St. Benedict Archives

Litany of St. Benedict

The “Litany of St. Benedict” is a traditional prayer that calls upon the holy patriarch of monastic life, St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547), seeking his heavenly intercession and spiritual protection. This holy monk abandoned worldly pursuits to serve God as a hermit and was called by God to found the great abbey of Monte Cassino, where he wrote his famous Rule that became the spiritual foundation for monastic life throughout Europe and earned him the title “Patriarch of Western Monks.” Through this litany, the faithful call upon his powerful prayers before the throne of God for protection and guidance in living lives of prayer, discipline, and complete devotion to our Lord.

Litany of St. Benedict

Video — Litany of St. Benedict

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
Father most reverend, pray for us.
Father most renowned, pray for us.
Father most compassionate, pray for us.
Man of great fortitude, pray for us.
Man of venerable life, pray for us.
Man of the most holy conversation, pray for us.
True servant of God, pray for us.
Light of devotion, pray for us.
Light of prayer, pray for us.
Light of contemplation, pray for us.
Star of the world, pray for us.
Best master of an austere life, pray for us.
Leader of the holy warfare, pray for us.
Leader and chief of monks, pray for us.
Master of those who die to the world, pray for us.
Protector of those who cry to thee, pray for us.
Wonderful worker of miracles, pray for us.
Revealer of the secrets of the human heart, pray for us.
Master of spiritual discipline, pray for us.
Companion of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Equal of the prophets, pray for us.
Follower of the Apostles, pray for us.
Teacher of martyrs, pray for us.
Father of many pontiffs, pray for us.
Gem of abbots, pray for us.
Glory of confessors, pray for us.
Imitator of anchorites, pray for us.
Associate of virgins, pray for us.
Colleague of all the saints, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

V. Intercede for us, O holy father St. Benedict,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray:

O God, Who has called us from the vanity of the world, and Who dos incite us to the reward of a heavenly vocation under the guidance of St. Benedict, inspire and purify our hearts and pour forth on us Thy grace, whereby we may persevere in Thee. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

St. Benedict

About St. Benedict

St. Benedict was a 6th-century monk who profoundly shaped Western monasticism and civilization through his Rule, which balanced prayer, work, and community life. Born to a noble Roman family around 480, he abandoned his studies in Rome, disgusted by the city’s corruption, to live as a hermit in Subiaco. His holiness attracted followers, leading him to establish twelve monasteries before founding the great abbey of Monte Cassino, where he wrote his famous Rule. The Rule of St. Benedict, marked by its wisdom, moderation, and flexibility, provided a practical guide for monastic life that spread throughout Europe and remains influential today. He emphasized “ora et labora” (prayer and work) as the foundation of monastic life, established a daily schedule of communal prayer (the Divine Office), and created a system of governance that valued both authority and consultation. Benedict was known for his miraculous powers, including reading hearts and prophesying, though his sister St. Scholastica is said to have exceeded him in miracles through her greater love. He died around 547 after receiving the Eucharist while standing, supported by his monks. He is considered the patron saint of Europe and is often depicted with a broken cup (representing a failed poisoning attempt), a bell (symbolizing monastery regulations), or a raven (which according to legend helped him avoid poisoned bread).

Prayers & Devotions

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Novena to St. Benedict

This “Novena to St. Benedict” prayer seeks the intercession of Saint Benedict of Nursia. St. Benedict, born in 5th century Italy, is renowned as a powerful intercessor against evil and temptation. Founder of the Benedictine Order, he’s famous for his ability to resist and overcome demonic influences. He is often invoked for strength in resisting sin and for safeguarding against malevolent spiritual attacks. His role as a guardian against evil has made him a beloved figure in Catholic tradition. His feast day is celebrated on July 11th.

Novena to St. Benedict

Prayer video – Novena to St. Benedict

Glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God’s grace! I implore you, in your loving kindness, to pray for me before the throne of God. To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me. Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor. Inspire me to imitate you in all things. May your blessing be with me always so that I may see and serve Christ in others, and work for His kingdom.

Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life. Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you. I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.

(Mention your petitions now)

Help me, great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to obtain the eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.

The Chaplet of St. Benedict

The “Chaplet of St. Benedict” is a powerful devotion that honors St. Benedict’s life of self-sacrifice, solitary devotion, and contemplation, which inspires the pursuit of holiness and deep spirituality. The chaplet also recognizes St. Benedict’s monastic commitment and his authorship of the Rule of St. Benedict, which established guidelines for monastic life, while emphasizing the importance of listening to God’s voice as the foundation for all things.

The Chaplet of St. Benedict

Prayer video – The Chaplet of St. Benedict

Begin the chaplet with praying the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
and was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

Pray this prayer to St. Benedict:
Holy St. Benedict, we honor you for your self-sacrifice and solitary devotion to our Lord. May your life of prayer and contemplation inspire in all of us a similar respect for holiness and deep spirituality. We thank you for the Rule of St. Benedict and the strength and example of your monastic commitment. All things begin when we listen to the voice of God. Amen.

Pray the Our Father prayer – 3 times
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Pray the Hail Mary prayer – 3 times
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Pray the Glory Be prayer – 3 times
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

download this prayer from the “prayers for protection” digital prayer album

Prayer to St. Benedict for a Happy Death

The Prayer to St. Benedict for a Happy Death should be prayed daily, as the prayer itself states. Placing ourselves under the protection of St Benedict is yet another spiritual armor a devout Catholic can out on for protection against spiritual attacks. It is at the hour of death when Satan and his angels most especially attack devout souls as it is Hell’s last chance to steal these souls away from God. Saint Benedict, being the patron saint of exorcisms, is a powerful defender against the Devil.

Prayer to St. Benedict for a Happy Death

Prayer Video – Prayer to St. Benedict for a Happy Death

V. Intercede for us, O holy Father Benedict.
R. And obtain for us the grace of a happy death.

O holy Father Benedict, whose very name signifies your blessedness, you most joyfully offered your angelic soul to God while you stood in prayer with your arms raised to heaven.

You have promised to defend us from the Devil’s attacks at the hour of death if we daily recall to you your own glorious death and heavenly joys.

Protect me, therefore, O glorious Father, today and every day by your holy blessing, so that I may never be separated from our blessed Jesus, nor from the company of you and all the saints. Amen.

O God, who adorned the precious death of our most holy Father, Saint Benedict, with so many and so great privileges, grant, we beseech You, that our departure hence, we may be defended from the snares of the enemy by the blessed presence of him whose memory we celebrate. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.