Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer for Each Day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
My Lord and my God, I offer Thee my prayers 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 glorious martyr, Saint Expeditus, in whose honor I make this novena. Look down upon me, a miserable sinner, and grant me the grace to pray as I ought.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Jour 1 : Day 1: The Virtue of Promptness
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the decisive moment of Saint Expeditus’ conversion. As a Roman centurion, he was moved by the grace of God to embrace the Christian faith. The spirit of darkness, in the form of a crow, appeared before him, crying “Cras! Cras!” which in Latin means “Tomorrow! Tomorrow!” But the holy soldier, knowing the peril of delay in the service of God, crushed the tempter under his foot, proclaiming “Hodie!” which means “Today!” He teaches us that the work of our salvation admits no postponement. What God commands, what our conscience dictates, must be done at once and with a fervent spirit.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint Expeditus, who didst teach by thy example the value of promptness in the service of the Lord, obtain for me the grace to overcome all sloth and procrastination in my spiritual duties. Grant that I may respond today to the call of divine grace, and never put off until tomorrow the good which I can do this very hour. Intercede for me, that I may be swift to amend my life and zealous in the practice of virtue. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: For an Unshakeable Faith
Méditation
Consider the unwavering faith of Saint Expeditus. To be a Christian in the army of the pagan Emperor Diocletian was to face certain persecution and death. Yet, our holy martyr did not hesitate. He placed his entire trust in Jesus Christ, the Captain of his salvation, believing firmly in the promise of eternal life. This faith gave him the strength to despise worldly honors and to face the torments of martyrdom with a serene heart. Let us examine our own faith. Is it strong and constant in times of trial, or does it waver when difficulties arise?
Prière du jour
O valiant Saint Expeditus, model of Christian faith, who didst not fear the wrath of emperors but only the judgment of God, strengthen in me the gift of faith. In my moments of doubt and uncertainty, in the midst of urgent and pressing needs, obtain for me a faith so strong that I may abandon myself entirely to the providence of our Heavenly Father, confident that He will provide for all my necessities of body and soul. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: For Courage in Adversity
Méditation
Let us reflect upon the heroic courage of Saint Expeditus. As a soldier, he was trained in the arts of war and knew no fear of the enemy. When he became a soldier of Christ, he turned this natural valor into a supernatural virtue. He faced the instruments of torture—the scourges, the hooks, the fire—not with dread, but with a holy joy, knowing that through these sufferings he was being conformed to the Passion of his Saviour. He teaches us that the Christian life is a spiritual warfare, and we must be armed with courage to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Prière du jour
O invincible Martyr, Saint Expeditus, who didst show forth the greatest courage in confessing the name of Christ, I implore thy assistance in my spiritual battles. I am weak and often fall. Obtain for me from the Lord a share of thy holy fortitude, that I may bear my crosses with patience, resist temptations with vigor, and persevere in the path of righteousness unto death. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: For Detachment from Worldly Things
Méditation
Saint Expeditus, by his prompt conversion, renounced all that the world holds dear: a brilliant military career, wealth, honors, and perhaps even family and friends. He understood the words of our Lord: “For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). He chose the treasure of Heaven over the fleeting pleasures of earth. This detachment is essential for all who wish to follow Christ. We must be ready to sacrifice all that hinders our union with God, especially our sinful attachments and our own self-will.
Prière du jour
O Saint Expeditus, who didst count all worldly things as loss for the sake of Christ, help me to detach my heart from the vanities of this life. In my urgent need, grant that my desire for a temporal solution may not overshadow my desire for eternal salvation. Pray for me, that I may seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice, trusting that all other things will be added unto me. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: For Purity of Heart
Méditation
The power of the saints’ intercession comes from their perfect union with God, a union which requires a pure heart. “Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). Saint Expeditus, through his baptism and martyrdom, was washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb. He presented himself before God with a soul unspotted by sin. If we wish our prayers to be heard, we too must strive for purity of heart. This means we must confess our sins with sincerity, avoid the near occasions of sin, and direct all our actions to the greater glory of God.
