Novenas aren’t 9 days of nonstop prayer, but rather a prayer said once a day for 9 days. Many novenas begin on or coincide with certain days, like feast days or church holidays, but you can pray a novena at any time. [2] X Research source The novena is different from an octave, which is an 8-day set of prayers with a generally more festive feeling than a novena, usually before Christmas or Easter. [3] X Research source
Mourning novenas for a deceased person, in the hopes their soul will reach heaven. Preparation novenas for an important day or occasion, like receiving a sacrament. Petition novenas ask God for something, like courage, grace, or hope. Penance novenas ask forgiveness for a wrongdoing after going to Confession.
You don’t have to pray at the same time each day, but it’s helpful to stay consistent and place yourself in a meditative state of mind. Pray a novena once every hour over the course of 9 hours for a shorter, more concentrated alternative. Choose a 9-hour period where you will be free at the same time every hour to say your prayer. [8] X Research source If you miss a day or a prayer, don’t worry! Your novena is still meaningful and valid. Simply perform the missed prayer to catch up, move the missed prayer to the end, or say an extra prayer to make up for it.
Your church may ask you to come to church each day, or pray the novena at home at the same time as other congregants.
“May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen. St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen. Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity. [Now recite an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary. ”] Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness [name of person for whom you’re praying] who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen. ” Many people also pray the Novena to the Virgin Mary, Untier of Knots in times of difficulty. [13] X Research source
“My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: [Mention your request]. I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul. I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. ”
The Christmas Novena consists of 9 different meditations and prayers to perform over 9 days.
