Feast of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, orate pro nobis

August 8th is the Feast of the Fourteen Holy Helpers or Auxiliary Saints. While each has their own individual memorial, they were traditionally invoked collectively in some places in times of adversity and difficulties. The devotion began in the middle of the 14th century when the Black Death, a virulent plague that struck Europe from Asia, ravaged the continent and killed an estimated 30% to 60% of its population. Considering the great many calamities befalling Christendom today, I'm thinking it's long past time to bring back this popular devotion. The Helpers are: St. George (April 23rd), St. Blaise (February 3rd), St. Erasmus (June 2nd), St. Pantaleon (July 27th), St. Vitus (June 15th), St. Christopher (July 25th), St. Denis (October 9th), St. Cyriacus (August 8th), St. Achatius (May 8th), St. Eustace (September 20th), St. Giles (September 1st), St. Margaret of Antioch (July 20th), St. Catherine of Alexandria (November 25th), and St. Barbara (December 4th). In celebration, I’m posting three invocations to the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Three Invocations to the Holy Helpers

1. Great friends of God, Holy Helpers, humbly saluting and venerating you, I implore your help and intercession. Bring my prayers before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, so that I may experience in all the difficulties and trials of life the mercy of the eternal Father, the love of the incarnate divine Son, and the assistance of the Holy Ghost; that despondency may not depress me when God's wise decree imposes on my shoulders a heavy burden. Above all, I implore your assistance at the hour of death. Help me then to gain the victory over the temptations and assaults of Satan, and to leave this world hopefully trusting in God's mercy, to join you in heaven, there to praise Him for ever and ever. Amen.

2. With confiding trust I turn to you, Holy Helpers, who were selected by God before many other saints to be the special intercessors and advocates of the distressed. Obtain for me strength and courage to struggle and suffer on earth for the glory of God, for the propagation of our holy faith, and for my own perfection. You are fruitful branches of the true and living vine, Jesus Christ, for whom you heroically suffered hunger and thirst, persecution and ignominy, afflictions and adversity, tortures and death. Here on earth you were true disciples and dauntless martyrs of Christ. Assist me to follow your example and to suffer for His sake, so that I may not be parted from Him as a useless member, but persevere in His service despite all trials and tribulations of life. Knowing my inconstancy and weakness, I have recourse to you, O glorious members of the Church triumphant, and implore you to support my feeble prayers, and to bear them before the throne of the Almighty, who, for your sake, will hear them. Amen.

3. Great friends and servants of God, Holy Helpers! Humbly saluting and venerating you, I implore your help and intercession. God has promised and granted that whosoever invokes your aid shall be relieved in his needs and succored at the hour of death. Therefore I have recourse to you and confidently implore your aid. I am surrounded by difficulties and my soul is oppressed with grief. Burdened with sins, the fear of God's rigorous judgment appalls me, whilst Satan ceases not to exert all his power to accomplish my eternal ruin.

Therefore I implore your assistance, powerful Holy Helpers, in my dire distress. By the penitential life you led, by the cruel tortures you suffered, and by your holy death I entreat you to pray for me. Obtain for me the remission of my sins and perseverance to the end in God's grace. Assist me in my agony and protect me against the wily assaults of Satan, that through your help I may die a happy death and enter a blissful eternity. Amen.

* For more on the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year.

Feast of San Ciriaco di Roma and Companions

San Ciriaco and Companions, orate pro nobis

August 8th is the Feast of San Ciriaco di Roma, Deacon, Martyr, and Miracleworker. First exorcist of the Church, he delivered the daughters of Emperor Diocletian and the King of Persia from demonic possession. He was tortured and beheaded on the Via Salaria with his companions St. Largus, St. Smaragdus and twenty others by co-emperor Maximian circa 303 for refusing to renounce the Faith. 

One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, San Ciriaco is invoked against evil spirits, demonic possession, eye disease and deathbed temptations. He is the patron saint of exorcists and Torre le Nocelle in Provincia di Avellino, Campania. 

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to Saints Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish in Boston, Massachusetts. Evviva San Ciriaco di Roma!

