A Novena to Saint Expeditus (for Urgent Cases)

Expeditus was a Roman centurion in Armenia who was martyred on April 19, 303, for converting to Christianity. When Expeditus decided to convert, the Devil took the form of a raven and tried to convince him to hold off until the next day. Expeditus declared, "I'll be a Christian today!" and stomped on the raven. For that reason, Saint Expeditus has long been considered the patron saint of, among others, procrastinators!

Icons of Saint Expeditus picture him with a cross with the word "Hodie" ("Today") in his right hand, while under his right foot, a raven says, "Cras" ("Tomorrow").

In this novena, we ask Saint Expeditus to intercede for us for all the graces that we need in our life, from the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, to the gift of final perseverance (to continue to believe and to hope through the moment of our death).

It is common, though not strictly necessary, to begin each day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus with the Act of Contrition.

 First Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images

On the first day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the gift of faith.

Prayers for the First Day

Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the lively faith which was granted you by God, I ask you to awaken the same faith in my heart, that I may also believe wholeheartedly that there is God, but most particularly that I may be saved from sinning against Him.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Second Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images 

On the second day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the gift of hope for ourselves and for those who have trouble believing.

Prayers for the Second Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the enviable hope given you by God, pray that those of little belief may be penetrated by some rays of hope so that they also receive eternal things; please pray that ardent hope in God be also given me and hold me steadfast in the midst of sufferings.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Third Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images

On the third day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray that we might be freed from worldly cares so that we can love God more fully.

Prayers for the Third Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the endless love which Our Lord planted in your heart, please remove from mine all the shackles tied by worldliness, that without them I may love only God in all eternity.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Fourth Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images 

On the fourth day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the strength to carry the cross of our passions.

Prayers for the Fourth Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, who knew full well the teaching of the Divine Teacher to carry the cross and follow Him, ask Him for the graces I need that I may fight my own passions.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Fifth Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images 

On the fifth day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the grace of detachment.

Prayers for the Fifth Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the bountiful graces you received from Heaven that you may conserve all your virtues, grant also that I may get rid of all the feelings that block my way to Heaven.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Sixth Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images 

On the sixth day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for freedom from anger.

Prayers for the Sixth Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the sufferings and humiliations which you received for the love of God, grant me also this grace which is very pleasing to God and free me from anger and hardness of heart which is the stumbling block of my soul.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Seventh Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images

On the seventh day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the grace to pray well.

Prayers for the Seventh Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, you know that prayer is the golden key that will open the Kingdom of Heaven, teach me to pray in a manner which is desirable to Our Lord and to His Heart, that I may live only for Him, that I may die only for Him, and that I may pray only to Him in all eternity.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Eighth Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

 Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images 

On the eighth day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for purity of heart.

Prayers for the Eighth Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, through the clean desires that reigned in all your feelings, words, and actions, please let them guide me also in my endless search for the glory of God and the good of my fellow men.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Ninth Day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus

 Detail of Saint Expeditus. Oil painting by a painter of Palermo, 19th century.

Wellcome Library, London/Wellcome Images

On the ninth day of the Novena to Saint Expeditus, we pray for the grace of final perseverance.

Prayers for the Ninth Day

O Glorious Martyr, Saint Expeditus, who was so much loved by the Queen of Heaven, that to you nothing was denied, ask her, please my advocate, that through the sufferings of her Divine Son and her own sorrows, I may receive this day the grace I ask of you; but above all the grace to die first before I commit any mortal sin.

• Three Our Fathers in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
• Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• One Hail Mary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

OUR LADY OF THE MILLENIUM PRAYER - By Pope John Paul II

Prayer To Our Lady of the Millennium 

Our Lady of the Millennium, Mother of the Redeemer,
with great joy we call you blessed.

In order to carry out His plan of salvation,
God the Father chose you before the creation of the world.
You believed in His love and obeyed His word.

The Son of God desired you for His Mother
when he became man to save the human race.
You received Him with ready obedience and undivided heart.

The Holy Spirit loved you as His mystical spouse
and He filled you with singular gifts.
You allowed yourself to be led
by His hidden and powerful action.

On the eve of the third Christian Millennium.
we entrust to you the Church
which acknowledges you and invokes you as Mother.

