Episode 280: What are Novena's?

Novena is name deriving from the Latin word "novem," meaning "nine," a novena is nine days-long prayer to obtain special graces, to obtain specific intentions, for thanksgiving, or to prepare for a specific feast, such as Christmas or a Saint's day. Though they are not part of our liturgy and remain a "popular devotion" (a very few are prayed paraliturgically), they've been prayed since the very beginning of the Church -- and before its official beginning.