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. Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Open our hearts to mercy for the departed and comfort for those who mourn. Help us to receive your answer with trust and to put our faith into action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · Remembering
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. We remember by name those who have died and commend them to your loving mercy. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us speak of their lives with gratitude, honesty, and tenderness. 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 in Christ
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith in the resurrection when death makes every promise seem distant. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us remain close to those whose grief is heavy and confusing. 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 · Mercy
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Forgive the sins of the departed and bring them into the fullness of your light. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to seek forgiveness in our own lives while there is 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 4 · The grieving
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Comfort families whose loss has changed familiar routines and left painful empty spaces. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Move us to offer meals, assistance, or companionship after the first days have passed. 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 · Unfinished words
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Receive the love, regret, and unspoken words that we still carry for those who died. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us entrust what cannot now be repaired to your boundless mercy. 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 · Those forgotten
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Remember the dead who have nobody to mourn them or pray for them by name. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Make us attentive to lonely neighbours while we still have the opportunity. 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 · Thanksgiving
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. We thank you for every kindness, lesson, and gift received through those who have died. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us honour their memory by carrying forward what was good. 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 · Preparation
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Teach us to live responsibly in the knowledge that our earthly life is entrusted to us. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us reconcile, serve generously, and put our affairs in thoughtful order. 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 · Eternal rest
Merciful Father, receive our prayers through Jesus Christ. Grant the departed rest and peace, and lead us all toward communion with you. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Strengthen our hope and help us continue to care for one another. 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 mercy for the departed and comfort for those who mourn 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.