What is a Novena? Why, How, and When to Do One

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In Catholic spiritual life, novenas are one of the most cherished and widely practiced devotions. While many Catholics may be familiar with the word “novena,” not everyone knows its true meaning, purpose, or the origins of this deeply rooted tradition. So, what exactly is a novena? Why should we do them? How are they done? And finally, when is the best time to start one? In this article, we will address all these questions to provide a deep and practical understanding of novenas—a powerful tool for personal and communal prayer.

What is a Novena?

A novena is a series of prayers repeated over nine consecutive days, aimed at asking for a special grace, making a specific petition, or simply deepening one’s devotion to God, the Virgin Mary, or the saints. The word “novena” comes from the Latin “novem”, meaning “nine,” and has deep roots in the history of Christianity.

The biblical origin of the novena can be found in the Acts of the Apostles, when Jesus’ disciples, along with the Virgin Mary, gathered to pray during the nine days between Jesus’ Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This event is seen as the first Christian novena, as the apostles, following Christ’s instructions, persevered in prayer while waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-14).

Since then, this practice has been adopted by the Church for times of special need, preparation for important feasts, or as a form of intercession before God through the saints.

Why Do a Novena?

Doing a novena serves several deep spiritual purposes, and throughout history, Catholics have used it as a way to:

1. Ask for a special grace or intercession: One of the most common reasons for doing a novena is to seek divine intervention in our lives. Whether it’s for personal, family, or community needs, novenas are a powerful way to persist in prayer and ask for God’s help or the intercession of a saint in times of difficulty or uncertainty.
2. Strengthen our relationship with God: Novenas invite us to commit to a daily routine of prayer for nine days. This commitment helps us strengthen our spiritual life and focus more deeply on our relationship with God.
3. Prepare for a feast or solemnity: Many novenas are done in preparation for important celebrations on the liturgical calendar, such as Christmas (with the Christmas Novena) or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In these cases, the novena helps us enter a state of reflection, recollection, and spiritual readiness for the feast.
4. Join in prayer as a community: In many parishes and Catholic communities, novenas are prayed together, uniting the faithful in common prayer. This creates a sense of unity and brotherhood, reminding us that, as the Church, we are one body in Christ.

How to Do a Novena

Although there isn’t a rigid formula for doing a novena, there are certain steps and basic elements that are typically followed:

1. Choose an intention: The first step is to decide on the intention of your novena. Is there something specific you want to pray for? It could be for a personal need, the health of a loved one, guidance in a difficult decision, or even for a broader cause like world peace. Novenas allow us to focus on a particular intention for nine days.
2. Select an appropriate novena: There are many traditional novenas dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. For example, the Divine Mercy Novena, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena, and the Novena to St. Jude (patron of desperate causes) are among the most well-known. You can also create personal novenas adapted to your specific needs.
3. Pray with devotion and perseverance: A novena involves consistent prayer for nine days. This doesn’t mean you need to pray for long hours, but it does mean setting aside a special time each day to dedicate to God. The prayers can be traditional or personalized, but what matters most is faith and perseverance.
4. Accompany prayer with reflection and good works: Novenas are most effective when they are not just about repeating words, but when they are accompanied by a spirit of reflection, sacrifice, or acts of charity. This can include Bible readings, moments of meditation, or even concrete actions such as helping those in need.
5. Conclude with gratitude, regardless of the outcome: At the end of the novena, it’s important to thank God, whether or not you’ve received the grace you asked for. Novenas teach us that our prayers are always heard, even though God’s response may not always align with our expectations.

When to Do a Novena

Novenas can be done at any time of the year and in any circumstance, but there are certain moments that are especially appropriate for this devotion:

1. Before a liturgical feast: Many traditional novenas are prayed in preparation for a significant religious celebration. For example, the Christmas Novena (also known as “Las Posadas” in some cultures) is a popular devotion to spiritually prepare for the birth of Jesus. There are also novenas in honor of saints, like the St. Joseph Novena, which concludes on March 19, the day of his feast.
2. In times of need or difficulty: When facing personal or communal challenges, novenas are a special way to seek consolation and divine intervention. For instance, many people pray the Novena to St. Jude during times of desperate need.
3. To ask for a saint’s intercession: Novenas are often used to ask for the intercession of a particular saint for a specific need. There are novenas dedicated to a wide variety of saints, such as the Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux or the Novena to St. Anthony of Padua.
4. As a form of gratitude: Novenas aren’t only for times of need—they can also be an expression of gratitude. After receiving a blessing or an answer to your prayers, praying a novena in thanksgiving is a beautiful way to acknowledge God’s work in your life.

Conclusion: The Novena, a Tool of Faith and Hope

Novenas are much more than a repetition of prayers. They are an expression of faith, hope, and perseverance. They teach us that our relationship with God is cultivated with patience and devotion, and by joining in prayer, we create a sacred space for the Holy Spirit to act in our lives. Whether we are seeking intercession during a crisis, preparing for an important feast, or simply wanting to deepen our prayer life, novenas offer us a powerful way to draw closer to God and trust in His providence.

So, the next time you feel the need to intensify your prayer or ask for a special grace, consider starting a novena. By committing yourself for those nine days, you will discover that not only do your words reach God, but your own heart is transformed as well.