Prayer to Saints Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus

O God, You gladden us by the annual feast of Your holy Martyrs, Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus; mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate their heavenly birthday, may also imitate the fortitude of their martyrdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Novena to Sant’Eustachio Martire

Sant'Eustachio Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, September 11th — 19th, in preparation for the Feast on September 20th.

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 in Honor of St. Eustachius

O God, who didst lead Thy holy martyr Eustachius safely through many trials and dangers to the glorious crown of martyrdom; enlighten and strengthen us through his intercession, that we persevere in Thy love amid the trials of this life, and by resignation to Thy holy will come forth from the darkness of this earth into the light of Thy eternal glory. Amen.

Invocation of St. Eustachius

Heroic servant of God, St. Eustachius, cast from the height of earthly glory and power into the deepest misery, thou wast engaged for a long time in the labor of a menial servant, eating the bitter bread of destitution; but never didst thou murmur against the severe probation to which God subjected thee. I implore thee to aid me with thy powerful intercession, that in all conditions I may resign myself to the holy will of God, and particularly that I may bear poverty and its consequences with patience, trusting in God's providence, completely resigned to the decrees of Him who humbles and exalts, chastises and heals, sends trials and consolations, and who has promised to those who follow Him in the spirit of poverty His beatific vision throughout all eternity. Amen.

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.

* For more on St. Eustachius and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. Pictured is my makeshift shrine to Sant'Eustachio with photo of my father (checkered shirt) and his hunting buddies on a successful boar hunt.

Novena to the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, orate pro nobis

For private devotion, I'm posting the Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers to be recited for nine consecutive days, July 30th – August 7th, in preparation for the Feast celebrated on August 8th.*

Preparatory Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Great princes of heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions, wealth, preferment, and even life, and who now are crowned in heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory; have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears, and obtain for me from God, for whom you gave up all things and who loves you as His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life, to overcome all temptations, and to persevere in God's service to the end, that one day I too may be received into your company, to praise and glorify Him, the supreme Lord, whose beatific vision you enjoy, and whom you praise and glorify for ever. Amen.

Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, queen of martyrs, pray for us.
St. Joseph, helper in all needs, pray for us.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, pray for us.
St. George, valiant martyr of Christ, pray for us.
St. Blase, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, pray for us.
St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, pray for us.
St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, pray for us.
St. Vitus, special protector of chastity, pray for us.
St. Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers, pray for us.
St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, pray for us.
St. Cyriacus, terror of hell, pray for us.
St. Achatius, helpful advocate in death, pray for us.
St. Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, pray for us.
St. Giles, despiser of the world, pray for us.
St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, pray for us.
St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray for us.
St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying, pray for us.
All ye Holy Helpers, pray for us.
All ye saints of God, pray for us.
In temptations against faith, pray for us.
In adversity and trials, pray for us.
In anxiety and want, pray for us.
In every combat, pray for us.
In every temptation, pray for us.
In sickness, pray for us.
In all needs, pray for us.
In fear and terror, pray for us.
In dangers of salvation, pray for us.
In dangers of honor, pray for us.
In dangers of reputation, pray for us.
In dangers of property, pray for us.
In dangers by fire and water, pray for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and storms, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From eternal damnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy birth and Thy life, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy cross and passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, deliver us, O Lord.
On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou convert us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou protect and propagate Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou preserve peace and concord among the nations, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. George Thou preserve us in the Faith, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Blase Thou confirm us in hope, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Dionysius Thou give us tranquillity of conscience, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy holy will, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Eustachius Thou give us patience in adversity, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Achatius Thou grant us a happy death, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Giles Thou grant us a merciful judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Margaret Thou preserve us from hell, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Catherine Thou shorten our purgatory, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Barbara Thou receive us in heaven, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.

Let us Pray

Almighty and eternal God, who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of the Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in heaven; because you persevered till death you gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor you as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to you in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by your intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join you in heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His saints. Amen.

* For more on the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Project Gutenberg offers a free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year.

