St Anthony Novena
A novena is nine days of focused prayer, traditionally asking a particular saint's intercession for a specific need. The St. Anthony Novena is one of the most popular Catholic novenas, prayed by people seeking his help with lost things, urgent needs, employment, finances, and matters of the heart.
Many pray it leading up to his feast day, June 13th, though it can be prayed at any time of year, for any genuine need. Pray the same prayer once a day for nine consecutive days, bringing your specific intention to God through St. Anthony's intercession each time.
A St. Anthony Novena Prayer
St. Anthony, servant of God and friend of the poor, you always had a compassionate heart for those who suffered. I bring you my need today [name your intention silently]. Ask the Lord to hear this prayer and to grant what is best for my soul. Pray with me, that I may trust God's will above my own desires, whatever the answer may be. Amen.
A Short Version for Daily Prayer
St. Anthony, pray for me. Bring my need before the Lord, and help me trust His will. Amen.
A Prayer for Day One of the Novena
St. Anthony, on this first day of prayer, I bring my whole heart to you. You know what I am asking for, even before I say it fully. Intercede for me before God, and help me begin this novena with faith and patience. Amen.
A Closing Prayer for the Ninth Day
St. Anthony, these nine days of prayer are complete, and I place my request fully into God's hands. Whatever the answer, help me trust that He has heard me and that His will is good. Thank you for interceding on my behalf. Amen.
A Fuller Prayer for the Novena
St. Anthony of Padua, faithful servant and friend of the poor, I come to you today with a need that weighs on my heart. You spent your life pointing others toward Christ, and I trust that your prayers still carry weight before His throne. I ask you to intercede for me in this specific need [bring your intention to mind], and to ask the Lord to grant what is truly best for my soul, whether or not it matches exactly what I am hoping for. Help me to pray this novena with real faith, not as a formula I am simply repeating, but as an honest nine days of trust. Where I am anxious about the outcome, calm my heart. Where I am tempted to give up praying before the nine days are complete, give me perseverance. And when this novena ends, whatever the answer, help me hold it with peace, trusting that God heard every single day of this prayer. Pray for me, St. Anthony, today and every day of this novena. Amen.
Scripture to pray
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.— James 5:16
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.— Matthew 7:7
Frequently asked questions
What is the St. Anthony Novena?
It's nine consecutive days of prayer asking St. Anthony's intercession for a specific need — lost items, employment, finances, healing, or matters of the heart. Pray the same prayer once a day for nine days, bringing your intention to mind each time, often leading up to his feast day on June 13th.
What is the prayer that never fails to St. Anthony?
Many Catholics call the traditional novena prayer "the prayer that never fails," a popular name rather than an official title — the phrase reflects the deep trust generations of Catholics have placed in St. Anthony's intercession, not a guarantee attached to the words themselves.
How do you pray the St. Anthony Novena?
Set aside a few minutes at the same time each day for nine consecutive days. Pray the novena prayer, bringing your specific intention to mind, and close by entrusting the outcome to God's will. Consistency across all nine days, rather than the exact wording, is what matters most.