Nine Days of Prayer
The Novena Library
When your heart is heavy with a particular need, a novena gives it a home: nine days of steady, trusting prayer, often with a saint interceding beside you. Whatever you carry, there is a prayer here for it.
How to Pray a Novena
The word comes from the Latin novem — nine. The pattern is simple and ancient.
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Choose your novena
Pick one suited to your need — a saint who intercedes for your intention, or a devotion to the Lord or Our Lady. Some are tied to particular days of the year; most can begin any time.
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Pray nine days in a row
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer, echoing the nine days the apostles and Mary prayed between the Ascension and Pentecost.
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Pray the same prayer each day
Use the novena's set prayer, and bring your specific intention before God each day. Add a Rosary or Mass if you can.
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Persevere with trust
Don't be discouraged if you miss a day — simply continue. The fruit of a novena is not in perfect performance but in faithful, trusting prayer.
The Library
Fourteen major novenas, by the One you turn to and the need you bring. Tap any novena to reveal its prayer, when to pray it, and its intention.
To the Lord & the Holy Spirit
Novena to the Holy SpiritThe seven gifts of the Holy Spirit — light, wisdom, and courage to live the faith.
When to pray · The nine days from the Ascension to Pentecost — the very first novena — or any time you seek the Spirit.
The prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Divine Mercy NovenaMercy upon ourselves and the whole world; a different group of souls is entrusted to God each day.
When to pray · From Good Friday through the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday, prayed with the Chaplet.
The prayer
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of JesusLove and trust in Christ; healing, and the consecration of the home to His Heart.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days; especially the nine days before the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
The prayer
O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in danger, comfort me in affliction, and grant me the grace I now ask (mention it) and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
Novena to the Infant Jesus of PragueUrgent and material needs, employment, and children.
When to pray · Nine consecutive days — or, in great urgency, the nine-hour novena, one prayer each hour.
The prayer
O Infant Jesus, I run to You, begging You through Your holy Mother to save me in this need (mention it), for I firmly believe that Your divinity can defend me. Full of trust, I hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with all my heart and am sorry for my sins. I beg You, good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them. For love of You I will love my neighbor as myself. Infant Jesus, I adore You. Save me! Amen.
To Our Lady
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual HelpProtection, healing, and help in any trouble.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days; traditionally prayed on Wednesdays.
The prayer
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your most powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on you, for in all my needs and temptations I shall never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. Amen.
Novena to the Immaculate ConceptionPurity of heart, perseverance in grace, and growth in holiness.
When to pray · Especially the nine days before December 8; or any nine days.
The prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, look with mercy upon us as we honor your Immaculate Conception. Obtain for us purity of heart, perseverance in grace, and the grace we ask of you in this novena (mention it), if it be the will of God. Amen.
Memorare NovenaUrgent intentions placed entirely in Our Lady's hands.
When to pray · Pray the Memorare nine times in one sitting for an urgent need, or once daily for nine days.
The prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
To the Saints — by intention
Novena to St. JudeDesperate and seemingly hopeless causes — when every other door is closed.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days.
The prayer
Most holy Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you as the patron of hopeless cases and things almost despaired of. Pray for me; make use of that special privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need (mention it), that I may praise God with you forever. Amen.
Novena to St. Thérèse of LisieuxTrust in God's love through small things; favors sealed with the sign of a rose.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days.
The prayer
O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favor I now place with confidence in your hands (mention it). St. Thérèse, help me to always believe, as you did, in God's great love for me, that I might imitate your 'Little Way' each day. Amen.
Novena to St. JosephFathers and families, daily work, and the grace of a holy death.
When to pray · Any nine days; especially before March 19 or May 1.
The prayer
O glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you I raise my heart and hands to implore your powerful intercession. Obtain for me from the kind Heart of Jesus the help and graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, and in particular the grace I now ask (mention it). O guardian of the Word Incarnate, I am confident your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.
Novena to St. Anthony of PaduaWhat is lost — objects, but also lost faith, lost peace, and what matters most.
When to pray · Any nine days; often prayed on Tuesdays.
The prayer
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena (mention it). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
Novena to St. Rita of CasciaImpossible causes, and difficult marriages and family wounds.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days.
The prayer
O holy St. Rita, patroness of those in need, your intercession with our Lord is most powerful. Through the favors you obtained from Him you have been called the saint of the impossible. Come to my aid in this great need (mention it). To you I have recourse; in you I find consolation, knowing you will help me and obtain for me the grace I so earnestly desire. Amen.
Novena to St. MonicaThe conversion and return of loved ones who have wandered from the faith.
When to pray · Any nine consecutive days; her feast is August 27.
The prayer
Exemplary mother of the great Augustine, you perseveringly pursued your wayward son not with threats but with prayer and tears. With confidence and profound faith you prayed daily for the conversion of your husband and your son. Grant me the same fortitude, patience, and trust as I pray for those I love (mention them), that they may return to God. Amen.
Novena to St. Michael the ArchangelProtection in spiritual battle and defense against evil.
When to pray · Any nine days; especially before the feast on September 29.
The prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Glorious St. Michael, protect us in this need (mention it), and lead us safely to the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Ask in confidence
Questions about prayer?
Ask anything and receive the Church’s own words — quoted, cited, and linked to the source. Tap a question to begin, or write your own.
This tool shares the Church’s teaching — it is not a substitute for your priest, pastor, or spiritual director.
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Begin today
Choose one intention and one saint, and start. Heaven counts the first day as the hardest — and the most pleasing to God.
More Ways to Pray