Novenas?

[Rand431]

What is the point of a novena exactly? I have prayed novenas, but what is the difference of praying a novena vs asking a saint to intercede daily? Also is it wrong to do a novena more than once for the same petition. For instance I know many people have said a novena to St. Jude or St. Therese for something and after not receiving an answer doing the same novena again.

 

[friardchips]

What is the point of a novena exactly? I have prayed novenas, but what is the difference of praying a novena vs asking a saint to intercede daily? Also is it wrong to do a novena more than once for the same petition. For instance I know many people have said a novena to St. Jude or St. Therese for something and after not receiving an answer doing the same novena again.

Why are you praying novenas; what are you asking for - these are rhetorical questions.

Prayer is not a superstitious magic charm. Devotion is showing love and expressing a need for help with answers which do not serve our selfish wants (vanity; vain-glory). And neither is it like an on-demand delivery service where we always get what we want in our own time and on our terms.

Patience is key and also perseverance.

 

[Rand431]

Why are you praying novenas; what are you asking for - these are rhetorical questions.

Prayer is not a superstitious magic charm. Devotion is showing love and expressing a need for help with answers which do not serve our selfish wants (vanity; vain-glory). And neither is it like an on-demand delivery service where we always get what we want in our own time and on our terms.

Patience is key and also perseverance.

I was just wondering how novenas are special…

 

[Antegin]

What is the point of a novena exactly? I have prayed novenas, but what is the difference of praying a novena vs asking a saint to intercede daily? Also is it wrong to do a novena more than once for the same petition. For instance I know many people have said a novena to St. Jude or St. Therese for something and after not receiving an answer doing the same novena again.

A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition but sometimes as a prayer of thanksgiving. The nine days recall the nine days that the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary spent in prayer between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday.

Prayer is about asking God for what you need, not telling God what you want. God always answers your prayers. Sometimes the answer is no, I have something better for you. Sometimes the answer is not yet. By praying a novena, or multiple and repeating it as needed, you join with the nascent Church as she prayed and waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

When you pray a novena, pray as Jesus did, ‘‘your will be done.’’

 

[Saber_Mom]

To piggyback on this question, is it wrong to pray novena to different saints but on the same subject (i.e. a spouse or child converting)? For instance St. Therese one time, St. Jude another time, St. Monica another time, etc?

 

[Antegin]

To piggyback on this question, is it wrong to pray novena to different saints but on the same subject (i.e. a spouse or child converting)? For instance St. Therese one time, St. Jude another time, St. Monica another time, etc?

Not wrong at all. When it is said that St. Jude is the patron St. of lost causes and St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost things, they are saying these Sis are particularly efficacious with these problems. Not only that but you can always do novena to Jesus and Mary. The prayers that go with the miraculous metal and Divine Mercy are very good.

From the wedding at Cana, we know that Jesus does not object to us going to His Mother to intercede for us. She will always advocate for her children and He denies her nothing.