Novena question

[tralynn]

Hi everyone. I have never prayed a 54 day Novena and was wanting to begin one. Can anyone who is experienced with this type of prayer please tell me if it is okay to pray for more than one intention in the same Novena? I would like to pray for us to concieve a child, which would be a miracle, and I would like to pray for my grandmother’s breast cancer to be cured. I am just wondering if those requests should have separate Novenas? Thank you so much for the guidance everyone. I don’t know what I would do without all you wonderful people on this board helping me walk out my faith!

 

[ExGratia]

I have never done a 54 day Novena. I would say that you can certainly pray for both intentions…there was just a question on Ask an apologist regarding "can prayer be “diluted”. The apologist said you can pray for multiple intentions.

 

[tralynn]

ExGratia–thank you so much for bringing that to my attention. I will have to go read that. I appreciate your answer!

 

[in_servitude]

First, the bad news - I think that it is 72 days now. We have 4 mysteries prayed 9 times for a total of 36 prayerful requests. Then, it’s the same in thanksgiving for having listened to the requests. But, I suppose it’s also just as well to do the 54 day version.

I don’t see a problem with combining the two intentions, but I’m not an expert. I’ve done this once - and the answer was not exactly clear or immediate. But, I did ask as best as I knew how, so I know that it’s just a matter of His will being done.

I also don’t see a problem with doing “one novena” for each. It will grace you either way.

Question for you - have you tracked the cycle with the NFP sympto-thermal method? I’ve heard that the NFP techniques can help couples conceive as well as avoid conception. I recently saw a stat that 80% of couples that use the NFP method to treat infertility achieve success compared to something less than 40% when using other methods (invitro-fertilization?).

 

[tralynn]

In_Servitude, thank you for your answer. I had no idea about the 72 days, but I would be up for that just the same! Regarding the NFP, no my husband and I have not tried that. We really don’t know much regarding the ins and outs of NFP, although we were just talking about learning more about it a few days ago. Again, thank you very much for your answer, it was very helpful!

 

[asia53]

Hi everyone. I have never prayed a 54 day Novena and was wanting to begin one. Can anyone who is experienced with this type of prayer please tell me if it is okay to pray for more than one intention in the same Novena? I would like to pray for us to concieve a child, which would be a miracle, and I would like to pray for my grandmother’s breast cancer to be cured. I am just wondering if those requests should have separate Novenas? Thank you so much for the guidance everyone. I don’t know what I would do without all you wonderful people on this board helping me walk out my faith!

Hi tralynn,

I pray the 54 day Novena. Every decade of the Mystery is dedicated to a different intention, i.e., first decade-holy souls in Purgatory and conversion of sinners, second decade-all in religious life, etc. Last decade of the mystery is for my intention.

The Mysteries are prayed on different days for the 54 day Novena than a regular Rosary. I use this chart:

Chart for the 54 day Novena

Also, I have a little booklet which explains the 54 day Novena really well. This booklet:

Rosary booklet

God bless you,

Asia

 

[tralynn]

Asia, thank you so very, very much for the links you posted. I learn best by doing and need step by step instruction. You have helped me so much! I was surprised when I went through RCIA that they did not teach us how to pray the Rosary. I learned about Novenas from doing my own research and reading. I have been wondering how all the Catholics out there learn all the things that they know! I’m sending a virtual hug your way! :hug1:

 

[asia53]

Asia, thank you so very, very much for the links you posted. I learn best by doing and need step by step instruction. You have helped me so much! I was surprised when I went through RCIA that they did not teach us how to pray the Rosary. I learned about Novenas from doing my own research and reading. I have been wondering how all the Catholics out there learn all the things that they know! I’m sending a virtual hug your way! :hug1:

You are most welcome! Thanks for the hug.

As a convert myself, I know what you’re talking about. I taught myself. I watched other people, plus CAF, and the internet are a great resource.

God bless you! The 54-day Novena is my favorite, 27 days of petition, then 27 days of thanksgiving. Only seems right to say please, then say thank you --just like Mom taught us.

 

[PennyinCanada]

I can understand that someone might think that you are ‘diluting’ a prayer by having 2 petitions instead of one. Think of the little boy with the fish and loaf, how Jesus took that and fed the 5000. He can take our little bit and move mountains with it.
I came into the Church in my twenties. Welcome home! New folks have a way of refreshing those who are weary from the long journey. Wishing you many healthy, happy years.

