About The Holy Cross Novena
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross every year on September 14th. The celebration began back in 335 … and became universally celebrated in 720. The feast commemorates Saint Helena’s finding of the True Cross and the dedication of the Basilica that was built on the spot where it was unearthed.
By exalting the Holy Cross, we reflect on it’s true meaning, celebrate Our Lord’s triumph over death, and remember that we are called to take up our own crosses.
Learn more about How and Why we Exalt the Holy Cross
How to Pray The Holy Cross Novena
The word novena is derived from the Latin term novem, meaning nine. Novena is a nine day period of prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or make special petitions. Here you’ll find Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Novenas But Were Afraid to Ask
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is held every year on September 14th. Begin the Novena on September 5th to complete it prior to the feast day. But you can pray the Novena anytime during the month of September, or throughout the year.
Use these links to quickly get to a specific day:
Day 1 + Day 2 + Day 3 + Day 4 + Day 5 + Day 6 + Day 7 + Day 8 + Day 9
The Holy Cross Novena
Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
May our veneration of the cross help us to be more loving. That we may learn to love our brothers and sisters, and any hatred, mistrust or resentment will leave our hearts.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here)
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us.
Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 2
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Teach us to accept our sufferings, uniting them to your cross. Give us the grace to believe that you are able to draw something good from even the worst situations.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for …
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Help us to bear the pain of everyday life. Inspire us to not run away from pain and suffering, but to accept and live your cross as proof of our love for you.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for …
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Be with us, so that we can face our trials with courage. For we know that through you, we can draw something good from these experiences.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Teach us to be patient as we endure the insults and harsh words of people who don’t like us. Help us to respond with silence and give us the grace that we may pray for them so we may help you redeem our troubled world.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Give us the grace to not be desperate in our moments of suffering. Help us to carry our cross with courage and dignity, so that even in the midst of pain we may be of help to others.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Help us to avoid domineering attitudes and make us servants to one another.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death. Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Teach us to accepts situations that are out of our control and carry them as you carried your cross to Calvary. Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death.
Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Jesus, your love for your Father and for the whole world brought you to the cross. Gazing upon the cross helps us to remember your bitter Passion and we thank you for your great sacrifice.
Give us servant’s hearts so that we respond easily to those suffering around us. For we know that when we help the abandoned and needy we are actually serving you.
Lord Jesus, in remembrance of your sorrowful Passion and Death, please look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for…
(Mention your intentions here).
Holy Cross, whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world, Deliver and save us. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Trophy of victory over hell, Hope of the hopeless, Light of those who sit in darkness, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those that thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who was offered on the cross for the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Jesus, your cross is life-giving! Your death and resurrection brought us salvation. Send us the Holy Spirit while we praise You and meditate on the meaning of your death.
Through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be able to know that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples.
Through Your Holy Cross, save us. Amen.
The Our Father
Hail Mary
The Glory Be