To you, Mother of the human family and of the nations,
we confidently entrust the whole of humanity,
with its hopes and fears.
Do not let it lack the light of true wisdom.
Guide its steps in the ways of peace.
Enable all to meet Christ,
the Way and the Truth and the Life.

Sustain us, O Virgin Mary, on our journey of faith
and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother of God and our Mother, Mary!

Amen

LITANY OF THE INFANT JESUS

The Christ Child, also known as Divine Infant, Baby Jesus, Infant Jesus, Child Jesus, the Holy Child, and Santo Niño, refers to Jesus Christ from his nativity to age 12.

Litany of the Infant Jesus

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy,
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy,
Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Infant Jesus, hear us,
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, graciously hear us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, graciously hear us.
God the Holy Ghost, graciously hear us.
Holy Trinity, One God, graciously hear us.
Infant Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Infant, very God, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Son of the Living God, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, Have mercy on us.
Infant, begotten before the morning star, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Word made flesh, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Wisdom of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Purity of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, only Son of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, First-Born of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Image of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Creator of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Splendor of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Honor of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, equal to Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, subject to Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Joy of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Riches of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Gift of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Offering of Thy mother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, precious fruit of a virgin, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Creator of man, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Power of God, Have mercy on us.
Infant, our God, Have mercy on us.
Infant, our Brother, Have mercy on us.
Infant, perfect Man from Thy conception, Have mercy on us.
Infant, ancient in wisdom from Thy childhood, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Father of ages, Have mercy on us.
Infant, of days, Have mercy on us.
Infant, giving life, and nourished at the breast, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Eternal Word, and making Thyself dumb, Have mercy on us.
Infant, weeping in the crib, Have mercy on us.
Infant, thundering in Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Infant, terror of hell, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Joy of Paradise, Have mercy on us.
Infant, dreaded by tyrants, Have mercy on us.
Infant, desired by the Magi, Have mercy on us.
Infant, exiled from Thy people, Have mercy on us.
Infant, King in exile, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Destroyer of idols, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Vindicator of the glory of God, Have mercy on us.
Infant, strong in weakness, Have mercy on us.
Infant, powerful in abasement, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Treasure of Grace, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Fountain of Love, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Author of the blessings of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Repairer of the evils of earth, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Head of the angels, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Stem of the patriarchs, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Word of the prophets, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Expectation of nations, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Joy of the shepherds, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Light of the Magi, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Salvation of children, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Hope of the just, Have mercy on us.
Infant, Teacher of doctors, Have mercy on us.
Infant, First-fruits of the saints, Have mercy on us.
Be merciful, Spare us, O Infant Jesus,
Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus.
From the bondage of the children of Adam, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the slavery of the devil, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the corruption of the world, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the lust of the flesh, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the pride of life, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the immoderate desire of knowledge, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the blindness of mind, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From the perversity of will, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
From our sins, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most pure conception, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most humble birth, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy tears, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most painful circumcision, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most glorious epiphany, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most devout presentation, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most innocent conversation in the world, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most holy life, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy poverty, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sorrows, Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors and travails. Infant Jesus, deliver us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Infant Jesus,
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus,
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.
Infant Jesus, hear us,
Infant Jesus, graciously hear us.

 
LET US PRAY

O Lord Jesus, Who allowed the greatness of Thy incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity to be born in time, to become a little child, and to suffer bitter death, grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, majesty in abasement, so that adoring Thy humility and littleness on earth we may contemplate Thy glories in Heaven. We ask this of Thee, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns God, forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYERS TO THE CHILD JESUS OF PRAGUE

Prayers to Infant Jesus of Prague

 Dearest Jesus, little Infant of Prague, how tenderly you love us! Your greatest joy is to dwell among us and to bestow your blessing upon us. Though I am not worthy that you should help me, I feel drawn to you by love because you are kind and merciful. So many who turned to you with confidence have received blessings and had their petitions granted. Behold me as I come before you to lay open my heart to you with its prayers and hopes. I present to you especially this request, which I enclose in your loving Heart (state your request). Rule over me, dear Infant Jesus, and do with me and mine according to your holy will, for I know that in your divine wisdom and love you will arrange everything for the best. Do not withdraw your hand from me, but protect and bless me forever. I pray you, all-powerful and gracious Infant Jesus, for the sake of your sacred infancy, in the name of your blessed Mother Mary who cared for you with such tenderness, and by the greatest reverence with which St. Joseph carried you in his arms, help me in my needs. Make me truly happy with you, dearest Infant, in time and in eternity, and I shall thank you forever with all my heart. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Divine Infant Jesus, I know you love me and would never leave me. I thank you for your close presence in my life. Miraculous Infant, I believe in your promise of peace, blessings, and freedom from want. I place every need and care in your hands. Lord Jesus, may I always trust in your generous mercy and love. I want to honor and praise you, now and forever. Amen.

