St. John Fisher, a 16th-century bishop and martyr, is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to his faith and his courageous stance against religious persecution during the turbulent times of the English Reformation.
About St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher is usually associated with Erasmus, Thomas More, and other Renaissance humanists. His life therefore, did not have the external simplicity found in the lives of some saints. Rather, he was a man of learning, associated with the intellectuals and political leaders of his day. He was interested in the contemporary culture and eventually became chancellor at Cambridge.
He had been made a bishop at 35, and one of his interests was raising the standard of preaching in England. Fisher himself was an accomplished preacher and writer. His sermons on the penitential psalms were reprinted seven times before his death. With the coming of Lutheranism, he was drawn into controversy. His eight books against heresy gave him a leading position among European theologians.
In 1521, Fisher was asked to study the question of King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow. He incurred Henry’s anger by defending the validity of the king’s marriage with Catherine, and later by rejecting Henry’s claim to be the supreme head of the Church of England.
In an attempt to be rid of him, Henry first had Fisher accused of not reporting all the “revelations” of the nun of Kent, Elizabeth Barton. In feeble health, Fisher was summoned to take the oath to the new Act of Succession.
He and Thomas More refused to do so because the Act presumed the legality of Henry’s divorce and his claim to be head of the English Church. They were sent to the Tower of London, where Fisher remained 14 months without trial. Finally both men were sentenced to life imprisonment and loss of goods.
When the two were called to further interrogations, they remained silent. On the supposition that he was speaking privately as a priest, Fisher was tricked into declaring again that the king was not supreme head of the church in England.
The king, further angered that the pope had made St. John Fisher a cardinal, had him brought to trial on the charge of high treason. He was condemned and executed, his body left to lie all day on the scaffold and his head hung on London Bridge. More was executed two weeks later. John Fisher’s liturgical feast is celebrated on June 22.
Why Pray the St. John Fisher Novena?
Praying the St. John Fisher Novena can inspire individuals to stand firm in their faith and principles, especially during challenging times. His courageous witness to truth and commitment to the Church serve as a powerful example for those seeking strength in their convictions.
This novena also offers an opportunity for reflection on issues of integrity and moral courage, encouraging believers to seek guidance in navigating their own spiritual and ethical dilemmas.
St. John Fisher Novena Prayers
Novena to St. John Fisher is a nine-day prayer experience designed to deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and seek the powerful intercession of St. John Fisher.
You can pray the St. John Fisher Novena for any intention!
St. John Fisher Novena Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
St. John Fisher Novena Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant, change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in the Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors–watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat–which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Saint John Fisher, pray for us
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…