I think Novenas work!

[Magnum_V8]

I started a Sacred Heart of Jesus novena last Monday. My intention was for His unending mercy and more specifically for the people of my parish to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

I prayed the Novena every day; sometimes it wasn’t easy. The one I chose is from the book “Treasury of Novenas,” and its a little long. I’d either not have time to do it during the day, momentarily forget about it, or sometimes just feel too tired. But I did it anyway, even sometimes staying up way past my bedtime. And each time I did try my hardest to recite the prayers heartily.

This past Sunday, day 7 of the Novena, there were many more people at Mass. We didn’t have a Corpus Cristi procession, so that wasn’t the reason for the greater attendance.

In his homily, the priest started talking about being distracted on the way to receive Holy Communion. He mentioned how it seems a lot of converts say the Eucharist is what drew them into the Catholic faith. But we, the long time Catholics, seem to take it for granted. He went on to reinforce the Real Presence.

While I did not specifically request this in the Novena, it is an issue that has been taking over my mind for the last couple months. After Mass, I went up to Father and shook his hand, telling him, “Great homily, Father. Its something that I’ve been praying about for the last couple months.” He just said “thank you” and smiled.

Well, today’s the last day of the Novena, and I have yet to finalize it.

Deo gratias.

 

[stbruno]

I know novenas work…but sometimes we don’t realize the extent of their success until many years down the road. I have told this story before but here goes again.

When I was 13, my hormones had kicked in and I realized that I was interested in another 13. A dear religious sister taught all of us, if we go to God in prayer like a novena, our request will more likely be answered. I also heard the answer might be no, but at age 13, I believed God would never say no…So I started a 9 day novena to the Infant of Prague. On the 9th day of my novena, like many Saturdays back then, I was volunteering with other teens working around the parish. That Sat. we were getting paid $1/hr to paint the nun’s convent. So my buddy & I worked, covering our green jeans with yellow paint. Some time that afternoon, the good sister said, hurry up wash up, comb your hair…no altar servers showed up to serve this afternoon’s wedding liturgy. But sister, we have paint on us…don’t worry, just go.

Well, we served the funeral, paint and all the stares from the wedding attendees. But I still had hope that my novena would be answered. Weeks later, I realized that it wasn’t going to happen, so my answer was no.

Years go by…seven years to be exact and I meet a girl, who 5 years later, we marry.

25 years after my novena, my wife and I were attending the anniversary party for my wife’s cousin. Picture albums were shared of the blessed occasion. So my wife and I browsed through them…and my mouth dropped. In one of the pictures, there I am in my altar server clothes with yellow spotted pants & shoes sticking out from the robe…
Standing next to me was a Jr. bridesmaid…my wife.
NOVENASA DO WORK! God is good!

 

[Roxxy]

@Srbruno: I love your story. Have said several novenas myself, still no results. I guess the answer is no. I’m glad it worked for you. Thanks for sharing.