Prayer to St. John the Baptist
Updated: 4 hours ago
St. John the Baptist is the last of the prophets and the forerunner of Christ. Jesus said that among those born of women there is no greater prophet than John (Luke 7:28). Preaching repentance by the Jordan, he baptized the crowds, pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and summed up his whole life in one line: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). He was beheaded by Herod for defending the truth about marriage.
The Church celebrates his birth on June 24 and his martyrdom on August 29. This prayer asks for a true spirit of penance, so that we may prepare the way of the Lord in our own hearts. Pray it during Advent and Lent, before confession, and whenever you need courage to speak the truth.
The Prayer
O glorious St. John the Baptist, greatest prophet among those born of woman, obtain for me a true spirit of penance, that I may prepare the way of the Lord in my heart. Pray that I may decrease, and that Christ may increase in me. Amen.
Sources: Traditional prayer to St. John the Baptist; classic manuals, public domain.
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