A novena is an ancient and powerful prayer practice that involves praying for nine consecutive days, usually for a specific intention or request. But knowing when and why to do a novena depends on a number of spiritual and personal factors. The choice of when to begin a novena can be influenced by the Christian liturgy, by key moments in life, or by particular circumstances in which you wish to invoke the help of God, the Virgin Mary or the saints. Here is a detailed text that explores the times and situations when it is appropriate to make a novena.

The novena to prepare for a religious feast or liturgical event

In the Christian tradition, one of the most appropriate times to begin a novena is in preparation for a major religious feast or liturgical event. This type of novena is often practised to reinforce spiritual preparation and open one's heart to the grace that accompanies the celebration.

a) Before Christmas or Easter

The periods of Advent (before Christmas) and Lent (before Easter) are times in the liturgical year when novenas are particularly recommended. For example, the Christmas novena is often begun nine days before Christmas Eve, in preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth. The same applies to Easter, where a novena can be made during Holy Week to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's Passion and Resurrection.

b) Before the Feast of Pentecost

A particularly important novena is that before Pentecost, in memory of the Apostles who, after Jesus' Ascension, prayed for nine days to receive the Holy Spirit. Starting a novena nine days before the feast of Pentecost is therefore a way of renewing this expectation of the Spirit and preparing to receive his gifts.

c) Before Marian feasts or saints

Many novenas are also done before feasts dedicated to the Virgin Mary or the saints. For example, a novena to the Immaculate Conception may begin nine days before 8 December, the date of this Marian feast. Similarly, a novena can be made before the feast of a specific saint, such as Saint Joseph, Saint Anthony of Padua, or Saint Therese of Lisieux, in order to prepare spiritually to honour their life and intercession.

The novena to ask for a grace or divine intervention

Another common reason for making a novena is to ask for a particular grace or divine intervention in a difficult situation. Novenas are then prayed for specific intentions, often invoking the intercession of a saint or the Virgin Mary. Here are some examples of when it is common to do a novena to ask for help:

a) For healing or health

When someone is ill, a novena is often started to ask for healing. For example, the novena to Saint Jude, known as the saint of hopeless causes, is prayed by those facing serious illness or seemingly hopeless medical situations. Similarly, the novena to Our Lady of Lourdes is particularly associated with physical and spiritual healing, as it is linked to the shrine of Lourdes, a place of many miracles of healing.

b) For desperate or impossible situations

Novenas are often prayed in times of great distress, despair or insurmountable difficulties. Whether it's a financial situation, a family crisis, or a personal trial, the faithful turn to saints renowned for their intercession in desperate cases, such as Saint Jude or Saint Rita. Doing a novena at such times is a way of testifying to their faith in God's intervention, even when the situation seems impossible.

c) For family or relational intentions

Many people pray a novena for family intentions: reconciliation in families, healing emotional wounds, or to ask God's help in difficult relationships. The novena to Saint Joseph, for example, is often prayed to ask for protection and blessing on the family, as well as for the family's material and spiritual well-being.

d) To obtain a job or direction in life

Novenas are also prayed to ask God to guide one's steps in the search for a job or to obtain spiritual direction in life. In these cases, the faithful ask God to help them find a solution to their professional difficulties or discern their vocation. For example, the novena to Saint Joseph is often prayed to find a job, invoking the help of this patron saint of workers.

The novena to express gratitude or thanksgiving

A novena is not just prayed to ask for something, it can also be done to express gratitude to God or a saint for a grace received. Novenas of thanksgiving are a way of showing recognition for blessings received and giving glory to God for his goodness.

a) After a healing or miracle

If a person has received healing or divine help in a difficult situation, it is common to make a novena of thanksgiving to thank God or the saint invoked. This form of novena is an act of gratitude and humility, reminding us that every grace received is an undeserved gift.

b) To thank God after a period of intense prayer

After a period of intense prayer or after experiencing an answer to a particular intention, a novena of thanksgiving can be begun to thank God for his intervention in the life of the praying person. For example, after a pilgrimage or after receiving a particular grace during a spiritual retreat, the faithful may pray a novena to express their gratitude.

Novenas as preparation for or accompaniment of a spiritual journey

Novenas can also accompany important spiritual journeys, such as a consecration to the Virgin Mary or a religious commitment. Some novenas are prayed in preparation for an act of consecration or in support of someone going through a key moment in their spiritual life.

a) Consecration to the Virgin Mary or a saint

Many people pray a novena before consecrating themselves to the Virgin Mary, Jesus or a saint. For example, a novena may be prayed before consecrating oneself to Our Lady of Mount Carmel or to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in order to prepare oneself spiritually for this act of total devotion.

b) Accompanying a spiritual retreat or pilgrimage

A novena may be done to accompany a spiritual retreat or pilgrimage. For example, before a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the faithful can pray a novena to prepare themselves spiritually for their journey and ask the Virgin Mary for protection. Similarly, a novena can be prayed during a retreat, to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit or to deepen the spiritual experience.

The novena to obtain forgiveness or during a period of penance

The novena is also often prayed during periods of penance or when we are seeking God's forgiveness. It is a way of showing sincere repentance and asking for divine mercy. For example, during Lent, many of the faithful pray novenas to accompany their journey of conversion and spiritual purification.

a) Periods of repentance and conversion

Novenas prayed during periods of repentance are often accompanied by additional confessions and prayers to ask for reconciliation with God. The Novena for Divine Mercy, for example, is prayed to ask for forgiveness of sins and to implore God's infinite mercy. It is particularly recommended for those who wish to renew their spiritual commitment and be reconciled with God.

b) To ask for reconciliation in relationships

At times when relational tensions or conflicts arise, a novena can be prayed to ask God to bring reconciliation. It can be prayed to obtain forgiveness from someone or to help heal broken relationships.

Conclusion: when to do a novena?

In conclusion, the novena is a powerful and flexible prayer that can be adapted to many situations in the spiritual life. Whether preparing for a major religious festival, asking for a particular grace, thanking God or reconciling with him, a novena is a way of persevering in prayer and opening one's heart to divine action. Prayed with faith, humility and constancy, a novena strengthens your relationship with God and helps you to experience a profound spiritual journey. The timing depends above all on the intention of the praying person, but the key lies in the sincerity and perseverance with which this prayer is performed.