How do I do a Novena?

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Ramalama

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My brother-in-law and his wife are in dire straits. He has a difficult, low paying job, is depressed, and has little hope for the future. She is disabled with about twenty-five auto-immune diseases.

My wife and I (not yet Catholics) want to do something like a novena requesting help for them. I figure it might not have an effect because we’re catholic, but what the heck, I don’t think it will hurt! The problem is, we don’t know how.

We say the rosary nightly. Could we add something like the Divine Mercy Chaplet? I found out on EWTN how to do it, so I think we could pull it off ok.

Is this OK? I think it’s a prayer of petition, but I still feel a little funny asking for something, even though it’s for someone else. Well, whatever advice you can give me I welcome. Thank you.
 
A formal novena is usually either a specific prayer or set of prayers to be said for 9 days (although there are other novenas that last longer). There are TONS of different novenas, most are connected with specific saints or titles of Our Lady.

For example, for financial difficulty, one might say a novena to the Infant of Prague, who is the patron of such problems. Or an a pregnant woman might say a novena to St. Gerard, who is the patron of expectant mothers. You could find different formal novenas either by using google, or maybe searching Amazon for a book of novenas, they’re everywhere, if you start looking! Here are some links just from googling “Catholic novenas”:
catholicdoors.com/prayers/novena.htm
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/novena.htm
fisheaters.com/novenas.html This 3rd one has a GREAT explanation of what a novena is and why we have these prayers in the Church…also this site is great in general.

That all being said, adding a Divine Mercy Chaplet after your nightly rosary for the intentions you mentioned sounds like a wonderful way to intercede for your family! It is always right for us to petition God, either for ourselves or others, for He says “ask, and you shall recieve.” God is our Father, and wants to give us every blessing. This is of course with the understanding that whatever it is we are asking for must be in accord with His most holy will. As long as you are stating your intentions with that in mind, you should be good to go 🙂
 
I love your idea of saying the rosay, DM chaplet, and a novena for your family. I have a feeling that it is very pleasing to the Lord, too! 🙂

I would also suggest having a mass said for them. You may go through a parish near your home, or you may request one online at a missionary site. The mass stipend is only $5.00. ONe I use a lot is CNEW:

cnewa.org/generalpg-verus.aspx?pageID=167
 
Thank you all for your replies. We have decided to do the Divine Chaplet and will start Friday. Time pressures prevent us from starting this evening. Thank you again!

By the way, Your Majesty Queen Anne, you better have your bags packed! Good luck and God bless you and your family in this wonderful time.
 
Ramalama said:
Thank you all for your replies. We have decided to do the Divine Chaplet and will start Friday. Time pressures prevent us from starting this evening. Thank you again!
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Divine Chaplet is a very great one.
 
Ramalama said:
Thank you all for your replies. We have decided to do the Divine Chaplet and will start Friday. Time pressures prevent us from starting this evening. Thank you again!

By the way, Your Majesty Queen Anne, you better have your bags packed! Good luck and God bless you and your family in this wonderful time.
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Good choice. 🙂 I pray the Divine Chaplet while I wait for my kids at school. I also pray the rosary at night before going to bed.
 
Ramalama said:
Thank you all for your replies. We have decided to do the Divine Chaplet and will start Friday. Time pressures prevent us from starting this evening. Thank you again!

By the way, Your Majesty Queen Anne, you better have your bags packed! Good luck and God bless you and your family in this wonderful time.
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LOL thank you! I haven’t packed any bags though, we’re planning on birthing at home with our midwife…the only reason we’d go to the hospital is if something were going wrong…so hopefully our bags can stay unpacked!! 🙂
 
Adding on to this, I have another question. How do I physically do a novena? Should I be kneeling, with candles lit? At home or at the church?
 
FelizCatolica said:
Adding on to this, I have another question. How do I physically do a novena? Should I be kneeling, with candles lit? At home or at the church?
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Doesn’t matter in the slightest - God hears all genuine prayers regardless of where or how they’re said.
 
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