Catholic Novenas
What a novena is and where it comes from, the full texts of four classic novenas (Holy Spirit, St. Joseph, the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, and the Sacred Heart), an overview of the Divine Mercy novena, and start dates for 2026–2027.
What is a novena?
A novena (from the Latin novem, “nine”) is a prayer made on nine days in a row, usually to prepare for a feast or to ask for a particular grace. The model is the first Christian community. Before His Ascension, Jesus told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4); after it, they devoted themselves to prayer with Mary until Pentecost (Acts 1:14):
“All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”Acts 1:14 (Douay-Rheims)
On the day of Pentecost, “they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1), and the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Catechism points to this waiting in prayer, with Mary, as a pattern for the Church’s prayer (CCC 726, 965, 2623). In 1897 Pope Leo XIII decreed that a novena to the Holy Spirit be made before Pentecost every year in parish churches throughout the world (Divinum Illud Munus, 13).
A novena is not a formula that forces God’s hand. Its value lies in persevering, trusting prayer (Lk 18:1). The Catechism warns that attributing the power of prayers to their mere outward performance, apart from the interior dispositions they demand, is superstition (CCC 2111). So be wary of “chain” novenas that promise guaranteed results or tell you to make copies. Pray with faith, and leave the answer to God.
How to pray one: choose your intention, pray the novena prayers each day for nine days (if you miss a day, simply continue), and, if you can, include Mass, Confession, or a work of mercy. A novena prayed for a feast traditionally ends on the day before the feast.
Novena start dates, 2026–2027
Dates follow the USCCB liturgical calendar for 2027 (and Advent 2026) for the United States.
- Nov 30 – Dec 24, 2026St. Andrew Christmas Novena
- Dec 16 – 24, 2026Christmas novena (nine days)
- Mar 10 – 18, 2027St. Joseph (Solemnity, Fri Mar 19)
- Mar 26 – Apr 3, 2027Divine Mercy novena
- Apr 22 – 30, 2027St. Joseph the Worker (Sat May 1)
- May 7 – 15, 2027Novena to the Holy Spirit
- May 26 – Jun 3, 2027Sacred Heart (Solemnity, Fri Jun 4)
Novena to the Holy Spirit
May 7–15, 2027, between the Ascension and Pentecost. One of the seven gifts each day for seven days, then the fruits, then an act of self-offering.
Each day:
- Sign of the Cross, then Come, Holy Spirit (or the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus).
- Read slowly: “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord” (Is 11:2–3, Douay-Rheims). See CCC 1830–1831.
- Pray the prayer for the day (below), then the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times.
- Optional: the Humble Supplication to the Holy Spirit (at the end of this section).
Day 1: the gift of Fear of the Lord
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Thy Holy Fear, in order that it may prevent me from falling any more into my past infidelities, for which I now ask Thy pardon a thousand times.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 2: the gift of Piety
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Piety, in order that I may in future serve Thee with greater fervor, follow Thy holy inspirations with greater promptness, and observe Thy holy precepts with greater exactness.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 3: the gift of Knowledge
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Knowledge, in order that I may be able to know well the things of God, and that, enlightened by Thy holy instructions, I may steadily walk in the way of my eternal salvation.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 4: the gift of Fortitude
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Fortitude, in order that I may be able courageously to overcome all the attacks of the devil, and escape all the dangers of the world which stand in the way of my eternal salvation.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 5: the gift of Counsel
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Counsel, in order that I may be able to choose what is most suitable to my spiritual advancement, and to discover all the snares and artifices of the evil spirit who tempts me.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 6: the gift of Understanding
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Understanding, in order that I may be able to understand the divine mysteries, and by the contemplation of heavenly things may detach my thoughts and affections from all the vanities of this miserable world.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 7: the gift of Wisdom
Holy Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God, in the same way as I adore God the Father and God the Son. I bless Thee by uniting myself to the blessings Thou dost receive from the angels and the seraphs. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed, and dost unceasingly bestow, upon the world. Thou Who art the Author of all supernatural gifts, and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to grant me the gift of Wisdom, in order that I may be able to direct all my actions by referring them to God as my last end, so that by loving and serving Thee in this life as I ought to do, I may have the happiness of eternally possessing Thee in the next.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 8: the fruits of the Holy Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity” (Gal 5:22–23). The Church’s tradition counts twelve fruits (CCC 1832).
