Saint Elizabeth Novena
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Show HideWhile her appearance in Scripture was limited, Saint Elizabeth played an important role in salvation history. She was the mother of St. John the Baptist and even helped give voice to her son’s first prophetic proclamation. When she heard the voice of her cousin Mary, her son leapt inside her womb, and she cried out in praise recognizing the coming of the Savior.
God clearly had a plan for St. Elizabeth. She miraculously conceived her son in her old age, and his conception was heralded by an angel to her husband St. Zechariah. She trusted the Lord completely, and from her faithfulness He brought countless people to Himself.
Invoke her intercession with this novena so that you may follow her example.
About Saint Elizabeth
Everything we know about St. Elizabeth comes from the Gospel of Luke. Elizabeth was a daughter of the line of Aaron and the wife of Zechariah, a priest in the temple of Jerusalem. She was also a cousin of the Blessed Mother.
Scripture describes her as "righteous before God" and also tells us that she and her husband had no children. However, one day when her husband entered the sanctuary in the temple to burn incense, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him their prayer had been heard.
Gabriel told Zecheriah that Elizabeth, despite her old age, would conceive and bear a son who would be called John. Gabriel said of their son: “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born."
Zecheriah was skeptical of the angel’s words, and because of his lack of faith he was rendered mute until the prophecy had been fulfilled.
Elizabeth rejoiced in her pregnancy and rejoiced even more when she received a visit from her cousin Mary, who having been told of Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy as well as her own, went in haste to visit her cousin.
With Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth felt her unborn child leap in her womb. Scripture tells us that at this moment, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and was the first to recognize Mary as the Mother of God. She proclaimed to her cousin: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before the birth of John.
When the time came to circumcise her son, the community assumed the child would be named for his father, but Elizabeth insisted the child be called John. Zecheriah, still unable to speak, wrote on a tablet that the child was named John, and at that moment his mouth was opened.
Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist, is the forerunner of Christ; he was a man sent on a mission by God. He was the last prophet and brought about conversion in the hearts of many, paving the way for the coming of the Savior.
Christ Himself said of John: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).
Although Scripture doesn’t say anything more about St. Elizabeth after the Presentation of John, we know that she was the mother of one of the greatest saints in the history of salvation and that her openness to the will of God and her faith in His promises changed the world.
Saint Elizabeth’s Feast Day: November 5
Why Pray the Saint Elizabeth Novena?
Because of her miraculous pregnancy after years of infertility, St. Elizabeth is a patron saint of expectant mothers, as well as couples facing fertility challenges. If you or someone you know is expecting a child or facing difficulties conceiving, you can ask for St. Elizabeth’s intercession.
The Church also considers St. Elizabeth a patron saint for the unborn and the pro-life movement because her unborn son helped his mother recognize the goodness of God from in the womb, leading her to rejoice with her cousin over this new life.
St. Elizabeth faced many challenges that might have shaken her faith, yet she always trusted in God. If you are struggling in your faith or in trusting God’s plan for your life, you can pray to St. Elizabeth to help you.
You can pray the Saint Elizabeth Novena for any intention!
Saint Elizabeth Novena Prayers
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, Scripture hailed you as “righteous before God.” You faithfully followed God’s commandments and lived a life of virtue—a life worth emulating. Thank you for the example you give to me today as I strive also to live a life pleasing to God.
Sweet Elizabeth, help me recognize the ways in which I fail to live up to the demands of the Christian life; help me to root out the sin that has taken hold of my heart and lead me to the path of righteousness you walked so that I may follow your footsteps.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel brought you welcome news. Despite your old age and your many years of waiting, God blessed you with a son; despite it seeming impossible, you believed that God would do as He said.
Sweet Elizabeth, I want to trust God the way that you did. I desire your confidence in God’s promise and plan for your life as well as your openness to the Lord’s will. Teach me how to follow your example so that I may be filled with the same peace, hope, and joy.
