The novena candle dedicated to the Miraculous Virgin is a symbol of prayer and devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly under the title of "Virgin of the Miraculous Medal". This candle, lit as part of a novena, accompanies the faithful in their prayers over a period of nine days, a time of intensive and persevering prayer. It is often used to ask for special graces, blessings, protection from evil or healing, and to thank the Virgin Mary for her intercession.
Origins of the Miraculous Virgin and the Miraculous Medal
The history of the Miraculous Virgin dates back to 1830, when a young nun, Saint Catherine Labouré, then a novice with the Daughters of Charity in Paris, received several apparitions from the Virgin Mary. The most important of these took place on 27 November 1830, in the chapel on the rue du Bac in Paris. During this vision, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine on a globe, surrounded by an oval frame with the inscription "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you".
During this apparition, the Virgin Mary asked Catherine Labouré to have a medal struck according to this vision. The Virgin assured her that those who wore this medal with faith would receive great graces, hence the name "Miraculous Medal". Since then, devotion to the Miraculous Virgin has spread throughout the world, and there are many accounts of miracles and blessings attributed to her intercession.
Significance of the Miraculous Virgin novena candle
The novena candle is a special candle designed to burn for nine consecutive days, accompanying the prayers of the faithful in a process of persevering devotion. The number nine has a special significance in Christian tradition, as it symbolises perseverance and recalls the nine days of prayer that the apostles and the Virgin Mary dedicated between the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Lighting a novena candle dedicated to the Miraculous Virgin is an act of faith and trust in the Virgin Mary's intercession. It enables believers to remain connected to their prayer intention over an extended period, and to express their confidence in the power of Marian prayer and intercession. The flame of the candle, which burns day and night, symbolises divine light, the constant presence of the Virgin Mary and the persistence of faith.
Why pray with a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin?
The novena candle is a devotional tool used by the faithful to accompany their prayers to the Virgin Mary. The Miraculous Virgin is often invoked for requests for specific graces, healing, protection from danger, and to obtain miracles in desperate situations. Praying with a novena candle dedicated to the Miraculous Virgin offers several spiritual benefits:
a) Asking for graces and blessings
The Miraculous Medal is associated with many miracles, including physical healings, family reconciliations, and interventions in desperate situations. The faithful who pray with a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin often ask for particular graces, trusting that Mary will intervene on their behalf. The flame of the candle represents the persistence of this request, illuminating the path to divine grace.
b) Protection from evil
Many believers light a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin to ask for protection from physical and spiritual dangers. Praying to the Virgin is often used to ask for her protection against the forces of evil, accidents, and the trials of everyday life. By invoking the Miraculous Virgin, the faithful believe that they are wrapped in her protective mantle and that she will guide them to safety.
c) Physical and spiritual healing
The Miraculous Virgin is also prayed to for healings, both physical and spiritual. Numerous accounts of miraculous cures are associated with devotion to the Miraculous Medal and the Virgin of Rue du Bac. By lighting a novena candle, the faithful express their hope for healing, whether for themselves or their loved ones, by entrusting their suffering to Mary.
d) Thanks for a grace received
The novena candle can also be used as an act of thanksgiving after receiving a grace or blessing. Believers light a novena candle to express their gratitude to the Virgin Mary for her intercession, and to continue to ask for her presence in their lives.
How to pray with a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin
Praying with a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin is an act of devotion that requires perseverance and faith. Here is a guide to help you pray with this special candle:
a) Preparing your intention
Before lighting the candle, it is important to clearly define the intention of your prayer. You may be praying for a particular grace, asking for healing, protection, or simply offering your prayer in thanksgiving. This intention must be formulated with faith, entrusting your request to the intercession of the Miraculous Virgin.
b) Lighting the candle
Light the novena candle in a safe, quiet place conducive to prayer. The act of lighting the candle is a strong symbolic gesture, representing the invocation of divine light and Mary's presence in your prayer. You can recite a specific prayer to the Miraculous Virgin, or simply speak to Mary in your own words, entrusting your intention to her.
c) Recite a novena prayer
A novena prayer dedicated to the Miraculous Virgin can be recited every day for nine days. Here is an example of a prayer to the Miraculous Virgin that you can recite:
O Virgin Mary, conceived without sin,
I come to you with trust and love.
I entrust this intention to you (name your intention),
And I beg you to intercede with your Son,
To grant me the grace I so desperately need.
O Mary, Mother of Heaven,
Listen to my prayer and shower upon me the graces of your protection.
I trust in your power of intercession,
And I entrust to you my heart and my concerns.
Thank you for your infinite love and benevolence.
Amen.
d) Pray each day for nine days
Conserve a moment each day for prayer before the lighted candle. Recite the prayer to the Miraculous Virgin and meditate on your intention. Novena prayer is an act of persevering faith, and it is essential to pray with confidence and continue the prayer even if the results are not immediately visible.
e) Closing the novena
On the ninth day, after reciting the prayer for the last time, close the novena with a prayer of thanks to the Miraculous Virgin. Whether or not you have received the grace you asked for, thank Mary for listening to you and for her intercession. Faith in her intercession and perseverance in prayer often bring inner peace and unexpected answers.
Where to buy a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin?
Novena candles dedicated to the Miraculous Virgin are available from Christian shops, Marian shrines, religious shops and online. They are often adorned with an image of the Virgin holding the Miraculous Medal, with the inscription "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you."
When buying a novena candle, be sure to choose a quality candle designed to burn slowly for nine days. Some candles also come with a printed prayer, making it easier to practise the novena every day.
The importance of faith in praying to the Miraculous Virgin
Praying with a novena candle to the Miraculous Virgin is an act of faith and deep devotion. Faith in the intercession of the Virgin Mary is at the heart of this practice. The faithful believe that Mary, as Mother of Christ, intercedes for them with God, bringing graces, healings and blessings to those who pray fervently.
Although the results are not always immediately visible, praying with a novena candle strengthens trust in God and in the power of Marian intercession. It also helps us to persevere in our faith, knowing that sincere prayer is always heard and that Mary is always ready to help those who turn to her with love and trust.
Conclusion
The Miraculous Virgin novena candle is a powerful symbol of Marian devotion, a way of inviting the divine light and protection of the Virgin Mary into our lives. Whether you are asking for a specific grace, healing or protection, or simply wishing to thank the Virgin for her blessings, praying with a novena candle is a persevering and hopeful act of faith. The Miraculous Virgin, through her intercession, continues to bring graces and miracles to those who pray with trust and love.
