St. Odilia Novena

for Crosier Vocations

We encourage you to make a novena in honor of St. Odilia for Crosier vocations twice a month, beginning on the 5th and 17th. The national novena is held from July 10-July 18. As you make the novena, say the novena prayers daily, practice some form of self-denial or give alms and receive Holy Communion at least once during the novena.

First Day

All-powerful God, you alone are holy; without you nothing is good. Trusting in your love, we offer you our prayers through the intercession of St. Odilia, Virgin and Martyr. Inspire men to become Crosiers, in the same way that you inspired St. Odilia to leave her home in order to follow your Son more closely. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Second Day

Lord, our God, for the glory of your name, you gave St. Odilia the courage to give her life in martyrdom as a witness to Christ. Through her intercession, help men to know your call to Crosier life and grant them the strength to follow it, so that they may always be true to Christ. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Third Day

Almighty God, through the intercession of St. Odilia, may those discerning Crosier Religious Life grow stronger in their commitment to follow Christ. Help them to see themselves as pilgrims in this world, called to respect and love all, people who have been saved by you. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Fourth Day

Merciful God, those discerning Crosier Religious Life face the challenge of being faithful to the Gospel. Look upon them and grant them your forgiveness. Through the intercession of St. Odilia, restore them anew to your love. Give them holiness of soul and body and bring them into your divine life. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Fifth Day

Lord God, source of salvation for all people, we praise you for the men discerning Crosier Religious Life who have been strengthened by the faith that made St. Odilia so loyal to Christ, your Son. Through her intercession may these men become signs of your love for all people. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Sixth Day

God of all good gifts, we praise you, the source of all that we are and have. We thank you for the men discerning Crosier Religious Life, and especially for the gifts they have received through the help of St. Odilia. Through her intercession, may you be their strength in adversity, their health in weakness, and their comfort in sorrow. Grant them the strength to give themselves in greater service to you and their neighbor. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Seventh Day

Ever-living God, hear the prayers of all who remember the example of St. Odilia. She sacrificed all she had to you. Guide the men discerning Crosier Religious Life; help them grow in their imitation of St. Odilia so that they can be kept free from sin and become ever more the temple of your Spirit. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Eighth Day

Gracious God, may the men discerning Crosier Religious Life follow the witness of St. Odilia, who chose to follow the cross, the sign through which you have given life and hope to all. Awaken in the lives of these men a desire to follow Jesus and to choose the cross as their sign of strength in sorrow, joy in suffering and life through death. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.

Ninth Day

O God of love, your Son has shown us the way of accepting your will. Through the intercession of St. Odilia, the patroness of the Order of the Holy Cross, hear our prayers for the men discerning Crosier Religious Life. May these men realize that they are chosen to be saints. Give them the grace of imitating Christ and St. Odilia as they embrace your will for them. If it be your will, give them the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ through Crosier consecrated life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our Father…Hail Mary…
St. Odilia, pray for us.