About this novena
This is an original nine-day devotional adaptation written for Prayers & Reflections, not an official liturgical text or a reproduction of a particular shrine’s novena. Each day offers a distinct intention and a practical response of faith. Novenas invite persevering prayer and do not guarantee a particular result.
The guided companion follows the St. Vincent novena’s six sections. The nine-day Scripture cycle follows the St. Vincent companion. Scripture, reflection, intentions and thanksgiving are companion additions; the devotional prayer text is preserved. Scripture readings use the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible. Added community prayers and reflections are original devotional texts.
Prayer text
Read the full nine-day novena text
How to pray this novena
Pray the opening prayer, the prayer for the appropriate day, and the closing prayer on each of nine days. Name your intention in silence. These original devotional prayers may be prayed individually or together.
Opening prayer
God of mercy, gather us in your presence as we begin this novena. We bring you our intention, our gratitude, and the needs of those who cannot find words to pray. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Open our hearts to healing, patient care, and confidence in God. Help us to receive your answer with trust and to put our faith into action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · The sick
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Bring before Jesus all who are living with illness, disability, or frightening symptoms. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us support appropriate care and treat every sick person with dignity. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 2 · Hope
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Pray for those whose treatment is long and whose strength is slowly being exhausted. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to offer encouragement without promising outcomes that we cannot know. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 3 · Caregivers
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Remember family members, health workers, and volunteers whose care often goes unnoticed. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us relieve one burden and thank someone who serves with patience. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 4 · Inner healing
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Intercede for those carrying fear, shame, grief, or memories that still cause pain. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Lead them toward trustworthy support and help us respond without judgment. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 5 · Simplicity
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Teach us to approach God honestly without disguising our weakness beneath impressive words. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us pray simply and receive help with gratitude rather than embarrassment. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 6 · Conversion
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Ask Christ to heal the selfishness that closes our hearts to suffering neighbours. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Move us to change one habit that has made us less available to love. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 7 · Community
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Pray for those whose illness has left them isolated from friends or parish life. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us make a visit, send a thoughtful message, or provide practical assistance. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 8 · Peace
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Bring calm to those awaiting tests, surgery, treatment decisions, or difficult medical news. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Give them wise counsel and companions who respect both their hopes and fears. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 9 · Gratitude
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Join us in thanking God for every kindness and every measure of strength received. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to remain loving and hopeful while entrusting the future to Christ. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, receive the prayers we have offered today. Let healing, patient care, and confidence in God take root in our daily choices. Give help to those in distress, wisdom to those who care for them, and hope to those who feel forgotten. We entrust our intention to your loving providence without demanding a particular outcome. Keep us faithful to Jesus and generous toward our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.