A Morning Offering to the Holy Child

O dear sweet Infant Jesus, I offer you my will, that you may strengthen it, my mind that you inspire it; my memory that you fill it; my wishes and desires, that you cleanse them; my intentions that you guide them, all my inner and outer activities, that you make them sacred. All I am and all I have is yours. Your love for me is my hope and trust. Hear me and grant that I may never leave you. Amen.

Prayer by a Sick Person for Healing

O most dear and sweet Infant Jesus, behold me, a poor suffering person who, sustained by a lively faith, invokes your divine aid to cure my infirmity. I put all my trust in you. I know that you can do all things and that you are most merciful, indeed you are yourself Infinite Mercy. O great little Infant, for the sake of your divine virtue and the immense love you bear for all the suffering, the oppressed and the needy, hear me, bless me, help me, console me. Amen. Glory Be (three times).

Prayer for a Student

O Infant Jesus, eternal wisdom made flesh, who shed your blessings so generously on all, and most especially on school children and students who trust in you, please look kindly on (state name) as I implore you to guide and assist him in his studies. You, O God made man, Lord of all learning, source of all understanding and memory, come and help (state name) in his weakness. Enlighten his mind, give him a ready ability to acquire knowledge and truth and the capacity to remember all that he learns. Be his light, strength and comfort in moments of special difficulty. By the grace of Your divine Heart may he do all his school tasks to the best of his ability and gain the utmost profit from them, so that he may get good grades and advance in school. To merit such favors, for my part, I promise to perform faithfully all my duties as a Christian and to love you more and more. O sweet Infant Jesus, keep me always under your protecting mantle and be my guide, not only on the path of learning, but above all on the path to eternal salvation. Amen.

Prayer for Rain

God our Creator, Maker of all things and protector of your people, in your love look upon us in our time of need and give us your help.  Open the heavens for us and send us the rain we need for our crops, our livestock, and our well being.  As our hearts long for you, so we seek rain to refresh the earth; as we long for life, so let the earth produce its harvest in abundance.  May we rejoice in the good things of the earth and raise our eyes to you, the source of all blessings.  Hear our cry for mercy and answer our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Chaplet of the Infant Jesus of Prague

The Chaplet of the Infant Jesus of Prague is said as follows:

Begin with the prayer.

Recite three times the Invocation and the Our Father in honor of the Holy Family.

Recite twelve times the Invocation, the Specific Mystery, and the Hail Mary in

memory of the twelve years of Our Lord’s Infancy and Childhood.

End with the Glory Be To The Father and the Invocation.

PRAYER:

Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Thy Cross, and I accept all the crosses Thou wilt be

pleased to send me.  Adorable Trinity, I offer Thee, for the glory of the Holy

Name of God, all the adorations of  the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus.

INVOCATION:

The Word was made flesh,

And dwelt among us.

MYSTERIES OF CHRIST’S INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD:

1.  The Annuciation

The Visitation

The Awaiting of the Birth of Jesus

The Birth of Jesus

The Circumcision of Jesus

The Visit of the Maji

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The Flight in Egypt

The Exile in Egypt

The Return to Nazarath

The Childhood of Jesus in Nazareth

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

INVOCATION:  

Holy Infant Jesus of Prague,

Bless and protect us.

PRAYER TO THE SANTO NINO (CHILD JESUS) FOR HELP

Prayer to the Divine Child (Nino) For Help

Here is part of a Spanish (translated) Rosary to the Divine Child I found. 

Lord God, All Powerful King; into Your hands I place everything.  Yes, you want to save Your people, nothing can resist Your Will.  You made the heavens and the earth and all that is contained there in.  You own of all things.  Who can resist Your Majesty?  Lord God of our fathers; have mercy on Your people, because the enemies of our soul want us to be lost and the difficulties always present are great.  You have said; “Ask and I will give to you.  He who asks, receives, but ask with faith”.  Then hear our prayers.  Forgive our offenses.  Apart from us the punishment we deserve and turn our cries into joy, so that the living may praise Your Holy Name and continue to praise you forever in heaven.

