Novena: St. John of the Cross {Day 1}

It's no surprise to most of you that St. John of the Cross is my most favorite saint.  I never cease to be in awe that his most mystical and beautiful writings were composed in the midst of imprisonment in a small room deprived of the most basic of necessities. He touches my soul in a way no other saint does.

This is a novena that I pray faithfully every year.  There is a beginning prayer to be said each day with a separate theme following.

His Feast Day is December 14.

Beginning Prayer:

O Glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised, and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments and afflictions.  Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven.  Dear Saint, from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your companion in glory. Amen.

First Day: Unwavering Faith

My glorious father St. John of the Cross; overflowing with love for Mary and for the cross of her divine Son by which you merited to become the protector of afflicted souls, obtain for me from Jesus and Mary, I beseech you, an unwavering faith and a love of the cross so deep and so valiant that no possible misfortune will ever be able to separate me from the love of my God.  Obtain for me also the  special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (here make request).  Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.