Day 4: At Calvary with Mary
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Prayer
Glorious Saint John the Evangelist, the disciple whom Jesus loved and guardian of Our Lady, I come before you in this novena with confidence. You who knew Jesus with a unique intimacy and who brought to the world the deepest revelation of his love, intercede for me before the Lord. May I too discover that I am “the disciple whom Jesus loves.” Amen.
Meditation
According to Christian tradition, John is the disciple who remained at Calvary, standing beside the Cross, with Mary and the other women. It was to him that Jesus entrusted his Mother: “Behold thy mother.” And “from that hour, the disciple took her to his own” (John 19:27). John’s faithfulness at Calvary was not spectacular heroism: it was love that stayed when fear urged him to flee. This quiet faithfulness was rewarded with the most precious mission: to care for Mary.
Prayer of the Day
Saint John, who remained beside the Cross at Calvary, intercede that I too may learn a faithfulness that does not flee from difficult situations. May I never abandon Jesus when following him costs me something. As you received Mary as your mother, may I too receive her as my Mother and place myself under her protection. Amen.
Our Father × 1
Hail Mary × 1
Glory Be × 1
Closing Prayer
Glorious Saint John the Evangelist, beloved disciple of Jesus and guardian of Our Lady, receive the prayers of this novena. Intercede for me before the Lord and obtain for me the graces I need. May the revelation you proclaimed, “God is love,” become the certainty that sustains my life. May I live as “the disciple whom Jesus loves.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
