Traditional Catholic Novena
St. Ambrose Novena
Prayed for worthy Communion, purity of conscience, holy learning, and reverence before God.
St. Ambrose is traditionally invoked as patron of beekeepers, learners, schoolchildren, those seeking reverence before Holy Mass.
Saint Ambrose, Giovanni di Paolo, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pray This Novena
Start with day 1
Begin the novena now, move one day at a time, and come back here whenever you are ready for the next day.
Your prayer progress and private intention stay only on this device unless you clear them. How to pray a novena.
Day 1 of 9
The same principal prayer is used each day. Choose the day you are on, pray the main prayer below, and mark the day complete when you finish.
Private intention
This stays only on this device and appears at the intention moment in the prayer.
Day 1 of 9
Not marked complete yet.
Tap any day to jump straight to it. Blue days are already marked complete on this device.
Day 1
Pray the principal prayer below for this day of the novena.
Pause here for your intention.
Principal Prayer for Each Day
Pray this same prayer each day after the day's meditation.
Prayer of St. Ambrose (Especially Before Holy Mass)
Lord Jesus Christ, I approach Thy banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth, but only on Thy goodness and mercy. I am defiled by my many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words. Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek Thy protection, I look for Thy healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to Thee, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear Thy judgment, but I trust in Thy salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to Thee and uncover my shame before Thee. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in Thy mercies, for they cannot be numbered. Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal King, God and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in Thee. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of Thy compassion never ends. Praise to Thy saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy blood; I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the Holy of Holies. May Thy Body and Blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts.
Amen.
Often said for