How to Pray Catholic Novenas
A Catholic novena is a series of specific prayers that are said for a special request, intention, or grace. Most novenas are said every day for nine days (the word "novena" is based on the Latin word for "nine"). Novenas are typically quite beautiful and take only a few minutes to recite. To learn how to pray a novena, read on!
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Instructions
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Create a quiet space for reflective prayer
Novenas can be said publicly, with a congregation for instance, or privately, in your home. If you choose to pray at home, you'll need a quiet area where you can pray undisturbed. It's important to be able to concentrate on the words and also the intention for which you are praying. Although not required, some Catholics find that lighting a candle and softening the lights allow them to better focus on the novena. -
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Select a novena
There are over 100 published novenas, each with a specific set of prayers. While there are no set rules for choosing a novena, some are traditionally prayed for specific requests or at specific times of the year. For example, the Novena to Saint Anthony is often said for help in finding lost articles. The Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts is a plea for Christian strength and love. Spend some time searching online (links to popular novena sites are listed in the Resource section below) until you find a novena that matches your intentions. Print out the prayers and put a copy in your prayer space. -
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Pray the novena and meditate on your intentions
For nine consecutive days, read the printed prayers to yourself in the prayer space you created. As you say the prayers, think about the words and what they mean, and think about the request you're making. Continue to meditate on the prayers and intentions throughout the day.
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Tips & Warnings
Just about any quiet space can serve as a place of prayer - some harried parents find a bathroom the best place to secure a few moments of quiet time.
Novenas are not magic, they are a request for help and a means to communicate with God.
Some novenas require the recitation of additional prayers, such as the Glory Be or Hail Mary. It might be helpful to print these out ahead of time before you start the novena.
Resources
- Photo Credit www.sxc.hu
