Sarah Mitchell
Novenas are a form of prayer that can deepen your spiritual life and provide an opportunity to ask for help, pray for someone you love, or seek forgiveness. The word Novena comes from the Latin word for nine, and novenas are prayed nine times, typically over nine days, weeks, or months. Novenas are most often prayed by Catholics, but also by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. They are often derived from devotional prayer books or consist of the recitation of the rosary. Novenas can be prayed privately or with a group, and they can be used to petition a specific angel, saint, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times to pray | 9 times |
| Time period | 9 days, hours, weeks, or months |
| Intention | For the soul of a deceased person, preparation for an important day, a request from God, or forgiveness |
| Type of prayer | Same prayer for all nine days or a list of prayers for each day |
| History | Originated from the “first novena” shared in the Acts of the Apostles |
| Examples | St. Jude Novena, Memorare Novena, Holy Spirit Novena, St. Therese Novena, St. Patrick Novena, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Novena history and origins
The word "novena" comes from the Latin "novem", meaning "nine". Novenas are an ancient tradition of devotional prayer in Christianity, consisting of nine successive days or weeks of private or public prayer. The practice of the novena is rooted in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased.
The exact origins of the novena are hard to pinpoint, but it may trace its origins to an early Greek and Roman custom of nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one, followed by a feast. This custom prompted warnings from Catholic writers such as St. Augustine, Pseudo-Alcuin, and John Beleth, who urged Christians not to adopt this practice.
Over time, members of the Roman Catholic faith began to associate novenas with Christian themes. For example, the nine months Jesus spent in the womb, the nine days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, and the nine days between the Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. This latter event, where the disciples prayed together for nine days, is often considered the first novena.
Novenas have been a widespread practice in Catholic history and continue to be popular in Catholic countries such as Ireland, as well as in Eastern and Central European countries with devout Orthodox Christian populations. They are also practised by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. In some Christian communities, such as in Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines, novena traditions are popular and include rituals such as liturgies, congregational prayers, the decoration of statues, hymns, and processions.
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Novena rules and guidelines
Novenas are a form of prayer that can deepen your spiritual life and provide a valuable opportunity to ask God for help, pray for someone you love, or seek forgiveness. The word Novena is derived from the Latin word for nine, and the practice of novenas involves praying nine times. This can be done in a single day (once every hour over nine hours) or over nine days, weeks, or months.
Novenas are most commonly prayed by Catholics, but Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians also use them. They can be prayed privately or in a group, and often involve the use of devotional prayer books, rosary beads, or religious images.
- Set an intention: Novenas are usually prayed with a specific intention, such as seeking guidance, praying for a deceased person, or preparing for an important day.
- Choose a novena: Select a novena that matches your intention. It could be a prayer for that specific intention or a novena to a saint associated with your intention.
- Consistency: While it is not necessary to pray at the same time each day, it is helpful to stay consistent. You can set a reminder or add it to your calendar to help you stay on track.
- Embrace the journey: Accompany your time in prayer with other acts of faith, such as fasting from social media or doing kind things for others.
- Flexibility: If you miss a day or a prayer, don't worry. Your novena is still valid. Simply perform the missed prayer to catch up, move it to the end, or say an extra prayer to make up for it.
- Novena variations: There are different types of novenas, such as the "rosary novena," which involves the recitation of the rosary, or saying a single prayer nine times.
- Novena history: The practice of novenas is rooted in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. It is also associated with the nine months Jesus spent in the womb, the nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost, and other biblical events.
- Novena categories: In the Roman Catholic Church, there are three recognized categories of novenas: in preparation for a Church feast, intercessory novenas for a particular request, and novenas performed in church, at home, or anywhere solemn prayers are appropriate.
- Sociocultural significance: Novenas have had strong roots in ethnic neighborhoods, particularly among European settlers in North America and in Catholic Ireland. They have provided a sense of communal identification and security through religious symbols.
- Persistence and trust: Remember that novenas are not magic. If your prayers appear unanswered, know that God hears you and loves you. Ask for God's help in trusting His will and guidance.
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Novena types and variations
The novena is a Catholic prayer tradition that involves nine days of devotional prayers. The practice is believed to have originated from the nine days of prayer before Pentecost when the disciples and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, devoted themselves to constant prayer awaiting the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came down on them on the ninth day, and this event is often quoted from the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.
The novena, derived from the Latin word "novem" meaning nine, is a popular tradition in Christian communities in Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines. Novenas are also practised by Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Novenas can be prayed privately or with a group, and there are several types and variations:
- Novenas of mourning: Novenas were initially associated with mourning for the deceased, with nine days of Masses and prayers for the dead. This custom was practised by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held a feast on the ninth day after death.
- Novenas of preparation: These novenas are said in preparation for a Church feast or an important day.
- Intercessory novenas: These are prayers for a particular request, such as asking for help or forgiveness, or praying for someone loved.
