The Friend of the Poor

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, you gave St. Anthony to your people as a tireless preacher and a ready helper in need. As I begin this novena, let his words and example draw me closer to you. Through his intercession, restore what I have lost - whether things, or hope, or my own way back to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pause in silence, and bring to mind the intention you are praying for.

In the app, your own saved intention rests here during the silence. The narration stays the same for everyone.

Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

St. Anthony was a tireless friend of the poor, and the alms given in his name still feed the hungry today. He teaches that the surest way not to lose our soul is to spend it in love - that even a cup of cold water given to the least is treasured by God. In serving the poor, we find Christ himself.

Lord, you promise that the smallest kindness to one in need will never lose its reward. Open my hands to the poor and my heart to those who have little. Through the intercession of St. Anthony, friend of the needy, let me find you in the faces of those I help, and never grow rich at the expense of my soul. Amen.

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.

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.

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.

St. Anthony, finder of the lost and friend of the poor, the whole world calls on you to recover what has gone missing. Help me to find what I am seeking, and more than that, help me never to lose the one thing necessary - the friendship of God. Carry my intention before the Lord, and obtain for me the grace I need. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.