How to pray a Novena?

What is a Novena?

A novena is a Catholic devotion consisting of prayers offered for nine successive days, usually with a particular intention or petition. The word novena comes from the Latin word novem, meaning “nine.” Novenas may be prayed privately or together with a community and are often offered through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, or the angels.

A novena is a way of approaching God with faith, perseverance, and trust. For example, in the Saint Jude Novena, the faithful ask Saint Jude to intercede before God for their needs, especially in difficult or seemingly hopeless situations.

The Biblical Inspiration for Novenas

The practice of praying for nine days has a particular connection with the time between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles gathered in prayer with the Blessed Virgin Mary and other disciples as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Acts of the Apostles tells us that they “were persevering with one mind in prayer” (Acts 1:14). This period of prayer culminated in Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4).

This nine-day period of prayer has traditionally been understood as an important biblical inspiration for the Catholic practice of novenas. It reminds us of the importance of persevering in prayer while placing our trust in God and His will.

How Do I Pray a Novena?

To pray a novena, begin by choosing a particular novena and its intention. Each day, pray the prescribed prayers with faith and sincerity, offering your intention to God and asking for His grace. When the novena is directed to the Blessed Virgin Mary or a particular saint, you may also ask for their intercession.

There is no requirement to pray a novena at a particular time of day. You may pray it at a time that allows you to give proper attention to your prayer. What matters most is approaching God with a sincere heart and remaining open to His will.

You do not have to fast or pray the Rosary in addition to a novena unless the particular devotion calls for it. However, the Rosary can be a beautiful addition to your daily prayer. If you would like to learn how to pray it, see our guide: How to Pray the Rosary.

Although nine days is the traditional length of a novena, some Catholic devotions have different lengths. For example, there are longer novenas associated with particular saints and devotions. The length does not change the essential purpose of a novena: persevering in prayer and entrusting our intentions to God.

What a Novena Is—and Is Not

A novena is not a magic spell, and the words of a particular prayer do not have a power of their own to guarantee a desired result. Prayer is not a way of manipulating God into giving us what we want.

Instead, a novena helps us persevere in prayer and place our needs before God. We may ask for a particular favor or grace, but we should always entrust the outcome to God’s wisdom and providence.

When praying a novena, ask yourself why you are bringing this intention before God. Bring your needs honestly and confidently, while remembering that God’s answer may not be the one we expect. Faith means trusting Him even when we do not yet understand His plan.

Spiritual Benefits of Praying a Novena

Novenas can help us develop a deeper and more consistent life of prayer. By returning to God with the same intention over several days, we are reminded to persevere rather than become discouraged.

• Praise God: Prayer gives us an opportunity to praise and glorify God.
• Express our needs: A novena gives us a regular opportunity to bring our hopes, struggles, needs, and intentions before God.
• Grow in trust: Persevering in prayer can help us place greater trust in God’s providence and His timing.
• Seek intercession: When a novena is prayed through the intercession of Mary or a saint, we are reminded of the communion of the faithful and the example of the saints.
• Remain connected to the Church: Praying a novena together can strengthen our connection with the Catholic community.

Jesus Himself teaches us to persevere in prayer. A novena can be a helpful way to develop this habit of persistent and trusting prayer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss a day of my novena?
If you miss a day, do not become discouraged. You can continue with the next day’s prayer, make up the missed prayer, or simply continue the novena one day behind. The important thing is to return to prayer with sincerity rather than becoming anxious about having missed a day.

Should I have the same intention for all nine days?
You may keep the same intention throughout the novena, or you may offer different intentions on different days. What matters most is bringing those intentions before God with faith and remaining open to His will.

Do I have to pray a novena at the same time every day?
No. There is generally no requirement to pray at the same time each day. Choose a time when you can pray attentively and sincerely.

Do I have to fast or pray the Rosary while praying a novena?
No. Unless a particular novena specifically includes such a practice, fasting or praying the Rosary is not required. You may include additional prayers or devotions if they help you grow closer to God.