St. Simon Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Simon was one of Jesus’ twelve Apostles. He is often referred to as Simon the Zealot. Outside of the information found in the Gospels, there is little known for certain about St. Simon.
Tradition holds that St. Simon died as martyr through crucifixion. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this courageous Apostle in your life!
About St. Simon
The Gospel of St. Matthew relates that St. Simon was a relative of Jesus. According to some sources, his mother was a sister of Mary. His father was named Cleopas, and Cleopas was a brother of St. Joseph. These relationships would mean that he was a cousin of Christ. It is believed that Simon was about eight years older than Our Lord.
In the Acts of the Apostles, some “brethren” of Jesus are mentioned as having been present on Pentecost at the reception of the Holy Spirit. Simon was one of these brethren.
In the writings of St. Epiphanius, he writes that Simon rebuked the Jews for cruelly killing Simon’s brother, St. James the Lesser.
St. James the Lesser had been serving as the bishop of Jerusalem at the time of his martyrdom. So after St. James the Lesser was martyred, the Apostles and disciples met to elect a successor for the role of Jerusalem’s bishop. The Apostles and disciples elected Simon unanimously to be his brother’s successor as bishop of Jerusalem. It is likely that he had already gained a lot of experience that would equip him for this role by assisting his brother in the duties of ruling the Church in Jerusalem.
In 66 A.D., Jewish opposition of Roman rule led to civil war in Palestine. The Christians living in Jerusalem at the time seem to have been warned that the city would soon be destroyed. With Simon leading them, these Christians traveled out of Jerusalem and into a small city called Pella on the other side of the Jordan.
After Jerusalem was destroyed, the Christians returned there and lived in the city’s ruins. The writings of both the historian Eusebius and St. Epiphanus relate that the Church in Jerusalem grew during this time, since many Jews converted upon seeing miracles that the saints of the early Church worked.
During the reigns of the Roman Emperors Vespasian and Domitian, those of Jewish descent were sought out and killed. Simon somehow escaped being killed under either of these emperors, but the emperor Trajan then ordered the same search. Simon was captured and brought to the Roman governor on the charges of being a Jew and a Christian.
Simon was tortured and condemned to death by crucifixion. At the time, Simon was very old. But he faced his torture and death with such courage and strength that even the Roman governor was moved to admire him.
St. Simon’s Feast Day: February 18th
Why Pray the St. Simon Novena?
St. Simon is the patron saint of curriers and tanners. You can ask him to pray for you if you work in the leather processing industry, or you can ask him to pray for someone you know who works in the leather processing industry.
St. Simon is also the patron saint of sawyers. You can seek his intercession if you work in the lumber or sawmill industry. You can also seek his intercession on behalf of someone you know who works in the lumber or sawmill industry.
Additionally, St. Simon is a great saint to seek intercession from on behalf of Church leaders, since he was a holy bishop of Jerusalem.
You can pray the St. Simon Novena for any intention!
St. Simon Novena Prayers
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his years of service as Your Apostle.
St. Simon, you were called personally by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve Apostles. As one of His closest friends and followers, you served Him faithfully during His ministry on earth.
Please bring my petitions before Christ Whom you served!
After the death, resurrection, and ascension of Our Lord into Heaven, you worked to serve the early Church. You devoted the rest of your life to faithfully serving God and His Church.
Pray for me, that I may be as faithful a servant of God as you were. Pray that I may grow to a deeper friendship with Jesus each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in speaking out against the murder of his brother, St. James the Lesser.
St. Simon, the writings of St. Epiphanius tell us that you boldly spoke out against the Jews when they cruelly killed your brother, St. James the Lesser. You faithfully chose to do what you could to fight against evil.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God with such faithfulness!
You continued to serve God and His Church virtuously throughout many trials and sufferings for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may always have the strength to speak up against evils in the world. Pray that I may never waver in seeking to fight against evil.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his years of service to the early Church as a bishop.
St. Simon, you were unanimously elected as the second bishop of Jerusalem after the martyrdom of your brother, St. James the Lesser. You continued to serve the Church faithfully in this role for the rest of your life.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You led the Church in Jerusalem during a time of great turmoil. You shepherded your people at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction and helped bring more people to conversion.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve the Church faithfully in my life. Pray that I may do all I can to serve God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in faithfully helping to lead Your Church through difficult times.
St. Simon, you became bishop of Jerusalem after the death of your brother, St. James the Lesser. Though you faced many difficulties during your time as bishop, you persevered in leading God’s people faithfully.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You helped the Christians of Jerusalem remain safe during the city’s destruction. After this, you helped bring more people into the Church despite persecution and sufferings.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to serve God and His Church in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may never allow sufferings to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in faithfully leading Your people through the trial of being forced to leave Jerusalem.
St. Simon, you were bishop of Jerusalem during a time of great uncertainty and sufferings. As the city was about to be destroyed, you led your people to a city on the other side of the Jordan river. Then, you continued to lead them faithfully.
Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!
Despite the many sufferings and trials that you and your people faced, you persevered in serving God and in leading His people.
Pray for me, that I may never allow sufferings to deter me from serving God. Pray that I may persevere through any trials I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in holding fast to his Faith amidst persecution.
St. Simon, you lived in a time of great sufferings and persecution for Christians. Despite the threat of painful torture and even death, you held fast and continued to serve God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You faithfully led the Church in Jerusalem through a time of severe turmoil. Ultimately, you gave up your life for the Faith in a painful martyrdom.
Pray for me, that I may always hold fast to my Faith no matter what sufferings I might endure. Pray that I may never allow trials to deter me from living out my Faith.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in courageously holding fast to his Faith to the point of death.
St. Simon, you knew that you could be tortured and killed on account of your Christian Faith. Despite this danger, you did all you could to continue serving God faithfully.
Please do all you can to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
When the emperor Trajan sought out Jews and Christians to be killed, you were captured and brought before the Roman governor. You faced torture and crucifixion with great courage, never wavering in your Christian Faith.
Pray for me, that I may be as courageous in practicing my Faith as you were. Pray that I may hold fast to my Faith, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his holy example of martyrdom.
St. Simon, you led the Church in Jerusalem during a time of persecution. Though you knew that you could face torture and death on account of your Faith, you persevered in your holy leadership.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!
You were eventually tortured and killed because of your Faith. But as you suffered, you were so full of courage and strength that even the Roman governor was moved.
Pray for me, that I may always be a holy and inspiring example for others. Pray that I may never allow sufferings to lead me away from faithful service to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Simon 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 Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his years of Faithful service to You and Your Church.
St. Simon, you were one of Jesus’ Apostles and closest friends. After His death, resurrection, and Ascension, you devoted yourself to serving His Church. You continued to serve His Church for the rest of your life.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You led the Church in Jerusalem throughout turmoil and sufferings. You ultimately gave up your life for the Faith in martyrdom.
Pray for me, that I may always do all I can to serve God and His Church. Pray that I may be eager to put my gifts to use serving God’s Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Simon, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.