Feast of San Cristoforo Martire

San Cristoforo Martire, ora pro nobis

July 25th is the Feast of San Cristoforo Martire, patron saint of pilgrims and travelers. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, San Cristoforo is invoked against storms and the plague. Widely venerated across Southern Italy, he is the principal patron of Ricigliano (SA), San Cristoforo (SA), Moscufo (PE), Valguarnera Caropepe (EN), and Giuggianello (LE), among others. 

In celebration, we're posting a prayer to St. Christopher. Pictured is a statue of the Saint carrying the Christ Child from my private makeshift shrine. Evviva San Cristoforo!

Prayer to St. Christopher

Dear Saint Christopher, protect me today in all my travels along the road's way. Give your warning sign if danger is near so that I may stop while the path is clear. Be at my window and direct me through when the vision blurs from out of the blue. Carry me safely to my destined place, like you carried Christ in your close embrace. Amen.

Novena to San Pantaleone Martire

San Panaleone Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, July 18th — 26th, in preparation for the Feast on July 27th.

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 in Honor of St. Pantaleon

O God, who didst give to St. Pantaleon the grace of exercising charity toward his fellow-men by distributing his goods to the poor, and hast made him a special patron of the sick, grant, that we, too, show our charity by works of mercy; and through the intercession of this Thy servant preserve us from sickness. But if it be Thy will that illness should afflict us, give us the grace to bear it patiently, and let it promote our soul's salvation. Amen.

Invocation of St. Pantaleon

St. Pantaleon, who during life didst have great pity for the sick and with the help of God didst often relieve and cure them; I invoke thy intercession with God, that I may obtain the grace to serve Him in good health by cheerfully fulfilling the duties of my state of life. But if it be His holy will to visit me with illness, pain, and suffering, do thou aid me with thy powerful prayer to submit humbly to His chastisements, to accept sickness in the spirit of penance and to bear it patiently according to His holy will. Amen.

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.

* For more on St. Pantaleon and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. The accompanying photo of marble bas-relief altar rail depicting San Pantaleone was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Duomo di Ravello, Salerno.

Feast of Sant’Agazio Martire

Sant'Agazio Martire, ora pro nobis

May 8th is the Feast of Sant’Agazio (St. Achatius), Centurion and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is the patron saint of soldiers and invoked against migraine headaches. Glorious Sant’Agazio is also the patron saint of Squillace and Guardavalle in Provincia di Catanzaro in Calabria.

According to tradition, Sant’Agazio was a Cappadocian Greek soldier in the Roman imperial army. Rising to the rank of centurion, during a battle a voice from the heavens said to him, "Call on the God of the Christians!" Doing as he was told, after the fray he converted, was baptized and began evangelizing his cohorts. 

Exposed as a Christian by his superiors, the steadfast warrior for Christ was arrested. Refusing to apostatize, Sant’Agazio was brutally tortured and marched back to Byzantium in chains, converting his fellow prisoners along the way. Beaten and scourged, he was condemned and beheaded in 311. 

After vanquishing Emperor Maxininus at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance throughout the Empire. Converting to the faith, the Emperor built a number of churches, including one in honor of Sant’Agazio at the location of his martyrdom.

Dating back to the seventh century (c. 630), ever-devoted Squillace also celebrates the translation of the Saint’s holy relics to their town on January 16th. From Squillace the Saint’s relics and patronage spread to nearby Guardavalle in 1584 and then to Ávila and Cuenca in Spain.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Achatius. The photo comes courtesy of the Parrocchia Sant'Agazio Martire – Guardavalle Facebook page. Evviva Sant’Agazio!

Prayer to St. Achatius

Valiant Martyr of Christ, St. Achatius, who preached Christ faithfully before kings and judges, and didst gain the victory over the enemies of God; help me through thy powerful intercession to resist and gain the victory over all the enemies of my salvation, over the world and its allurements, over the concupiscence of the flesh, and over the temptations of Satan. I implore thee particularly to assist me in my agony, when the powers of Hell rise against me to rob my soul. Then do thou come to my aid and repel the assaults of the enemy, so that I surrender my soul into the hands of my Redeemer in faith, hope, and charity, and confiding in His infinite merits. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena to San Giorgio Martire

San Giorgio Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, April 14th — 22nd (Feast on April 23rd)

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 in Honor of St. George

O God, who didst grant to St. George strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of St. George

Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, St. George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end.