Prière du jour
O most pure Saint Expeditus, whose soul was made white in the blood of martyrdom, I acknowledge my own sinfulness and unworthiness. Obtain for me the grace of a sincere contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. Purify my intentions, that in seeking thy help for my present needs, I may desire above all things to please God and to do His holy will. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: For Unfailing Hope
Méditation
Saint Expeditus is known as the patron of desperate and urgent causes. This is because he exemplifies the virtue of Christian hope. Even when faced with a seemingly impossible situation—the might of the Roman Empire against him—his hope in God’s power and goodness did not fail. Hope is the anchor of the soul, which keeps us firm in the midst of the storms of life. It is a confident expectation of God’s help, not because of our own merits, but because of Christ’s promises and the infinite mercy of God.
Prière du jour
O Saint Expeditus, sure refuge of those in tribulation, I come to thee with a heavy heart, burdened by my pressing needs. My situation seems desperate, and my own strength fails me. I place all my hope in thy powerful intercession. Obtain for me from the Lord the grace to hope against all hope, to trust in His divine mercy when all seems lost, and to await with patience the hour of His divine assistance. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: For the Virtue of Charity
Méditation
The love of God is inseparable from the love of our neighbor. Saint Expeditus, in giving his life for Christ, performed the ultimate act of charity. His martyrdom was not only a testimony to his faith, but also an act of love for his brethren, that they might be inspired by his example to embrace the truth. In our own trials, we are often tempted to become consumed by our problems and to forget the needs of others. Saint Expeditus reminds us that even in our most urgent distress, we are called to practice charity, to pray for others, and to perform works of mercy as we are able.
Prière du jour
O most charitable Saint Expeditus, who didst shed thy blood for the love of God and neighbor, enkindle in my heart a flame of true charity. Grant that my present difficulties may not make me selfish or bitter. Help me to be mindful of the sufferings of others, to pray for them, and to assist them in their needs. May I learn from thee that the surest way to receive God’s mercy is to be merciful to others. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: For Perseverance in Prayer
Méditation
Our Lord tells us in the Gospel that we “ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1). Perseverance in prayer is a condition for obtaining God’s graces. Saint Expeditus persevered to the end, not only in his final combat but throughout his Christian life. He did not abandon his prayers when faced with threats or delays. This novena is an exercise in perseverance. We must not be discouraged if our petition is not granted immediately. God’s time is not our time. We must continue to knock, to seek, and to ask, with the humble confidence of a child.
Prière du jour
O faithful Saint Expeditus, who didst persevere unto death and so receive the crown of life, I am in need of thy help to remain constant in prayer. When I am tempted to despair or to abandon my devotions, sustain me by thy powerful intercession. Obtain for me the gift of perseverance, that I may never cease to call upon God in my necessities, until He shall be pleased to grant, according to His will, the favor which I ask through thee. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: For a Grateful Heart
Méditation
On this final day of our novena, let us cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Whether we have already received the favor we have asked for, or are still awaiting God’s response, we must thank Him for the graces received during these nine days. Every prayer, every meditation, has been an opportunity to draw closer to God. Saint Expeditus, now in Heaven, spends his eternity in a canticle of praise and thanksgiving. Let us join our voices to his, thanking God for the gift of faith, for the example of the saints, and for His infinite love and mercy which He pours out upon us each day.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint Expeditus, I thank thee with all my heart for thy intercession on my behalf during this novena. I thank God for the honor He has given thee and for the power of thy prayers. Receive now my final petition. (Here state your request with great confidence). I abandon the outcome into the hands of God, but I trust that through thy merits and prayers, I will receive the grace I need most, be it the temporal favor I ask, or the strength to bear my cross in conformity with God’s holy will. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer for Each Day
O Saint Expeditus, my protector and advocate, I place my cause in thy hands. Thou who art called the saint of urgent causes, look with compassion upon me and intercede for me before the throne of God. I have confidence in thy merits, earned by the shedding of thy blood for Christ, that thou wilt obtain for me this grace which I so ardently desire, if it be for the good of my soul and the greater glory of God.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
V. Saint Expeditus, faithful unto death,
R. Pray for us.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.