Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayers for Each Day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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.
Opening Prayer
O Almighty and eternal God, Who didst give to Thy holy Apostle Bartholomew the grace of a sincere faith and didst make him a glorious preacher and martyr; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may love what he believed and practice what he taught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Jour 1 : Day 1: The Call of Nathanael
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the calling of Saint Bartholomew, whom the Gospel knows as Nathanael. When Philip told him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,” Nathanael’s heart was at first filled with doubt. Yet, he did not close his mind. He accepted the invitation, “Come and see.” How often does our Lord invite us through the words of others, through the circumstances of our lives? And how often do we allow prejudice or doubt to prevent us from drawing near to Him? Let us learn from Saint Bartholomew to set aside our preconceptions and to approach the Lord with an open and seeking heart, ready to encounter the truth.
Prière du jour
O blessed Saint Bartholomew, who didst overcome thine initial doubt to approach the Saviour, obtain for me the grace of an open heart. Help me to seek Jesus earnestly in the Scriptures, in the Sacraments, and in the daily events of my life. May I never allow human respect or worldly wisdom to keep me from the One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: The Virtue of Sincerity
Méditation
Our Lord, seeing Nathanael approach, declared: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.” What a wondrous testimony from the lips of God Himself! To be without guile is to be sincere, honest, and transparent before God and man. It is to have a heart free from duplicity, hypocrisy, and deceit. This is the virtue that so pleased Our Lord. In a world often marked by falsehood and masks, the virtue of sincerity is a shining light. Let us examine our own hearts. Are we true to our word? Are our intentions pure? Do we live in the truth, even when it is difficult? Let us ask Saint Bartholomew to help us cultivate this beautiful and Christ-like virtue.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint Bartholomew, whose sincerity was praised by the Incarnate Word, I implore thy assistance. Obtain for me the grace to detest all forms of falsehood and hypocrisy. Grant that my thoughts, words, and deeds may always be rooted in truth and charity, that I too may be found pleasing in the sight of God, a true disciple in whom there is no guile. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: The Apostolic Mission
Méditation
Upon recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, Saint Bartholomew left all to follow Him. He became one of the Twelve, chosen to be a pillar of the Church and a witness to the Resurrection. Tradition tells us that after Pentecost, he traveled far and wide, preaching the Gospel with great zeal in distant lands such as India and Armenia. He understood that the gift of faith was not to be kept for oneself, but to be shared with all nations. His life became a testament to the Great Commission: “Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Let us consider our own duty to be apostles in our state of life, sharing the light of Christ with our families, our colleagues, and all whom we meet.
Prière du jour
O zealous Apostle, Saint Bartholomew, who didst not hesitate to travel to the ends of the earth to proclaim the name of Jesus, enkindle in my heart a spark of thy apostolic fire. Banish from me all tepidity and human respect. Grant me the courage and wisdom to bear witness to the Catholic Faith, so that by my life and words, others may be drawn to the love of our Divine Saviour. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: Faith in the Son of God
Méditation
Nathanael’s confession of faith was immediate and profound: “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.” This was not a faith born of seeing great miracles, but of encountering the One who saw into the depths of his soul. Jesus had seen him under the fig tree, a symbol of his private prayer and meditation. In this divine knowledge, Bartholomew recognized divinity. Our own faith is often tested. We do not see Our Lord with our physical eyes, yet He sees us always. He knows our deepest thoughts, our hidden struggles, our secret prayers. Let us, like Saint Bartholomew, profess our faith in Christ’s divinity with conviction and love, trusting in His all-seeing and merciful gaze.
Prière du jour
O faithful Saint Bartholomew, whose eyes were opened to recognize the Son of God, strengthen my faith. In times of darkness and doubt, remind me that the Lord sees me and knows me intimately. Obtain for me a faith that is not shaken by trials, but is firm, profound, and ever-ready to profess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: Courage in Preaching
Méditation
The life of an apostle is one of constant battle. Saint Bartholomew faced immense opposition in his missionary work. He preached to peoples steeped in paganism and idolatry, confronting the powers of darkness with the power of the Gospel. He did not shrink from danger or persecution, for he was sustained by the grace of God and the truth of the message he bore. He knew that the salvation of souls was worth any price. We too are called to be soldiers of Christ in a world that is often hostile to the Faith. Let us draw courage from the example of Saint Bartholomew, who feared God more than men.