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.

* For more on St. George and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. Pictured is my makeshift shrine to glorious San Giorgio with miniature flags of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. 

Novena to San Biagio Martire

San Biagio Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, January 25th — February 2nd, in preparation of the Feast on February 3rd.

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 in Honor of St. Blase

O God, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr Blase, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of St. Blase

St. Blase, gracious benefactor of mankind and faithful servant of God, who for the love of our Saviour didst suffer so many tortures with patience and resignation; I invoke thy powerful intercession. Preserve me from all evils of soul and body. Because of thy great merits God endowed thee with the special grace to help those that suffer from ills of the throat; relieve and preserve me from them, so that I may always be able to fulfil my duties, and with the aid of God's grace perform good works. I invoke thy help as special physician of souls, that I may confess my sins sincerely in the holy sacrament of Penance and obtain their forgiveness. I recommend to thy merciful intercession also those who unfortunately concealed a sin in confession. Obtain for them the grace to accuse themselves sincerely and contritely of the sin they concealed, of the sacrilegious confessions and communions they made, and of all the sins they committed since then, so that they may receive pardon, the grace of God, and the remission of the eternal punishment. Amen.

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.

* For more on St. Blase and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. Photo of San Biagio at the Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Napoli courtesy of Andrew Giordano.

Novena to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, November 25th — December 3rd (Feast on December 4th)

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 in Honor of St. Barbara

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 fulfillment 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 of St. Barbara

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.

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.

* For more on St. Barbara and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. Pictured is my makeshift shrine with icon.

Novena to Santa Caterina d’Alessandria

Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, ora pro nobis

Prayers by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, November 16th — 24th (Feast on November 25th)

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 in Honor of St. Catherine

O God, who didst distinguish Thy holy virgin and martyr Catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a victorious combat with the enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, through her intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the saints, that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of St. Catherine

St. Catherine, glorious virgin and martyr, resplendent in the luster of wisdom and purity; thy wisdom refuted the adversaries of divine truth and covered them with confusion; thy immaculate purity made thee a spouse of Christ, so that after thy glorious martyrdom angels carried thy body to Mount Sinai. Implore for me progress in the science of the saints and the virtue of holy purity, that vanquishing the enemies of my soul, I may be victorious in my last combat and after death be conducted by the angels into the eternal beatitude of heaven. Amen.

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.

* For more on Santa Caterina d’Alessandria and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. The accompanying photo was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Feast of San Dionigi e Compagni (St. Dionysius and Companions)

San Dionigi di Parigi, ora pro nobis

Deus, qui hodiérna die beátum Dionysium, Mártyrem tuum atque Pontificem, virtúte constántiæ in passióne roborásti, quique illi, ad prædicándurr, géntibus glóriam tuam, Rústicum et Eleuthérium sociáre dignátus es: tribue nobis, quæsumus; eórum imitatióne, pro amóre tuo próspera mundi despícere, et nulla ejus advérsa formidáre. Per Dóminum.

October 9th is the Feast of San Dionigi di Parigi (St. Dionysius, or Denis, of Paris), first century Bishop and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the glorious "Apostle to the Franks" and first Bishop of Lutetia (now Paris) is invoked against demonic possession, headaches, rabid dogs and syphilis. 

Also called San Dionigi l’Areopagita, he was a prominent jurist in Athen’s high court (Areopagus) before being converted and baptized by San Paolo Apostolo. He would later become Athen’s first Bishop and one of the Seventy Disciples. 

After the martyrdom of San Paolo during the reign of Emperor Nero, San Dionigi decided to travel to the Occident and preach in the Greek settlements. Briefly settling in Calabria, he became the first Bishop (and patron Saint) of Crotone. Journeying to Rome, San Dionigi was sent to Gaul by Pope St. Clement I with a group of missionaries to evangelize the idolators.

Converting many to the Faith, his pagan rivals denounced him as a Christian, who were being viciously persecuted throughout the Empire. Incarcerated and tortured, San Dionigi and his companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius, were beheaded atop Montmartre, the Martyrs Mountain.