O Holy Spirit, Eternal Love of the Father and the Son, vouchsafe to grant unto me, I beseech Thee, the fruit of Charity, that I may be united to Thee by divine love; the fruit of Joy, that I may be filled with a holy consolation; the fruit of Peace, that I may enjoy inward tranquillity of soul; the fruit of Patience, that I may endure humbly everything that may be opposed to my own desires; the fruit of Benignity, that I may willingly relieve the necessities of my neighbor; the fruit of Goodness, that I may be benevolent towards all; the fruit of Longanimity, that I may not be discouraged by delay, but may persevere in prayer; the fruit of Mildness, that I may subdue every rising of evil temper, stifle every murmur, and repress the susceptibilities of my nature, in all my dealings with my neighbor; the fruit of Fidelity, that I may rely with assured confidence on the word of God; the fruit of Modesty, that I may order my exterior regularly; the fruit of Continency and Chastity, that I may keep my body in such holiness as becometh Thy temple, so that, having, by Thy assistance, preserved my heart pure on earth, I may merit, in Jesus Christ, according to the words of the Gospel, to see God eternally in the glory of His kingdom. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
Day 9: Act of Oblation to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great cloud of witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body, to Thee, eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the strength and the light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Make me faithful in every thought, and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice, watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee, and give myself to Thee, and ask Thee, by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, and looking at His five wounds, and trusting to His precious blood, and adoring His open side and stricken heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee with the sin which Thou canst not forgive. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee, always and everywhere, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times).
The “sin which Thou canst not forgive” is the refusal to accept God’s mercy by refusing to repent (Mt 12:31; CCC 1864). Anyone who is sorry and asks for forgiveness can be forgiven.
Optional daily prayer: Humble Supplication to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, divine Paraclete, Father of the poor, Consoler of the afflicted, Light of hearts, Sanctifier of souls! behold me prostrate in Thy presence; I adore Thee with the most profound submission, and I repeat a thousand times with the seraphs who are before Thy throne: “Holy, Holy, Holy!” I firmly believe that Thou art eternal, consubstantial with the Father and the Son. I hope that by Thy goodness Thou wilt sanctify and save my soul. I love Thee, O God of love! I love Thee more than all the things of this world; I love Thee with all my affections, because Thou art infinite goodness that dost alone merit all my love; and since, insensible as I have been to Thy holy inspirations, I have been so ungrateful as to offend Thee by so many sins, I ask Thee a thousand pardons for them, and I supremely regret having ever displeased Thee, O Sovereign Good! I offer Thee my heart, cold as it is, and I supplicate Thee to let a ray of Thy light and a spark of Thy fire enter therein to melt the hardened ice of my iniquities. Thou Who didst fill the soul of Mary with immense graces, and didst inflame the hearts of the apostles, vouchsafe also to set my heart on fire with Thy love. Thou art a divine Spirit, fortify me against evil spirits; Thou art a fire, enkindle in me the fire of Thy love; Thou art a Light, enlighten me so that I may know eternal things; Thou art a Dove, give me great purity of heart; Thou art a Breath that is full of sweetness, dissipate the storms that my passions raise up against me; Thou art a Tongue, teach me the manner of praising Thee without ceasing; Thou art a Cloud, cover me with the shadow of Thy protection; and if, finally, Thou art the Author of all heavenly gifts, ah! I beseech Thee to grant them to me. Vivify me by Thy grace, sanctify me by Thy charity, govern me by Thy wisdom, adopt me by Thy bounty as Thy child, and save me by Thy infinite mercy, so that I may never cease to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to love Thee, at first during my life on this earth, and afterwards to all eternity in heaven. Amen.
