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Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
O glorious Apostle, Saint John, who for thy virginal purity wast so beloved by Jesus as to deserve to be called the Beloved Disciple, and to be chosen by Him at the Last Supper to rest thy head upon His divine breast; I implore thee to inflame my heart with a fervent love for Jesus Christ. I choose thee as my special patron, and I beseech thee to obtain for me, through thy powerful intercession, the particular grace I seek in this novena. (Mention your request here.) Vouchsafe to assist me throughout my life, but especially at the hour of my death, as thou wast present at the death of thy divine Master, Jesus Christ, that I may be found worthy to be united with Him in the bliss of heaven. Amen.
Jour 1 : Day 1: The Call of the Apostle
Méditation
Let us consider how Saint John, with his brother James, was called by our Lord Jesus Christ whilst mending his nets by the sea of Galilee. Hearing the voice of the Master, he did not hesitate, but leaving his father, his boat, and all his worldly possessions, he immediately followed Him. This prompt and generous response to the divine call set him upon the path to becoming the Beloved Disciple, a pillar of the Church, and an evangelist for all ages. He teaches us that when God calls, we must forsake all earthly attachments and follow Him with a ready and willing heart, for the reward of His friendship is greater than any treasure on earth.
Prière du jour
O glorious Apostle, Saint John, who didst so readily forsake all to follow Christ, obtain for me the grace to hear the call of God in my own life. Grant that I may overcome all hesitation, all attachment to the world, and all fear of sacrifice, that I may follow my Lord with a generous spirit and an undivided heart. Pray for me, that I may always prefer the will of God to my own, and find my true happiness in His service alone. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: The Beloved Disciple
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the singular honor bestowed upon Saint John, who is called in the Holy Gospels “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” This special love was a reward for his virginal purity and the ardent love he bore for his Master. At the Last Supper, this love was made manifest when he was permitted to rest his head upon the very breast of Jesus, hearing the beatings of His Sacred Heart. From this Heart, the fount of all grace and wisdom, Saint John drew the sublime doctrines which he would later commit to his Gospel. Let us ask for a share in that love, that we too may draw near to the Heart of Jesus.
Prière du jour
O blessed Saint John, who wast so tenderly loved by Jesus, and didst enjoy such sweet intimacy with His Sacred Heart, I beseech thee, obtain for me a burning love for our Divine Saviour. Teach me to seek my rest in Him alone. May my heart be so purified from all earthly affections that I may be worthy to approach Him in the Blessed Sacrament with reverence and love, and to understand, as thou didst, the profound mysteries of His divine charity. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: At the Foot of the Cross
Méditation
Let us contemplate Saint John standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross with the Blessed Virgin Mary. While others fled in fear, his love gave him the courage to remain with his suffering Lord unto the very end. It was there that he heard the last words of Christ, who, seeing him, said to His Mother, “Woman, behold thy son,” and to the disciple, “Behold thy mother.” In that moment, Saint John received the Blessed Virgin as his own mother, and in his person, so did all of mankind. He teaches us that true love is proven in times of trial and that fidelity to Christ leads us into the maternal care of Mary.
Prière du jour
O most faithful Saint John, who didst not abandon Jesus in His Passion, but didst share in the sorrows of His Mother at the foot of the Cross, grant me the grace of fortitude in all my trials. Obtain for me a steadfast faith that I may never be ashamed of the Cross of Christ. I implore thy intercession, that I may ever be a devoted child of Mary, our Mother, and that she may protect me in life and assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: Witness to the Resurrection
Méditation
Let us consider the faith of Saint John on the morning of the Resurrection. Having heard from Mary Magdalene that the tomb was empty, he ran with Saint Peter to see for himself. Being younger, he arrived first but waited for Peter to enter. When he himself went in and saw the linen cloths lying there, the Gospel tells us, “he saw, and believed.” His love for Jesus allowed him to perceive the truth of the Resurrection even before he saw the risen Lord. His faith was not of the mind alone, but of a heart that knew and loved the Master. Let us pray for a faith as pure and perceptive as that of Saint John.
Prière du jour
O holy Evangelist, whose loving heart prepared thee to believe in the triumph of thy Master, strengthen my faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dispel from my soul all doubts and darkness. Grant that I may see the signs of His risen presence in my daily life, in the Church, and in the Sacraments. Through thy prayers, may my faith be so strong that it may lead me to an unshakeable hope and a fervent charity, and bring me at last to the glory of my own resurrection. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: The Apostle of Charity
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the great lesson which Saint John, the Apostle of Charity, taught the Church throughout his long life. In his Epistles, he repeats again and again the new commandment of his Master: “My little children, love one another.” He teaches that God is love, and that he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. This charity is not a mere sentiment, but a practical love shown in deed and in truth, especially towards our brethren. He who does not love the brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the sum of the Christian life.
