Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Novena to St. Albert the Great

Novena Prayer with Image

Please join us in praying a Novena to St. Albert the Great, nine days of prayer and reflection asking for our patron’s intercession for the success of our mission. St. Albert entered the Order of Preachers in 1223, just two years after St. Dominic died. Later a bishop and Doctor of the Church, he was called great within his own lifetime. St. Albert was one of the most influential people of the 13th century – a brilliant theologian and philosopher, natural scientist, and teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas. He is particularly known for embracing Aristotelian natural philosophy as a means to better understand God’s creation when many in Christianity were skeptical of its value. He is a powerful intercessor for all who seek the truth, goodness and beauty of God. 

More information about St. Albert the Great

Daily Prayer

God of truth, 
you endowed our brother Albert with the gift
of combining human wisdom with divine faith.
Grant that all who invoke his patronage
may imitate his example
by studying with devotion,
ministering with a shepherd’s care, 
and preaching the Gospel of truth. 
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
God, forever and ever.

Unique prayers for each day of the Novena

God of all truth, you gave St. Albert a great desire to understand every one of your creatures. You also made him an outstanding teacher so that he could share what he discovered. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that as we marvel at the beauty and order of God's handiwork, we may be led to deeper inquiry and inspired to love our Creator more fully. Intercede especially for all students and teachers, that their pursuit of truth may glorify God.

Heavenly Father, you blessed Albert the Great with an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary that strengthened him in his pursuit of holiness and learning. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that Mary may guide us always nearer to her Son, and continue to bless the Order of Preachers who are under her patronage. Help us to grow in deeper appreciation for the Blessed Virgin Mary’s loving care for us as a mother, protector, and refuge for those in need.

Heavenly Father, you gave St. Albert the Great courage to embrace the Dominican way of life in spite of opposition and trials.

St. Albert, intercede for us, that we may follow God’s call in our lives with faith and courage. May we glorify the Lord by living our vocations with fidelity and joy. Pray that all members of the Dominican family may grow more faithful to the way of life that Holy Father Dominic taught.

God of all wisdom, you gave St. Albert the Great a uniquely free spirit to search for truth in all things that exist, including scientific study of nature and philosophical engagement with thinkers outside the Christian tradition. 

St. Albert, pray for us as we study the natural world and explore the wisdom of philosophy, that we may uncover new insights and avoid error. Help all scientists and philosophers to seek not their own glory, but to truly desire to understand and glorify God through their studies.

God of truth, you illuminated St. Albert with a clear understanding of the sacred mysteries as he studied the Sacred Scriptures and the tradition of the Church. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that God may enlighten our minds and make our hearts one through His revealed Word. Intercede for all theologians, that they may be granted insight, clarity, and affection for the Church, so that their teachings lead all people to communion in love and knowledge of God.

Heavenly Father, you sent St. Albert the Great to be the teacher, friend, Dominican brother, and defender of St. Thomas Aquinas. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that we may understand the insights of your pupil, St. Thomas Aquinas, and grow to love Jesus Christ as tenderly as he did. Guide the work of all scholars of St. Thomas, that they may explain doctrine clearly and build up the faith of their fellow Christians.

God of all nations, you gave St. Albert the skill of wise mediation so that he could bring peace to those who were in conflict both in the Church and in civil society. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that we may use our talents to build up the common good and establish true peace in our communities. Intercede for all who work for justice that they may follow the model of Jesus Christ in confronting evil with courage and trust in God.

God of humility, you made St. Albert a selfless and tireless servant to others, as the provincial of Germany and later as a bishop. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that we may accept our responsibilities with the humble obedience of Jesus Christ and work zealously at the good works God prepares for us. Intercede for all bishops, especially for Pope Leo XIV, that the shepherds of the Church may lead us by their examples of love and holiness.

God of the lowly, you helped St. Albert the Great to embrace a life of voluntary poverty for the sake of the gospel, and you gave him compassion for those who suffered in both body and soul. 

St. Albert, pray for us, that we may not pursue the allure of earthly riches, but the treasure that will endure forever. Intercede for all religious, especially all Dominicans, that they may embrace their vow of voluntary poverty as a means of imitating Jesus Christ and drawing closer to God. Inspire us to give of our resources to meet the needs of the poor and suffering, in whom Jesus Christ himself suffers.