As the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 draws near many Catholics are beginning a novena to her that will conclude in time for the celebration. If you are unsure about undertaking the novena, it is certainly not too late to do so — and, writing personally, I cannot recommend enough entrusting one’s needs to Our Lady.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, has been reminding people of her closeness and love ever since her apparition on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City to St. Juan Diego in 1531. Her words to him remain a steadfast comfort to the faithful who likewise turn to her in times of distress and need:
“Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”
Praying a nine-day novena prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe is a way to cultivate trust in her maternal intercession before God and surrender your needs to His will.
I have brought many concerns and needs to her that, to me, seemed insurmountable; and the incredible fruits I have experienced since doing so are beyond my ability to articulate. I grew closer to her and am encouraged whenever I encounter her image because I am reminded of her love and support as I journey through this life. She was listening to my prayers, and I have no doubt of her care for me as a beloved child of God.
I have no doubt of her care for you, too.
The novena starts today. Prayerfully consider beginning it, and if you have questions, more information is available below.
I feel like I have no time to pray during the day. How could I have time to add anything to my schedule?
There is a wide variety of novenas available online; some are short daily prayers and others are longer. Take a look at the options linked below and choose one that fits your schedule accordingly.
If you only have a few moments of free time, here is a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe that is brief and beautiful. Perhaps consider praying it right after pouring your morning cup of tea or coffee, or fast from checking social media for nine days and pray the novena in that extra time.
A longer novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe is available here, offering the same intro prayer every day followed by a unique daily prayer.
If you have concerns about remembering to pray it every day, consider inviting a friend or family member to pray it with you so you can lift up each other’s intentions and send each other reminders. Another good way to remember to pray is to screenshot the novena prayer and make it your phone lockscreen for the nine days.
What if I miss a day of the novena? Do I need to start over?
Life can be full of unexpected moments and sometimes missing a day of a novena happens. It is okay! The National Shrine of Saint Jude explains that you don’t necessarily need to start again from day one if this happens.
“While much of the beauty of novenas lies in the consistency and discipline they call for, it’s still possible to complete a novena successfully,” the shrine states. “You can simply make up the missed prayer along with the next day’s, or add an extra day at the end of the novena.”
What if I don’t have a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe? Can I still pray the novena?
Absolutely! If you’ve never prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe for her intercession, now is a great time to begin.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, states that non-Catholics and fallen away Catholics can also pray a novena to her: “Every sincere prayer that elevates one’s heart and mind to God, especially asking for help and protection in a consistent, daily way will 1) always have the potential to bear good fruit, and 2) is a response to God’s actual grace being constantly proposed to everyone.”
What is a novena?
A novena is a prayer offered nine days in a row for a special intention (or intentions). They are often prayed leading up to a saint’s feast day, asking that particular saint for his or her intercession for the intention at hand. They can help the faithful prepare for the occasion of a feast day and grow in faith and devotion. However, novenas can be started at any point throughout the year, regardless of when the saint’s feast day falls on the calendar.
The National Shrine of St. Jude notes that the word “novena” stems from the Latin word for “nine,” novem. The first recorded novena is found in Scripture, when the disciples prayed for nine days straight after the Ascension in anticipation of Pentecost. The shrine also notes that novenas vary in length. Some have specific prayers for each day, and others use the same prayer throughout all of the days.
The shrine emphasizes that a novena is not a transactional endeavor; though it includes a particular petition, a novena does not automatically guarantee that what is requested will be granted but rather enables growth in trust, perseverance, and discipline in prayer and forms a habit of entrusting one’s concerns and needs to God.
“Novenas allow us to grow in faith,” the shrine states. “By practicing the focus and discipline they require, we strengthen our trust in God and open our hearts to His will. The specific things we request may not be a part of God’s plan for our lives. When we pray a novena, we are also reflecting in gratitude for our Lord’s divine wisdom.”
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