Novena to St. Mark the Evangelist – 9 Days of Prayer

Novena to the author of the earliest Gospel, companion of both Peter and Paul. Patron of Venice, notaries, and Egypt (where he founded the Church in Alexandria). His Gospel is the Gospel of action — 'immediately,' 'at once.'

St. Mark wrote the earliest Gospel and was a companion of Peter and Paul. He is the patron of Venice, notaries and Egypt, where tradition says he founded the Church in Alexandria. This novena asks for a clear voice for the Gospel. His feast is April 25. His Gospel is the shortest and was probably the first written. Tradition links it to Peter's preaching. He is honoured in Venice, which holds his relics according to tradition. Pray the novena for clarity of speech, for writers and those who serve in the legal profession.

Saint Mark the Evangelist · April 259 dayssaint

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (April 25) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Novena to St. Mark the Evangelist – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Writers, Journalists, and Those Who Proclaim the Gospel Boldly

Lord Jesus, You inspired Your servant Mark to write the earliest account of Your life and ministry. Through his intercession, help us to respond to Your call with the immediacy and urgency he shows us in his Gospel. Amen.

O glorious Saint Mark, Evangelist and companion of the Apostles! You traveled with Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey, and later you became the faithful companion and interpreter of Saint Peter. It is said that your Gospel records the preaching of Peter himself — his eyewitness account of Jesus put into writing for the early Church.

Your Gospel is the Gospel of urgency. The word 'immediately' appears over forty times. Jesus acts, heals, calls, casts out demons — always 'immediately,' 'at once.' You show us a Jesus of power and action, who has no time for formality because the Kingdom of God is breaking in right now.

You also founded the Church in Alexandria, one of the greatest centers of early Christianity. You gave your life as a martyr, dragged through the streets of Alexandria, yet forgiving your persecutors.

Holy Mark, Evangelist and martyr, intercede for me now. Obtain for me the grace I seek. (Mention your intention here.)

Help me to respond to Christ's call with urgency — not tomorrow, not when it is convenient, but immediately, at once. May I be a faithful witness to the Jesus you proclaimed: powerful, compassionate, and utterly victorious over sin and death. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You gave Mark the grace to proclaim Your Gospel with fire and urgency. Through his intercession, give us that same urgency in our own faith — to seek You immediately, to respond to You at once, and to be Your witnesses without delay. Amen.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: April 25. Mark (John Mark) was a companion of Peter, whose preaching he recorded in the shortest and most vivid of the four Gospels. He is the patron of Venice, where his relics are kept in the Basilica of San Marco.

More novenas

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Novena to St. Mark the Evangelist?

Begin on April 16 to end on April 24, the eve of his feast on April 25.

How do I pray the Novena to St. Mark the Evangelist?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, perhaps reading a page of his Gospel.

Who is the Novena to St. Mark the Evangelist for?

It is for writers, notaries and those who proclaim the Gospel.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play