novena

American  

[noh-vee-nuh, nuh-] / noʊˈvi nə, nə- /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

plural

novenae, novenas

1. a devotion consisting of nine separate days of prayers or services.

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novena British  

/ nəʊˈviːnə /

noun

1. RC Church a devotion consisting of prayers or services on nine consecutive days

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Etymology

Origin of novena

1850–55; < Medieval Latin novēna, noun use of feminine singular of Latin novēnus nine each

Example Sentences

But she thought of this daily ritual as a kind of novena: a prayer repeated for nine days to appeal a misfortune or request a special favor.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2023

Anisha Virgen, director of outreach and social justice at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Encino, spearheaded the novena to St. Dymphna at the church this month.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2022

Sometimes I post a prayer, like the Christmas novena, which my mother-in-law always said at the table on Christmas Eve.

From Fox News • Dec. 12, 2021

At St. Patrick, parishioners set aside a time every day for a novena prayer.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2021

My mother and Ultima sang some prayers, part of a novena we had promised for the safe delivery of my brothers.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya