A
novena is usually a nine-day period when a person prays for some special intention.
Acts of the Apostles 1:13-14 says that Mary and the apostles spent the time between
Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost in prayer. That is nine days if you don’t count Pentecost
itself.
No special prayers are required, though
prayer books often have recommended prayers for asking saintly intercession or addressing
God directly.
A novena could be nine of some day of
the week. For example, the nine Tuesdays before the feast of St. Anthony of Padua
(June 13) are considered a novena.
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