St. Maximus the Confessor Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Maximus the Confessor was a monk who lived in the 500s-600s. He was from Constantinople. He was also a theologian and scholar.
St. Maximus the Confessor did a lot of important work for the Church. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy monk in many aspects of your life.
About St. Maximus the Confessor
St. Maximus the Confessor was born around the year 580. His parents were devout Christians.
During Maximus’ youth, he received a good education in grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, and theology. When Maximus reached adulthood, he began to work for the government as a secretary and chief counselor to the emperor. The emperor was impressed with his virtuousness and his learning.
Before long, Maximus saw that the emperor had fallen prey to a heresy called Monothelitism. This heresy held that Jesus had only one will, as opposed to the true Christian teaching that He had both a divine and a human will. As this heresy spread quickly through the area, Maximus resigned from his position and entered religious life.
Maximus joined the Chrysopolis monastery at Skutari. As a monk, Maximus lived a life of great humility. He was also known as very wise. He was soon made abbott of the monastery.
In 638, the emperor made a decree that said that his subjects must accept the teachings of Monothelitism. Maximus, however, worked to spread the true teachings of the Church. He spoke to priests, bishops, government officials, and ordinary people about the true teachings of the Church. Maximus was largely successful in this work.
Maximus eventually traveled away from the turmoil of heresy in the East. As he traveled to the West, he stopped in Africa to exhort the bishops there to hold fast against heresy. He spent some time preaching in Alexandria and Crete.
When the emperor died and his son took the throne, the heresy gained even more ground. Maximus preached in Carthage for about five years.
In 647, a council of African bishops condemned the Monothelite heresy. Maximus then asked the pope to examine the matter at a Church council. Along with many bishops, Maximus attended the Lateran Council in 649. This council condemned the Monothelite heresy.
When the emperor learned of the council’s decision, he ordered that both Maximus and the pope be arrested. In 654, Maximus was accused of treason. He was imprisoned with two of his followers. Maximus and his followers were subjected to cruel tortures while in prison. Their tongues were cut out and their right hands were cut off. He and his two followers were then exiled to Skemarum.
After suffering in exile for three years, Maximus died in 662. He left a legacy of many theological writings that have served an important role in Church teaching.
St. Maximus the Confessor’s Feast Day: August 13th
Why Pray the St. Maximus the Confessor Novena?
St. Maximus the Confessor is the patron saint of the pro-life movement. You can pray the St. Maximus the Confessor Novena if you are involved in the pro-life movement or if you want to get involved in the pro-life movement. Or you can pray this novena to seek St. Maximus the Confessor’s intercession for someone you know who is involved in the pro-life movement or who wants to get involved in the pro-life movement.
St. Maximus the Confessor is also a great saint to seek intercession from if you are working to defend the true teachings of the Church, since he did a lot of work fighting against heresy. Or you could pray this novena for someone you know who is working to defend the true teachings of the Church.
You can pray the St. Maximus the Confessor Novena for any intention!
St. Maximus the Confessor Novena Prayers
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, your parents were devout Christians. During your youth, your parents ensured that you received a strong education in the faith and in secular subjects. The holy upbringing you received must have greatly helped you to remain holy throughout your life.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and protect all families.
Pray for us, that we may serve God faithfully in every circumstance in our lives. Pray that we may grow in holiness each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, during your youth you received a strong education in grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, and theology. As an adult, your learning helped you to gain the esteem of others and helped you to navigate through the confusions of widespread heresy.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and assist all students.
Pray for us, that we may always offer to God all that we do each day. Pray that we may do all we can to carry out God’s will in our lives at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you worked as a secretary and chief counselor to the emperor. But when you saw that the emperor had fallen into the error of heresy, you remained faithful to the Church and chose to enter religious life.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all government officials may be virtuous in their important work.
Pray for us, that we may always remain faithful to God and His Church in every circumstance. Pray that we may grow closer to God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you lived in a society that was beset with the confusion of widespread heresy. Despite many difficulties, you held steadfast to true Church teaching and did all you could to preach the truth.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bring to the Church all who have fallen prey to false teachings.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any difficulties to deter us from faithfully serving God and His Church. Pray that we may advance in virtue each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you worked to preach the true teachings of the Church when the emperor decreed that all must accept heretical teachings. You spoke to priests, bishops, government officials, and ordinary people about the true teachings of the Church.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and assist all who preach.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help bring souls to God. Pray that we may grow in holiness and virtue at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you did a lot of important work to combat the Monothelite heresy. Because this work angered the emperor, you were falsely accused of treason. Though you endured great suffering, you remained faithful to God.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may strengthen and assist all who have been falsely accused.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any sufferings to deter us from faithfully serving God. Pray that we may grow in true friendship with God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you held fast to true Church teaching despite pressure to conform to heretical teachings. You were eventually arrested, accused of treason, tortured, and exiled because you remained steadfast to the true teachings of the Church.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and strengthen all persecuted Christians.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any sufferings to deter us from serving God. 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. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you endured a lot of suffering on account of your faithfulness to true Church teachings. Though you were arrested, tortured, and exiled, you refused to profess heresy and persevered in your faith for the rest of your life.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the perseverance we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness each day. Pray that we may do all we can to truly live saintly lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor 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. Maximus the Confessor as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Maximus, you lived in a time of great turmoil in the Church. Many Catholics had fallen into the error of heresy. But you worked to preach the true teachings of the Church and to bring heretics back into unity with Church teaching.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bring His Church to deeper unity.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to faithfully serve God and His Church each day. Pray that we may grow in holiness and submission to God’s will at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.