St. Edward Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Edward was a king who lived in England during the 900s. He reigned only a short time. During his brief time as king, he became well-known for his holiness. After his death, many miracles were attributed to his intercession.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy king in your life!
About St. Edward
St. Edward was born around the year 962. He was the oldest son of the King of England, who was known as Edgar the Peaceful.
Despite being the oldest son, Edward was not acknowledged as heir to the throne by his father. When his father died in 975, Edward’s leadership of England was contested.
Some people supported Edward as legitimate heir to the throne, and others supported his younger half-brother as legitimate heir. Edward’s stepmother, Queen Elfrida, led the party opposing Edward. She wished to secure the throne for her seven-year-old son.
Edward’s claim to the throne was supported by many members of the clergy, including archbishop St. Dunstan, and by many of the nobles. The nobles who supported Edward quarreled so viciously with those who did not support him that a civil war almost broke out. Eventually, the quarreling parties reached some degree of compromise and Edward was crowned.
Archbishop St. Dunstan anointed Edward king when Edward was thirteen years old. Despite his young age, Edward showed himself to be virtuous and holy. He quickly won over his people by his sanctity.
Edward’s stepmother was not ready to relinquish her son’s claim to the throne. She plotted against Edward’s life. In 979, Edward made a stop at the castle where she lived, while he was on a hunting trip.
At the castle gate, he was offered a glass of mead. While drinking it, an assassin stabbed Edward in the bowels. Edward rode away but quickly fell partially from his horse. He was dragged by the horse and then fell to a hidden spot in a marshland, where he died.
Edward’s body was found in the marshland where he fell from his horse. A pillar of light led others to find his body there. He was buried in Wareham. Three years after his burial there, it was discovered that his body was incorrupt.
St. Dunstan had Edward’s body moved to the Shaftesbury Abbey. Mary miracles have reportedly occurred through his intercession.
There is some conjecture that Edward was killed by other supporters of his half-brother, but many historians attribute blame to his stepmother. It is said that she was eventually remorseful for what she had done, that she retired from the world, and that she had the monasteries of Amesbury and Wherwell built. She spent the rest of her life doing penance in the monastery of Amesbury.
Because the faction of Edward’s opponents was irreligious and he had valiantly defended the Church during his lifetime, he has been given the title of martyr.
St. Edward’s Feast Day: March 18th
Why Pray the St. Edward Novena?
St. Edward does not have an official patronage. But he is a great saint to seek prayers from in a lot of circumstances.
You can ask for St. Edward to pray for the leader of your country or the leader of another country, since he was a virtuous leader of England.
You can also seek St. Edward’s intercession if you’re experiencing familial conflict, since he endured a great amount of conflict within his family after his father died. Or you can seek St. Edward’s intercession on behalf of another family that is experiencing conflict.
You can pray the St. Edward Novena for any intention!
St. Edward Novena Prayers
St. Edward Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed even throughout his trials of conflict within his family.
St. Edward, you faced many trials when your father died. Even though you must have been grieving over your father’s death, you were faced with conflict within your own family over succession to the throne. Despite these trials, you chose to serve God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
You did not have the benefit of a peaceful homelife. Instead, your step-mother and half-brother plotted against you. But you persevered in seeking to remain virtuous and holy.
Pray for me, that I may always persevere in virtue, as you did. Pray that I may never allow trials or struggles of any kind to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed as he worked through the conflicts over his succession with the help of Your archbishop, St. Dunstan.
St. Edward, you faced a lot of uncertainty in your life after your father died. Though many people supported your half-brother’s claim for the throne, St. Dunstan and many of the other clergy members supported you. Throughout this turmoil, you continued to serve God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God!
After Archbishop St. Dunstant anointed you king, you began to lead with virtue and holiness. You helped unite your people through your holy leadership.
Pray for me, that I may always seek holiness in my life, as you did. Pray that I may do all I can to lead others to holiness when I have the opportunity.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed as he led his people with virtue.
St. Edward, you were only thirteen years old when you were anointed king. Despite your young age, you quickly showed yourself to be a virtuous and holy leader.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so virtuously!
Your sanctity was so apparent to others that it helped win over your people. Your reign was only three years long, but you made holy use of your short time as leader.
Pray for me, that I may always carry out the duties of my vocation with holiness and virtue. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to practice virtue in my daily life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in remaining faithful amidst the conflict and turmoil around him.
St. Edward, your father’s death brought about a lot of conflict in society. Your supporters and the supporters of your half-brother quarreled so viciously that a civil war nearly broke out. Amidst this conflict and turmoil, you remained faithful.
Please be faithful in bringing my petitions before God!
Once you were anointed king, you ruled with virtue. You continued on the path to holiness and won the allegiance of many through your sanctity.
Pray for me, that I may strive for virtue in all aspects of my life. Pray that my thirst for holiness may be strong in everything that I do.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in the sanctity that he lived out from a young age.
St. Edward, you were only thirteen years old when you were anointed king. Despite your young age, you quickly showed that you were a holy and virtuous leader.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so devoutly!
Though we know few details about your short reign as king of England, we know that your reputation for holiness spread. You won over the hearts of many of your people through your sanctity.
Pray for me, that I may be a holy example to others in my life, as you were. Pray that I may strive for virtue in every aspect of my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in the virtue with which he lived his brief life.
St. Edward, you were known for your virtue and holiness as a young man. Though you only reigned as king for three years, your reputation for sanctity won over the allegiance of many of your people.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Your holy life and virtuous reign came to an end suddenly when those who opposed your claim to the throne murdered you.
Pray for me, that I may strive to live virtuously in every area of my daily life. Pray that I may strive to ready my soul for death at any moment, so that I may spend eternity with You.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed throughout his life until he was murdered by his political enemies.
St. Edward, you reigned for only three years before your life was taken by your political enemies. During your short reign, you showed yourself to be a holy and virtuous king.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
It is said that your stepmother was behind the plot to murder you, but that she repented of her crimes and spent the rest of her life doing penance in a monastery.
Pray for me, that I may live a holy and virtuous life, as you did. Pray that I may repent heartily of every offense I commit against God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed during his virtuous life.
St. Edward, you became king of England when you were just thirteen years old. Though you only reigned for three years, you became known for your holiness.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Your reign was cut short when you were murdered by those who opposed you. It is said that your stepmother was behind your murder, but that she repented and spent the rest of her days doing penance in a monastery.
Pray for me, that I may live my life focused on serving God, as you did. Pray that I may grow in a spirit of penance and repentance each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Edward Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Edward, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed by serving You throughout his life and his brief reign as king of England.
St. Edward, you were a very young man when you were anointed king. Though your reign only lasted for three years, you became well-known for your virtue. You persevered in this holiness despite the conflicts and turmoil around you.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
Your sanctity became well-known among your subjects, during your brief reign. Though your irreligious enemies sought your life and eventually killed you, you were able to influence others for good while you reigned.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God virtuously in my life. Pray that I may do all I can to serve God and His Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Edward, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.