Source: Visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle, ed. F. X. Lasance (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1898): the novena devotions for Pentecost, pp. 435–461, and the prayer for the fruits, pp. 103–104 (public domain). In keeping with our house style, the book’s older name for the Third Person of the Trinity is modernized to “Holy Spirit,” and spelling and capitalization are lightly regularized. The book notes that the seven gift prayers “may be recited one on each day of the week, or may be used all together as a sort of crown or chaplet”; the nine-day arrangement here is ours. (The 1898 book begins the novena on Ascension Day; today it is usually prayed from the Friday after Ascension Thursday to the Saturday before Pentecost.)
Novena to St. Joseph: the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys
March 10–18, 2027 (for March 19), April 22–30, 2027 (for St. Joseph the Worker, May 1), or any time.
This classic devotion recalls seven moments in St. Joseph’s life when sorrow gave way to joy. Pray all seven parts each day of the novena. Pope Pius VII attached indulgences to these prayers in 1819, including on each day of the novenas before St. Joseph’s feasts. (Indulgences today are governed by the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum.)
I. Pure husband of most holy Mary, glorious St. Joseph, great was the travail and anguish of thy heart when, in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; but unspeakable was thy joy when the angel revealed to thee the high mystery of the Incarnation. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, comfort our souls now and in their dying agony with the sweet consolation of a well-spent life, and a death like unto thine own, in the embrace of Jesus and of Mary.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
II. Thrice happy patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, chosen to be the foster-father of the Word made man, keen was the pain thou didst feel when thou didst see the infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was suddenly changed into heavenly joy when upon thee burst the harmony of the angel-choirs, and thou didst behold the glory of that refulgent night. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, obtain for us that, when the journey of our life is over, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-chants, and enjoy the brightness of celestial glory.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
III. O thou who wast ever most obedient in fulfilling the law of God, glorious St. Joseph! when, at his circumcision, the infant Saviour’s precious blood was shed, thy heart was pierced through and through; but with the name of Jesus came again to thee new life and heavenly joy. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, freed in life from the vile yoke of sin, we too may die with joy, with the sweet name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
IV. Faithful saint, who wast admitted to take part in man’s redemption, glorious St. Joseph, Simeon’s prophecy of the coming woes of Jesus and of Mary filled thy soul with agony like death: but thy soul was filled with blessedness when he foretold salvation and glorious resurrection to innumerable souls. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of those who, by the merits of Jesus and his virgin mother, shall be partakers of the glorious resurrection.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
V. Watchful guardian, bosom-friend of the incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, how didst thou toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight into Egypt; but far greater was thy joy in having with thee God himself, and in seeing Egypt’s idols fall to the earth! By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us to keep aloof from the infernal tyrant, quitting all dangerous occasions, that all earthly idols may be cast out from our hearts, and that, employed in the service of Jesus and Mary, we may ever live for them alone, and with them calmly die.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
VI. Angel on earth, glorious St. Joseph, while thou didst marvel at seeing the King of heaven obedient to thy bidding, fear of the tyrant mingled with thy joy when thou didst bring him back from Egypt: but, reassured by the angel, thou didst dwell at Nazareth with glad heart, in the sweet company of Jesus and Mary. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, with heart set free from every hurtful fear, we too may taste the quiet of a tranquil conscience, safely dwelling with Jesus and with Mary, and one day die within their loving arms.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
VII. Pattern of all holiness, glorious St. Joseph, without fault of thine, thou didst lose the holy child, Jesus, and for three days, to thy great sorrow, didst seek for him, until, with joy unspeakable, thou didst find thy Life amid the doctors in the temple. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with all our heart, stand between us and danger, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin; but if, to our shame and disgrace, we lose him, may we seek him with such ceaseless grief that we may find him propitious to us, especially at the hour of our death, and thus go to enjoy him in heaven, and there with thee sing his divine mercy forever!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Antiphon. Jesus was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph (cf. Lk 3:23).
