A novena is a traditional Christian prayer that takes place over the course of 9 days (the Latin novem translates to nine). The prayer is usually prayed for a particular intention, either directly to God or through the intercession of a particular saint. Novenas originated with Jesus, who asked the apostles, his mother Mary and other disciples to gather and pray for the nine-day period between Christ’s Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
This is the last day of the novena. If you're praying this novena with your team, you may want to consider attending Mass together or creating a small prayer service as a way to complete the novena. Remember that you can pray this at any time over a nine day period, so be sure to share this novena with children, parents and coaches!
Opening Prayer: St. Sebastian, Patron of Athletes, you lived in the early days of the church, when to be a Christian often meant to be persecuted for your beliefs and even die for your faith. As an Officer in the Roman Palace Guard, you are a shining example of strength and courage not simply through your physical presence but through your deep conviction in Christ. Your faithfulness stands as an example to athletes as we strive to grow strong not just in body, but also in mind and soul.
We ask you to pray for our team (my child’s team) (State a personal intention here).
Day 9: St. Sebastian support our team to be the best athletes that you have created us to uniquely be, the best team that we can be together and most importantly, loving people living as Disciples of Christ.
Closing Daily Prayer: Merciful Father, may the glorious intercession of Your blessed martyr Saint Sebastian be our protection. Bless our team (name your school and team name), placed under his protection. Grant all that we ask for in these days of prayer in best preparation for our season, according to your will, through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
The Litany of St. Sebastian
(You may add this on the first and the last day of the Novena)
Lord, have mercy on us! Response: Lord, have mercy on us!
Christ, have mercy on us! Response: Christ, have mercy on us!
Lord, have mercy on us! Response: Lord, have mercy on us!
Christ hear us! Response: Christ, graciously hear us!
God, the Father of heaven, Response: Have mercy on us! God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Response: have mercy on us! God, the Holy Spirit, Response: have mercy on us! Holy Trinity, one God, Response: have mercy on us! Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs. Response: Pray for us. Saint Sebastian. Response: Pray for us. Invincible Martyr. Response: Pray for us. Glorious warrior and martyr of Christ. Response: Pray for us. Consoler of the afflicted. Response: Pray for us. Saint Sebastian, perfect in virtue and wisdom. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, servant of God and of his brothers and sisters. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, who encouraged the doubting to persevere to the end. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, surrounded by celestial light. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, instructed by the holy Angels. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, who for defending the truth was wounded by arrows. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, who was put to death with clubs. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, who was crowned with eternal glory. Response: Pray for us. St. Sebastian, great intercessor for us with God. Response: Pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Response: Spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Response: Graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Response: Have mercy on us, O Lord! Christ, hear us! Response: Christ, hear us! Christ, graciously hear us! Response: Christ, graciously hear us! Amen.
