Excerpts from Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians:
(6-7) Let us be zealous for that which is good, refraining from occasions of scandal and from false brethren, and those who bear in hypocrisy the name of the Lord, who deceive empty-headed people. For “whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist”; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross “is of the devil”; and whosoever perverts the sayings of the Lord to suit his own lusts and says there is neither resurrection nor judgment—such a one is the first-born of Satan. Let us, therefore, forsake the vanity of the crowd and their false teachings and turn back to the word delivered to us from the beginning, “watching unto prayer” and continuing steadfast in fasting, beseeching fervently the all-seeing God “to lead us not into temptation,” even as the Lord said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(8) Let us, then, hold steadfastly and unceasingly to our Hope and to the Pledge of our righteousness, that is, Christ Jesus, “who bore our sins in his own body on the tree, who committed no sin, neither was guile found on his lips”; but for our sakes he endured everything that we might live in him. Therefore let us be imitators of his patient endurance, and if we suffer for the sake of his name, let us glorify him. For he set us this example in his own Person, and this is what we believed.
What is the St. Polycarp Novena?
The St. Polycarp Novena is a nine-day Catholic prayer devotion seeking the intercession of St. Polycarp for courage, perseverance, steadfast faith, and spiritual strength.
Who was St. Polycarp?
St. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna and an early Christian martyr. He was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and became one of the most respected leaders of the early Church.
What is St. Polycarp the patron saint of?
St. Polycarp is often invoked by those seeking courage in persecution, strength in suffering, and faithfulness to Christ.
When should I pray the St. Polycarp Novena?
You can pray this novena at any time of the year, especially before his feast day on February 23 or when asking for strength during trials.
How do I pray the St. Polycarp Novena?
Pray the novena once each day for nine consecutive days. Offer your prayer intention, pray the daily novena prayer, and ask St. Polycarp to intercede for you before God.
Can I pray this novena for strength in suffering?
Yes. Many Catholics pray this novena for courage during hardship, endurance in suffering, and unwavering faith in difficult times.
Why is St. Polycarp important to Catholics?
St. Polycarp is important because of his heroic witness to Christ, his connection to the Apostles, and his inspiring example of faithfulness unto death.
| Novena Begins: | February 14 |
| Feast Day: | February 23 |
Patron Saint of against earache, dysentery
Day 1 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Polycarp Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the Gospel.
May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Polycarp, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…