About St. Andrew
St. Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles and the first disciple called by Jesus Christ. Before following the Lord, he worked as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee alongside his brother, St. Peter. After hearing the preaching of St. John the Baptist, Andrew recognized Jesus as the Messiah and immediately brought his brother to meet Him, earning the title “the First-Called Apostle.”
Following Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, St. Andrew traveled extensively to preach the Gospel in regions around the Black Sea, Greece, and Asia Minor. According to ancient Christian tradition, he was martyred by crucifixion in Patras, Greece, on an X-shaped cross, now known as St. Andrew’s Cross. Rather than fearing death, he embraced the cross with joy, seeing it as the instrument that would unite him with his Savior.
Today, St. Andrew is honored as the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, fishermen, sailors, and missionaries. His feast day is celebrated each year on November 30, the day on which the beloved St. Andrew Christmas Novena begins.
What is the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is a traditional Catholic Christmas devotion that prepares the faithful for the celebration of Christ’s birth. It is centered on the mystery of the Nativity and is prayed from November 30 through December 24.
Is the St. Andrew Christmas Novena really a novena?
Despite its name, it is not a traditional nine-day novena. Instead, this devotion is prayed over 25 days, beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew and ending on Christmas Eve.
Why is the prayer said 15 times each day?
The tradition of praying the prayer 15 times daily has been handed down for generations as a way of keeping the mystery of Christ’s birth continually before the mind and heart during Advent. The repeated prayer encourages meditation, anticipation, and joyful preparation for Christmas.
When do you begin the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?
The devotion begins on November 30, the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, and concludes on December 24, Christmas Eve.
What can I pray for during the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?
You may bring any prayer intention before God, including family needs, healing, peace, conversions, employment, vocations, or spiritual growth. Above all, this devotion invites us to prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus more fully at Christmas.
Who was St. Andrew?
St. Andrew was one of Jesus’ first disciples and the brother of St. Peter. He faithfully followed Christ, preached the Gospel after Pentecost, and ultimately gave his life as a martyr for the Christian faith.
Why is St. Andrew associated with this Christmas devotion?
The devotion begins on St. Andrew’s feast day, marking the start of a period of joyful anticipation leading to Christmas. While the prayer itself focuses on the Nativity of Jesus, St. Andrew’s feast serves as the traditional beginning of this beloved Advent practice.
When is the Feast Day of St. Andrew?
The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle is celebrated every year on November 30. His feast marks the beginning of the traditional St. Andrew Christmas Novena and the Church’s preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
| Novena Begins: | November 30 |
| Recite Until: | December 25 |
St. Andrew Patron Saint of: Fishermen, Greece, Russia, Scotland
Day 1 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed 15 times each day, beginning on November 30 (the Feast of St. Andrew) and continuing through December 24 (Christmas Eve). Although commonly called a novena, it is a 25-day Christmas devotion of joyful anticipation for the birth of Our Lord.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, I beseech You, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires,
(Mention your request here…)
Through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…