Saint Barbara devotional painting

Catholic novena

Novena in Honor of St. Barbara

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At a glance

What it is
A complete novena in honor of St. Barbara, from Father Bonaventure Hammer's 1909 devotional manual. The same full prayer is said on each of the nine days.
Often prayed for
Prayed for fortitude in the Faith, protection from a sudden death, the holy sacraments before death, and a happy, prepared end.
Suggested start
November 25, 2026. You may also begin this novena at any time.
Length
9 days
Feast
December 4 (commemoration, 1962 Roman calendar)
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Preparatory Prayer

ALMIGHTY and eternal God! With lively faith and reverently worshiping Thy divine Majesty, I prostrate myself before Thee and invoke with filial trust Thy supreme bounty and mercy. Illumine the darkness of my intellect with a ray of Thy heavenly light and inflame my heart with the fire of Thy divine love, that I may contemplate the great virtues and merits of the saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.

Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I humbly place before Thee, devoutly saying, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Vouchsafe graciously to hear it, if it redounds to Thy greater glory and to the salvation of my soul. Amen.

Prayer and Invocation

O GOD, who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfilment of Thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation

INTREPID virgin and martyr, St. Barbara, through thy intercession come to my aid in all needs of my soul. Obtain for me the grace to be preserved from a sudden and unprovided death; assist me in my agony, when my senses are benumbed and I am in the throes of death. Then, O powerful patroness of the dying, come to my aid! Repel from me all the assaults and temptations of the evil one, and obtain for me the grace to receive before death the holy sacraments, that I breathe forth my soul confirmed in faith, hope, and charity, and be worthy to enter eternal glory. Amen.

St. Barbara, at my last end Obtain for me the Sacrament; Assist one in that direst need When I my God and Judge must meet: That robed in sanctifying grace My soul may stand before His face.

Concluding Prayer

MY LORD and my God! I offer up to Thee my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, together with the merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother, Mary ever virgin, and of all the saints, particularly with those of the holy Helper in whose honor I make this novena.

Look down upon me, merciful Lord! Grant me Thy grace and Thy love, and graciously hear my prayer. Amen.

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About this devotion

Which edition is shown here?

A complete novena in honor of St. Barbara, from Father Bonaventure Hammer's 1909 devotional manual. The same full prayer is said on each of the nine days.

Related devotion

Move naturally from this novena into the nearest saint life or traditional litany in the library.

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About this novena

Description

Beginning on November 26, this novena follows the older Benziger prayer tradition centered on fortitude, the sacraments, and a well-prepared death.

Traditionally invoked as patron of

fortitude, protection from sudden death, the dying, the holy sacraments

Traditionally prayed for

Often prayed for fortitude, protection from sudden death, the dying, and the holy sacraments.

Usual timing

November 25 through December 3, or any nine consecutive days

9 daysFeast: December 4 (commemoration, 1962 Roman calendar)fortitudeprotection from sudden deaththe dyingthe holy sacraments
How to pray a novena
Saint Barbara devotional painting

Saint Barbara, Netherlandish, Walters Art Museum