St. Charles de Foucauld Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Charles de Foucauld was a priest who lived in the 1800s-1900s. He was from France. Before becoming a priest, he was a soldier and explorer.
St. Charles de Foucauld made a lot of important contributions to the life of the Church. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy priest in many aspects of your life.
About St. Charles de Foucauld
St. Charles de Foucauld was born in 1858 in France. His parents were members of the aristocracy. He had an older brother who died in infancy and a living younger sister. Charles’ mother was deeply religious and educated him in the Catholic faith.
When Charles was six years old, his mother died following a complicated miscarriage. Soon after this, Charles’ father died as well. Charles and his sister were then raised by their grandparents.
During his teenage years, Charles began to distance himself from his Catholic faith. He first fell into agnosticism. Then, as his distaste for the strictness of his life at boarding school grew, he abandoned the practice of his faith.
Charles soon joined the French army. He was dismissed from the army for refusing to give up his mistress. After some time, he gave her up and reenlisted. He then asked his superiors for permission to make a scientific exploration in Morocco. When his superiors refused to give this permission, he resigned from the army.
In 1883, Charles disguised himself as a Jew and explored Morocco for a year. He recorded his exploration activities in a book.
Around this time, Charles became inspired by the examples of Jewish and Muslim people he met. In 1886, he returned to his Catholic faith. He entered a Trappist monastery for a time but eventually left it in 1897.
Charles then worked as a sacristan and gardener for some Poor Clare nuns in Nazareth and Jerusalem. He later returned to France, and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1901.
Soon after, Charles traveled to Morocco. He intended to establish a monastic community that would offer hospitality to people regardless of their religion. Though he lived peacefully there for some time, he did not attract any companions.
A former companion of Charles from the army invited him to live with him in Algeria among the Tuareg people. Charles learned the language of the Tuareg people, writing translation dictionaries and translating the Gospels to their language.
In 1905, Charles moved to Tamanrasset. In 1909, he established a community of lay people devoted to the Gospel.
When World War I began, the French in Algeria were attacked. Charles was seized during a raid. He was shot to death in 1916.
Today, the Little Brothers of Jesus, the Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Little Sisters of Jesus, the Little Brothers of the Gospel, and the Little Sisters of the Gospel all draw inspiration from Charles’ life. They are inspired by his hospitality, his peacefulness, and his mostly hidden life.
St. Charles de Foucauld’s Feast Day: December 1st
Why Pray the St. Charles de Foucauld Novena?
St. Charles de Foucauld does not have an official patronage, but he is a great saint to seek intercession from in many circumstances.
You can pray the St. Charles de Foucauld Novena if you are a soldier or explorer, since he spent part of his life as a soldier and explorer. Or you can pray this novena for someone you know who is a soldier or explorer.
St. Charles de Foucauld is also a great saint to seek intercession from if you are returning to the Catholic faith, as he reverted to his Catholic faith during his adulthood. You can also pray the St. Charles de Foucauld Novena for someone you know who is returning to the faith or who has left the faith.
You can pray the St. Charles de Foucauld Novena for any intention!
St. Charles de Foucauld Novena Prayers
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you were born into a Catholic family. Your devout mother instructed you in the Catholic faith. But you suffered from the death of your parents when you were six years old, and you later abandoned your faith.
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 families.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to faithfully carry out the duties of our vocation each day. Pray that we may grow in love for God every day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, your mother was a devout Catholic who instructed you in the faith when you were a young child. But after both of your parents died during your childhood, you were raised by your grandparents.
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 children.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any sufferings we endure to deter us from serving God. Pray that we may advance in virtue and holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, your mother died when you were six years old. Your father died shortly after, leaving you and your sister in the care of your grandparents. You must have suffered greatly from their deaths at such a young age.
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 suffer from the death of their parents.
Pray for us, that we may unite any sufferings we endure to the sufferings of Christ. Pray that we may serve God worthily in every circumstance in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you began to distance yourself from your Catholic faith during your teenage years. You soon abandoned the faith. But you eventually responded to God’s grace and returned to the faithful practice of Catholicism.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may grant faith and perseverance to all who are struggling with their faith.
Pray for us, that we may always persevere through all difficulties we face, out of love for God. Pray that we may grow in holiness at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you spent a great deal of time as a young man serving as a soldier in the French army. Though you were far from God during most of your time as a soldier, you responded to God’s grace to return to His 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 protect all soldiers.
Pray for us, that we may serve God faithfully in every circumstance in our lives. Pray that we may always offer to God all that we do each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you felt so drawn to explore Morocco that you resigned from the army in order to do so. During your time exploring, God worked in your heart through the examples of others and led you back to His 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 explorers.
Pray for us, that we may always respond to God’s grace in our lives. Pray that we may grow closer to God at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you were far from your Catholic faith during your years as a soldier. When you began exploring Morocco, you were inspired by the examples of Jewish and Muslim people you met. You decided to return to the practice of your Catholic faith.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may grant us the grace to be a holy example to others.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help bring souls to God. Pray that we may preach the Gospel at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, when you were a teenager you stopped practicing the Catholic faith. But you were later inspired by the examples of others to return to the faithful practice of Catholicism.
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 are returning to the practice of the Catholic faith.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to faithfully serve God and His Church each day. Pray that we grow closer to God every day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles de Foucauld 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. Charles de Foucauld as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Charles, you returned to the practice of your faith after seeing the examples of others. You eventually became a priest and worked to lead others to deeper holiness. You served God and His Church faithfully 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 God may inspire more men and women to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to follow God’s call in our lives. Pray that we may strive to follow God’s will for us each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles de Foucauld, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.