IX Pray
Nine days of prayer
A novena prepares the heart for a feast, as the Apostles prayed nine days with Mary before Pentecost. The novenas of the Church’s year, with today’s prayer when one is under way.
Photo: Fra Angelico · Public domain
29 November – 7 December 2026
Novena to the Immaculate Conception
Before the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December
Nine days before the solemnity of 8 December, with Mary “full of grace”, preserved from all stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception — as Pius IX defined in 1854 and as she named herself at Lourdes in 1858.
Each day: a Hail Mary and the Memorare, and the prayer of the Miraculous Medal (1830): “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
The nine days
- 29 NovThe promise
God promises that the woman’s offspring will crush the serpent’s head — the first announcement of the Redeemer and of his Mother.
- 30 NovFull of grace
The angel greets Mary as one already filled with grace: God prepared her to be the Mother of his Son.
- 1 DecChosen before all ages
In Christ God chose us “to be holy and without blemish before him” — what Mary is from the beginning, we are called to become.
- 2 DecThe woman clothed with the sun
The great sign in heaven: the woman crowned with twelve stars, whom the Church sees as Mary and as the Church herself.
- 3 DecBehold the handmaid
Grace does not take away freedom: Mary answers God with her whole “yes”. Ask for the grace of a ready heart.
- 4 DecBehold your Mother
From the Cross Jesus gives his Mother to the beloved disciple — and to every disciple. Entrust to her those you love.
- 5 DecHe who is mighty
In the Magnificat Mary sings what God has done in her. Thank God for the graces of your own life.
- 6 DecThe dogma
Mary was preserved from original sin “by a singular grace and privilege” in view of the merits of Christ (Catechism 491).
- 7 DecOur hope
What God did for Mary he wills, in his way, for all the redeemed: holiness. Prepare to celebrate the feast at Mass and, if you can, in confession.
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, 189; the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 490–493.
16 December – 24 December 2026
The Christmas Novena
Before the Nativity of the Lord, 25 December
The Church’s own Christmas novena is in her evening prayer: from 17 to 23 December Vespers sings one of the seven “O Antiphons” before the Magnificat, each calling on Christ by a title from the prophets (Directory on Popular Piety, 103).
Each day: the Magnificat with the day’s antiphon — or Vespers of the day — and the prayer of the Church’s waiting: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
The nine days
- 16 DecA virgin shall conceive
The sign given to King Ahaz: the virgin shall bear a son, Emmanuel, God-with-us.
- 17 DecO Wisdom
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti… — O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence.
- 18 DecO Lord of Israel
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel… — O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us with outstretched arm.
- 19 DecO Root of Jesse
O Radix Iesse… — O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign for the peoples, before whom kings fall silent and whom the nations seek: come to deliver us, delay no longer.
- 20 DecO Key of David
O Clavis David… — O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, who open and no one shuts, who shut and no one opens: come and lead the prisoner from the prison house, who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.
- 21 DecO Rising Dawn
O Oriens… — O Dayspring, splendour of eternal light and sun of justice: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
- 22 DecO King of the nations
O Rex Gentium… — O King of the nations and their desire, the cornerstone who makes both one: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust of the earth.
- 23 DecO Emmanuel
O Emmanuel… — O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and save us, O Lord our God.
- 24 DecThe holy night
Read the Gospel of the Nativity and prepare your heart to welcome him at Midnight Mass.
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, 103; the O Antiphons of the Liturgy of the Hours (17–23 December), from the Latin, our translation.
26 March – 3 April 2027
Novena to the Divine Mercy
Before Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter
Begun on Good Friday and prayed through the octave of Easter, as Jesus asked Saint Faustina, with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each day. The Church asks that the devotion be understood in the light of the Easter liturgy (Directory on Popular Piety, 154).
Each day: the day’s intention and prayer as given by the Shrine of Divine Mercy, followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
The nine days
- 26 MarAll mankind, especially sinners
Bring to the fount of mercy the whole human family, and above all sinners.
- 27 MarPriests and religious
Pray for priests and consecrated men and women, through whom mercy reaches the world.
- 28 MarThe devout and faithful
Pray for all faithful souls, who console the Lord by their faithfulness.
- 29 MarThose who do not yet know God
Pray for those who do not yet know Christ, that his light may reach them.
- 30 MarChristians separated from the Church
Pray for all baptized Christians separated from full communion, that all may be one.
- 31 MarThe meek, the humble and little children
Pray for the humble and for children, who most resemble the heart of Jesus.
- 1 AprThose who honour his mercy
Pray for all who venerate and spread the mercy of God.
- 2 AprThe souls in Purgatory
Pray for the holy souls being purified, that they may come soon to the vision of God.
- 3 AprThe lukewarm
Pray for those whose love has grown cold — and for the coldness in your own heart.
The nine intentions are summarised here; their full text and prayers, from Saint Faustina’s Diary, are given by the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki. Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, 154.
7 May – 15 May 2027
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Before Pentecost
The first novena of all: between the Ascension and Pentecost the Apostles “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with … Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14), awaiting the power from on high (Directory on Popular Piety, 155). It runs from the day after Ascension Thursday to the eve of Pentecost.
Each day: Come, Holy Spirit, or the hymn Come, Creator Spirit — asking for the day’s gift (Catechism 1831).
The nine days
- 7 MayWith Mary in the Upper Room
Pray with the Apostles and the Mother of the Lord for a new outpouring of the Spirit.
- 8 MayWisdom
To see all things as God sees them, and to love what is true.
- 9 MayUnderstanding
To grasp the truths of faith more deeply, and to read the Scriptures with an open heart.
- 10 MayCounsel
To choose rightly — in your own decisions, and in what you say to others.
- 11 MayFortitude
Courage to do good and to bear what is hard, without giving up.
- 12 MayKnowledge
To see God’s hand in creation and in the events of your life.
- 13 MayPiety
A child’s trust and tenderness toward God the Father.
- 14 MayFear of the Lord
The reverent love that would never wish to offend God.
- 15 MayRenew the face of the earth
Pray for the Church and the whole world on the eve of Pentecost.
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, 155; the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1831. Where Ascension is kept on the following Sunday, the novena is still prayed on these nine days before Pentecost.
Novenas, tridua and other pious exercises are “truly preparations for the celebration” of the feasts, especially when they lead to confession and the Eucharist — Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2001), 103, 154, 155 and 189. Dates follow the General Roman Calendar.