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St. Francis of Assisi Novena

Catholic novena

St. Francis of Assisi Novena

Pray this nine-day Catholic novena through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi for peace, conversion, love for the poor.

About the St. Francis of Assisi Novena

St. Francis of Assisi left worldly ambition to follow Christ in poverty, humility, and joy. Founder of the Friars Minor, he preached repentance, cared for lepers, loved creation, and bore the marks of Christ in the stigmata. This novena asks for peace, simplicity, conversion, and love for the poor.

When to pray this novena

This novena may be prayed at any time, especially for peace, conversion, love for the poor. Many Catholics begin a novena nine days before a feast day, during a period of discernment, or when a particular need calls for patient, persevering prayer.

Common intentions

  • Peace
  • Conversion
  • Love for the poor

How to pray the St. Francis of Assisi Novena

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Pray the opening prayer and the daily prayer for the appropriate day.
  3. Name your intention simply before God.
  4. Conclude with the closing prayer, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
  5. Repeat for nine days, trusting God’s will and timing.

Opening Prayer

O God, source of every grace, I come before You with trust and humility. Through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, help me pray this novena with faith, repentance, patience, and love. Receive the intention I carry, purify it according to Your holy will, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ.

Day 1: Faith

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me faith, especially in matters of peace. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 2: Trust

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me trust, especially in matters of conversion. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 3: Conversion

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me conversion, especially in matters of love for the poor. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 4: Perseverance

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me perseverance, especially in matters of peace. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 5: Healing

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me healing, especially in matters of conversion. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 6: Courage

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me courage, especially in matters of love for the poor. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 7: Charity

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me charity, especially in matters of peace. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 8: Peace

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me peace, especially in matters of conversion. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 9: Thanksgiving

St. Francis of Assisi, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me thanksgiving, especially in matters of love for the poor. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Closing Prayer

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for me before God. Ask the Lord to strengthen my faith, guide my choices, protect me from sin, and grant the grace most needed in this intention. May this novena lead me not only to the help I seek, but to deeper love for Christ and His Church. Amen.

Submit a prayer request

If you are praying this novena for a personal intention, you may also submit a private prayer request.

Submit a Prayer Request

Related saint profile

Learn more about St. Francis of Assisi and the saint’s life, patronage, and devotion.

Read the St. Francis of Assisi profile

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the St. Francis of Assisi Novena?

A novena is traditionally prayed for nine days. You may begin on any day, though many Catholics pray a novena during the nine days leading to a feast.

What intentions can I bring to this novena?

This novena is especially suited for peace, conversion, love for the poor, but any honest need may be brought before God with humility and trust.

Does praying a novena guarantee the exact result I ask for?

No. A novena is not magic. It is persevering prayer that entrusts a real need to God while asking for grace, conversion, patience, and help according to His will.