Voice in the Wilderness
Novena to St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist
Sancte Ioannes Baptista, ora pro nobis.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
A traditional invocation to the voice crying in the wilderness
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Origin Story
St. John the Baptist is the forerunner of Christ, the voice crying in the wilderness, and a model of penance, courage, and truth. This novena keeps that older figure before the soul by asking for detachment from earthly things, holy recollection, brave witness, and a life that helps prepare the way for the Lord.
Instructions
Traditionally prayed from June 15 through June 23 in preparation for the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24.
This novena is especially fitting for repentance, interior recollection, spiritual courage, and a stricter life of Christian penance.
Pray the same St. John prayer each day with the three repeated Pater, Ave, and Gloria sections.
It may also be prayed when asking for boldness in truth, a more prophetic life, or the conversion of those led astray by vice.
Pray For
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Day 1 of 9
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Day 1: The Prophet in the Desert
Ask for grace to love recollection, penance, and a simpler life with God alone in view.
Daily Prayer
O glorious St. John the Baptist, of those born of women the greatest of prophets; thou, though sanctified from thy mother's womb and most innocent, didst nevertheless will to retire into the desert, there to practise austerities and penance; obtain for us from our Lord the grace to be detached, at least in the affections of our hearts, from all earthly treasure, and to practise Christian mortification with interior recollection and a spirit of holy prayer. Pray one Pater, one Ave, and one Gloria. O most zealous Apostle, who, without working any miracle on others, but solely by the example of thy life of penance and the power of thy words, didst draw after thee crowds, in order to prepare them to worthily receive the Messiah, and listen to his heavenly teaching; grant that it may be given to us also, by the example of a holy life and the practice of good works, to lead many souls to God, and, above all, those who have been enveloped in the darkness of error and ignorance, and led astray by vice. Pray one Pater, one Ave, and one Gloria. Unconquered martyr, who for the honour of God and the salvation of souls, didst, with heroic constancy, and at the cost of life itself, withstand the impious Herod, reproving him openly for his bad and dissolute life; obtain for us a brave and generous heart, so that, overcoming all human respect, we may boldly profess our faith, and follow the teaching of our divine master Jesus Christ. Pray one Pater, one Ave, and one Gloria. V. Pray for us, St. John the Baptist. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O God, Who hast made this day worthy of honour in the nativity of St. John, grant to Thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the minds of all the faithful into the way of eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Occasions