TRUST IN ME

Why are you agitated and confounded by your problems that life gives you?  Why concentrate on thoughts that agitate you as you try to figure out what is happening in your life.  Instead close the eyes of your soul and in peace tell me; DIVINE CHILD JESUS I TRUST IN YOU.

Give me total control of all your life and things will change for the better.  Abandon yourself to me completely, with absolute confidence and leave your future in My Hands.  If you totally turn all things over to Me, all will be resolved with tranquility and according to My Plans.  Do not ruin My Plans trying to force your ideas, let Me be your God and act freely in your life.  Only tell me frequently; Divine Child Jesus I Trust In You.

What causes you more damage is trying to rationalize all according to your way of thinking, and trying to solve your problems your way.  When you say; Divine Child Jesus I Trust In You, do not be like the patient who tells the doctor, “cure me”, but I know the best way for you to do it.

Let My Divine Arms cure you.  Do not have fear.  I love you, but I need my hands free in order to manifest my blessings.  Do not tie My hands with your absurd worries.  Satan wants you to be frustrated, feel sad and take away your peace.

If you see that things are getting worse or even more complicated, even when you are praying; maintain confidence in Me.  Close the eyes of your soul and continue saying every hour; Divine Child Jesus I Trust in You.

Confide in Me, rest in Me, abandon yourself to Me.  I do miracles to the degree that you abandon yourself to Me and according to the faith you have in Me.  So do not worry, give me all your frustrations, and sleep in peace and always tell me; Divine Child Jesus I Trust In You, and you will see great miracles.  I promise this to you with all MY LOVE;       Jesus

Litany

Divine Child Jesus                               I trust in You.

Word of the eternal Father                  Convert me.

Son of Mary                                         take me as your child.

Prince of peace                                   give me peace.

My refuge                                             receive me.

My pastor                                             feed my soul.

Model of patience                                console me.

Meek and humble of heart                  help me to become like You.

My redeemer                                       save me.

My God, My all                                     guide me.

My teacher                                           teach me.

Eternal truth                                         instruct me.

My support                                          give me strength.

My justice                                             justify me.

My mediator with the Father                reconcile me.

Doctor of my soul                                 heal me.

My judge                                              pardon me.

My King                                               govern me.

My sanctifier                                        sanctify me.

Well of goodness                                pardon me.

My glory                                              glorify me.

Father of the prodigal son                  receive me.

Joy of my soul                                    be my only happiness.

My helper                                           assist me.

Image of Love                                    draw me.

My protector                                      defend me.

My hope                                            sustain me.

Object of my love                              unite me to You.

Fountain of my life                             refresh me.

My Divine victim                                redeem me.

My ultimate end                                allow me to possess You.

Divine Child Jesus                            I trust in You.

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD JESUS

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD JESUS.

Holy Infant Jesus,
I love you with all my heart.
Keep it pure and burning with God’s love.
Though miserable I may be,
through your Love and Mercy,
I want you to be happy within me.

Console all those who suffer,
Protect all those who are in harm’s way.
Give us the strength to ward off the enemy.
Grant us the patience to bear the Cross.
Ever increase in us our faith, hope and love in You,
So that as we journey through this life,
We may serve and glorify you in all that we do.

Santo Niño,
bless and have mercy on us!

Fr. Rolly Arjonillo

PRAYER TO BE CLEAN AND PURE IN SPIRIT

Prayer for a Pure Heart

Dear loving Lord,
Is it possible,
to have a pure heart?
Can you do this for me?

I have been shamed,
And broken for,
Far too long.
My heart has been, marked and stained.
Can I be pure inside?

Before your Son I kneel,
I see Him,
Raised up upon the wood,
Raised up from death.
His glory and mercy,
Shine upon me.
His forgiveness,
Makes me clean again.

The blood of the Lamb,
Sets me free.
Restore my broken spirit.
Forgive me of my sin.

Transform me, oh Lord.
Then let me forgive,
Even those who,
Marked and stained, my heart.

For hate, let me return love,
Let me be like the Son,
Like the risen Lord,
Who gives me,
A pure heart.

In Jesus sweet name,
Amen