St. Erasmus, also known as St. Elmo, was a 3rd-century Christian bishop and martyr revered for his unwavering faith despite intense persecution. As one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, he is particularly venerated as the patron saint of sailors, navigators, and those who work at sea.
His remarkable life of courage and steadfast devotion, including legendary accounts of his survival through various tortures, has inspired faithful Christians for centuries. These prayers reflect themes of perseverance in faith, protection during life’s storms, and trust in divine providence.
Historical Context
Saint: Erasmus (Saint Elmo)
Feast Day: June 2
Patronage: Sailors, Navigators, Abdominal Pain, Intestinal Ailments
Era: 3rd Century
Saint Erasmus Prayer 1
O God,
Grant us through the intercession of Thy dauntless bishop and martyr Erasmus,
who so valiantly confessed the Faith,
that we may learn the doctrine of this faith,
practice its precepts, and thereby be made worthy to attain its promises.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Erasmus Prayer 2
Holy martyr Erasmus,
Who didst willingly and bravely bear the trials and sufferings of life,
and by thy charity didst console many fellow-sufferers;
I implore thee to remember me in my needs
and to intercede for me with God.
Staunch confessor of the Faith,
victorious vanquisher of all tortures,
pray Jesus for me and ask Him to grant me the grace
to live and die in the Faith through which
thou didst obtain the crown of glory.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Erasmus Prayer 3
My LORD and my God,
I offer up to Thee my petition
in union with the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
together with the merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother,
Mary ever virgin, and of all the saints,
particularly with those of the holy Helper
in whose honor I make this novena.
Look down upon me, merciful Lord!
Grant me Thy grace and Thy love,
and graciously hear my prayer.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Erasmus Prayer 4
Almighty and eternal God,
With lively faith and reverently worshipping Your Divine Majesty,
I prostrate myself before You and invoke with filial trust
Your supreme generosity and mercy.
Illuminate the darkness of my intellect with a ray of Your Heavenly light
and inflame my heart with the fire of Your Divine Love,
that I may contemplate the great virtues and merits of the Saint
in whose honor I make this novena,
and following their example imitate, as they did, the life of Your Divine Son.
Moreover, I beseech You to graciously grant me,
through the merits and intercession of this powerful Helper,
the petition which through them I humbly place before You,
devoutly saying, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Vouchsafe graciously to hear it,
if it is to Your greater glory and the salvation of my soul.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Erasmus Prayer 5
Holy martyr Erasmus,
Who willingly and bravely bore the trials and sufferings of life,
and by your charity consoled many fellow sufferers,
I implore you to remember me in my needs
and to intercede for me with God.
Fearless confessor of the Faith,
victorious conqueror of all tortures,
pray to Jesus for me and ask Him to grant me the grace
to live and die in the Faith through which you obtained the crown of glory.
Amen.
