Start Your Novena Today - Saint Benedict

It just so happens that the Catholic Church commemorates Saint Benedict on July 11th, which is exactly nine days from today.

If you would like to begin a 9-day novena to Saint Benedict today is the day!

If you're reading this a day or two after July 2nd, remember that God is many things, but never a bureaucrat, so print out the prayer below, start late and pray nine times between now and the feast day.

May I be bold enough to suggest that you offer your prayers for the spiritual and temporal needs of the Holy Father, and that you plan on attending Mass and offering Holy Communion when the novena ends next Friday, July 11th, for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI . . . .


In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . . . .

Dear Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace, 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. 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. (Mention your intention.)
Help me, oh 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.
Amen.

Thank you and a huge H/T to CatholiCity.com for their email (above) that reminded me of this perfect timing for a novena!
Saint Benedict, is considered the Father of Western Civilization. You can read about Saint Benedict, Saint Joseph, and Pope Benedict XVI @ the link above.
Graphics source: walburga.org