About Catholic Novenas

The novena is a devotional prayer that one prays to ask for special requests or to make a petition for help in times of distress. The devotion is most often prayed to a specific saint whose problems match the petitioner's problems. The novena expresses urgency and yearning for help and support. The prayer requests the aid of a saint in bringing your prayer to God.

Etymology of the Word

The term "novena" comes from the Latin word "novem," which means "nine."

Time Frame

The novena is generally prayed nine days in a row, although some people will repeat the cycle of nine days over and over again.

Requests

The majority of novenas are prayed in times of distress, pleading for a chosen saint to come to the aid of the person making the novena when they are in pain or struggling with a problem.

Petitions

Many novenas are made as petitions to a particular saint for specific aid for someone else or thing, such as world peace or for a family member.

Length

Most novenas are short prayers of about 100 words or less and are easy to memorize.

Suggestions

Laminate or frame your favorite novenas for easy access.

Resources

• List of Specific Novenas