A novena is a nine days’ prayer said as a preparation for some particular feast, or in order to obtain some special favor. The model and the first of all novenas was that made in the Cenacle, after the Ascension of Our Lord, by the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin in preparation for the coming of the Holy Ghost. The earliest ecclesiastical novena of which we have record is the Christmas Novena, which commemorates the nine months during which the Christ Child was carried in the womb of His Mother.

December 16

O Shepherd that rulest Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 17

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things

mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 18

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and give him the law in Sinai,

come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.

December 19

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles

shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 20

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth,

come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness , and in the shadow of death.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 21

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the

shadow of death!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 22

O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Cornerstone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou has

made out of the dust of the earth!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be t o the Father, etc.

December 23

O Emmanuel, our King and our Lawgiver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our

God!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

December 24

O Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Thy face, and we shall be saved.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, etc.

Indulgence of 300 days, each day. — Pius VIII. July 9, 1830