St. Meinrad Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Meinrad was a hermit who lived in Germany in the 700s and 800s. He was a member of the Benedictine religious order. He became known as the “Martyr of Hospitality.”
St. Meinrad had a reputation for great holiness. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy monk in many aspects of your life.
About St. Meinrad
St. Meinrad’s exact year of birth is unknown, but most accounts hold that he was born around the year 797. His place of birth was in the area that is now Germany. He was born into a noble family, and some of his family members were counts.
As a child, Meinrad received his education from monks in a Benedictine abbey that was located on an island in Lake Constance. The abbots of the monastery, Abbot Hatto and Abbot Eriebald, were relatives of Meinrad.
Meinrad eventually followed the call to religious life and became a monk in this abbey. He was also ordained to the priesthood.
Around the year 829, Meinrad felt God calling him to serve Him as a hermit. He established a hermitage in a pass in the Alps. When he left for this hermitage, he took with him a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that Abbess Hildegarde of Zurich had given to him. Miracles had been known to occur for those who venerated this statue.
Meinrad attempted to live out his days in solitude and prayer, but his reputation for holiness was so well known that many people sought him out in his hermitage. They began to ask him for prayer and spiritual advice. Despite his desire to live a solitary life, Meinrad always attended to the needs of those who came to him.
Because so many people sought him out, Meinrad moved to a new hermitage in the forest in 835. This hermitage would later become the site of the Benedictine monastery in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. This site is still an active monastery today.
In his new hermitage, Meinrad attempted to live a very ascetic life. He looked to the Desert Fathers as examples of strict asceticism.
In 862, Meinrad had a premonition that his death would occur soon. Shortly after, two robbers arrived at his hermitage. They thought those he had counseled had given him treasures and that he had hidden them there. Despite his premonition, he welcomed the robbers and showed them hospitality. The two robbers then murdered Meinrad. His death at their hands led to his being known as the “Martyr of Hospitality.”
Several different hermits lived in his hermitage throughout the following eighty years. Over the next few centuries, many people began to make pilgrimages to Meinrad’s hermitage. A shrine to the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln eventually came to be placed in his cell.
St. Meinrad’s Feast Day: January 21st
Why Pray the St. Meinrad Novena?
St. Meinrad is the patron saint of hospitality. You can pray the St. Meinrad Novena if you are seeking to grow in hospitality toward other people in your life. Or you can use this novena to seek St. Meinrad’s intercession for someone you know who is trying to grow in hospitality or who needs to be more hospitable.
Since St. Meinrad was a Benedictine monk, you can also pray the St. Meinrad Novena if you are discerning a vocation to the Benedictines. Or you can pray the St. Meinrad Novena for a Benedictine you know.
You can pray the St. Meinrad Novena for any intention!
St. Meinrad Novena Prayers
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, we know little about your childhood. But we know that you received an education and formation in the faith from Benedictines when you were a child. You later followed God’s call to religious life and spent the rest of your life serving Him.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may receive the love and formation they need.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to bring souls to God. Pray that we may always be eager to serve God as He calls us to.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you received an education from monks in a Benedictine abbey during your childhood years. After you received this strong education in the Catholic faith, you followed God’s call to serve Him as a Benedictine monk.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who work in Catholic education may successfully form their students in the faith.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to preach the Gospel to others. Pray that we may take every opportunity God gives us to win souls for Him.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, the Benedictine religious order played an important part in your life and in your formation. After you received an education from Benedictine monks, you became a Benedictine yourself. You served God as a Benedictine for the rest of your life.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all Benedictines may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may do all we can to advance in holiness and virtue each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you felt God calling you to serve Him in the religious and priestly life after receiving an education from Benedictine monks. You became a Benedictine monk and a priest. You served God faithfully in this vocation for the rest of your life.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may call more men and women to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always be open to following God’s call in our lives. Pray that we may be eager to serve God faithfully each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you eagerly followed God’s call to serve Him as a Benedictine monk when you were a young man. You were also ordained to the priesthood. Throughout the rest of your life, you served God faithfully as a monk and a priest.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all priests may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to carry out the duties of our vocations faithfully. Pray that we may grow in love for God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you felt God calling you to leave the Benedictine monastery in order to serve Him as a hermit. You established a hermitage in the Alps and lived a very ascetic life. You did all you could to serve God faithfully as a hermit.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who live as hermits may serve God faithfully in their solitude.
Pray for us, that we may always be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may take every opportunity God gives us to grow in holiness.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you attempted to spend your days in solitude and prayer as a hermit. You looked to the Desert Fathers for an example of strict asceticism, and you imitated their example faithfully even in the midst of the interruptions of those seeking your counsel.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in a holy spirit of penance.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may make growth in holiness our top priority in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you did your best to follow God’s will and serve Him faithfully in your life as a hermit. Near the end of your life, you had a premonition that you would soon die. Despite this premonition, you trusted in God and showed hospitality to those who would kill you.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow to a deeper trust in God.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to carry out God’s will in our lives. 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. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Meinrad 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. Meinrad as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Meinrad, you became known as a “Martyr of Hospitality.” You always treated those who came to you in your hermitage with great love. Even when robbers came to you, you showed them great hospitality despite their violence toward you.
Please bring all of our prayers before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in hospitality.
Pray for us, that we may always do all things in our lives out of love for God. Pray that we may always treat others with great charity.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Meinrad, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.