| Author | |
SAHM24
Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 8:42am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Catholic Convert, here... forgive my ignorance...
What is a Novena? How and why is it/are they used? and how & when you do it/them?
Thank you, in advance, for your replies and discussion!
God Bless!
__________________
~~<~~@ Jen @~~>~~
married best friend 93
SAHM to ds 3/14/98, dd 11/8/99, dd 9/16/02, dd 9/7/04 (twin angel)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TracyQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1323
|
| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 9:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jen,
I am a re-vert to the Catholic Faith, leaving in 8th grade, and returning to the Faith at 22 years old (or thereabouts). 
I'm still learning about devotions, etc. myself, but I'm going to post some websites that may help to answer your question. 
EWTN (explanation at bottom of page)
Treasury of Novenas (this has no explanation, but has a lot of novenas!)
VERY DETAILED explanation:
Catholic Encyclopedia
Right now, we're saying a Novena to the Holy Spirit as a family in the evenings, as our son will be making his Confirmation on Friday!
I hope these help you some.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 9:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jen,
I've been a convert for 24 years, and I'm still rusty on novenas. But-correct me if I'm wrong- I believe the number 9 (the nine days of prayers that a novena covers) is based on the nine days between Jesus' Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Because of that association, nine is a special number!
Kelly---still "larning" the Faith--in FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 12:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kelly wrote:
| But-correct me if I'm wrong- I believe the number 9 (the nine days of prayers that a novena covers) is based on the nine days between Jesus' Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Because of that association, nine is a special number! |
|
|
That would be correct. The oldest novena - the novena to the Holy Spirit, derived from the directions given to the apostles by Jesus when He sent them back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. After the Ascension, the disciples together with the women and Mary came together in the upper room to devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). They prayed for nine days before receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
So nine days of prayer does have special meaning to the Church. A novena can either be done on nine consecutive days or once a week for nine weeks.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've also seen novenas at the top of nine hours straight or there's saying 9 Memorares to the BVM in a row like either Mother Theresa or St. Pio did, I forget which one. That would be if there wasn't time for a longer one.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Marybeth
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 02 2005
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1277
|
| Posted: Oct 20 2005 at 4:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
NovenasJen,
Once you learn about novenas do yourself and your family a tremendous help and begin one and do it! They are powerful, healing, comforting and uplifting.
Novenas have helped my family more times than I probably know about and the things I have witnessed and experienced have been very awesome to behold.
God is so good! 
Marybeth
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Forgive My Ignorance...
