St. Expeditus Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Expeditus was an Early Christian martyr. He lived in the 200s and early 300s. He was a Roman centurion.
St. Expeditus’ intercession is very powerful in urgent cases. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy martyr in many aspects of your life.
About St. Expeditus
The date of St. Expeditus’ birth is not known for certain, but it is believed to have been during the 200s in the area that is now Armenia. Nothing is known for certain about his early life, and much of the information about him comes from legend. He has also been known by the name Expedite.
It is believed that Expeditus was a Roman centurion at the time of Emperor Diocletian. Some information about him appears in a book called Hieronymian Martyrology, which was a list of martyrs in calendar order.
This book mentions Expeditus as one of six Roman soldiers who were executed in 303 in the area that is modern-day Turkey during Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. The other five people martyred with him were St. Hermogenes, St. Gaius, St. Aristonicus, St. Rufus, and St. Galata. The book also indicates that he and his five companions were members of the Legio XII Fulminata, which was a legion of the Imperial Roman Army that was originally begun by Julius Caesar.
Though nothing is known for certain about Expeditus’ conversion to Christianity, legend holds that he was thinking of converting when the devil appeared to him in the form of a crow (though some accounts say the devil appeared as a murder of crows or in the form of a snake).
The devil said to him in Latin, “Cras,” which means “tomorrow,” apparently trying to convince Expeditus to procrastinate and put off his conversion until the next day.
Expeditus then resolved that he would not put off his conversion any longer but would instead become a Christian that day. Some accounts hold that he even stomped on the crows and killed them while yelling “Christianus ero, hodie!” which means “I will be a Christian today!”
Because of this legend about St. Expeditus, he is often shown in religious images as a young Roman soldier stepping on a crow. A banner bearing the word “cras” comes out of the crow’s mouth. And Expeditus is usually holding a cross with the word “hodie” on it.
Evidence of devotion to Expeditus can be found from the Middle Ages, though there is some doubt about whether his name was “Expeditus” or if he was called that because his name was unknown and the word “Expeditus” was a Latin word for a soldier who did not have a marching pack. Devotion to Expeditus grew strong throughout Europe and Latin America.
St. Expeditus’ Feast Day: April 19th
Why Pray the St. Expeditus Novena?
St. Expeditus is the patron saint of expeditious solutions and the patron saint against procrastination. You can pray the St. Expeditus Novena if you are in need of a quick solution or need of help with procrastination. You can also pray the St. Expeditus Novena for someone you know who needs a quick solution or who needs help with procrastination.
Additionally, St. Expeditus is the patron saint of merchants and sailors. You can pray the St. Expeditus Novena if you are a merchant or sailor, or you can pray it for someone you know who is a merchant or sailor.
You can pray the Expeditus Novena for any intention!
St. Expeditus Novena Prayers
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, we know little information about you for certain. But it is believed that you were a Roman centurion at the time of Emperor Diocletian. Though you worked as a soldier among pagans, you eventually followed God’s inspiration to convert to Christianity.
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 always offer to God all that we do each day of our lives. Pray that we may respond generously to God’s call.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, legend holds that you were considering converting to Christianity when the devil appeared to you. He tried to convince you to put off your conversion until “tomorrow.” But you followed God’s inspiration to instead join God’s Church immediately.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may shower the assistance of His grace on all who are considering conversion.
Pray for us, that we may grow closer to God each day of our lives. Pray that we may never postpone doing the good that God calls us to do.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, you are invoked as the patron saint of all who struggle with procrastination. Legend says that you once told the devil that you would not put off converting to Christianity any longer and would instead do it that very day.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may assist all who struggle with procrastination.
Pray for us, that we may always offer up to God all the sufferings and difficulties we face. Pray that we may grow in virtue and holiness at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, you are venerated as the patron saint of those who are in need of a quick solution. Though the details of your life and your name are not known for certain, we know that you are a powerful intercessor for those who are in need of help quickly.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bring help to all who are in need of a quick solution to a problem.
Pray for us, that we may always put our trust in God in every circumstance. Pray that we may grow in friendship with God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, legend holds that you were a Roman soldier who chose to convert to Christianity. Though you lived in a time of Christian persecution, you held fast to your faith. You eventually gave up your life as a martyr.
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 converts to the Catholic faith.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help bring souls to God. Pray that we may grow in virtue and holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, it is believed that you were martyred with five other Roman soldiers because of your Christian faith. You and your companions courageously held fast to your faith and accepted death rather than deny your 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 holy companions for our journey through life.
Pray for us, that we may always make use of all the helps God gives us to grow in holiness. Pray that we may offer to God all that we do each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, it is believed that you converted to Christianity during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Though Diocletian carried out a severe persecution of Christians, you held fast to your faith. You chose to give up your life as a martyr rather than renounce your faith.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may strengthen and assist all Christians being persecuted for their faith.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any suffering to deter us from serving God. Pray that we may do all we can to serve God faithfully in every circumstance.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, we know few details about your life for certain. But we know that you converted to Christianity in a time of persecution and that you courageously held fast to your faith to the point of death.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the courage we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to advance in virtue and holiness each day of our lives. Pray that we may grow in true friendship with God at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Expeditus 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. Expeditus as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Expeditus, it is believed that you were born in Armenia, became a Roman soldier, and were martyred for your faith in Turkey. You willingly gave up your life out of love for God and His Church.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church in Armenia, Turkey, and our own countries may be strong and vibrant.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to serve God and His Church each day. Pray that we may truly strive to live saintly lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Expeditus, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.