About St. Ignatius of Antioch
St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107) was the third Bishop of Antioch after St. Peter and is honored as one of the Apostolic Fathers, the early Christian leaders who personally knew or were closely connected to the Apostles. According to ancient tradition, he was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and faithfully led the Christian community of Antioch during a time of persecution.
Around the year 107, during the reign of Emperor Trajan, Ignatius was arrested for professing the Christian faith and was taken under guard to Rome. Along the journey, he wrote seven remarkable letters to Christian communities, encouraging them to remain united with their bishops, preserve the true faith, and remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
His Letter to the Romans contains his famous words: “I am the wheat of God,” expressing his desire to give his life completely for Christ. Upon arriving in Rome, he was martyred by being thrown to wild beasts in the arena.
St. Ignatius is remembered for his profound teaching on the Eucharist, the authority of the bishops, and the unity of the Church. His writings remain among the earliest and most important witnesses to the beliefs and practices of the early Christian Church.
His feast day is celebrated on October 17 in the Roman Catholic Church.
Who was St. Ignatius of Antioch?
St. Ignatius of Antioch was an early Christian bishop, martyr, and one of the Apostolic Fathers. He faithfully led the Church in Antioch and gave his life for Christ during the Roman persecutions.
What is the St. Ignatius of Antioch Novena for?
The novena is prayed for courage, perseverance in the Catholic faith, deeper love for Jesus Christ, strength during persecution or suffering, and the grace to remain faithful to the Church.
Why is St. Ignatius of Antioch important?
St. Ignatius played a vital role in strengthening the early Church through his letters, which emphasize the Eucharist, the authority of bishops, and the unity of Christians. His writings continue to inspire Catholics around the world.
What does “I am the wheat of God” mean?
These words express St. Ignatius’s willingness to offer his life completely to Christ. He compared his martyrdom to wheat being ground into flour, trusting that his sacrifice would bear spiritual fruit and unite him more closely with the Lord.
What can we learn from St. Ignatius of Antioch?
St. Ignatius teaches us to love Christ above all else, remain faithful to the Church, embrace suffering with hope, and trust that God can use every trial to draw us closer to Him.
When should I pray the St. Ignatius of Antioch Novena?
You may pray the novena at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it before his feast day on October 17 or whenever they seek strength to persevere in faith.
How do you pray the St. Ignatius of Antioch Novena?
Pray the novena once each day for nine consecutive days. Bring your personal intentions before God through the intercession of St. Ignatius, asking for the grace to imitate his courage, faith, and unwavering love for Christ.
When is the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Antioch?
he Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch is celebrated on October 17 in the Roman Catholic Church. He is honored as one of the Church’s earliest martyrs and a courageous defender of the Christian faith whose writings continue to guide believers today.
| Novena Begins: | October 8 |
| Feast Day: | October 17 |
Patron Saint of Church in Eastern Mediterranean, Church in North Africa
Day 1 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Ignatius Antioch Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Ignatius of Antioch, faithful bishop and courageous martyr, you loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and longed to be united with Him through your witness of faith. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to love Christ above all things, to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, and to embrace our daily crosses with courage and hope.
Inspired by your holy example, we pray:
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. I long for the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, Jesus Christ. Him I seek, who died for us and rose again. I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything of this world. But there is living water springing up within me, saying to me inwardly: “Come to the Father.”
Through your prayers, St. Ignatius, help us to persevere in faith, to remain faithful to Christ in every trial, and to desire above all the eternal joys of heaven.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…