The divine mercy novena

[Rocks_91]

I have decided to pray the Divine Mercy novena along with the Rosary (Glorious Mysteries) for an intention. But after the third day I skipped a day, and continued where I left off the day after that. I want to know - must the novena be prayed on nine consecutive days or is it ok if I skip a day but continue later?

thanks

 

[seanom]

That’s what I’d do if I missed a day

 

[Edmundus1581]

I have started several novenas and missed a day. In general, if the I skipped the day for a truly unavoidable reason, then I start again where I left off, but, if I feel that I don’t have an adequate excuse, then I start again.

It seems to me that the power of the novena comes from it being nine days in succession, and the personal discipline and sacrifice required for that.

I look forward to hearing other opinions.

 

[Jesus_123]

:bible1:
"The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man
availeth much."
James 5:16b

+I remember from reading letters written by . . . **St. Padre Pio **. . . that he asked one of his spiritual children if they had completed a novena they had shared with him they were going to pray for a specific intention . . . he encouraged them to continue and complete the nine days of prayer . . . if they had not done so up to that point . . . certainly . . . normally . . . a novena is prayed for nine consecutive days . . . but I’ve always held St. Pio’s thoughtful encouraging instruction . . . *(St. Pio being a holy trustworthy spiritual director of souls dear to my heart) *. . . a holy revelation of truth that not one day of a prayerful novena is wasted . . . and the completed nine days . . . whether consecutive or not . . . are very effectual and do constitute faithful completion of dedicated novena . . .

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Gracious Lord our God+
. . . thank you Blessed Virgin Mary our Mother+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
. . . thank you St. Pio+
. . . to God be the Glory+
:harp:​

 

[philial]

I guess it depends why you missed a day!

Prayer is a relationship with God. He invites us to draw closer to Him. What it doesn’t rely on is any magic formula of precise words, actions, and so on. it is always possible, if, for example, when praying the rosary, to kiss a hail mary! clumsy, but possible. However, if your intention is sincere, if it is for the glory of God & the honour of His saints, then it’s not something to worry about. However, if it’s laziness, or avoidable distraction, the it ‘falls short’ of the mark.

Thus, with your question, if you miss a day unaviodably, then no worries. But if it’s for more self-centred reasons, I would suggest an apology - but dont beat yourself up: your Father loves you still - and a fresh start.

Prayer is liberation, not serivtude

 

[Rocks_91]

However, if your intention is sincere, if it is for the glory of God & the honour of His saints, then it’s not something to worry about. However, if it’s laziness, or avoidable distraction, the it ‘falls short’ of the mark.

Prayer is liberation, not serivtude

Actually, I like to pray at church in the morning. I sit in a pew near the tabernacle and pray in front of Jesus. I don’t like to pray at home, because I’m not comfortable doing it (I’m the only Catholic at home, my family is hindu); although I do pray mentally. So far, I’ve completed three days of the novena, but had to skip a day because I couldn’t wake up that day, and the problem is that the Church is open only in the morning time, and in the evening when we have mass, and remains closed in-between. Anyway, I don’t know if that’s a valid reason but i think it’s ok. After all, as you said, it’s not a magic formula and it’s the intention that matters.

it is always possible, if, for example, when praying the rosary, to kiss a hail mary! clumsy, but possible.

Wha…???