Novena for the Feast of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

August 29th is the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist the patron of the Order of Malta. Here is a short prayer that can be prayed as a novena to him.

O martyr invincible, who, for the honor of God and the salvation of souls, didst with firmness and constancy withstand the impiety of Herod even at the cost of thine own life, and didst rebuke him openly for his wicked and dissolute life; by thy prayers obtain for us a heart, brave and generous, in order that we may overcome all human respect and openly profess our faith in loyal obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ, our Divine Master.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be,

V. Pray for us, St. John the Baptist
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

O God, who hast made this day to be honorable in our eyes by the commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, grant unto Thy people the grace of spiritual joy, and direct the minds of all Thy faithful into the way of everlasting salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen