St. Lorenzo Novena is especially popular with the youth in the Philippines. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint to be honored by the Catholic Church.
Following his execution by the Tokugawa Shogunate during its persecution of Japanese Christians in the 17th century, he became the country’s protomartyr.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines, people working abroad, migrants, and altar servers.
About St. Lorenzo Ruiz
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Manila’s Binondo neighborhood to a Catholic Chinese father and a Filipino mother. Needless to say, he learned Chinese from his father and Tagalog from his mother.
Lorenzo worked as an altar boy at the Binondo Church when he was younger. He was educated by Dominican friars. Ruiz obtained the distinction of calligrapher after a few years due to his deft penmanship. He became a member of the Most Holy Rosary Confraternity. He married Rosario, and the couple had two sons and a daughter together.
The Ruiz family lived a calm, devout, and comfortable life in general. Ruiz was wrongly accused of killing a Spaniard while working as a clerk for the Binondo Church.
With the help of three Dominican priests, he sought asylum on board a ship. At Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Phoenix, he is a patron of the Filipino Community.
Lorenzo’s life was turned upside down when he was charged with murder. Nothing else is known except that “he was sought by the authorities on account of a homicide to which he was present or which was attributed to him,” according to two Dominicans.
Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo Courtet, and Miguel de Aozaraza, three Dominican priests, were about to travel to Japan despite the terrible persecution there. They were accompanied by Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, a Japanese priest, and Lazaro, a leper.
Lorenzo was allowed to accompany them because he had sought shelter with them. He didn’t find out they were traveling to Japan until they were at sea.
They landed on the island of Okinawa. Lorenzo could have continued to Formosa, but “I decided to stay with the Fathers because the Spaniards would hang me there,” he claimed.
They were quickly apprehended in Japan, arrested, and deported to Nagasaki – the site of widespread carnage when the atomic bomb was dropped had previously seen tragedy. Persecution dispersed or killed the 50,000 Catholics who had lived there.
They were subjected to an indescribable form of torture: they were forced to lie down after massive amounts of water were poured down their throats. Guards stood on the ends of long boards put on their stomachs, forcing water to pour violently out their mouths, noses, and ears.
Facts
Novena Starts: September 19th
Feast Day: September 28th
Significance of St. Lorenzo Novena
In 1983, a miracle was credited to his intercession. Alegria Policarpio, a two-year-old girl with hydrocephaly, a condition she had since birth, was miraculously cured. On October 18, 1987, the Vatican declared him a saint. The 28th of September is his feast day.
Read more: St. Adelaide Novena
St. Lorenzo Novena
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
Called to Serve at an Early Age
“Three centuries ago, the missionary martyrs, whom this morning the Church solemnly numbers among the saints, heard those words as if addressed to them. Among them there were also several lay persons: a Filipino and two Japanese. With courage, they were able to make their contribution so that the proclamation of the Gospel might reach “the ends of the world.” (Blessed John Paul II)
Lorenzo, you were born in Binondo to a Chinese father and a Filipina mother. You grew up in a religiious environment, the reason why you became an altar boy at a very young age. Little did you know that you were being called by God to a greater kind of offering of self later in your life.
Dear San Lorenzo, at a very tender age, you responded to God’s call to serve Jesus at the altar. Help us to be mindful of the Holy Spirit’s stirrings in our lives, so that, just like you, we may also respond generously to God’s call to holiness and to service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
Mary’s Little Herald
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings” (Isaiah 52:7) Today’s canonization of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions, martyred in and around Nagasaki between 1633 and 1637, constitutes an eloquent confirmation of these words. Sixteen men and women bore witness by their heroic sufferings and death, to their belief in the message of salvation in Christ which had reached them after being proclaimed from generation to generation since the time of the Apostles.” (Blessed John Paul II)
As a young boy, you were not only contented, Lorenzo, in serving the Lord at the altar. You also wanted to serve our Mother Mary by being a devoted son to her. You joined the confraternity of the Holy Rosary, a religious organization, whose main objective is to make its members close to the heart of the loving Mother of our Savior. You prayed the Rosary and spread this great devotion to others. You became the herald of Mary at a young age.
Dear San Lorenzo, your being a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary as faithfulness, humility and obedience to God’s will. Help us also to deepen our love is for the Blessed Mother, who always leads all her children to Jesus her Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Matilda Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
A Gifted Calligrapher
“In their sufferings, their love and imitation of Jesus reached its fulfillment, and their sacramental configuration with Jesus, the one Mediator, was brought to perfection, “:For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his (Rom 6:5)”
When we grew up, Lorenzo, you showed your artistic inclination by the way you handled the pen. You discovered that your handwriting is fit to write important documents. You were known as “escribano” for indeed you made use of your talent for the service of others.
Dear San Lorenzo, your work as a calligrapher has indeed placed you in an important position. By writing important documents using your artistic skills, you revealed to us that you are an educated person capable of reading and writing. Little did you know that God has already written your destiny, to be a faithful defender of the Catholic faith, especially during your trial of faith in Japan. You offered you life believing that only God can give you the true freedom and life that you aspire to have in heaven. We also pray that like you, we shall also use our talents to glorify God by serving others. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
A Family Man
“This lay Filipino protomartyr, together with the other four Japanese laymen and women, is a model of charity and perfect holiness, sealed with the Cross of Christ… “In a special way, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz calls Filipino families to grow in dignity, harmony and responsibility as the “domestic church,” where each one learns to be at the service of all, witnessing to the sanctity of human life at every stage and in every situation.”
As you grew into maturity, you decided to have your own family. During your trial in Japan, you revealed that you have a wife and three children. You also experienced how it is to be called “Daddy” by your own children. You also experienced the care and the affection of a loving wife. And although it was difficult for you to leave your family, you decided to go with your Dominican friends hoping that somewhere, sometime you will meet them again.
Dear San Lorenzo, as the head of your family, you also received and shared your love to your wife and three children. Help all parents to cherish their time with their children and to love them while they are still with them. Help also children to love and respect their parents. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Alphonsa Novena
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
Japan: The Forbidden Land
“These holy martyrs, different in origin, language, race and social condition, are united with each other and with the entire People of God in the saving mystery of Christ, the Redeemer.” (Blessed John Paul II)
Japan was considered a forbidden land for those who would bring foreign religions to her shores. The Japanese authorities during your time considered foreign religions as enemies of the state. When you, Lorenzo, and your companion priests landed on the shores of Japan, you cannot help but share the light of Christ to the people you encountered there. You were caught by the authorities and were sentenced to die. Dear San Lorenzo, you left the Philippines hoping that you will avoid meeting an early death but it turned out that God has another plan for you and your companions. You were presented with two important options: to deny your faith and live or to profess your faith in God and die. You chose the second option, entrusting your life to the giver of true life. Help us to trust in God and to surrender everything to Him. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
Lorenzo’s Humanity
“May this task of evangelization begin in Filipino families, following the example of Lorenzo Ruiz, husband and father of three children, who first collaborated with the Dominican Fathers in Manila, and then shared their martyrdom in Nagasaki, and who is now the first canonized Filipino saint.”
Amidst the tortures and cruelties you experienced in the hands of your executioners, you felt tremendous fear and anxiety for you life. This caused you to ask one of your guards what would happen to you if ever you would surrender to the wishes of the Japanese authorities. Just like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemani, you feared a painful death. But just like Jesus, before you received the answer, you regained your strength and told you executioner that you are ready to die for your faith.
Dear San Lorenzo, like all of us human beings, you also felt the fear of pain and death. But with God’s grace, you were empowered to overcome your fear. Help us to trust more in God’s power that in our own human strength. For it is in our complete surrender to God’s will that we shall find truth strength. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
Source of Strength
“Through the witness of their lives generously offered for love of Christ, the new saints speak to the entire Church today, they draw her on and stimulate her in her evangelizing mission… The missionaries who are being canonized today, on this day of prayer for the missions, speak to all the Christian faithful, exhorting them to rekindle their missionary conscience.” (Blessed John Paul II)
You were not alone, Lorenzo, in the painful tortures that you have experienced. You companion priests and some lay people like you, have shown great courage and readiness to suffer for the faith. They were your constant guide and strength during those times you felt the darkness overcoming the light. They prayed for you and you prayed for them. You were united in your resolve to show your love and faith in God by offering your lives to Him.
Dear San Lorenzo, God has given you good companions during the time you needed them most. Their unceasing prayer, constant faith and undying love for God have strengthened your spirit. Help us also to look for good friends who will encourage us to do good and to persevere in living the faith and, if need be, to die for it for the love of God. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
The Ultimate Victory
“Saint Lorenzo Ruiz calls Filipino Catholics of today to uphold and strengthen their nation’s baptismal consecration. His example urges you to meet the challenges of the present with the same strength of character and trust in God with which he faced the supreme test of love.” (Blessed John Paul II)
For the last time, Lorenzo, you were asked by the Japanese authority if you would recant your faith in God and live or you would continue professing your faith and die. You final answer was “I am a Christian and this I profess until the hour of my death; and for God I shall give my life. And so do with me as you please.”
Dear San Lorenzo, your final response gave you ultimate victory over you enemies and over death itself. You have allowed the Holy Spirit to speak for you and you have pronounced your faith in God and in heaven. You were victorious because you surrendered everything to the Lord. Help us also to choose what is lasting, immortal and eternal. For in choosing them we are choosing God Himself, who is life and resurrection. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Song
Oh, dear martyr of God; dear San Lorenzo Ruiz, you sealed your faith with blood, dying a Christian death. Teach us to follow Christ, walk with Him all the Way. Carrying the cross aright onward to Calvary.
Hail! San Lorenzo, dear San Lorenzo, pray for the Philippines. Pray for Asia. Pray for the world.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have given us St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a model of an unwavering fidelity and unflinching courage as he withstood the forces of death to defend his faith. Give us the same courage and fidelity to remain steadfast as we face the difficulties and temptations of our daily life. We present al l our petitions to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We humbly implore your intercession in this novena, for the glory of God and in honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity. O courageous St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you were an exemplar father, a witness of Christ until the last hours of your earthly life. You did not hesitate to say that even if you have a thousand lives, you will give them all to Jesus. Intercede for us before the throne of the Most High and inspire us, especially the fathers among us, to lead our families in prayer and worship. Amen.
San Lorenzo Ruiz: Martyr-Saint
“Through that work of evangelization and conversion, Jesus Christ became a Filipino. He entered the hearts of your forefathers. He shared the hopes, the sufferings, all the dramatic events of your nation’s history. His grace transformed lives. His saving message shaped your culture. And he did not hesitate to call a humble son of Binondo, of Manila, “extra muros,” to become one with him in the great mystery of his saving passion and death, not in his own land, but far away in Japan, as a seed transported to another field, at the beginning of another heroic page in the history of evangelization in Asia.” (Blessed John Paul II)
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Catherine of Alexandria Novena