 

[tralynn]

PennyinCanada,
Thank you for your post and your welcome home sentiment. I love the connection I feel with all of you when I have the time to spend on this forum. Everyone’s thoughts and insights are so wonderful for someone like me who is new to Catholicism.

 

[YPat]

Can I ask a novena question too, or do I have to start a new thread? I’m not very good at forums.
I have a novena that says ‘Start with…’ and it gives you a preliminary prayer. Then it gives you the nine prayers, one for every day. Does this mean that the preliminary prayer is said only on the first day, at the start of the entire nvena, or do you pray it before every day’s prayer? It doesn’t say.

 

[midori]

Good luck!

I saw your post and wanted to say-- my first post on the CAF was regarding my own positive experiences.

I prayed a novena to St. Gerard in February 2011. It ends with a petition to not complete the novena without experiencing the effects of his intercession. And while I didn’t get a BFP in February, two things did happen that I took as signs that he was paying attention.

In March 2011, I began the La Leche novena and the OLOH novena on the Feast of the Assumption. I conceived before I ended them, and my adorable son turns 3 months old next Tuesday, and is the second adorable son I’ve been blessed with after praying for him with these three prayers.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but I feel obligated to mention my gratitude for their intercession. Best of luck on your path. And the Feast of the Annunciation is on March 26th this year, so it’s an excellent date to plan your novena around.

Novena for Motherhood

Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask…

And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair…

Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.

Lady of La Leche Prayer

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving mother of the Child Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, His spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior. Intercede with him now, my loving Mother, that, in accordance with His will, I may become the mother of other children of our heavenly Father. This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the Name of your Divine Son, My Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Novena To Our Lady of Hope

I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come to me all that desire me and be filled with my fruits (Sirach 24:24-26).
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Grace, Hope of the world.
Hear us, your children, who cry to you

Let Us Pray
O God, who by the marvelous protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary has strengthened us firmly in hope, grant we beseech You, that by persevering in prayer at her admonition, we may obtain the favors we devoutly implore. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Hope
O Mary, my Mother, I kneel before you with heavy heart. The burden of my sins oppresses me. The knowledge of my weakness discourages me. I am beset by fears and temptations of every sort. Yet I am so attached to the things of this world that instead of longing for Heaven I am filled with dread at the thought of death.
O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me in my distress. You are all-powerful with your Divine Son. He can refuse no request of your Immaculate Heart. Show yourself a true Mother to me by being my advocate before His throne. O Refuge of Sinners and Hope of the Hopeless, to whom shall I turn if not you?
Obtain for me, then, O Mother of Hope, the grace of true sorrow for my sins, the gift of perfect resignation to God’s Holy Will, and the courage to take up my cross and follow Jesus. Beg of His Sacred Heart the special favor that I ask in this novena.

(Make your request.)

But above all I pray, O dearest Mother, that through your most powerful intercession my heart may be filled with Holy Hope, so that in life’s darkest hour I may never fail to trust in God my Savior, but by walking in the way of His commandments I may merit to be united with Him, and with you in the eternal joys of Heaven. Amen.
Mary, our Hope, have pity on us.
Hope of the Hopeless, pray for us.

3 Hail Marys

 

[tralynn]

Hi Midori,

I cannot tell you how very, very much I appreciate your post. I printed those prayers out and I will begin praying them every day. I am extremely grateful to you for sharing those with me. Congratulations on your new little one!!! I absolutely love hearing reports of answered prayers. I hope I’m next! God bless you and your family. :hug1:

 

[asia53]

Can I ask a novena question too, or do I have to start a new thread? I’m not very good at forums.
I have a novena that says ‘Start with…’ and it gives you a preliminary prayer. Then it gives you the nine prayers, one for every day. Does this mean that the preliminary prayer is said only on the first day, at the start of the entire nvena, or do you pray it before every day’s prayer? It doesn’t say.

Not knowing which novena it is, I would guess, start with the preliminary prayer before every day’s prayer.

 

[YPat]

Thank you. That’s what I’ve been doing, just in case. One such novena is to St. Jude and one is to St. Francis of Assisi.