, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Wonderworker known for favors gained, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Humbly you endured with strength and love, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Shield for those who came to seek your aid, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Healer of all ills and guide for souls, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Spring and treasure house of charity, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Ever shining star and lamp of light, Great St. Anthony,    Pray for us.
V. Table of the Law and Gospel book, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Guide of those in doubt and ignorance, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Lamp of those who walk in darkness now, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Light of Holy Mother Church, your merits shines, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Peace for those who dread the enemy, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Gladness for the sad, strength for the tried, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Faithful to your word and ever true, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Sun of monks and nuns and model for all, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Temple arch who holds the power of God, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Noble saint and wisdom of the divine, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Mighty intercessor and protector of God’s chosen, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Exemplar in sacrifice and virtuous in deeds, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Mighty healer and deliverer of souls, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Vanquisher of the heretics the protector of the church, Great St. Anthony,    Pray for us.
V. Commander of God’s victorious army, Great St. Anthony, Pray for us.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. Graciously hear us O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, Great Saint Anthony
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ 
 
Let us Pray: Father Anthony, you equaled Elias in his zeal and followed John the Baptist in his holy way of life. You inhabited the wilderness and established your world on the firm foundation of your single-hearted love and devotion to Christ. Intercede with Christ that He may save our souls from every calamity and pestilence of the evil one. Amen.