Day 3 — Spirit of prayer and purity

Meditation

Saint Benedict consecrated his lips to prayer, singing night and day the divine praises. Like a lily among thorns, he preserved an angelic chastity through humility, constant vigilance, prayer, and mortification of the senses.

Prayer of the Day

O glorious Saint Benedict, who consecrated your lips to prayer and sang night and day the divine praises! Obtain for me the spirit of prayer and the gift of purity. You who like a lily among thorns preserved angelic chastity, obtain for me the grace to live in purity of heart. Saint Benedict, pray for us.

Preparatory Prayer (for all days)

We greet you with filial affection, O glorious Father Saint Benedict, worker of wonders, cooperator with Christ in the work of salvation of souls. O Patriarch of monks! Look down from heaven upon the vineyard planted by your hand. Protect in a special way all who place themselves under your patronage. Pray for the sick, the tempted, the afflicted, the poor, and for us who are devoted to you. Obtain for us all a peaceful and holy death like yours. Now, obtain for us the special grace we ask in this novena.

Final Prayer

O glorious Saint Benedict, who from heaven are a loving father to us your devotees! Your great power before God is recognized today more than ever thanks to the medal honored with your name. Pray for all who come to you. Obtain for us from the Lord all the graces necessary during this life and especially the grace for which we make this novena. Saint Benedict, pray for us.

(One Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be).