Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
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 heartfelt contrition for all my offenses. I firmly resolve to amend my life. I implore Thee, through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to grant me the grace to make this novena with piety and devotion.
O glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, thou who didst receive from God the grace to act with dispatch for the salvation of souls and the succor of the afflicted, I come before thee to implore thy speedy assistance in this my pressing need. Be mindful that I am a poor sinner, but I trust in thy powerful intercession before the throne of God. I offer this novena for the intention of… (Here state your intention).
Jour 1 : Day 1: For the Grace of Promptness
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the promptness with which Saint Expeditus responded to the call of divine grace. A Roman centurion, he lived a life of worldly concerns, yet when the light of faith touched his heart, he delayed not a moment. He cast aside all human respect and fear, resolving to become a Christian that very day. How often do we, in our spiritual lives, say ‘tomorrow’? We defer our conversion, our prayers, our acts of charity. Let the example of Saint Expeditus inspire us to embrace God’s will today, at this very moment, for we know not what tomorrow may bring.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint Expeditus, who didst teach us by thy example to delay not in the service of God, obtain for me the grace to overcome all sloth and procrastination in my spiritual duties. Help me to respond with a generous and ready heart to every inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that I may not lose the crowns reserved for those who are swift to do His will. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: For Unwavering Faith
Méditation
Consider the unwavering faith of Saint Expeditus. In an empire that demanded worship of false gods, his newfound faith was a sentence of death. Yet, he did not waver. He believed with his whole heart in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and was ready to confess this truth before men, even at the cost of his life. Our faith is often tested not by the sword, but by the subtle temptations of the world, by doubt, and by human respect. Let us ask for a faith as strong and as clear as that of this holy martyr.
Prière du jour
O invincible Martyr, Saint Expeditus, whose faith was not shaken by the threats of tyrants nor the fear of a cruel death, intercede for me. Obtain for me from the Lord a lively and steadfast faith, that I may never be ashamed of the Gospel, and that I may bear all trials for the love of Him who died for me. Strengthen my belief in God’s promises, that I may trust in His providence in all things. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: For Victory Over Temptation
Méditation
Tradition tells us that at the moment of his conversion, the devil appeared to Saint Expeditus in the form of a crow, crying out ‘Cras! Cras!‘ which means ‘Tomorrow! Tomorrow!’, urging him to delay his holy resolution. But the valiant soldier of Christ crushed the tempter under his foot, proclaiming ‘Hodie!‘ which means ‘Today!’ This is a powerful image of our own spiritual combat. The enemy of our souls always counsels delay, for he knows that a resolution deferred is often a resolution lost. We must be vigilant and decisive, choosing Christ today.
Prière du jour
O Saint Expeditus, valiant warrior against the powers of darkness, who didst triumph over the spirit of delay, come to my aid. When I am tempted to postpone my duties to God or my neighbor, grant me the strength to cry ‘Hodie!‘ and to act without hesitation. Protect me from the snares of the devil, who seeks to lead me to ruin through lukewarmness and indecision. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: For Holy Zeal
Méditation
As a commander in the Roman legions, Saint Expeditus possessed the virtues of a soldier: discipline, courage, and zeal. Upon his conversion, he did not abandon these virtues but sanctified them, turning his zeal for the Roman Eagle into a burning love for the Cross of Christ. He became a fervent apostle among his fellow soldiers, eager to win souls for his true King. We too are called to be soldiers of Christ, to fight the good fight of faith with zeal and courage, spreading His Kingdom in our own state of life.
Prière du jour
O model of Christian soldiers, Saint Expeditus, who didst turn thy military ardor into a holy zeal for the salvation of souls, enkindle in my heart a spark of that same fire. Make me a courageous witness for Christ in the world. Grant that I may never be tepid or indifferent in my faith, but may I labor with all my strength for the glory of God and the good of my neighbor. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: For Courage in Adversity
Méditation
Let us contemplate the immense courage of Saint Expeditus in the face of suffering. He knew that his conversion would lead to persecution and a painful death. He was scourged and then beheaded, offering his life as a supreme testimony to his love for Jesus Christ. In our own lives, we are faced with trials, anxieties, and urgent needs that can fill us with fear and distress. The courage of the martyrs teaches us that with God’s grace, no adversity is insurmountable. Let us turn to this powerful intercessor in our pressing needs, confident in his help.