According to tradition, San Dionigi's decapitated corpse picked up his severed head and, guided by angels, carried it down the mountain along the historic Rue des Martyrs (street of the martyrs) to the place of his burial. The Basilique royale de Saint-Denis was built at that location.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions in Latin and English. The accompanying photo, courtesy of the Basilica of St. Denis, is a detail from a 13th century illustrated manuscript depicting the life and martyrdom of the holy cephalophore (head-carrier). Evviva San Dionigi!

Prayer to St. Dionysius and Companions

O God, Who on this day didst strengthen blessed Dionysius, Thy martyr, with the virtue of fortitude in his suffering, and didst vouchsafe to join with him Rusticus and Eleutherius to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate them in contemning the prosperity of the world for the sake of Thy love, and to fear none of its adversity. Through our Lord.

Feast of Sant’Egidio Abate

Sant'Edidio, ora pro nobis

September 1st is the Feast of Sant’Egidio (St. Giles), Hermit and Abbot. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is the patron saint of outcasts, lepers, beggars, cripples, the handicapped and nursing mothers. He is also the patron of Latronico, a small hilltop town in Basilicata, and Altavilla Silentina in Provincia di Salerno. 

According to tradition, Sant’Egidio travelled to Gaul from Athens in the middle of the seventh century. Of royal stock, he voluntarily relinquished his titles and wealth and chose the solitary life of a hermit in the forests of Septimania, an ancient territory in southern France. His reputation for holiness and miracles attracted many unwanted followers, which caused the recluse to withdraw deeper and deeper into the remote wilderness. Settling in a cave near the banks of the River Gard, his only companion was a hind, who provided him with milk. 

During a stag hunt, the Visigoth King Wamba (672-680) and his men spotted the deer and in pursuit let lose an arrow. While trying to comfort and protect the frightened doe, Sant’Egidio was accidentally wounded in the leg (alternate versions say it was his hand). Remorseful, the King had his doctors try and help nurse the holy man back to health and offered him great wealth and land. At first Sant’Egidio refused all assistance, but eventually he acquiesced because he could no longer elude his many admirers.

Uninterested in personal gain, Sant’Egidio proposed building an abby with the treasure and the King agreed. Originally dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, the Benedictine monastery was rededicated in the ninth century in honor of the Holy Abbot. Home to the Saint's miraculous relics, the Abbey de Saint-Gilles is still a popular pilgrim destination today.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Giles. The accompanying photo of Saint Giles with Christ Triumphant over Satan and the Mission of the Apostles (ca. 1408) by Miguel Alcañiz comes courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Evviva Sant’Egidio!

Prayer to St. Giles

My Lord and my God! I offer up to You my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Your 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, St. Giles, in whose honor I make this prayer. Look down upon me, merciful Lord! Grant me Your Grace and Your Love, and graciously hear my prayer. Amen.

Novena to San Vito Martire

San Vito Martire, ora pro nobis

Prayers compiled by Reverend Bonaventure, O.F.M. to be recited for nine consecutive days, June 6th — 14th, in preparation for the Feast on June 15th.

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 in Honor of St. Vitus

Grant us, O God, through the intercession of St. Vitus, a due estimation of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ; so that, for its salvation, we bear all trials with fortitude. Give this Thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a guide and protector to Christian youths, that following his example they may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of St. Vitus

St. Vitus, glorious martyr of Christ; in thy youth thou wast exposed to violent and dangerous temptations, but in the fear of God and for the love of Jesus thou didst victoriously overcome them. O amiable, holy youth, I implore thee by the love of Jesus, assist me with thy powerful intercession to overcome the temptations to evil, to avoid every occasion of sin, and thus to preserve spotless the robe of innocence and sanctifying grace, and to bring it unstained to the judgment-seat of Jesus Christ, that I may forever enjoy the beatific vision of God which is promised to the pure of heart. Amen.

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.

* For more on St. Vitus and the Fourteen Holy Helpers, I highly recommend Project Gutenberg's free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year. The accompanying photo was taken at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Montclair, New Jersey.

