Devotion to Sant'Espedito and the novena of urgent causes
Expedited was a Roman centurion in Armenia who was martyred on April 19, 303, for converting to Christianity. When Sant 'Espedito decided to convert, the Devil took the shape of a crow and tried to convince him to resist until the next day. Expeditus declared: "I will be a Christian today!" and stepped on the crow. For this reason, Sant 'Espedito has long been considered the patron saint, among others, of procrastinators!
The icons of Sant 'Espedito depict him with a cross with the word "Hodie" ("Today") in his right hand, while under his right foot a crow says "Cras" ("Tomorrow").
In this novena, we ask Saint Espedito to intercede for us for all the graces we need in our life, from the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, to the gift of final perseverance (continue to believe and hope through the moment of our death).
It is common, even if not strictly necessary, to start each day of the Novena in Sant 'Espedito with the act of contrition.
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Part 09
First day of the Novena in Sant 'Espedito
On the first day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for the gift of faith.
Prayers for the first day
Glorious martyr, Saint Espedito, through the fervent faith that has been granted to you by God, I ask you to awaken the same faith in my heart, so that I can also believe with all my heart that there is God, but above all that I can be saved from sin against him.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
Read on below
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Part 09
Second day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the second day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for the gift of hope for ourselves and for those who have difficulty believing.
Prayers for the second day
O Glorious Martyr, Saint Espedito, through the enviable hope that has been given to you by God, pray that those of little belief may be penetrated by some rays of hope so as to also receive eternal things; please pray that ardent hope in God will also be given to me and keep me steadfast amid the sufferings.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
Read on below
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Part 09
Third day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the third day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray that we can be freed from worldly concerns so that we can love God more fully.
Prayers for the third day
O Glorious Martyr, Saint Espedito, through the infinite love that Our Lord has planted in your heart, please remove all the chains linked by worldliness from mine, which without them I could only love God in all eternity.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Part 09
Fourth day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the fourth day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for the strength to carry the cross of our passions.
Prayers for the fourth day
O Glorious martyr, Saint Espedito, who knew well the teaching of the Divine Master to carry the cross and follow him, ask him for the graces I need to fight my passions.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
Read on below
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Part 09
Fifth day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the fifth day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for the grace of detachment.
Prayers for the fifth day
O Glorious Martyr, Saint Espedito, through the abundant graces you have received from Heaven so that you can preserve all your virtues, you also grant that I can free myself from all the feelings that block my way to Heaven.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Part 09
Sixth day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the sixth day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for freedom from anger.
Prayers for the sixth day
O Glorious Martyr, Saint Espedito, through the sufferings and humiliations you have received for the love of God, grant me also this grace which is very pleasing to God and free me from the anger and hardness of the heart which is the obstacle of my soul.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
Read on below
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Part 09
Seventh day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the seventh day of the Novena in San Expedito, we pray for the grace to pray well.
Prayers for the seventh day
O Glorious Martyr, Saint Espedito, you know that prayer is the golden key that will open the Kingdom of Heaven, teach me to pray in a desirable way for Our Lord and for His Heart, so that I can live only for Him, that I could to die only for him, and to be able to pray only to him in all eternity.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Part 09
Eighth day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the eighth day of the Novena in San Expedito, we pray for the purity of the heart.
Prayers for the eighth day
O glorious martyr, San Expedito, through the pure desires that reigned in all your feelings, words and deeds, please let me guide you also in my endless search for the glory of God and the good of my fellow men.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows
Read on below
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Part 09
Ninth day of the Novena in San Espedito
On the ninth day of the Novena in San Espedito, we pray for the grace of final perseverance.
Prayers for the ninth day
O Glorious martyr, Saint Espedito, who was so loved by the Queen of Heaven, that nothing has been denied to you, ask her, please, my lawyer, that through the sufferings of her Divine Son and her own pains, I could receive this day the grace that I ask of you; but above all the grace of dying before committing any mortal sin.
Three of our fathers in honor of the Holy Trinity
Remembering the Blessed Virgin Mary
An Ave Maria in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows