St. Jerome Emiliani Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Jerome Emiliani was a priest who lived in the 1400s-1500s. He was from Italy. Though he lived a worldly life for some time as a young man, he underwent a deep conversion.
St. Jerome Emiliani established a religious congregation called the Clerks Regular of Somascha. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy priest in your life!
About St. Jerome Emiliani
St. Jerome Emiliani was born in Venice in 1486. Little is known about his early life.
When Jerome was in his teens, his father died. Jerome ran away from home at age fifteen and joined the army. During his time in the army, he defended Castelnuovo against its enemies, the League of Cambray. Soon, Jerome was made governor of a mountain fortress.
When the enemies captured the fortress, Jerome was taken prisoner. Though he had not been at all religious before this incident, Jerome’s time chained in a dungeon helped bring about his conversion.
Jerome was eventually able to escape from captivity. He attributed this escape to the intercession of the Blessed Mother. In thanksgiving, he made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Treviso. He left his chains there as an offering of gratitude.
After this, Jerome spent a short time serving as mayor of Treviso. He soon returned home to Venice. There, he oversaw his nephews’ education. During this time, he began studying for the priesthood.
Jerome also devoted a lot of spare time to works of charity towards those suffering from the famine and plague caused by the war. He felt particularly called to assist the many orphans whose parents had been killed by war, disease, or starvation.
He used his own money to rent a house for orphans. He began feeding, clothing, and educating them. Some holy laymen assisted him in this work. Jerome was also put in charge of a hospital for those with incurable disease.
Jerome’s works of service led to him contracting disease himself. After he recovered, he could have chosen to cease his good works for the sake of his health. But instead, he saw his suffering as a sign that worldly ambitions were not important.
Soon, Jerome began establishing orphanages in other cities. He established a hospital in Verona, convincing those who lived in the city to build it. He also established a shelter for repentant prostitutes.
After two priests joined Jerome in his charitable works, he established a religious society, called the Clerks Regular of Somascha. The members came to be called Somaschi.
The society’s primary aim was assisting orphans, the poor, and the sick. Jerome entrusted the congregation to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Archangel Raphael, and the Holy Spirit.
Jerome was fifty-six when he contracted the plague while tending to the sick. He died in 1537.
St. Jerome Emiliani’s Feast Day: February 8th
Why Pray the St. Jerome Emiliani Novena?
St. Jerome Emiliani is the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children. You can ask him to pray for you if you were orphaned or abandoned as a child. Or you can ask him to pray for an orphaned or abandoned child whom you know.
St. Jerome Emiliani is also a great saint to seek intercession from if you are working in service to orphans or the poor, since he spent a lot of his life serving orphans and the poor.
Additionally, St. Jerome Emiliani is a great saint to seek prayers from on behalf of a prisoner, since he was imprisoned as a young man.
You can pray the St. Jerome Emiliani Novena for any intention!
St. Jerome Emiliani Novena Prayers
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed from the time of his conversion as a young man.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you were not inclined to religiousness during your youth. But as you suffered in chains, imprisoned by your enemies, you began to grow in love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you grew to love!
When you escaped from captivity, you attributed your escape to the intercession of the Blessed Mother. You made a pilgrimage of thanksgiving. After this, you began to devote your life to God.
Pray for me, that I may always be strong in my Faith. Pray that I may never weary of seeking the opportunity to devote myself to God more deeply.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in choosing to serve You as a priest.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you converted to a deep love of God during your time imprisoned in chains. After you escaped from captivity, you began to devote your life to God.
Please bring my petitions before God to Whom you devoted your life!
When you returned home to Venice, you began to study for the priesthood. You were ordained, and you spent the rest of your life faithfully serving God and His Church.
Pray for me, that I may always be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may grow to a deeper love of God each day.
Please also pray for (mention intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his years of faithful priestly service.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you chose to devote your life to God after you escaped from captivity. You began studying for the priesthood, so that you could serve God and His Church in the priestly vocation.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you sought to serve!
You were ordained, and you spent many years serving God and His Church. You established a new religious congregation, and you devoted yourself to holy works out of love for God.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as faithfully as you did. Pray that I may never weary of following God’s call in my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in serving those who were suffering out of love for You.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you returned home after the war and saw many people suffering from the effects of war. You chose to serve those who were suffering, out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so deeply!
As you cared for the orphans and the sick, you became infected with sickness yourself. You saw your suffering as a sign that worldly ambitions were not important, and you continued in your holy work.
Pray for me, that I may never miss the opportunity to serve God through service to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that I may grow in charity each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his years of holy service to orphans in need.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you saw a lot of suffering in Venice after the war because of famine and plague. You felt particularly called to assist the many orphans whose parents had died from war, disease, or starvation.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You worked diligently to serve these orphans for many years. You spent the rest of your life caring for the suffering, out of love for God.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God through charitable service towards those in need. Pray that I may be as devoted a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in his years of service towards those in need.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you were moved by the sight of the many suffering people in Venice after the war. You eagerly set about serving God through acts of charity towards those in need.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so eagerly!
You devoted the rest of your life to building orphanages, caring for the sick, and other charitable works towards those in need.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God through acts of charity towards my brothers and sister in Christ. Pray that I may never weary of serving God through service towards those who are most in need.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in courageously serving the sick out of love for You despite dangers to himself.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you were moved by the sight of many suffering people when you returned to Venice after the war. Though many of the sick were contagious, you courageously served them out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so deeply!
You became infected as a result of your work on more than one occasion. Despite the dangers, you continued your holy work for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may be as courageous in serving God as you were. Pray that I may never allow fear to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in his years of faithful service to those in need around him.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you devoted many years of your life to serving the orphans, the sick, and the poor. Though this work was often unpleasant, you continued doing it out of love for God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You established hospitals, orphanages, and a refuge for reformed prostitutes. Though you contracted disease from those whom you served, you continued this holy work for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may never miss the opportunity to serve God through service to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that I may be as faithful a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jerome Emiliani 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 St. Jerome Emiliani as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his lifetime of faithful service to Your Church.
St. Jerome Emiliani, you began studying for the priesthood shortly after your conversion when you returned home to Venice. As a priest, you faithfully served God and His Church for many years.
Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!
You devoted yourself to works of charity towards those most in need. You established hospitals and orphanages. You established a religious congregation and did all you could to serve God.
Pray for me, that I faithfully serve God and His Church at every opportunity in my life. Pray that I may eagerly serve God in whatever ways He calls me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jerome Emiliani, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.