St. Anthony of the Desert Novena
Catholic novena
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena
Pray this nine-day Catholic novena through the intercession of St. Anthony of the Desert for temptation, solitude with God, spiritual warfare.
About the St. Anthony of the Desert Novena
St. Anthony of the Desert heard the Gospel call to sell all and follow Christ, then became a father of monasticism in Egypt. His prayer, fasting, solitude, and battles against temptation shaped Christian understanding of spiritual combat. This novena asks for purity of heart, vigilance, and freedom from temptation.
When to pray this novena
This novena may be prayed at any time, especially for temptation, solitude with God, spiritual warfare. 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
- Temptation
- Solitude with God
- Spiritual warfare
How to pray the St. Anthony of the Desert Novena
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
- Pray the opening prayer and the daily prayer for the appropriate day.
- Name your intention simply before God.
- Conclude with the closing prayer, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
- 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. Anthony of the Desert, 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 in Christ
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me faith in christ, especially in matters of temptation. 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: Protection
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me protection, especially in matters of solitude with God. 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: Freedom from temptation
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me freedom from temptation, especially in matters of spiritual warfare. 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: Courage
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me courage, especially in matters of temptation. 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: Discernment
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me discernment, especially in matters of solitude with God. 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: Purity of heart
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me purity of heart, especially in matters of spiritual warfare. 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: Peace
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me peace, especially in matters of temptation. 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: Perseverance
St. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me perseverance, especially in matters of solitude with God. 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. Anthony of the Desert, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me thanksgiving, especially in matters of spiritual warfare. 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. Anthony of the Desert, 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.
Related saint profile
Learn more about St. Anthony of the Desert and the saint’s life, patronage, and devotion.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the St. Anthony of the Desert 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 temptation, solitude with God, spiritual warfare, 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.