St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Catholic novena
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Pray this nine-day Catholic novena through the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for Catholic education, widows, family holiness.
About the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized. A wife, mother, widow, convert, foundress, and educator, she founded the Sisters of Charity and helped shape Catholic schooling in America. This novena asks for family courage, perseverance in grief, and fidelity to the Church.
When to pray this novena
This novena may be prayed at any time, especially for Catholic education, widows, family holiness. 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
- Catholic education
- Widows
- Family holiness
How to pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me faith, especially in matters of Catholic education. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me trust, especially in matters of widows. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me conversion, especially in matters of family holiness. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me perseverance, especially in matters of Catholic education. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me healing, especially in matters of widows. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me courage, especially in matters of family holiness. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me charity, especially in matters of Catholic education. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me peace, especially in matters of widows. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me thanksgiving, especially in matters of family holiness. 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the saint’s life, patronage, and devotion.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 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 Catholic education, widows, family holiness, 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.