Novenas

First, what is a novena? A set of prayers said for a specific intention, usually for 9 days. Why 9 days? To remind us of the first novena when the apostles waited for the Holy Spirit to descend at Pentecost after Jesus’ Ascension.

There are other novena forms, like Mother Theresa’s flying novena of 9 Memorare said all together for an imminent need.

What’s this new novena?

It is called the Annunciation or Impossible Novena. It begins on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 and ends on Christmas, December 25. It reminds us of the 9 months Mary carried Jesus. I learned about this from Stephanie Engleman on Instagram. I found it online at quite a few different sites, but this one is the most succinct.

What is the format?

I will say, first, decide on your 3 intentions. Keep in mind these will be for 9 months, so think long term. Stephanie suggests one intention, “that abortion would be unthinkable throughout the world.” I would also suggest writing these intentions down. No matter how simple I keep my intentions even with a 9 day novena, I often forget from day to day. And, yes, God knows, but I think order and consistency are good practices.

Then pray the prayers:

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.”
V – Pray for us, most holy mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Then: “Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee
for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God,
grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.”

State your first intention, then repeat the prayers for the second and then repeat again for the last. It looks like this: prayers, intention #1; prayers, intention #2; prayers, intention #3.

Next, pray the Memorare.

Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother.
To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Then the Hail Mary and the closing prayer.

Closing prayer: Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth and everywhere. Amen.

If you’d like a PDF of this prayer, comment on the post and I’ll send it to you.