St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena
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About St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa was born Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu in Yugoslavia. She was the youngest, with an other sister and brother. Her father died suddenly when she was only 7 years old which made life difficult for her family.
At 18 years old, Gonxha decided to join the Loreto Sisters of Dublin, missionaries and educators founded to educate young girls. When she made her first vows she chose the name Mother Teresa, honoring both saints Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux. She was then sent to a high school to teach in Calcutta. She taught in the school for many years.
One day, she was riding a train on route to a retreat when she said that Christ spoke to her and told her to abandon teaching to work in the slums of Calcutta aiding the city’s poorest and sickest people. This was a clear message, an invitation to her “second calling”.
Mother Teresa quickly translated her second calling into concrete actions to help the city’s poor. She began an open-air school and established a home for the dying destitute in a dilapidated building she convinced the city government to donate to her cause. She, then, founded a new congregation called the Missionaries of Charity.
Mother Teresa’s tireless work and service resulted in the establishment of a leper colony, an orphanage, a nursing home, a family clinic and a string of mobile health clinics. She opened her first American-based house of charity, and she secretly went to Beirut, Lebanon, where she crossed between Christian East Beirut and Muslim West Beirut to aid children of both faiths. Mother Teresa spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. While there, she opened Gift of Love, a home to care for those infected with HIV/AIDS.
Mother Teresa continued her work among the poorest of the poor, depending on God for all of her needs until her death. Numerous honors had been awarded to her throughout the years. Most notably, she was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work “in bringing help to suffering humanity.”
She died in 1997 at the age of 87. In 2002, the Vatican recognized a miracle involving an Indian woman who was cured of an abdominal tumor through Mother Teresa’s intercession. A second miracle involved the healing of a Brazilian man who was diagnosed with a viral brain infection and lapsed into a coma. His family prayed to Mother Teresa and the man woke up without pain and was cured of his symptoms.
Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint on September 4, 2016 by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Tens of thousands of Catholics and pilgrims from around the world attended the canonization.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena Prayers
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for the sick, elderly and dying.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of ailing people have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to the poor is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly touched the broken bodies of the sick and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the sick as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the sick. So that our act of love that is done for the sick, elderly and dying may be done to Jesus himself.
St. Teresa once said,
“I once picked up a woman from a garbage dump and she was burning with fever; she was in her last days and her only lament was: ‘My son did this to me.’ I begged her: ‘You must forgive your son. In a moment of madness, when he was not himself, he did a thing he regrets. Be a mother to him, forgive him.’ It took me a long time to make her say; I forgive my son.’ Just before she died in my arms, she was able to say that with a real forgiveness. She was not concerned that she was dying. The breaking of the heart was that her son did not want her. This is something you and I can understand.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all those who are sick, elderly, dying and unwanted. Help us to stay with people who are suffering as you did. So that we may have eyes to see the sick, elderly and dying and give us helpful hands to care for them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for the hungry.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of the poorest of the poor have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to the poor is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly fed the empty bellies of the hungry and in doing so she was feeding the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the hungry as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the hungry. So that our act of love that is done for the hungry and thirsty may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you , and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to be selfless and giving like you! So that we may have eyes to see the hungry and helpful hands to feed them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for the poor and homeless.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of the poorest of the poor have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to the poor is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly touched the broken bodies of the poor and homeless and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the poor as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the poor. So that our act of love that is done for the poor and homeless may be done to Jesus himself.