Prière du jour
O comforter of the afflicted and patron of urgent causes, Saint Expeditus, look with compassion upon me in my present adversity. Thou who didst face the ultimate trial of martyrdom with serene courage, obtain for me the strength to bear my own crosses with patience and fortitude. Intercede for me in this urgent matter which I now place in thy hands, that, if it be God’s will, a swift and favorable solution may be granted. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: For the Virtue of Hope
Méditation
The virtue that sustained Saint Expeditus through all his trials was that of holy hope. He hoped not in the power of the Emperor or the strength of his legion, but in the promises of Christ: the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. This hope was an anchor for his soul, firm and secure. In times of desperation, when our problems seem overwhelming and our prayers unanswered, we are tempted to despair. Let us ask Saint Expeditus to obtain for us a renewal of this divine virtue, that we may hope against all hope.
Prière du jour
O Saint Expeditus, whose heart was filled with a firm hope in the promises of our Lord, pray for me that I may never give way to despair. In my moments of darkness and anxiety, increase my hope in God’s infinite mercy and power. Remind me that He is a loving Father who cares for all my needs. Through thy intercession, may I persevere in prayer with unshakable confidence. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: For Detachment from the World
Méditation
Saint Expeditus, as a high-ranking officer, enjoyed wealth, honor, and power. Yet, he counted all these things as loss for the sake of Christ. He understood the words of our Lord: ‘For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?’ He chose the true and lasting treasure of Heaven over the fleeting pleasures of this world. This novena is an opportunity to examine our own attachments. Do we place our security in worldly things, or is our heart truly set on God alone?
Prière du jour
O noble Martyr, Saint Expeditus, who didst despise the vanities of the world to gain Christ, obtain for me the grace of holy detachment. Help me to use the goods of this world without setting my heart upon them. Teach me to value above all else the treasures of grace and to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added unto me. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: For Our Urgent Petitions
Méditation
For centuries, the faithful have turned to Saint Expeditus in their most urgent and desperate cases, and countless favors have been obtained through his swift intercession. His patronage for urgent causes stems from his name and his action: he was ‘Expeditus’—swift, unencumbered—and he acted ‘Hodie’—today. As we near the end of our novena, let us with renewed confidence and fervor present our specific petition to him, trusting that he, who was so quick to embrace the will of God on earth, is now quick to hear our prayers from Heaven.
Prière du jour
O powerful intercessor and patron of urgent needs, Saint Expeditus, I now lay my petition before thee with all the earnestness of my soul. (Here, state your request with great confidence.) Thou knowest the weight of this burden upon my heart. I implore thee, by the merits of thy glorious martyrdom, to carry my prayer to the throne of God and to obtain for me a speedy and favorable answer, if it be for His greater glory and the good of my soul. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: For Thanksgiving and Final Perseverance
Méditation
Today we contemplate the final triumph of Saint Expeditus. Having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, he received the crown of righteousness. His martyrdom was not an end but a beginning—the glorious entry into eternal life. As we conclude this novena, let us give thanks to God for the example of this great saint. Let us resolve to imitate his virtues, especially his prompt obedience to God’s will. And let us thank Saint Expeditus for his intercession, trusting that he has heard our prayers and will obtain for us the graces we need for our salvation.
Prière du jour
O triumphant Martyr, Saint Expeditus, who now dost rejoice in the presence of God, I thank thee for thy powerful assistance during this novena. I abandon my petition into thy hands and into the heart of our merciful Lord. Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance, that I may one day join thee in praising God eternally in Heaven. Whatever the outcome of my request, help me to say always, ‘Thy will be done.’ Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer
O Saint Expeditus, my protector, I place my trust in thy powerful intercession. As thou didst receive the crown of martyrdom for thy prompt confession of the faith, I pray that through thy merits, our Lord Jesus Christ may hear my humble prayer. If it be His holy will, grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena. Above all, obtain for me the grace to live and die in the love of God and my neighbor. Amen.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.