- Indulgenced novenas: These novenas are assigned to specific feasts, such as Christmas, Pentecost, or the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
- Novenas to saints: Novenas are often said to saints, such as the Virgin Mary, St. Jude, and St. Joseph, seeking their intercession.
- Novenas for healing: In some Catholic communities, novenas are used as a form of healing ministry, with intense and engaging prayer sessions.
- Other variations: Novenas can also be said for various intentions, such as the Surrender Novena, Novena for Life, Holy Family Novena, and the Divine Mercy Novena. The length of a novena can also vary, with some novenas lasting for several weeks or even 54 days, consisting of multiple novenas.
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Novena prayer examples
A novena is a Catholic prayer that is said for nine days straight. It can be prayed once every hour over nine hours for a shorter, more concentrated alternative. The novena prayer method is believed to have originated from the "first novena" shared in the Acts of the Apostles. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples and Mary waited nine days for the Holy Spirit to guide them.
Novenas are often prayed in preparation for a feast day or for a specific intention. There are many types of novenas, and they can be prayed alone or in a group. Here are some examples of novenas:
St. Jude Novena
This novena is prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, to ask for his intercession in desperate situations. The prayer begins with: "May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen. St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers."
Novena to the Virgin Mary, Untier of Knots
The Novena to the Virgin Mary is often prayed in times of difficulty. It begins with the following prayer: "O Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve thy beloved children because they are moved by the divine Spirit of Him Who, through thee, came to be born among us."
St. Joseph the Worker Novena
This novena is prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, to ask for his intercession in employment or work-related matters. The prayer begins with: "Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labour, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance, making reparation for my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honour to employ and develop, by means of labour, the gifts received from God."
Surrender Novena
The Surrender Novena was revealed by Christ to Father Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) to guide us in growing our trust in God and surrendering to Him. The prayer begins with: "My dear Jesus, I surrender myself to You. All that I have and all that I am, all my worries and all my joys, are Yours. Mold me into what You want me to be. Amen."
Miraculous Medal Novena
The Miraculous Medal Novena is prayed to the Virgin Mary, asking for her intercession and grace. The prayer begins with: "O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and miracles of spiritual and temporal welfare of which we stand in need."
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Novena in different cultures
Novena, derived from the Latin word "novem", meaning "nine", is an ancient tradition of devotional prayer in Christianity. It involves praying privately or publicly for nine successive days, weeks, or hours. Novenas are most commonly practised by Catholics, but Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians also observe them.
Novena in the Caribbean and Latin America
In the Caribbean and Latin America, the novena has been an integral part of Christianity, embraced by both native Indian communities under colonial Spanish and Portuguese rule and diverse groups of slaves and indentured labourers from Africa and Asia. Devotional prayers are offered to statues of Jesus Christ, the Madonna, and various saints. The novena is also observed during the "velorio" (wake) after someone's death, including nine nights of prayer.
Novena in Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines
In Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines, novena traditions are popular and often include liturgies, congregational prayers, statue decoration, hymns, processions, and communal feasting.
Novena in Early Christianity
The practice of the novena has roots in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. This custom may have originated from an early Greek and Roman tradition where families observed nine days of mourning after a loved one's death, followed by a feast. However, Catholic writers like St. Augustine, Pseudo-Alcuin, and John Beleth cautioned Christians against following this custom.
Novena in the Middle Ages
By the Middle Ages, the novena practice evolved to include pious prayers for nine days before a feast honouring a saint identified on a liturgical calendar. It became a means for Christians to petition spiritual or personal favours through a saint, such as the Virgin Mary.
In summary, the novena is a devotional prayer tradition in Christianity, observed in various cultural contexts, often involving nine days of prayer and devotion. It has been an important part of Christian practice in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and the Philippines, with roots in early Christianity and continued development through the Middle Ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Novenas are a form of prayer that can deepen your spiritual life and provide a valuable opportunity to petition God for help, pray for someone you love, or ask for forgiveness. The word Novena comes from the Latin word for nine, and the practice involves praying 9 times. This can be a single prayer repeated 9 times, or a different prayer each time.
First, select a novena that matches your intention. Novenas are often dedicated to a specific angel, saint, or the Virgin Mary. You can pray the novena over 9 hours, days, weeks, or months. You can pray at the same time each day, but it's not necessary. If you miss a day or a prayer, simply perform the missed prayer to catch up.
Examples of novenas include the Holy Spirit Novena, the St. Jude Novena, the St. Therese Novena, the St. Thomas Aquinas Novena, the St. Patrick Novena, the St. Joseph Novena, and the Surrender Novena.
The practice of novenas likely originated from the "first novena" shared in the Acts of the Apostles. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples and Mary waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit for nine days. When the Holy Spirit came down on them, this modeled the novena prayer method that is so popular today.