St. Teresa wrote on the day of her death,
“Loving trust and total surrender made Our Lady say ‘yes’ to the message of the angel. And cheerfulness made her run in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. That is so much our life: say ‘yes’ to Jesus and running in haste to serve him in the poorest of the poor. Let us keep very close to Our Lady and she will make that same spirit grow in each of us.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to say “yes” to Jesus and run in haste to serve Him like Our Lady did! So that we may have eyes to see the poor and helpful hands to care for them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for families.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of families have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to families is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly touched the broken bodies of broken families and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the struggling families around me and those who are suffering in my own family as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of those whose families are hurting and lacking love. So that our act of love that is done for families may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives – the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to love all families! So that we may have eyes to see hurting families and helpful hands to care for them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for women, children and to end abortion.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of babies have not been aborted and have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to women, children and unborn babies is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly touched the broken bodies of the woman considering abortion and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the women and children around me as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the woman who doesn’t think she has any other choice. So that our act of love that is done for the unborn and unwanted may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“If you hear that some woman does not want to have her baby and wants to abort, try to convince her to bring me that baby. I will love him, seeing in him the sign of the love of God.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to recognize all babies as a sign of the love of God! So that we may have eyes to see the frightened mother and helpful hands to care for them and their children.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her faith in God.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of people have come to know and love You. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, spotless and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her faith in God and strength in God is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly shared her faith in God with the poorest of the poor and in doing so, with the whole world.
Help me to have a deep faith in God as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the poor. So that our act of faith that is done for the poor may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to believe more in God’s love than in our own weakness! So that we may have eyes to see those so greatly in need of God’s love.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to love those in pain and the lonely.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of people who are suffering have been cared for and loved. Please give us a heart as beautiful, outgoing, happy and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her service to the lonely and those in pain of any kind is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly and cheerfully touched the broken bodies of those who are hurting of body, mind or spirit and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve those who need love as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of the lonely and suffering. So that our act of cheerful love that is done for those who suffer of mind or body may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to always meet each other with a smile! So that we may have eyes to see those who need a loving gaze cast upon them and helpful hands to care for them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her work to care for those who suffer from addiction of any kind, prostitution and imprisonment.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your love in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her heart that thousands of of people who suffer from addiction have been befriended, prostitutes have been removed from danger and prisoners have been visited. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, merciful and giving as the heart of St. Teresa. So these people may be transformed by Your heart.
Her service to those who have been taken advantage of, controlled by addiction, down-trodden and locked away is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly touched the broken bodies of these people and in doing so she was touching the body of Christ.
Help me to see and serve the those who suffer from addition, are controlled by prostitution and lonely in prison as she did. That we may also see Jesus hidden under the distressing disguise of their suffering. So that our act of love that is done for the them may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus — a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all. Help us to recognize that suffering is a sign that we are close to Jesus! So that we may have eyes to see those who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, prostitutes and prisoners and helpful hands to care for them.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Our hearts have been torn open by the example of your faithful and humble servant St. Teresa of Calcutta.
This little sister was small in stature but changed the entire world in a big way through her faith in God.
Thank you, O Lord, for instilling your missionary spirit in the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta, for it is through her mission that thousands of people have come to know and love You. Please give us a heart as beautiful, pure, determined and giving as the heart of St. Teresa.
Her missionary work is a testament to her faith-filled heart that so lovingly shared her faith in God with the poorest of the poor and in doing so, with the whole world.
Help me to have a deep faith in God as she did. That we may also have an evangelical spirit like St. Teresa. So that our act faith that is done for the poor may be done to Jesus himself.
In the words of St. Teresa,
“The vocation of Our Lady was to accept Jesus into her life. She accepted being the handmaid of the Lord. Then in haste, she went to give Jesus to St. John the Baptist and his mother. Today the same living Jesus comes to us and we too, like Mary, must go in haste to give him to others.”
Holy and loving St. Teresa, the love of Jesus on the Cross became a living flame within you, and so you became the light of His love to all in your missionary work all around the world. Help us to go in haste to serve God! So that we may have eyes to see those so greatly in need of God’s love in all corners of the world.
St. Teresa, as you loved and served Jesus through your work upon Earth, we humbly ask that you continue your work in heaven and intercede for us in our needs… (Mention your intentions here). Teach us to allow Jesus to fill us so completely that our lives my also radiate His light and love to others.
Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
St. Teresa of Calcutta is the patron saint of:
World Youth Day
Her feast day is September 5th but you can pray for her intercession at any time of the year!
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