The Beheading of John the Baptist, also known as the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, is a significant feast in the Catholic Church, commemorated on August 29th. It recalls the death of John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod Antipas. Here are some approved prayers dedicated to this solemn event:
1. Collect for the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist
O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist
should go ahead of Your Son both in his birth and in his death,
grant that, as he died a martyr for truth and justice,
we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what You teach.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
2. Prayer to Saint John the Baptist
O glorious Saint John the Baptist,
greatest prophet among those born of woman,
although you were sanctified in your mother’s womb
and led a most innocent life,
nevertheless it was your will to retire into the wilderness,
there to devote yourself to the practice of austerity and penance.
Obtain for us of your Lord the grace to be wholly detached,
at least in our hearts, from earthly goods,
and to practice Christian mortification with interior recollection
and with the spirit of holy prayer.
O most zealous Apostle,
who, without working any miracle on others,
but solely by the example of your life of penance
and the power of your word,
drew whole multitudes to penance
and to the following of your example,
obtain for us the grace of bringing many souls to God,
but above all, of leading those who are in the ways of iniquity
to the practice of Christian life.
Amen.
3. Litany of Saint John the Baptist
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, precursor of Christ, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, voice crying in the wilderness, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, preacher of repentance, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, baptizer of Our Lord, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, glorified by thy Lord, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, fearless prophet, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, martyr of truth, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, O glorious Saint 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 blessed 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.
4. Prayer on the Feast of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
O God, who called John the Baptist
to be the forerunner of Your Son in both birth and death,
strengthen us by His witness to the truth,
that we may prepare the way for Jesus Christ in our hearts and in our world.
Grant us the courage to speak the truth in love
and the wisdom to turn our hearts to You in repentance and faith.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
These prayers honor the life and martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, seeking his intercession and drawing inspiration from his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness.
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