Prière du jour
O blessed Saint John, who didst so perfectly learn and teach the lesson of divine love, enkindle in my heart a true and fervent charity. Obtain for me the grace to love God above all things, for His own sake, and to love my neighbor as myself for the love of God. Root out from my soul all bitterness, envy, and resentment. Make me patient, kind, and merciful, that by my love for others, I may prove myself to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: The Divine Theologian
Méditation
Let us consider the sublime wisdom of Saint John, for which he is called “the Theologian” and symbolized by an eagle. As the eagle soars to the heights, so did the mind of Saint John soar to the very heights of heaven to contemplate the deepest mysteries of God. In the prologue of his Gospel, he begins not with the birth of Christ in time, but with His eternal generation: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He reveals to us the divinity of Christ, the mystery of the Trinity, and the profound truth that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Let us ask him to elevate our minds to these heavenly truths.
Prière du jour
O holy Evangelist, Eagle of Patmos, who didst gaze upon the Sun of Justice and reveal to us the mysteries of the eternal Word, I pray thee, enlighten my mind. Dispel the darkness of my ignorance and error. Obtain for me a deeper understanding of the truths of our holy Faith, and a profound reverence for the mystery of the Incarnation. May I, through thy teaching, come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ, the eternal Word made flesh, more perfectly in this life, and see Him face to face in the next. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: The Prophet of the Apocalypse
Méditation
Let us contemplate Saint John in his exile on the island of Patmos, where he was granted the prophetic visions recorded in the Book of the Apocalypse. In this sublime and mysterious book, he reveals the struggles of the Church against the forces of evil, the glory of the heavenly liturgy, and the final, definitive triumph of the Lamb of God. Though filled with images of trial and tribulation, the Apocalypse is above all a book of hope, assuring the faithful that Christ has conquered sin and death, and that He will come again in glory to make all things new. It is a call to perseverance and fidelity unto the end.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint John, who wast deemed worthy to behold the secrets of heaven and the final victory of Christ, fill my heart with a firm and constant hope. In the midst of the trials and uncertainties of this world, remind me that God holds all things in His hands. Grant me the grace of perseverance, that I may be found watchful and faithful at the coming of our Lord, and be numbered among those who have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: Patron of Purity
Méditation
Let us consider the great virtue of purity which shone so brightly in the life of Saint John. It is the constant tradition of the Church that he remained a virgin throughout his life. It was this angelic purity which rendered him so dear to the Heart of Jesus, who is Purity Itself. It prepared him to receive the deepest divine revelations and qualified him to be the guardian of the purest of all creatures, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lord Himself teaches, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Saint John saw God most intimately on earth and now beholds Him face to face in heaven.
Prière du jour
O most pure Saint John, mirror of angelic chastity, I implore thy powerful intercession to preserve my soul and body in perfect purity. In a world so often forgetful of this holy virtue, be thou my protector and guide. Obtain for me a horror of sin, a love for modesty, and the strength to fly from all occasions of evil. Pray that my heart may be a worthy dwelling-place for the Holy Ghost, so that I may one day merit the blessedness promised to the pure of heart. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: Model of Perseverance
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the long and fruitful life of Saint John. He outlived all the other Apostles, dying at a great age in Ephesus. Tradition holds that he was miraculously preserved from death by martyrdom when cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. His long life was a testament to his unwavering fidelity. Even in his extreme old age, when he had to be carried into the assembly of the faithful, his message remained the same: “Little children, love one another.” He persevered in love to the very end, and so received the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Prière du jour
O holy Apostle, model of perseverance, who didst faithfully serve thy Lord until the end of thy days, obtain for me the great grace of final perseverance. Help me to remain steadfast in faith, hope, and charity throughout all the years of my life. When my journey on earth is drawing to a close, be with me. Protect me from the snares of the enemy, and commend my soul to Jesus and Mary, that I may die a holy death and attain to the eternal joys which thou now possessest in heaven. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer
O God, who, through the blessed Apostle John, hast unlocked for us the secrets of Thy Word; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be enabled to comprehend with our understanding what he hath so admirably delivered to our ears. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be for the intentions of the novena.)
V. Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist,
R. Pray for us.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.