A novena is a 9-day prayer and meditation which often leads to a feast day, solemnity, or other liturgical celebration. It serves as a participation in Our Lord's command to the Apostles to pray together in anticipation of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost after His Ascension. Through our novena prayer to St. Thomas More, we ask his patronal intercession upon our parish family and our special intentions. This prayer leads us to our Patronal Feast and the Feast of Saints Thomas More, martyr and John Fischer, bishop & martyr on June 22nd.
How to pray this Novena?
Day 1 of the novena begins on June 13th leading to the Feast Day on June 22nd. Ordinarily, we recite the novena prayers following our 9 AM Daily Mass leading up to the feast day. All of the prayers are posted by day below. You can include the novena prayers in your private reflection, as part of your recitation of the Holy Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, or as part of any of your daily prayers or devotions. You can also choose to include the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be following the novena prayers each day. A printer-friendly version of this novena is available here.
Day 1 - A Model of Prudence & Courage
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model of prudence. He never thrust himself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, he tested the strength of his powers and waited on God’s will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the virtues of prudence, and courage. We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 2 - A Model of Diligence & Persistence
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model of diligence. He shunned procrastination, applied himself with fervor to his studies, and spared no effort in achieving mastery in any skill. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the virtues of diligence and persistence.
We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 3 - A Model of Industry & Pursuit of Excellence
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model of industriousness. He threw himself wholeheartedly into everything he did, and he found enjoyment even in the most serious things. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the virtues of industry, and the pursuit of excellence.
We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 4 - A Model of Discretion, Justice, Mercy & Compassion
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a brilliant lawyer and a just and compassionate judge. He was unflagging in his pursuit of justice tempered by mercy. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace to overcome every temptation to laxity, arrogance, and rash judgment and so be granted the virtues of discretion, justice, mercy and compassion.
We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 5 - A Model of Humility & Wisdom
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model of humility. He never allowed pride to lead him into enterprises beyond his abilities. Even in the midst of earthly wealth and honor, he never forgot his total dependence on you, his Heavenly Father. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace of an increase in humility and the wisdom not to overestimate our own powers.
We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 6 - A Model of Faithfulness & Chastity
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model husband and father. He was loving and faithful to both of his wives, and an example of virtue for his children. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace of a happy home, peace in our families, and the strength to persevere in chastity according to our state in life. We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 7 - A Model of Fortitude, Patience & Joy
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a model of Christian fortitude. He suffered bereavement, disgrace, poverty, imprisonment and a violent death; yet he bore it all with strength and good cheer. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace to bear all our crosses with Christian fortitude, patience and joy. We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 8 - A Model of Perseverance & Trust
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was a loyal child of God and a steadfast son of the Church, never taking his eyes off the crown for which he strove. Even in the face of death, he trusted in God to give him the victory, and was rewarded with the palm of martyrdom. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace of final perseverance and ultimate trust in you that we may one day enjoy the Beatific Vision in your glorious company.
We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
Day 9 - A Model of Faith, Hope & Charity
Lord God, we honor the memory of our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas More. In his earthly life, he was totally devoted to preparing for the life to come. Everything he endured prepared him not only for heavenly glory, but for his work as the patron of lawyers, judges and statesmen, and as steadfast friend to all who call upon him. We ask that you grant to us, through his prayers and intercession, the grace to follow in his footsteps of faith, hope and steadfast love, until at last we are safely home in the mansions you have prepared for us in heaven. We also ask that, through his powerful intercession, we may obtain the favors we seek in this novena. (Mention your special intentions.)
But if what we ask is not for the glory of God and the good of our souls, grant us, we pray, what is more conducive to both. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Saint Thomas More. R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.
(Novena Prayer adapted from: St. Thomas More Community. St. Paul, MN - www.morecommunity.org)
Want to learn more about Our Patron?
Click here for a complete page dedicated to Saint Thomas More! There, you can read a full biography and watch short video.