Help open my ears that I may hear God’s call and wholeheartedly follow His voice.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, you enjoyed a deep friendship and intimacy with Mary during your life. When she received the angel’s news, Mary hastened to your side so you could share in one another’s joy.
Together you exemplified an abiding, virtuous friendship—one not determined by distance but by love. You helped one another live out God’s call for your lives.
Sweet Elizabeth, help me not to compare my gifts to those of my friends but rather teach me to rejoice in the work God is choosing to do in me and in them. Pray for my own friendships, that we might follow the example of you and Mary and help one another grow into the men/women we were meant to be.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the Most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, upon hearing Mary’s greeting to you, you felt your infant leap in your womb. You gave voice to your son’s first prophetic proclamation of the coming of the Messiah and the faithfulness of God.
Through your words at the Visitation, you stood witness to God’s love and recognized Mary as the Mother of God, giving us the words with which we still pray: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Sweet Elizabeth, introduce me to your most holy cousin Mary and her Son Jesus so that I may know them and love them as you did. When I hear the movement of the Spirit in my heart, help me to sing out praise to the Lord. Give me the courage to serve as a witness to others of God’s unfailing love.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, the birth of your son proclaimed God’s goodness and mercy to all. Not only had God answered your prayer after many years, but He answered a prayer held within the hearts of all people—hope for a Savior.
The naming of your son John loosed the tongue of your husband—bound in his unbelief—and from it he cried out praises to God; humanity’s Salvation was near. Your son from his earliest days was preparing the world for their Savior.
Sweet Elizabeth, you brought hope to mankind through your son John. Birth in my own heart a steadfast hope in God’s faithfulness. Tend to my spirit as a mother tends to her child, helping to make room for Christ to triumph over my weakness and sin.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, you felt the sorrow that accompanies the cross of infertility for much of your life. You know how difficult that burden can be to bear.
Today I bring to you all couples who are experiencing difficulties in conceiving a child, that they might look to you as an example and as a friend.
Sweet Elizabeth, pray for all those who desire children and who have been unable to conceive. Bring them comfort in their sorrow, bring hope to their despair, and bring healing where it is needed. Help them find peace in the Lord’s will for their life and family, whatever it may be.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, you have experienced the joy and challenges that accompany pregnancy and childbirth.
Today I bring to you all mothers who are carrying children, that they might find in you a companion for their journey and example of holy motherhood.
Sweet Elizabeth, pray for those who are expecting children. Pray that their days leading up to the birth of their child will be uncomplicated and full of joy. Intercede for them during the time of their delivery so that their child will enter the world safely and into loving homes.
I pray especially for those women who feel fear or a lack of support in their pregnancies. Give them courage and a community that will bless them and their children throughout their lives.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, you rejoiced in the life of your child from the moment of his conception. Even before you met your son face-to-face, you knew that God had a plan for him.
You see the disregard many in the world today have for the dignity of human life at its various stages. You know how this grieves the heart of our Heavenly Father because of the tenderness He holds for each of His children.
Sweet Elizabeth, I ask for your prayers for our world today. Help bring about the conversion of hearts that all may come to respect life from conception to natural death. Help me recognize the face of Christ in every single person I meet and love them accordingly. Pray especially for all those who work for the pro-life movement that the Lord will bless their work and help make our culture a culture of life.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, cousin of the most Blessed Virgin and mother of the esteemed John the Baptist, you left us with a profound example of a saintly life. You lived an ordinary life, faithfully following the path the Lord laid out for you as a wife, a mother, and a woman.
Sweet Elizabeth, help me recognize and remain faithful to God’s plan for my life. Teach me humility so that I might not seek out fame or praise from others but that I only concern myself with what is mine to do.
Walk with me until my final days so that when my life on earth is done I might join you in worshiping God for eternity in heaven.
Lord Jesus, You blessed Your relative St. Elizabeth with a special role in Your plan for salvation. Through her intercession, grant that I may always recognize Your presence in my life. Please hear the special intention I bring to You today.
[Mention your Intention]
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.