Traditionally, we begin the Novena 9 days before the external solemnity of St. Paul the First Hermit. It is before the next Sunday after the 15th of January. The novena to St. Paul the First Hermit enjoys a special splendour. It should take place in the chapel or at another place dedicated to St. Paul the First Hermit. All members of the community take part in the Novena. The solemnly professed Monks wear the processional mantle. After the solemn entrance to the place of devotion and the placing of the relics of our Patriarch, one of the hymns honouring St. Paul the First Hermit is sung. The faithful are encouraged to join in the singing, alternately. It is favourable to sing the hymns with musical accompaniment, either organ or trumpet orchestra. A short homily should be delivered at the end of the devotion. The veneration of the relics takes place, followed by the blessing with the reliquary given to the participants according to the Order’s ritual.
Hymn I
Fathers and Brothers
Congregation
It was then that Paul the Hermit
had deprived himself of all,
of his family, pompous honour,
and prosperity mortal.
Not delaying rather fleeing,
to the den of the desert,
while his sister had been calling,
to him that he should revert.
Fathers and Brothers
“Wherever you go or thus move,
Oh! my brother, I’m moaning,
Ah! your sister so sincerely,
as with tears be convincing.
Don’t leave your paternal home, Paul,
to be thought inhumanely,
but I beg you to remain here,
and wish you to protect me”.
Congregation
How your body, Ah, so fragile,
doesn’t belong in the caves,
nor your talent of great measure,
hidden in those mountain graves.
For the people of the Thebaid,
desire to acknowledge you,
so horrendous would this loss be,
incredible, if it’s true.
Fathers and Brothers
So behold our lover of caves,
who rejected tears and pleas,
he was the great self triumpher,
over sec’lar pageantries.
As he went on with celerity,
to the depth of the forest,
and no knowledge of returning,
did he wish in this world’s rest.
Congregation
Look! What’s so admirable,
his eremitical face,
solely walking on this new path,
never trodden with such grace.
Not alone in this nude body,
covered up with some palm leaves,
for his pleasure fruit was given,
from Him in Whom he believed.
Fathers and Brothers
Now this hermit who was thirsty,
thus drank from the flowing font,
and so save his life immortal,
in world’s cares he gave no want.
All his body how exhausted,
on the ground he formed his bed,
oh, this practice sternly followed,
he endured and with stance led.
Congregation
For some sixty years in counting,
God’s black raven brought repast,
one half loaf as daily measure,
bread for keening man’s own fast.
At the coming of Anthony,
God so doubled the portion,
God thus merciful and clement,
that he cared for their ration.
Fathers and Brothers
Holy Paul said to Anthony,
“behold him, whom you have sought,
you look on a man of great age,
whose repose will soon be brought.
Now I pray you go and bring me
the cloak of Athanasius,
so to wrap around my body
and place in the earth precious.
Congregation
With the thought of Paul’s transition,
the old man rushed off distraught,
then returning all elated,
he saw Paul’s soul upward brought.
High among the choirs of heaven,
this he pondered and conceived,
Anthony then asked the question,
“should I rejoice or thus grieve?”
Fathers and Brothers
What grief Anthony encountered,
from the death of our hermit,
yet the glory of Paul honoured
rather placed joy into it.
All the clothes he took with reverence,
just before the interment,
as he chanted with such fervour,
for the soul which to God went.
Congregation
Oh! how famed was that entombment,
that Saint Paul had merited,
never had the world admired,
such an act, experience.
How two lions did dig the grave,
for the corpse of the hermit,
and by which they did reveal him,
on holiness before men.
Fathers and Brothers
Saint Paul, now we pray you look here,
on us from your place on high,
never let us be divided,
from your own paternal eye.
Do remember your dear brothers,
and desert them not on earth,
but so always interceding,
bring us to our King, our worth.
Or the following Hymn is sung.
Hymn II
Fathers and Brothers
Congregation
This great solemnity,
for our Father’s glory,
such a grand day allows,
to show it by our vows,
so joyously.
Fathers and Brothers
Let us now reconfirm,
how brave was his stature,
from the world retreating,
to heaven entreating,
much happier.
Congregation
To leave this world so vain,
to seek the Saviour’s reign,
he taught by his own call,
and admonished us all,
imitate me.
Fathers and Brothers
Alone with God alone,
all proud honours unknown,
he fled his heritage,
hid in his hermitage,
desiring more.
Congregation
This is his hope for you,
withdrawn from sec’lar view,
as he sought out a den,
which for some time had been,
a place most true.
Fathers and Brothers
From palm branches so fine,
he wove clothes as a sign to,
keep his custody,
and tame his frail body,
through suffering.
Congregation
Father most amiable,
what food! How terrible,
by which you kept your zeal,
yet no great banquet meal,
only palm dates.
Fathers and Brothers
Then once he took his meal,
the stream near did appeal,
the water was ice-cold,
refreshing him now old,
giving new life.
Congregation
In order to give man,
the strength for a life’s span,
the raven brought repast,
daily bread to holdfast,
at noontime came.
Fathers and Brothers
When Anthony had come,
once more portion in sum,
God doubled the measure,
granting his saints pleasure,
by the blest grain.
Congregation
Soon Paul’s transition came,
he reached heavenly fame,
wrapped in the mantle,
thus from Athanasius,
as was witnessed.
Fathers and Brothers
No tools there could be found,
so lions dug the ground,
their work was diligent,
nonetheless elegant,
they formed his grave.
Congregation
What a rare memory,
of our Father’s glory,
Anthony went away,
with the tunic that day,
the robe of palm.
Fathers and Brothers
This triumphant symbol,
in a world deceitful,
he overcame the flesh,
and struck down Satan’s mesh,
through fervent prayer.
Congregation
Here’s our inheritance,
palm clothes for assurance,
which he gave all of us,
to be victorious,
over our foes.
Fathers and Brothers
So Brothers fight bravely,
with great virility,
your sins you can conquer,
and see God forever,
in his Kingdom.
L. Pray for us Saint Paul the First Hermit.
All That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
L. Let us pray:
God, you granted that Saint Paul, our Father, achieve sanctity in the desert, grant through his intercession, that we, who are striving to develop in ourselves a spirit of prayer and service, may come ever closer to you in love. Through Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
or:
L. Let us pray:
O God, who led St. Paul our Father into the desert to contemplate the mystery of your Holy Name and arrive safely at his eternal dwellings; teach us through his intercession that we may despise worldly pleasures and seek everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
All Amen.