Feast of Sant’Eustachio Martire and Companions

Sant'Eustachio, ora pro nobis

September 20th is the Feast of Sant’Eustachio Martire, patron saint of gamekeepers and hunters. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is the principal patron of Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA), Matera (MT), Campo di Giove (AQ), Ischitella (FG), Scanno (AQ), Tocco da Casuria (PE), San Cipriano Picentino (SA), Sesto Campano (IS), and Montoro (AV), among others.

According to tradition, an exalted Roman general named Placidus was hunting with friends and spotted a magnificent stag. Giving chase, he was drawn deeper into the forest away from his companions. Cornering the prized animal at the edge of a ravine, the majestic beast turned and faced the hunter. Stopping in his tracks, Placidus saw a crucifix shining brighter then the sun between its prodigious antlers. Through the mouth of the deer, others say from the image on the Cross, Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Placidus, telling him to seek out the Bishop of Rome with his family if he wished to convert. Placidus did as he was instructed and they were baptized. Changing their names, the Pope christened him Eustace, which means “fecund” or “fruitful.”

Giving up his wealth and status, Sant’Eustachio left Rome to live a simple and pious life in the Roman province of Egypt with his wife, Theospis, and two sons, Agapetus and Theospitus. However, just a few days into their journey a series of misfortunes befell them and they never made it to their destination. First, his wife was kidnapped by a group of pirates, then a lion and a wolf ran off with his boys, leaving him distraught and grieving. Heartbroken, he settled there and worked as a simple farmhand unaware that his family were all able to escape their captors unharmed and lived peacefully in nearby towns.

Many years later, a new barbarian menace was threatening the Empire. Longing for his trusted general, the Emperor sent search parties out to find their glorious commander and bring him back. Reluctantly returning to his former position, Sant’Eustachio took command and bolstered the army with new recruits. Miraculously, he was joyously reunited with his sons, who now fully grown answered the call to arms, as well as his wife, who served as a camp follower to support the army.

Defeating the enemy, Sant’Eustachio triumphantly returned to the Eternal City with his family in tow. During the festivities the Emperor noticed that his victorious general and sons didn’t make a sacrifice to the gods. When confronted, Sant’Eustachio respectfully refused as a Christian, but the enraged Emperor ordered them all to be killed in the arena.

When the ferocious animals kneeled before the captives and refused to attack, the Emperor instead had them executed inside a brazen bull, an ancient torture device used to kill criminals by Phalaris, the sadistic tyrant of Akragas, Sicily. Forced inside the bronze beast shaped oven, Sant’Eustachio and his family were slowly burned alive. Three days later, their perfectly intact bodies were removed and buried by fellow Christians.

In celebration, we're posting a prayer to Sant’Eustachio Martire. The accompanying photo was taken at St. Francis of Paola Church (219 Conselyea St.) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Evviva Sant’Eustachio!

Prayer to Sant’Eustachio Martire

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of Sant’Eustachio Martire may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of Sant’Eustachio protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of San Pantaleone

San Pantaleone, ora pro nobis

July 27th is the Feast of San Pantaleone, Doctor, Miracle Worker and Martyr. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is the principal patron of Ravello (SA), Vallo della Lucania (SA), Serrata (RC), Papanice (KR), and Montauro (CZ), among others. According to tradition, the Christian physician was beheaded during the Diocletian persecutions in Nicomedia (c. 305), and that a woman collected his spilled blood. The ampulla containing the saint's coagulated blood reached Ravello in the eleventh-century after a storm at sea miraculously transported the Basilian monks safeguarding the phial from the East to the Amalfi Coast. It is believed the relic chose the town for shelter. In Celebration, I’m posting an ancient prayer to San Pantaleone. The accompanying photo of the Martyrdom of San Pantaleone (1638) by Gerolamo Imperiali was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to beautiful Ravello and its fabulous Duomo. Evviva San Pantaleone!

Prayer to San Pantaleone 

O San Pantaleone di Ravello, protector and advocate, pray to our God that frees us from sins, hunger, plague, wars and great chastisements in this world; save us out of pity! Our fate be blessed to have you as a protector. Let us have a good death our always defender. Amen.