St. John the Apostle
Contents
Show HideSt. John the Apostle, also called John the Evangelist or the Beloved Disciple, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He lived alongside Christ for many years, and then, after the Ascension, continued spreading the Good News. John authored the Gospel of John and three letters in the New Testament.
Scriptures refer to St. John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” emphasizing his deep and true friendship with the Lord. Invoke the intercession of Jesus’ closest friend and know that he would love to assist you in your need.
About St. John the Apostle
St. John the Apostle was the son of a Galilean fisherman named Zebedee and the younger brother of St. James.
One day while James and John were mending their nets, Jesus approached and called them to follow Him. Scripture says that John, along with his brother, immediately left the boat and their father and followed Christ.
Throughout Scripture we see the two brothers, especially John, as fiercely loyal and fervent in spirit. So much so in fact that Jesus calls the two brothers Boanerges, or “sons of thunder” in the Gospel of Mark.
Throughout Jesus’ public ministry, He often sets apart Peter, James, and John to witness miracles like the raising of the daughter of Jairus and significant events like the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. But John’s friendship with Christ was even more unique.
St. John sat next to Christ during the Last Supper and was the only Apostle who witnessed Christ’s Passion and death.
During the crucifixion, Jesus entrusted His mother to John, and the Scriptures tell us that John from that moment on “took [Mary] into his home.”
After the events of the Gospels, John’s story largely passes into uncertainty. Many scholars believe, however, that St. John lived the longest of the Twelve Apostles and unlike the others, did not die a martyr (although an attempt was made, as it is said that Romans under Emperor Domitian tried to take John’s life by plunging him into boiling oil, but he emerged without injury).
The Church Fathers attributed authorship of the fourth Gospel, as well as three letters in the New Testament, to John. Traditionally he is believed to have also authored the Book of Revelation during his exile in Patmos, but many modern Scripture scholars debate this point.
The Gospel of John stands apart from the three synoptic gospels. It does not present a chronology of events the way we find in Matthew, Mark, and Luke but rather, it offers a highly literary and symbolic account in order to emphasize the theological significance in Jesus’ life and teaching.
Christian art often uses an eagle to represent St. John, symbolizing the heights to which his Gospel transcends.
John died around 98 AD, and the Basilica of St. John now stands over what is believed to be his burial site in Ephesus, not far from the house of the Blessed Mother.
St. John the Apostle’s Feast Day: December 27
Why Pray the St. John the Apostle Novena?
St. John the Apostle is the patron saint of love, loyalty, and friendships. He is sometimes called the Apostle of Charity, a virtue he learned from the Divine Teacher, exemplified in his presence at the major events of Jesus’ ministry and his being the only one of the Twelve at the crucifixion.
You can pray the St. John the Apostle Novena so that you may follow his example of loyalty and love or for your closest friends.
As the writer of several books in the Bible, St. John is also the patron saint of authors. You can pray this novena for your favorite author or for inspiration in writing your own book.
You can pray the St. John the Apostle Novena for any intention!
St. John the Apostle Prayers
St. John the Apostle - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, You revealed Yourself as the gate through whom we must pass to find eternal life. Help us follow in the footsteps of Your Apostle John and respond to Your call with a sincere faith.
St. John, Fisher of Men, at the very sound of our Lord’s voice, you put down your net and followed Jesus. You embraced God’s will for your life, stepping out with radical trust. Walk alongside me in my journey with Christ.
Teach me to open my heart to God as you did, so that I may recognize His presence in my daily tasks. Help me know the sound of Jesus’ voice and embrace His call.
Pray that I may courageously step out of my boat, willing to leave everything else behind, and become a faithful and humble disciple of Christ.
Pray also for the special intention which I hold in my heart today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, Word of God, You existed since the beginning and brought everything into creation. Yet You willingly made Your dwelling among us. Help us truly encounter You like Your Apostle John.
St. John, for three years you witnessed the incredible power of Christ by living alongside Him. You saw the sick healed, the lame walk, and the dead raised. You saw Christ turn water into wine and feed thousands with only a bit of fish and bread.
To you, Jesus revealed Himself as the fulfillment of God’s promise. Help increase my faith.
Open to me the presence of God in Scripture and in my daily life. Instill in me a deep love for the Word of God. Show me how to make my heart a suitable home for Him.
Pray that I may always recognize the gifts Jesus desires to give me and that I may always praise Him. Please, offer sincerest gratitude on my behalf to our Heavenly Father.
Pray also for the intention I entrust to you today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, Light of the World, You promised Your followers the light of life. Reveal to me Your glory through Your Apostle John.
