St. Fabian Novena

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St. Fabian was a Pope who lived in the 200s. He served as Pope for fourteen years. During that time, he did a lot to improve the relationship between the Church and the secular government. 

St. Fabian also died a martyr. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy martyr in your life!

About St. Fabian 

St. Fabian was of Roman descent. His father was named Fabius. Nothing else is known about Fabian’s background or his early life. But a historian named Eusebius wrote about the circumstances of Fabian’s election to the papacy.

In 236, Pope Anteros died. At the time, Fabian was a layperson who held no significant office within the Church or society. He traveled from the countryside to Rome at the time of the new papal election.

The papal election lasted for thirteen days. Many men who were prominent in the Church at that time were considered. Fabian was present at the election, but he was not in anyone’s mind as a possible candidate for the papacy.

During the discussion, a dove suddenly descended onto Fabian’s head from the ceiling. The dove did not fly around or land on the heads of others, but only on Fabian. Those present saw it as a clear sign of the Holy Spirit’s choice for the next Pope. Fabian was immediately proclaimed Pope. 

Throughout the next fourteen years while Fabian served as Pope, the persecutions of Christians began to die down. Fabian was also able to gain influence with the emperor. Legend says that he even baptized Emperor Philip the Arab and the emperor’s son.

Fabian was able to use his influence at court to have the bodies of Pope Pontian and the antipope Hippolytus brought back, after both were martyred in Sardinia.

Fabian also focused efforts on missionary work, sending out seven bishops from Rome to preach the Gospel in Gaul.

Around this time, there was a new heresy beginning to take hold in Africa, originated by a man named Privatus. Fabian was proactive in combating this heresy and condemned it.

Fabian also divided Rome’s Christian communities into seven districts, appointing deacons to supervise each district. In addition, he appointed seven subdeacons. These subdeacons helped in collecting the records of the martyrs’ trials and court proceedings. 

During his papacy, Fabian also commissioned a lot of work on the catacombs. He ensured that the body of martyred Pope Pontian was buried there. 

Soon, a new emperor named Decius came to power. He did not share his predecessor's tolerance of Christianity and instead demanded that all Christians take part in pagan ritual. 

Though many Christians at the time lacked the courage to hold fast to their Faith, Fabian was one of the first Christians to be martyred for the Faith under Emperor Decius. Fabian most likely died in prison, in 250.

St. Fabian’s Feast Day: January 20th

Why Pray the St. Fabian Novena?

St. Fabian doesn’t have an official patronage, but he is a great saint to seek prayers from in many circumstances. 

You can ask St. Fabian for prayers on behalf of the Pope, since he was a holy Pope. 

Additionally, St. Fabian is a great saint to seek prayers from if you are being persecuted for  your Faith, since he was martyred by a pagan emperor for holding fast to the Faith. Or, you could ask St. Fabian for prayers on behalf of someone you know who is being persecuted for their Faith.

You can pray the St. Fabian Novena for any intention!

St. Fabian Novena Prayers

St. Fabian Novena - Day 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in responding to Your unique call in his life.

St. Fabian, you did not hold a high office in the Church or society when Pope Anteros died. You probably did not know what God had planned for your life, but you answered His call to serve as His Pope.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!

When a dove rested on your head, you were proclaimed Pope almost immediately. As the new Pope, you were eager to serve God and His Church.

Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God and His Church in my life. Pray that I may respond generously to whatever He calls me to do.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 2

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in responding generously to the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

St. Fabian, you probably did not know that God intended for you to be the next Pope. But when a dove rested on your head during the papal election, you were proclaimed the new Pope.

Please bring my petitions before God Who worked so marvelously in your life!

You did not hesitate to answer God’s call to serve Him as leader of His Church. You did all you could do serve Him faithfully in this role until you ultimately gave up your life for Him.

Pray for me, that I may be open to God working in my life. Pray that I may serve God eagerly in whatever ways He calls me to.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 3

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You that he showed by unhesitatingly answering Your call to serve Your Church as the Pope.

St. Fabian, you were thrust into the role of Pope unexpectedly. Though you must not have expected to be named Pope, you decided to serve God faithfully when the Holy Spirit showed all that this was His will.

Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness! 

As Pope, you worked to bring about good relations between secular society and the Church. You also did a lot to strengthen the Church, until you gave up your life as a martyr.

Pray for me, that I may always serve God as unhesitatingly as you did. Pray that I may do all I can to serve Him and His Church in my life. 

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 4

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed through his work to strengthen the relations between Your Church and society during his time as Pope.

St. Fabian, when you were unexpectedly elected to be the new Pope, you quickly began to do a lot of good work for the Church and for society.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served as Pope!

During your papacy, you were able to strengthen relations with civil rulers. You used this influence for the good of the Church and to bring others to God. 

Pray for me, that I may always work to bring those around me to God. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to bring others to the Church.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 5

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in focusing on missionary efforts in unevangelized places during his papacy.

St. Fabian, you responded generously when God unexpectedly called you to the office of Pope. During your papacy, you focused on missionary work so that the Gospel could be spread in other lands.

Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!

You sent seven bishops from Rome to Gaul, in order that they might preach the Gospel there. You were eager to bring more souls into the Church, for the love of God.

Pray for me, that I may be eager to spread the Gospel to those around me. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to lead others to God.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 6

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in working to combat heresy during his time as Pope.

St. Fabian, you were elected to the papacy in an unexpected way. Despite how surprising this call must have been to you, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly to serving God as the leader of His Church.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so wholeheartedly!

During your papacy, a new heresy was being spread through Africa by a man named Privatus. You worked to preserve the true teachings of the Church by condemning this heresy and combating it.

Pray for me, that I may always seek to promote the truth. Pray that I may grow in my love for the teachings of the Church.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 7

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in holding fast to his Faith amidst persecution.

St. Fabian, you became Pope in a time when persecution of Christians had ceased. But this peace did not last long. When a new emperor came to power and renewed the persecution of Christians, you remained faithful.

Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!

The new emperor demanded that all Christians take part in pagan ritual, but you refused. You were one of the first Christians to be martyred for your Faith under the emperor Decius.

Pray for me, that I may hold fast to my Faith amidst all difficulties. Pray that I may persevere in my Faith even to the point of death if necessary.

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in holding fast to his Faith to the point of death.

St. Fabian, you enjoyed peace between the Church and society for the first years of your papacy. But when a new emperor came to power, Christians were once again faced with the choice between their Faith and their lives. You courageously chose to persevere in your Faith.

Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!

Many Christians at the time lacked the courage to face martyrdom. But you courageously chose to die rather than renounce your Faith. 

Pray for me, that I may practice my Faith with courage each day. Pray that I may be courageous in the face of all trials. 

Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

St. Fabian Novena - Day 9

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fabian as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed through his holy service to Your Church.

St. Fabian, you were elected to the papacy after a dove landed on your head during the papal election. Though you must have been very surprised at this call, you chose to serve God’s Church with devotion.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so devotedly!

During your time as Pope, you did a lot to improve the relationship between the Church and the secular government. You promoted missionary work, fought heresy, and ultimately gave up your life for God.

Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God and His Church to the best of my ability. Pray that I may serve God with great devotion, as you did.

Please also pray for (mention you intentions here).

St. Fabian, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.