St. Lawrence O’Toole Novena
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Show HideSt. Lawrence O’Toole was an archbishop of Dublin. He lived in the 1100s. He spent many years living as a monk.
St. Lawrence O’Toole lived a life of great virtue. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy man in many aspects of your life.
About St. Lawrence O’Toole
St. Lawrence O’Toole was born around the year 1125 in Ireland. He had three older brothers, and his father was a king.
When Lawrence was ten years old, his father gave him as a hostage to another king. While in custody of this other king, Lawrence was treated very inhumanely. Lawrence’s father then arranged for Lawrence to be put into the custody of the Bishop of Glendalough.
During his youth, Lawrence grew in virtue. He began to desire to serve God in the religious life. The Bishop of Glendalough was also the abbot of a monastery. When the bishop died in 1150, Lawrence was chosen as the new abbott.
Lawrence led his monastery with great virtue. He worked for Church reform and to help strengthen the Irish Church’s allegiance to Rome. In his monastery, he also worked for spiritual renewal. He brought the Cannons of St. Augustine to the abbey to assist his efforts at reform, and he became a member of the Augustinians.
Lawrence was also well known for his charity toward the poor. During a time of famine, his prayer and fasting helped bring about relief.
At age thirty-two, Lawrence was chosen as Archbishop of Dublin. During his time as archbishop, he brought the Church of Ireland to greater reform, brought back the prominence of the Gregorian Chant, and rebuilt multiple parishes.
Lawrence also continued his works of charity as an archbishop. He fed the poor in his own home, and he made care centers for orphans and abandoned children.
In 1171, Lawrence traveled to England to see King Henry II. As Lawrence was about to celebrate Mass there, a maniac struck him on the head and seemed to mortally wound him. But Lawrence revived and asked for some water. He blessed the water and washed his wound with it. Then, his wound stopped bleeding and he proceeded to celebrate Mass.
Three years after this incident, King Henry II became embroiled in a conflict with the Irish nobility. Lawrence traveled to England to attempt a reconciliation. King Henry was greatly moved by Lawrence’s holiness and virtue, so he agreed to all of Lawrence’s requests and had Lawrence take over the negotiations.
Throughout his life, Lawrence lived very penitentially. He wore a hair shirt, fasted each Friday on bread and water, and did not eat meat.
In 1180, Lawrence fell ill while traveling to speak to King Henry about some of his actions that had violated a treaty. But Lawrence died on November 14th, before completing this trip. Many miracles were attributed to his intercession shortly after his death.
St. Lawrence O’Toole’s Feast Day: November 14th
Why Pray the St. Lawrence O’Toole Novena?
St. Lawrence O’Toole is the patron saint of the archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland. You can use this novena to seek his intercession if you live in the archdiocese of Dublin, to pray for the archbishop of Dublin, or to pray for the Church in Dublin.
Additionally, you can seek the intercession of St. Lawrence O’Toole on behalf of a secular leader who is in need of prayers, since St. Lawrence O’Toole had a great influence on the leadership of King Henry II and on negotiating peace between conflicting nations.
You can pray the St. Lawrence O’Toole Novena for any intention!
St. Lawrence O’Toole Novena Prayers
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you had a difficult childhood when your father gave you as a hostage to another king. Though you suffered from inhumane treatment, you did not grow bitter or indulge in hate. Instead, you grew in virtue. You continued on the path of holiness throughout your life.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray for all children.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to grow in holiness and virtue each day of our lives. Pray that we may serve God in every circumstance.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you grew in virtue throughout the years of your childhood. You were young when you began to desire to serve God in the religious life. You followed God’s call to a religious vocation, and you became abbot of your monastery when you were twenty-five years old.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all whom God calls to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations may respond generously.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to carry out God’s will in our lives. Pray that we may be responsive to God’s call, no matter what it might be.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you began living the monastic life when you were a young man. You were only twenty-five years old when you became abbot of your monastery. As you led your monastery, you worked for spiritual renewal and greater holiness among your fellow monks.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all monastics may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may grow in holiness in each day of our lives. Pray that we may always do all we can to carry out God’s will in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you worked to bring about spiritual renewal in your monastery during your time as abbott. You also helped work for reform within the Church as a whole, and you worked to strengthen the Irish Church’s allegiance to Rome.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who work for Church reform and renewal may be successful in their holy work.
Pray for us, that we may grow in love for God and His Church each day of our lives. Pray that we may do all we can to advance in holiness each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you lived a life of great virtue. During your time as abbott of your monastery, you were well known for your charity toward the poor. When you became archbishop, you fed the poor in your own home and built care centers for orphans.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in charity toward the poor.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God through service to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that we may never cease striving to grow in holiness.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you became Archbishop of Dublin when you were thirty-two years old. Though you were still a relatively young man, you led your flock wisely. You worked for Church reform, built multiple parishes, and brought back the prominence of the Gregorian Chant.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all bishops may be holy leaders of their flock.
Pray for us, that we may grow more closely united to God each day of our lives. Pray that we may strive to grow in holiness and virtue at every opportunity.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you were acquainted with King Henry II of England during your time as Archbishop of Dublin. Because of your great holiness and virtue, King Henry II was moved to agree to all of your requests for peace in his political conflicts.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all civil leaders may lead virtuously and wisely.
Pray for us, that we may grow in the desire to carry out God’s will each day of our lives. Pray that we may surrender our lives fully to God at every opportunity.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you helped bring about peace in your society by mediating for King Henry II of England. He was so impressed by your holiness and your virtue that he agreed to everything you requested and even had you take over the peace negotiations.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that peace may flourish in our modern world.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to bring other souls to God. Pray that we may surrender all that we do in our lives to God’s will.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Lawrence O’Toole 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. Lawrence O’Toole as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate his life of virtue.
St. Lawrence, you lived a life of great holiness and virtue. You chose to dedicate your life to God in the monastic vocation. Then you willingly agreed to serve His Church as an archbishop. You led your flock to greater holiness for the rest of your life.
We ask you to bring all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church in Ireland and in the whole world may be strong and vibrant.
Pray for us, that we may always be willing to serve God and His Church in any way He asks us to. Pray that we may devote ourselves more fully to God each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Lawrence O’Toole, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.