Questa novena
Saint Louise de Marillac was a wife, mother, widow, and cofounder of the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul. Her care for people in need joined prayer with practical, organized service. This nine-day community companion is newly written for Prayers and Reflections; it is not a traditional novena transcription or an officially approved liturgical text. The linked Daughters of Charity biography supplies historical background, not the words of these prayers. Pray one day each day for nine days, alone or together. A novena does not guarantee any particular outcome.
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.
Testo della preghiera
Leggi il testo completo dei nove giorni
How to pray this novena
Choose one day at a time. One person reads the Prayer leader parts; everyone joins the shared responses. If praying alone, read both parts. These original site-authored community prayers are devotional additions, not a traditional novena transcription.
Opening prayer
God our Father, we gather in the name of Jesus Christ and ask the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac. Receive the needs of our families, our neighbours, and all who have asked for our prayers.
Draw us into your presence with honest and grateful hearts. Help us listen to your word, support one another, and recognize Christ in those who need our care. May our prayer deepen our love and lead us to generous action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · Trust amid uncertainty
When plans change, we can bring our uncertainty to God without pretending to have every answer. Faith grows through the next honest and loving step.
God of mercy, Receive the anxieties we carry about our families, our health, and the future. Free us from the need to control everything, and help us recognize the help you offer through other people. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us listen patiently to someone who is worried.
Day 2 · Faith in family life
Family life includes joy, misunderstanding, responsibility, and loss. Ordinary care can become a daily offering of love.
God of mercy, Bless parents, children, grandparents, and all who care for relatives. Heal divisions without hiding the truth, protect those who are unsafe, and give our households the patience to begin again. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us offer practical help to a family member.
Day 3 · Compassion for people in poverty
People in poverty deserve respect, friendship, and a voice in decisions that affect them. Service begins by listening.
God of mercy, Forgive our indifference to hunger, homelessness, and exclusion. Teach us to share fairly and to work with people rather than making assumptions about their needs. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us ask a neighbour what help would be useful.
Day 4 · Care for the sick
Accompanying someone who is sick asks for tenderness and steadiness. Small faithful acts can ease loneliness even when we cannot remove suffering.
God of mercy, Strengthen patients, caregivers, and health workers. Give comfort to those waiting for news, rest to those exhausted by care, and access to needed treatment for those who cannot afford it. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us check on someone who is ill or caring for another.
Day 5 · Openness to the Holy Spirit
Prayer makes space for the Holy Spirit to guide our choices. Discernment includes listening, wise counsel, and willingness to serve.
God of mercy, Quiet the pride and fear that keep us from hearing you. Help us weigh our choices honestly, welcome sound advice, and use our gifts for the good of our community. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us take time for prayer before an important decision.
Day 6 · Patient collaboration
Shared service brings different gifts and personalities together. Charity includes clear communication, fairness, and humble cooperation.
God of mercy, Bless our parishes, ministries, and workplaces. Keep us from rivalry, teach us to share responsibility, and help us resolve disagreements without humiliating one another. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us thank a quiet contributor to your community.
Day 7 · Dignity of children
Every child needs safety, affection, and the opportunity to grow. Communities share responsibility for protecting children and supporting their caregivers.
God of mercy, Watch over children who are neglected, displaced, hungry, or afraid. Move us to protect their dignity, support their learning, and make our communities places where they are heard and safe. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us support a trustworthy service caring for children.
Day 8 · Perseverance in charity
Good intentions need faithful habits and practical care. Rest and cooperation help service endure without resentment.
God of mercy, Renew those who are weary in doing good. Help us accept our limits, ask for help, and organize our service wisely so that compassion remains patient and dependable. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us offer relief to someone carrying a heavy responsibility.
Day 9 · A life given in love
The end of a novena is a beginning in daily life. Prayer bears fruit when gratitude becomes faithful love of God and neighbour.
God of mercy, Receive these nine days and all the intentions we have entrusted to you. Keep our faith active in ordinary duties, and make our community generous in both joyful and difficult seasons. Through the intercession of Saint Louise de Marillac, strengthen our faith and lead us closer to Jesus. Help us support one another with understanding, speak truth with kindness, and turn our prayer into practical love. We entrust our needs to your wisdom and goodness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pause for silent prayer.
Let us continue together, bringing all our spoken and unspoken intentions to God.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us follow your will.
Today, let us choose a regular act of service to continue after the novena.
Closing prayer
Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us.
Father of mercy, thank you for this time together and for every person who accompanies us in faith. Receive what remains unfinished in our hearts. Help us return to our homes and responsibilities with patience, courage, and compassion. Keep our prayer alive in faithful service, and draw us closer to your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. 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.