Novena to Saint Sebastian Day 1 January 11 – 19

Patronage: Soldiers, plague-stricken, archers, holy Christian death, athletes, Negombo, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarlac, Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod
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First Day: The Gift of Faith
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St. Sebastian lived in the early times of the holy church when to be a Christian meant to stand up for your faith and eventually to die for it. However, we know that he was born of Christian parents. So he passed the days of his childhood under the tutelage of pious parents, who cared for a thorough instruction in doctrine and training of young Sebastian. God had His own plans with the child, who was to become the strong support and guide of his fellow Christians during the turbulent times of the persecution to come when he himself was privileged to die as martyr for Christ. But also for all times, he was to serve to the Christian world as shining example of a fearless life by faith. God so willed it that as soldier in the Roman army he attracted the attention and good pleasure of the emperor and being of noble extraction he was raised to the rank of an officer in his palace guard.
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Application: Centuries separate us from the Infant Church. The Lord Who watches over it has brought it up through the perilous times of many persecutions. It is a church of Martyrs as in the beginning, so now, and ore martyrs are being made today than ever before in history. We must, therefore, have the faith of the martyrs; like the Apostles, we must rejoice to be made worthy to suffer for the name of Christ, at least a little disdain, or contempt, or even loss of temporal goods. As in the time of St. Sebastian, the masses around us do not love Christ, or do not love Him enough; some are even against Him, they hate Him. But the Lord is with us; that should suffice to make us confident and happy. Be grateful for the grace of holy faith.
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Prayer to Saint Sebastian 
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Holy Martyr, St. Sebastian, no greater gift could be vouchsafed Thee than the gift of Holy Faith. Sanctified in Holy Baptism Thou grew in Holiness since the days of Thy childhood. So much has God loved Thee that He made Thee a pillar of strength in the early Church. Strengthen also my Faith, that it may become for me a source of strength for a perfect Christian life and that I too may be a shining example to all the Faithful. Amen.
(OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE)
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Litany of Saint Sebastian
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Litany of St. Sebastian
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Lord, have mercy on us!
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Lord, have mercy on us!
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Christ, have mercy on us!
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Christ, have mercy on us!
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Lord, have mercy on us!
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Lord, have mercy on us!
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Christ hear us!
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Christ, graciously hear us!
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God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us!
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God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us!
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God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us!
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Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!
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After each invocation, recite: Pray for us.
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Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs.
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Saint Sebastian.
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Invincible Martyr.
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Knight, noble by birth and fame.
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Glorious warrior and martyr of Christ.
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Patron and mirror of Christian soldiers.
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Despiser of the world.
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Conqueror of Satan.
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Comfort of the dying.
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Consoler of the afflicted.
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Announcer of the word of God.
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Protector and Patron of countries and cities.
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Saint Sebastian, perfect in virtue and wisdom.
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St. Sebastian, lover of God and men.
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St. Sebastian, might in word and work.
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St. Sebastian, who didst strengthen the Christians in torments and death.
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St. Sebastian, who didst fortify those wavering in their faith.
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St. Sebastian, who didst encourage the doubting to persevere to the end.
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St. Sebastian, who, in flamed with love of God, didst despise the pains inflicted by the tyrant.
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St. Sebastian, surrounded by celestial light.
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St. Sebastian, instructed by the holy Angels.
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St. Sebastian, giving speech to the dumb.
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St. Sebastian, who for defending the truth wast wounded by arrows.
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St. Sebastian, who wast put to death with clubs.
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St. Sebastian, who wast crowned with eternal glory.
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St. Sebastian, great intercessor for us with God.
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St. Sebastian, endowed with power from God to avert pestilence and all contagious diseases.
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord!
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord!
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord!
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Christ, hear us!
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Christ, graciously hear us!
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Let us pray. Mercifully look on our weakness, O almighty God. Since the weight of our own evil deeds bears us down, may the glorious intercession of Thy blessed martyr Sebastian be our protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth as one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Closing PRAYER
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My Lord and Savour Jesus Christ see me humbly prostrate before Thee to implore Thy mercy. I am a wretched sinner who has lived hitherto in ease and wanton negligence of my Christian duties. How dangerously close have I been in the past to becoming a traitor to Thee! Pardon me, good and merciful Jesus. I will change my life: with ardent love I will adhere to Thee in future and prove myself worthy of being Thy disciple and follower of St. Sebastian. Amen.