Novena Starts:February 14
Feastday:February 23
Birth:c. 69
Death:c. 155

Patron saint of against earaches and dysentery, the city of Smyrna (Izmir), and all who must stand firm in the faith under pressure

St. Polycarp of Smyrna Novena, Bishop and Martyr

St. Polycarp (c. 69-155) was taught by St. John the Apostle and made bishop of Smyrna, and he became one of the great links between the Apostles and the Church that came after them. St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote to him on the way to his own martyrdom, and St. Irenaeus heard him preach as a boy. At 86 he was arrested and ordered to curse Christ, and he answered, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” He was burned at the stake in the arena of Smyrna. Pray this novena for steadfast faith and for the favor you most need.

St. Polycarp of Smyrna Novena, Bishop and Martyr Image

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You can pray the full St. Polycarp of Smyrna Novena, Bishop and Martyr below.

Day 1

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 2

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 3

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 4

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 5

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 6

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 7

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 8

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

Day 9

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

Amen.

Grant to us, O Master of all, O Lord our God,
the power to entreat Your faithful servant,
the holy bishop and martyr Polycarp the wondrous.

O Saint Polycarp, disciple of the beloved Apostle John,
you received the faith from those who had seen the Lord,
and you guarded it with love all the days of your life.
For eighty-six years you served Christ your King,
and in the fire you would not deny Him
who had never done you wrong.
Come speedily near us, who love you with our whole heart.
Be our father and protector,
our teacher and our benefactor,
and present our prayers before the throne of God.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Living God,
through the intercessions of Your Most-Holy Mother,
and the entreaties of the holy martyr Polycarp,
strengthen our faith, that we may never deny You,
soften the pains of our soul,
heal us in body and in spirit,
and fulfill our desire, if it be according to Your holy will,
that we too may count it joy to drink from Your cup
and to be numbered among those who love You to the end.

For Yours is the glory and the honor and the worship,
together with Your Beginningless Father,
and Your All-Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

St. Polycarp, I ask your intercession for this special intention:

(mention request here…)

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Polycarp, pray for us!

Amen.

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

Amen.

Today's prayer complete!
Share this novena with someone who needs it.

Answered Prayers from the Community

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