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 Anne, pray for our families. Open our hearts to faith shared lovingly across generations. Help us to receive your answer with trust and to put our faith into action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · Gratitude
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Ask God to deepen our gratitude for those who nurtured us in childhood and faith. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us thank an elder or remember with tenderness someone who has died. 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 · Parents
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Intercede for parents and guardians who feel unequal to the responsibilities they carry. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Give them wise support and help us share their practical burdens. 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 · Grandparents
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Remember grandparents whose love sustains families, whether nearby or across great distance. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to value their presence and listen patiently to their experience. 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 · Children
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Pray for children who need safety, affection, education, and adults they can trust. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Move us to protect their dignity and respond responsibly to their needs. 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 · Teaching faith
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Ask the Lord to guide those introducing children and young people to prayer. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help them teach with patience, honesty, and a living example of kindness. 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 · Waiting
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Bring before God those waiting for a child or grieving hopes that remain unfulfilled. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us offer sensitive companionship without assumptions, pressure, or easy explanations. 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 · Family reconciliation
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Pray for healing where old hurts have divided generations or silenced conversation. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to take a wise step toward peace while respecting 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 8 · Care for elders
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Remember older people whose loneliness, illness, or dependence is too easily overlooked. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us make time for companionship and honour their choices and 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 9 · A legacy of love
Saint Anne, pray for our families. Place our intention before God and pray that our families may pass on faith through love. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to leave behind habits of generosity, truthfulness, and patient care. 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 faith shared lovingly across generations 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.