Ethan Walker
Novenas are a Catholic tradition of devotional prayer, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The word Novena is derived from the Latin word 'novem' meaning nine. The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. Novenas are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or the Virgin Mary. There are a number of formal novenas to choose from, like the Novena to the Sacred Heart or the Novena to the Infant of Prague. However, you can also say your own prayer. To pray a novena, recite the words of your chosen prayer at least once a day over the course of 9 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days | 9 days straight |
| Number of hours | 9 hours |
| Number of prayers per day | At least once |
| Time of day | Same time each day |
| Type of prayer | Formal or informal |
| Type of devotion | Private or public |
| History | Originated from the "first novena" shared in the Acts of the Apostles |
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What You'll Learn
Novena history and origins
The word "novena" comes from the Latin "novem", meaning "nine". It is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, when the disciples gathered in the Upper Room and devoted themselves to prayer, is often considered to be the first novena.
Novenas are most often prayed by members of the Catholic Church, but also by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. They have also been used in ecumenical Christian settings. The prayers are often derived from devotional prayer books or consist of the recitation of the rosary, or of short prayers throughout the day. Novena prayers are customarily printed in small booklets and are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity.
The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. The practice may trace its origins to an early Greek and Roman custom performed by families, consisting of nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one, followed by a feast. Over time, members of the Roman Catholic faith began to associate novenas with Christian themes, such as the nine months Jesus spent in the womb, the nine days that passed between the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the first Christians at Pentecost, and the ninth hour during the crucifixion when Jesus gave up his spirit.
By the Middle Ages, the practice had grown to include pious prayers for nine days before a feast in honour of a saint identified on a liturgical calendar. By the 11th century, the novena practice had become a means of praying to petition spiritual or personal favour through a saint, such as the Virgin Mary. Devotional novenas were common in Europe and with European settlers in North America. In the period between World War I and the mid-1950s, novena devotionalism was at its peak in the US.
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Novena prayer types
A novena is an ancient tradition of devotional prayer, which consists of special prayers or services repeated for nine successive days. There are many different novenas to choose from, each with a different focus and intention. Here are some examples of novena prayer types:
Mourning Novenas
Mourning novenas are dedicated to praying for the soul of a deceased person, with the hope that their soul will reach heaven. For example, the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is based on the Catholic belief that the souls of the faithful departed must be purified in Purgatory before entering Heaven.
Preparation Novenas
Preparation novenas are for important days or occasions, such as receiving a sacrament. The Novena for Catholic Schools, for instance, is a prayer for Catholic educational institutions to more fully live out their mission of Catholic education.
Petition Novenas
Petition novenas involve asking God for something, such as courage, grace, or hope. The Novena for Clarity is an example of this type, where one seeks guidance from God towards decisions that will lead to a closer relationship with Him.
Penance Novenas
Penance novenas are for asking forgiveness for wrongdoing after going to Confession.
Novenas for Intercession
These novenas seek intercession from saints in various aspects of life. For instance, the Novena to St. Jude is prayed for help in difficult situations, while the Mary Help of Christians Novena is dedicated to Mary as the protectress of all Christians.
Novenas for Specific Causes
Some novenas are dedicated to specific causes or intentions. For example, the Novena for Chastity encourages living out chastity in various states of life, while the Novena for Chronic Illness is a prayer for those suffering from long-term physical and mental ailments.
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Novena prayer structure
A novena is a Catholic prayer that is recited once a day for nine successive days or weeks. The word 'novena' is derived from the Latin word 'novem', meaning nine. Novenas are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Novenas are typically prayed by members of the Catholic Church, but they are also practised by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. The practice of the novena is rooted in early Christianity, where masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. The number nine was symbolic to the Church Fathers, representing imperfect man turning to God in prayer.
Novenas can be performed in church, at home, or anywhere solemn prayers are appropriate. They can be prayed at any time of the day, but it is beneficial to stay consistent and maintain a meditative state of mind. It is also recommended to set reminders to stay on track. Novenas can be chosen from devotional prayer books, or you can create your own prayer.
Novenas can be prayed for a variety of intentions, such as seeking guidance, help in difficult situations, or expressing gratitude. They can also be prayed to saints who are known for their association with the subject of your prayer. Additionally, novenas can be supplemented with other pious acts, such as attending mass, confession, or acts of charity.
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Novena prayer schedule
Novenas are an ancient tradition of devotional prayer in Christianity, consisting of nine days of successive prayer. The word Novena is derived from the Latin word 'novem' which means nine. Novenas are most often prayed by Catholics, but Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians also pray them.
Novenas are typically prayed once a day for nine successive days. You can choose a formal novena such as the Novena to the Sacred Heart or the Novena to the Infant of Prague, or you can say your own prayer. It is recommended to pray at the same time each day and to try to stay focused on your novena even when you are not praying. You can also pray a novena once every hour over the course of nine hours for a shorter, more concentrated alternative.
Novena prayers are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some examples of novenas dedicated to saints include the St. Jude Novena, the St. Therese Novena, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Novena. There are also novenas dedicated to the Virgin Mary, such as the Mary Help of Christians Novena and the Mary Queen of All Hearts Novena.
In addition to the nine days of prayer, some novenas include attending mass, confession, acts of charity, and other pious acts. Novenas do not guarantee results, but they are a way to make your wants, needs, and intentions known to God and to trust that He will do what is needed.
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Novena pious acts
Novenas are an ancient tradition of devotional prayer in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The word "novena" comes from the Latin "novem", meaning "nine". The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, when the disciples gathered in the Upper Room and devoted themselves to prayer, is often considered the first novena.
Novenas are most often prayed by members of the Catholic Church, but also by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. They have been used in ecumenical Christian settings as well. The prayers are often derived from devotional prayer books, or consist of the recitation of the rosary, or of short prayers.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, novena prayers typically include a praise of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or another saint, and a personal petition. Novenas have been a widespread practice in Catholic history. They are a ritualistic devotional worship where one or more Christian devotees make petitions, implore favors, or obtain graces by honouring Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints of the faith, who are believed to empower divine intervention.
Novenas are often performed in preparation for a Church feast. The revised Enchiridion Indulgentiarum assigns indulgenced novenas to particular feasts: "A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly take part in the pious exercises of a public novena before the feast of Christmas or Pentecost or the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
Novenas can be performed in church, at home, or anywhere where solemn prayers are appropriate, though some indulgenced novenas require church attendance. Sometimes, a special candle or incense is lit at the beginning of the novena and burns during the nine days of prayer.
Novenas are a time to immerse yourself in prayer, and supplementing your prayers with other holy activities can help you better focus yourself on God. Some novenas include attending mass as part of their prescribed prayers, but you can incorporate mass attendance, confession, acts of charity, and other pious acts into any novena.
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Frequently asked questions
A novena is a Catholic prayer that is repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The word 'novena' is derived from the Latin 'novem', meaning nine.
You can pray a novena by reciting the words of your chosen prayer at least once a day over nine days. You can choose a formal novena, such as the Novena to the Sacred Heart, or create your own prayer. It is recommended to pray at the same time each day and stay focused on your novena.
Examples of novenas include the Novena to St. Jude for help in difficult situations, the Holy Spirit Novena, and the Novena to the Infant of Prague. Novenas are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
