St. Gregory VII Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Gregory VII was a pope who lived in the 11th century. He was Italian by birth. His papal reign was during a time of great turmoil in the Church.
St. Gregory VII did a lot of important reform work in the Church. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy pope in many aspects of your life.
About St. Gregory VII
St. Gregory VII was born in Tuscany between 1020 and 1025 as Hildebrand of Sovana. It is thought that his father was a carpenter or a peasant farmer. His uncle was an abbot of a monastery in Rome.
Little is known about Hildebrand’s childhood except that he received his education from the school at his uncle’s monastery. This early exposure to religious life helped form Hildebrand in the faith, and Hildebrand followed God’s call to religious life as a monk when he reached adulthood.
During Hildebrand’s time as a monk in Rome, he served as a chaplain for a time to the man who would soon become Pope Gregory VI.
In 1046, Pope Gregory VI left Rome after resigning from a very turbulent reign as pope. Hildebrand went with him to Cologne. When the former pope died in 1047, Hildebrand went to the Cluny monastery in France. He remained there for over a year.
In 1049, Hildebrand became acquainted with the man who would soon become Pope Leo IX. Pope Leo IX put Hildebrand in charge of a historic monastery. Hildebrand worked to reform the monastery’s administration and to restore its structure.
Hildebrand remained Pope Leo IX’s advisor until the pope’s death. Though Hildebrand was made a cardinal and continued to serve the Church through multiple papacies, he had no wish to be elected pope.
In 1073, Hildebrand was elected Pope Gregory VII, despite his lack of desire for the appointment. Those who elected him praised his devotion, knowledge, and love of justice. They said he was “firm in adversity and temperate in prosperity.”
Pope Gregory faced many immediate challenges in his papacy. There was a schism between Rome and the Church in Constantinople, a struggle with civil rulers attempting to exercise undue authority over Church matters, and scandalous corruption within the clergy.
Pope Gregory issued a set of reforming decrees in 1074. Despite a lot of opposition to these reforms, Gregory held fast to them. His position led to a conflict with German Emperor Henry IV. Gregory threatened to excommunicate Henry, who then attempted to depose Gregory. Gregory then carried out his threat of excommunicating the emperor. In 1077, Henry came to him as a penitent.
Despite a temporary reconciliation, Gregory later again excommunicated Henry for supporting an antipope and invading Rome.
In 1084, Gregory had to flee Rome. Despite his exile, he never gave up his pontificate. He died in 1085. Before his death, he said, “I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile.”
St. Gregory VII’s Feast Day: May 25th
Why Pray the St. Gregory VII Novena?
St. Gregory VII is the patron saint of the diocese of Savona. You can pray the St. Gregory VII Novena if you live in the diocese of Savona. Or you can use this novena to seek the intercession of St. Gregory VII for someone you know.
St. Gregory VII is also a great saint to seek intercession from in the matter of Church reform, since he did a lot of important Church reform work. Or you can pray the St. Gregory VII Novena on behalf of our current pope.
You can pray the St. Gregory VII Novena for any intention!
St. Gregory VII Novena Prayers
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you received your education from the school at the monastery where your uncle was an abbot. This early exposure to religious life helped to form you in the faith. You followed God’s call to become a monk when you reached adulthood.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may receive the love and formation they need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to serve God faithfully each day. Pray that we may be eager to carry out His will in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you followed your uncle’s holy example and chose to serve God as a monk when you were a young man. You served God as a priest, a cardinal, and eventually as the pope.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may inspire more men and women to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may grow closer to God at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you were formed in the faith through the holy example of the monks who educated you. When you reached adulthood, you followed God’s call to serve Him as a monk yourself.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all monks may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may faithfully carry out the duties of our vocations each day. Pray that we may always do all we can to grow in holiness and virtue at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, those who elected you pope praised your love of justice. During your papacy, you worked to bring about justice. You ultimately died in exile because of your adherence to justice, and you spoke of your love for justice just before your death.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that justice may flourish in our modern world.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to bring about God’s will in our lives and in the world. Pray that we may offer to God all that we do each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you faced many immediate challenges when you were elected to the papacy. You issued a set of reforming decrees to address many abuses, and you held fast to these reforming decrees despite heavy opposition.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who work to bring needed reform in the Church may be successful.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to strengthen God’s Church. Pray that we may be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls us to each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you did not have ambitions of power or prestige. Though you served the Church as a cardinal during multiple papacies, you had no wish to be elected to the papacy yourself. You continually served God in humility.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the humility we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may grow in love for God and His Church each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you issued a set of reforming decrees to address many abuses that the Church was facing. You faced a lot of opposition to this work of reform, but you held fast in fortitude out of love for God and His Church.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the fortitude to do what is right.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any obstacles to deter us from serving God faithfully. Pray that we may place our trust in God in every circumstance.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you did not wish to be elected to the papacy. But you served the Church faithfully as pope when you were elected. Despite many obstacles, you did a lot of important reform work for the Church during your years as pope.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and protect our Holy Father.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to answer God’s call in our lives. Pray that we may grow in love for God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Gregory VII Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Gregory VII as an example of holiness. Please hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Gregory VII, you served the Church faithfully for many years. You served God’s Church as a monk, as a cardinal, and as a pope. Though you faced many challenges in your papacy, you were able to do a lot of important reform work for the Church.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church may be strong and her members holy.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God and His Church in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may do all we can to live saintly lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Gregory VII, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.