Beloved John—Apostle and friend of Jesus—you were permitted to witness the radiance of God’s splendor during the Transfiguration of our Lord. Help lead me out of the darkness of my sin and shame into the presence of God.
Alongside Peter and your brother James, Christ revealed His divinity to you, and you heard the voice of the Father to affirm it. Show me how to live as a close friend of Jesus, that I may know Him as you did. Help me live as a child of the Light, never ceasing to follow His commandments.
Pray that the light of Christ illuminates my mind and heart that I may one day share in His glory.
Please pray also for the special intention which I bring to you today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
St. John the Apostle - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, Bread of Life, You promised those who would come to You that they would never hunger or thirst. Instill in us the Eucharistic love of St. John.
O beloved Apostle of Christ, you heard the Divine Heart beating as you rested your head on the breast of our Lord. To you, the mysteries of heaven have been revealed. Bring me ever closer to the heart of Christ.
Your feet were washed by your Teacher and Lord before He nourished your soul with His very self. He gave you the commandment to “take and eat,” inviting you to partake in His eternal life.
Help me recognize the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and kindle within me a blazing love for the Most Blessed Sacrament. Increase my desire to unite myself to Christ, especially at the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Please pray also for the intention closest to my heart…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, True Vine, You asked that we remain always with You, for we cannot bear fruit by our own merit. Through the intercession of St. John the Apostle, give us the grace to abide in Your love.
St. John, you went with Jesus and the two other Apostles to the Mount of Olives to pray with our Lord as He agonized over His impending Passion.
Three times during this first holy hour, Christ sorrowed because He found you asleep. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Be with me during my own trials.
Help me embrace my suffering and to run wholeheartedly to the Lord, especially in times of distress. Keep me close to Christ.
Pray for me so that I am found ready and alert when my time has come. Pray also for the leaders of our Church, that they might always stand vigilant, ready to protect their flock from all that could harm them.
Finally, please pray for the special intention I bring to you today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, You humbly laid down Your life for us, Your sheep. Help us learn from St. John the Apostle how to offer ourselves in return to You.
St. John, Apostle of Charity, you stood at the foot of the cross, the only one of the twelve to remain at Jesus’ side during His darkest hour, bringing comfort to our suffering Savior.
You stood close enough for the Precious Blood of Our Lord to fall upon you as it poured from His hands and feet, one of the first receivers of this priceless gift. Bring me close enough to kiss the wounds of my Savior.
Help me to drink deeply of the streams of mercy and love that flowed from the pierced side of Christ.
Show me how to cling to Jesus especially in times of great difficulty and help me to console His Sacred Heart by uniting my sufferings to His. Pray that I may always abide in His love.
Please bring my petition to the foot of Christ’s cross…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life. You promised that those who followed You would never die. Like your Apostle John, bring us into Your eternal life.
Blessed John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, at the news of Christ’s Resurrection, you hastened to the empty tomb.
With your own eyes, you witnessed His triumph over sin and death. Help me enter into the joy and promise of the Resurrection.
Teach me to pursue Christ, even when it seems like all is lost. Show me how to trust in God’s infinite goodness and power in spite of my sin and failing. Encourage me to always run toward the Savior.
Pray that all souls, especially those closest to me, may come to Christ. Pray also for me to remain steadfast in the hope that I may dwell with God for eternity.
Finally, please pray for the intention which I bring to you now…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, Word Made Flesh, the Father’s love became incarnate through Your Immaculate Mother. Help us, like John, live as one of her children.
O Beloved Disciple, from the cross our Lord tenderly entrusted you to the care of His Blessed Mother, and she to you.
From that moment on, you took Mary into your home. You protected and cared for her until she reached the end of her earthly life. Teach me to love and honor the Mother of God as you did.
Help increase my devotion to our Blessed Mother. Help me draw closer to her so that she may bring me closer to her Son. Pray that she be with me at the moment of my death to lead me into heaven.
Please pray also through the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the special intention I bring to you today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John the Apostle - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through you alone can we come to our Heavenly Father. Inspire us to live like your Apostle John and proclaim the Truth with missionary zeal.
St. John, Missionary Disciple of Christ, your love for Jesus inspired your every word and deed. Your life became a profound witness to the glory of God. Help me embrace Christ’s call to go and make disciples.
Before Christ, you lived as a humble fisherman, yet your words and example brought countless souls to Him, your testimony still reaching through time. You speak to us today through your Gospel, continuing to share the goodness of God with His Church.
Show me how to open my mind and heart to the Holy Spirit and teach me to follow His inspirations. Grant me courage that I can be bold, as you were, in proclaiming the Good News to everyone I meet.
I ask you to pray especially for the special intention I bring to you today…
(Mention your intentions here)
St. John the Apostle, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.