Start Date: January 22nd
End Date: January 30th
Feast Date: January 31st
Patronage of St. John Bosco:
Youth, Educators, Schoolchildren, Apprentices, Magicians, Juvenile delinquents, Salesian Society and its institutions (orphanages, schools, seminaries)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer (to be said each day):
O glorious St. John Bosco, who devoted your life to the education and salvation of youth, intercede for us that we may be inspired by your zeal, kindness, and love for Christ. Help us to follow your example of generosity and selflessness in our daily lives. Obtain for us the grace to grow in holiness, just as you did, and may we, like you, bring many souls to the loving embrace of Our Lord. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Day 1: A Heart for Youth and Guidance
St. John Bosco, you saw the need to educate the young and provide them with both spiritual and moral guidance. We ask for your intercession as we strive to be a light to those who are in need of direction. Help us to be agents of peace and joy, especially to the youth, so that they may know the love of Christ and the joy of living according to His will. Obtain for us the grace to love God above all things. Amen.
Day 2: Love for the Poor and Abandoned
St. John Bosco, you had a special love for the poor and the neglected. You never hesitated to give of yourself for their welfare. Help us to see Christ in those who suffer, particularly in the young and abandoned. May we be instruments of His love and compassion, working tirelessly to bring others to Him. May our hearts be filled with charity and our lives be dedicated to helping others. Amen.
Day 3: Devotion to the Eucharist
St. John Bosco, you taught us that prayer and devotion to the Eucharist are essential to living a holy life. Help us to cultivate a deep and loving relationship with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. May we always find strength in the Mass, and may our lives be shaped by the grace that flows from this holy sacrament. Lead us to a deeper love for Christ in the Eucharist. Amen.
Day 4: Embracing Vocations
St. John Bosco, you were a great teacher and founder, raising up a generation of priests and religious who followed in your footsteps. Help us to recognize the importance of vocation in our lives, whether it be to marriage, the priesthood, or religious life. Guide us in our discernment and inspire us to answer God’s call with generosity and courage. Amen.
Day 5: Trusting in God’s Providence
St. John Bosco, you faced many difficulties and struggles, but your faith and trust in God never wavered. Help us to have the same unwavering faith in God’s providence, especially during times of trial. May we always trust in God’s plans for us, knowing that He will never leave us. May we find strength and hope in His promises. Amen.
Day 6: Devotion to the Virgin Mary
St. John Bosco, you had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and trusted in her maternal care. Teach us to imitate your devotion to Our Lady, and may we seek her intercession in all our needs. Help us to grow in love for Mary and to live with the same fervent devotion that you had. May she be our guide to her Son, Jesus. Amen.
Day 7: Compassion for Others
St. John Bosco, you were a true friend to the young, providing them with guidance and love. Help us to be compassionate to those around us, especially the youth. May we offer our time and energy to serve others with kindness and patience. May we always strive to be good examples and lead others to Christ through our actions. Amen.
Day 8: Living Virtuously Through Prayer
St. John Bosco, you knew that the foundation of a good life is in forming good habits of prayer and virtuous living. Help us to establish daily habits that will lead us to holiness. Guide us to live according to the Gospel and to build up God’s Kingdom in the world through our daily actions. May we be ever faithful in our pursuit of holiness. Amen.
Day 9: Living with Zeal for Christ and His Mission
St. John Bosco, your life was a testament to the power of prayer, hard work, and love for others. As we conclude this novena, we ask for your intercession that we may live our lives in a way that brings glory to God. May we always keep the needs of others at the forefront of our hearts, striving to bring the love of Christ to the world. Amen.
Closing Prayer (to be said each day):
O St. John Bosco, you have shown us how to live a life of holiness and dedication to the service of God and others. We thank you for your powerful intercession and for the example of your life. Help us to follow in your footsteps, living with charity, zeal, and love for the youth, and always trusting in God’s providence. We ask for your continued prayers as we strive to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Litany of St. John Bosco
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.
St. John Bosco, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, lover of the poor and abandoned, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, teacher of the young, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, faithful servant of God, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, friend of the youth, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, tireless worker for souls, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, imitator of Christ, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, model of holiness, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, friend of the Blessed Virgin, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, promoter of education, pray for us.
St. John Bosco, patron of apprentices, 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 on us.
Pray for us, St. John Bosco,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, who raised up St. John Bosco to be a father and teacher of youth, grant that, following his example and his prayers, we may foster in our lives the virtues of charity, diligence, and devotion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.