Prière du jour
O courageous Saint Bartholomew, who didst face down idols and preach the truth without fear, grant me a share of thy holy boldness. When I am tempted to be silent out of fear or to compromise the teachings of the Church, stand by me. Help me to be a valiant witness for Christ, confident that He who is with us is greater than he who is in the world. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: The Trial of Martyrdom
Méditation
Tradition holds that Saint Bartholomew met a most cruel and terrible end for his love of Christ. In Armenia, he was arrested by order of a pagan king and condemned to be flayed alive and then beheaded. In this horrific torment, he imitated his Divine Master, who was scourged and crowned with thorns for our salvation. The martyrs show us that love for Christ can be stronger than the fear of death and the most excruciating pain. Their blood is the seed of Christians. Let us contemplate the fortitude of Saint Bartholomew and ask for the grace to bear our own smaller crosses with patience and love, uniting them to the sufferings of Christ and His saints.
Prière du jour
O invincible Martyr, Saint Bartholomew, who didst endure unspeakable torments for the Faith, I venerate thy holy sufferings. Obtain for me the grace of fortitude and perseverance in all my trials. Teach me to embrace my daily crosses with a spirit of sacrifice, and should God ever ask of me a greater suffering, grant that I may not be found wanting, but may glorify Him even unto death. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: Patronage and Intercession
Méditation
Through the centuries, the faithful have invoked Saint Bartholomew for protection against nervous diseases, skin ailments, and convulsions. This patronage is linked to the torments he himself endured. Furthermore, as an Apostle of Christ, he was given power over unclean spirits. The Church has long recognized his potent intercession against the forces of evil. He who faced the devil in the pagan temples of the East continues to be a powerful protector for the faithful on earth. Let us with confidence entrust our infirmities, both of body and soul, to his charitable care, and seek his aid in our spiritual warfare.
Prière du jour
O powerful intercessor, Saint Bartholomew, who art a physician for the afflicted and a terror to demons, look with pity upon my needs. I commend to thee all my anxieties and infirmities (here mention your specific intention). Protect me from the assaults of the enemy and from all that could harm my soul. Through thy prayers, may I obtain health of mind and body, and be preserved from all evil. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: The Victory over Evil
Méditation
Our Lord promised His apostles, “In my name they shall cast out devils.” Saint Bartholomew exercised this authority throughout his ministry, liberating souls from the bondage of Satan. His martyrdom was the ultimate victory over evil, for by laying down his life, he triumphed with Christ over sin and death. The devil’s power is real, and he “prowleth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We must not be naive about this spiritual combat. Through prayer, the sacraments, and the intercession of the saints like Bartholomew, we are given the weapons to resist and to conquer. Let us resolve to renounce Satan and all his works and pomps, and to live always in the light and freedom of the children of God.
Prière du jour
O glorious Saint Bartholomew, triumphant vanquisher of the ancient serpent, defend me in the hour of temptation. By the power of the Holy Name of Jesus, which thou didst preach, cast far from me all demonic influence. Protect my family, my home, and my soul from the snares of the devil. May I, under thy patronage, live a life of holiness and achieve the final victory over all evil. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: The Promise of Heaven
Méditation
To Nathanael, who had just professed his faith, Jesus made a beautiful promise: “Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. … Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” This promise was fulfilled in the life of Saint Bartholomew, who witnessed the Resurrection and Ascension, and now beholds the face of God in heaven. This promise is also for us. Our present life of faith is but a prelude to the glory that awaits us. Let us live with our eyes fixed on heaven, our true home, where we hope to join Saint Bartholomew and all the saints in everlasting praise of the Blessed Trinity.
Prière du jour
O blessed Saint Bartholomew, who now dost gaze upon the “greater things” promised by the Lord, obtain for me the grace of final perseverance. Keep my hope for heaven ever alive in my heart. As I finish this novena, I ask thee to present all my petitions to the throne of God. May I live and die in His grace, so that I may one day join thee in the eternal bliss of seeing heaven opened and the glory of the Son of Man. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayers for Each Day
O glorious Saint Bartholomew, who didst preach the Gospel of thy Divine Master and didst seal thy testimony with thy blood, obtain for us, we beseech thee, the grace to be ever-faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Help us to profess our faith with courage, to live with sincerity, and to persevere in love unto the end. Through thy powerful intercession, may we overcome all the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and one day attain to the glory of heaven.
Our Father, Who art in heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory be to the Father…
V. Saint Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr,
R. Pray for us.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.