Catholic novena
Novena in Honor of St. Paul of the Cross
Quick answer
At a glance
Prayer source
Traditional saint novena
The Raccolta, 1910 edition, section on St. Paul of the Cross, nos. 351-352.. Cited witness: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theraccoltaorcol00unknuoft.djvu. Review, 21 October 2026: The primary 1910 printed p.318 opens with a drop-cap O. It was lost in the app transcription (and in OCR). Restore O. The full prayer, including the petition for England, is otherwise retained, with Pater/Ave/Gloria written out. Printed no.352 permits any form of prayers for the novena; no changing proper days are missing.
Read the source standards- What it is
- A Raccolta-rooted novena to St. Paul of the Cross, centered on the Passion of Christ, repentance, conversion, and final perseverance.
- Often prayed for
- Love of the Passion, true repentance, conversion of sinners, and perseverance unto a holy death.
- Suggested start
- April 19, 2027. You may also begin this novena at any time.
- Length
- 9 days
- Feast
- April 28 (1962 Roman calendar)
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.
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About This Novena
St. Paul of the Cross stands in older devotional life as a preacher of the Crucified. This novena keeps that emphasis sharp: meditate on the wounds of Christ, repent of sin, pray for the Church, and ask to die well under the sign of the Passion.
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for love of the Passion, repentance, conversion of sinners, and a holy death.
Usual timing
April 19 through April 27, or any nine consecutive days
Day 1 of 9
The same principal prayer is used each day. Choose the day you are on, pray the main prayer, 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.
Pray Day 1 of 9
Day 1: Mirror of Innocence
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Pray the principal prayer for this day of the novena.
Pause here for your intention.
Principal Prayer for Each Day
Pray this same prayer each day for all 9 days.
O Glorious St. Paul, thou who, while on earth, wast a mirror of innocence and a model of penance! O hero of sanctity, specially chosen by God to meditate night and day on the most bitter Passion of His only-begotten Son, and to propagate the same devotion throughout the world, by word, by example, and by means of thy institute! O Apostle, powerful in word and work, who didst spend thy life in bringing back the wandering souls of wretched sinners to the feet of the Crucified, look graciously down from Heaven upon my soul, and hear my prayers.
Obtain for me so great a love of Jesus suffering that, ever meditating on His Passion, I may make His sufferings mine; that I may recognize in the deep wounds of my Saviour the wickedness of my sins, and may draw from them, as from so many founts of salvation, the grace of lamenting them bitterly, and a firm will to imitate thee in penance, if I have not followed thee in innocence.
Procure for me, O St. Paul, the grace which here, at thy feet, I particularly and earnestly beg of thee: [mention the grace desired].
Moreover, obtain for our holy Mother the Church victory over her enemies; obtain conversion of sinners, and a return to the Catholic Faith of all heretical nations, particularly England, for which thou didst pray so much. Finally, intercede for me with God that I may die a holy death, and come to enjoy Him with thee in Heaven, for all eternity. Amen.
Repeated prayer cue
Conclude with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Review your day checklist
Day checklist
Check off each day as you pray
0 of 9
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About this devotion
Which edition is shown here?
A Raccolta-rooted novena to St. Paul of the Cross, centered on the Passion of Christ, repentance, conversion, and final perseverance.
Related devotion
Keep this novena connected
Move naturally from this novena into the nearest saint life or traditional litany in the library.
Tools, privacy, and reminders
Prayer progress and local tools stay on this device unless you clear them.
About this novena
Description
St. Paul of the Cross stands in older devotional life as a preacher of the Crucified. This novena keeps that emphasis sharp: meditate on the wounds of Christ, repent of sin, pray for the Church, and ask to die well under the sign of the Passion.
Traditionally invoked as patron of
love of the Passion, repentance, conversion of sinners, a holy death
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for love of the Passion, repentance, conversion of sinners, and a holy death.
Usual timing
April 19 through April 27, or any nine consecutive days
Saint Paul of the Cross, engraving, Wellcome Collection