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. Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Open our hearts to reconciliation, resilience, and hope. Help us to receive your answer with trust and to put our faith into action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · Difficult situations
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Bring before Christ the circumstances that seem tangled beyond our ability to resolve. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us seek trustworthy advice and distinguish patient hope from helpless resignation. 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 · Peace in the home
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Pray for households troubled by anger, fear, resentment, or persistent misunderstanding. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Guide us toward truthful conversation and appropriate protection for anyone facing harm. 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 · Forgiveness
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Ask Jesus to loosen the hold of bitterness without denying the reality of wounds. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to entrust judgment to God while maintaining wise and necessary boundaries. 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 · Patience
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Intercede for those who face long delays and cannot yet see a clear way forward. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us carry today's responsibilities without trying to solve every future problem. 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 · Grief
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Remember those mourning family members or the loss of hopes they deeply cherished. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us offer companionship and make room for sorrow without demanding quick recovery. 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 · Courage
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Pray for people who must make difficult decisions for the safety of themselves or others. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Give them wise helpers and the strength to take responsible protective action. 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 · Compassion
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Ask Christ to make us gentle toward those whose choices we do not fully understand. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to listen to their circumstances before judging their struggles. 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 · Perseverance
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Bring our intention before God when weariness makes us want to abandon every effort. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us accept encouragement and continue one constructive step at a time. 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 · Hope renewed
Saint Rita, pray for us in our difficulties. Pray that God's grace may bring goodness even where our preferred plans have failed. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to recognize new possibilities and remain willing 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.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, receive the prayers we have offered today. Let reconciliation, resilience, and hope 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.