How do you pray Novenas?

[MariaElizabeth123]

My grandfather sent me a Novena for purgatory for my dad passing away. Is that the only prayer that can be prayed for him at the moment? I thought the pope updated purgatory belief a while back. Also, what is the proper way to pray Novenas. Thank you. I will stop commenting on your live show, it seems to be a problem.

 

[Vico]

My grandfather sent me a Novena for purgatory for my dad passing away. Is that the only prayer that can be prayed for him at the moment? I thought the pope updated purgatory belief a while back. Also, what is the proper way to pray Novenas. Thank you. I will stop commenting on your live show, it seems to be a problem.

Mass can be said for him and also almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance for him. There is no change in the dogma of purgatory.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire …

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” 609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. 610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead …

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Hello, welcome to the forums.
My condolences on the loss of your dad. May he rest in peace.

The Pope doesn’t “update” the official teachings of the Church. The teaching on purgatory is the same as it has been.

You are not limited to only one prayer, or only one type of prayer, for your father if his soul is in Purgatory. (No one on earth has any knowledge of where any soul has gone after death, except in the case of canonized saints whom the Church declares are in heaven.)

You can offer up any kind of prayer you like, or a Mass, or a series of Masses, or an indulgence you earn, or your own reception of Holy Eucharist, or any sort of penance or sacrifice you make, for your dad.

As for how to pray Novenas, they usually come with instructions. If somehow you got one without instructions, just say it once a day for nine days.

Regarding “commenting on your live show”, I presume you mean Catholic Answers show. That has nothing to do with the forum, as the forum is strictly a bunch of random people who gather here to discuss things and answer questions. None of us except the moderator works for Catholic Answers.