V.Pray for us, blessed Joseph.
R.That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, who in thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of thy most holy mother: grant, we beseech thee, that we may be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Source: The Raccolta; or, Collection of Indulgenced Prayers, trans. Ambrose St. John (London: Burns and Oates, 1878), no. 142 (public domain). OCR errors corrected and “S. Joseph” written as “St. Joseph.” You might also add Pope Leo XIII’s Prayer to St. Joseph each day. Learn about St. Joseph’s life.
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena
From the feast of St. Andrew, November 30, 2026, until Christmas Eve, December 24 (25 days).
Although it is called a “novena,” this beloved Advent prayer is said fifteen times each day from November 30 to Christmas Eve. You can spread the fifteen times through the day (for example, five times at each meal). It is not addressed to St. Andrew: it takes its name from the day it begins, and it is a prayer to God the Father, through the merits of Jesus and Mary.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
A Christmas novena from December 16 to 24. For a nine-day novena just before Christmas, keep praying the St. Andrew prayer, and add the O Antiphons, which the Church sings at Evening Prayer from December 17 to 23. Each one calls on Christ by one of His titles from the prophets. See the full Advent 2026 guide.
Source: traditional (late 19th century; public domain). The prayer is widely printed, and its exact origin is uncertain.
Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
May 26 – June 3, 2027, before the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (Friday, June 4), or for any urgent need.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) prayed this novena every day for all who asked for his prayers. Its author is uncertain; it is sometimes attributed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Each part rests on a promise of Jesus in the Gospel: Mt 7:7, Jn 16:23, and Mt 24:35.
I. O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.” Behold, I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of … (name your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in You.
II. O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, whatever you ask of my Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in Your name I ask the Father for the grace of …
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in You.
III. O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Behold, relying on the infallibility of Your holy words, I ask You for the grace of …
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust and hope in You.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us poor sinners, and grant us the graces we ask of You through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender Mother and ours.
Pray the Hail, Holy Queen, and add: St. Joseph, foster father of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Translation: LearnGodsLight, from the Italian text prayed by St. Pio, Coroncina al Sacro Cuore di Gesù (“O mio Gesù, che hai detto…”). The quoted Gospel words are rendered in modern English to match the Italian. Compare Mt 7:7, Jn 16:23, and Mt 24:35 in the Douay-Rheims: “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Read about St. Padre Pio.
The Divine Mercy Novena (overview)
St. Faustina recorded that Jesus asked for a novena beginning on Good Friday and ending on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. In 2027 that is Friday, March 26, to Saturday, April 3. Each day, you bring a different group of souls to Jesus and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Diary, 796, 1209–1229):
- All mankind, especially sinners
- The souls of priests and religious
- All devout and faithful souls
- Those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Jesus
- The souls who have separated themselves from the Church
- The meek and humble souls and the souls of little children
- The souls who especially venerate and glorify His mercy
- The souls detained in purgatory
- Souls who have become lukewarm
The daily texts come from St. Faustina’s Diary, whose English translation is under copyright, so we do not reproduce them. Pray the full novena with the Marian Fathers: The Divine Mercy Novena of Chaplets (TheDivineMercy.org).
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 726, 965, 1830–1832, 1864, 2111, 2623. Code of Canon Law, can. 1251.
- Leo XIII, Divinum Illud Munus (1897), 13.
- Holy Spirit novena: Visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle, ed. F. X. Lasance (Benziger Brothers, 1898), public domain (via the Internet Archive).
- St. Joseph: The Raccolta, trans. Ambrose St. John (Burns and Oates, 1878), no. 142, public domain (via the Internet Archive).
- Efficacious Novena: translation by LearnGodsLight from the Italian.
- Divine Mercy novena: Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, The Divine Mercy Novena of Chaplets (intentions); Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 796, 1209–1229.
- Dates: USCCB, Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America, 2027.
- Scripture: Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (public domain).