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

The neighborhood house that I visit every year to pray the novena in honor of Guadalupe with others has seen way fewer people than last year.

From Los Angeles Times

The archdiocese has long held special masses and novenas — nine days of prayers — on behalf of immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

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

I was raised Catholic, and made to navigate the weirdness of First Holy Communion, novenas and trips to the shrine at Knock.

From New York Times

They also plan on incorporating novenas, which involves nine consecutive nights of prayer and singing villancicos.

From New York Times