Day 5 — Love of silence and charity

Meditation

Saint Benedict loved silence and never opened his lips to light, impure, or murmuring words. His Rule dedicates an entire chapter to silence, teaching that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. He invites us to guard our tongue from all sin and to forgive from the heart.

Prayer of the Day

O glorious Saint Benedict, who loved silence and never opened your mouth to light words or murmuring! Obtain for me the grace never to speak impure words or words against charity, to forgive from the heart, and to guard my tongue from all sin. 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).