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NOVENA
In honour of Saint John Bosco
22nd to 31st January
Feast Day 31st January

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NOVENA
in honour of Saint John Bosco
(The solemn novena takes place on the nine days before the feast. This
novena, however, may be said on any nine consecutive days.)
First Day: Love of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament
St John Bosco, who loved Christ in the Blessed Sacrament so deeply and
spread that love to so many, help me to understand this mystery of God’s
love for us, that I too may find, in frequent attendance at Mass and Holy
Communion and in visits to the Blessed Sacrament, comfort and strength
throughout my life and at the hour of my death.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Let us pray.
God our Father, it was your will that through the intercession of
the Virgin Mary, St John Bosco should raise up new families in
the Church who would work for the salvation of young people;
grant, we pray you, that we too, burning with the same fire of
love, may seek souls and serve you alone, through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Second Day: Devotion to Our Lady
St John Bosco, you had so enduring a love of Our Lady, Help of
Christians, ever your Mother and Guide. Help me to share this deep and
lasting love for Mary. May I experience her powerful help and protection
throughout my life and have her at my side at the hour of my death.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Third Day: Loyalty to the Church and the Pope
St John Bosco, you had a deep love for the Church and an unswerving
loyalty to the Pope. Help me to be a faithful member of the Catholic
Church, proud of my faith and ever loyal and obedient to the Holy Father,
the vicar of Christ, and to the bishops and priests who share his
authority.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…

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Fourth Day: For the Young
St John Bosco, you had a generous and practical love for the young. For so
many of them you were father and guide, working for them with heroic
sacrifice. Young people are especially dear to our Saviour. Help us, too, to
work for them with a holy and generous love and to see in each one of
them the person of the young Christ growing up in Nazareth.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Fifth Day: For Salesian Priests, Brothers and Sisters
St John Bosco, you founded the Salesian Society and the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians to continue your work for youth. I pray that all
these priests, brothers and sisters may be filled with your spirit, your
zeal, your love and joy, and so inspire other young people to follow them.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Sixth Day: For Salesian Cooperators
St John Bosco, in order to deepen Faith and Charity in the world and
spread your work for youth, you started a third family, the Salesian
Cooperators. May they be strong, fervent, apostolic Christians, supporting
your work and spreading a love of Christ in their homes and among
young people.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Seventh Day: For Missionaries
St John Bosco, your zeal for the Salvation of young people could not be
kept within narrow frontiers. You sent your Salesian sons and daughters
to the ends of the earth. From heaven intercede for all Missionaries, that
their work may be blessed. Obtain for me a zeal like yours, that in
working with generosity and enthusiasm for the salvation of others, I may
save my soul.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Eight Day: For Purity
St John Bosco, by God’s grace you preserved within yourself an
overwhelming love for purity and preached it by word and example. You

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led Dominic Savio to holiness while he was still a schoolboy. Obtain for me
the grace to be pure of heart and so through my own way of life to let
others see the joy of life in friendship with Christ.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Ninth Day: For Family, Friends and those in Need.
St John Bosco, you had a heart full of compassion when you saw people
suffering or in need. Obtain for me, for my family and loved ones, the
blessing of Mary Help of Christians and all the graces we need. Pray
especially that our families my be united in peace and harmony in this life
and be gathered together with you in the joy of praising God for ever in
heaven.
Glory be to the Father… Let us pray… God our Father…
Prayer to St John Bosco to obtain favours
St John Bosco, full of confidence I turn to you, asking you to intercede for
me. Help me to lead a good and happy life. May I always be a help to
others, avoid sin and die a happy death. Bring down the blessings of God
on all those in my thoughts and prayers now, and obtain for me the
special graces which I now ask… I trust in His love and mercy to grant
what He knows is best for me.
St John Bosco, send us good and holy priests and religious and grant
perseverance to those who are preparing to offer their lives to God. Amen.
St John Bosco, pray for us.
Salesians of Don Bosco
Thornleigh Salesian House
Sharples Park
BOLTON BL1 6PQ