The Our Father (Lord’s Prayer): “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
The Hail Mary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
The Glory Be: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
The Invocation: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Execution: The 9 Days For each day, the exact sequence to execute is as follows:
- Recite 1 Our Father
- Recite 10 Hail Marys
- Recite 1 Glory Be
- Recite 3 times the Invocation
- Recite the specific Prayer of the day below.
Day 1: Divine Election “O Immaculate Virgin, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word, obtain for us the grace to answer God’s call with the same docility. Help us to purify our intentions so that our lives are oriented toward the truth. Amen.”
Day 2: Preservation from Evil “O Mary, preserved from all stain of original sin from the first moment of your conception, purify our hearts. Keep us away from all corruption and give us the strength to resist the flaws of our nature. Amen.”
Day 3: The Fullness of Graces “O Full of Grace, whose soul was enriched with the gifts of the Spirit, help us to make the capabilities and graces granted to us each day bear fruit, without wasting them through negligence. Amen.”
Day 4: Absolute Humility “O Most Humble Virgin, who declared yourself the simple handmaid of the Lord, destroy in us all pride. Teach us the efficacy of true humility and detachment from ourselves. Amen.”
Day 5: Obedience to the Plan “O Mother of Obedience, whose consent allowed for salvation, give us the rigor to always fulfill our duty and to follow the divine will, even when the logic escapes us. Amen.”
Day 6: Perfect Purity “O Mirror of Purity, who lived in total integrity, protect our minds from useless distractions and our bodies from destructive temptations. Keep our vision clear and focused. Amen.”
Day 7: Active Charity “O Mother of Mercy, who carried the Savior with infinite care, fill our hearts with operational charity for our neighbor. May our help be concrete and devoid of selfishness. Amen.”
Day 8: Resilience in Trial “O Queen of Martyrs, who shared the sufferings at the foot of the Cross with unwavering strength, grant us the patience and resilience necessary to go through our own crises without faltering. Amen.”
Day 9: Refuge and Revelation “O Mother, who revealed yourself at the grotto of Massabielle as the Immaculate Conception, be the refuge of our weaknesses. Open to us the doors of inner peace and be our constant advocate. Amen.”
In these troubled times, when many of our contemporaries, because of the Wuhan coronavirus, view the future with concern, let us ask the Lord that through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, he may renew in us trust, hope, and peace of heart.
Mary, because you are the smile of God, the reflection of the light of Christ, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, because you chose Bernadette in her poverty, because you are the morning star, the gate of heaven, and the first resurrected creature, we pray to you and entrust our lives to you at a time when so many men and women fear for their health.
Assist the sick and the healthcare personnel, welcome those who have died, and be the comfort of families.
In these uncertain times, turning to the Immaculate Conception is a powerful act of faith. This Great Novena, recited at the Sanctuary of Lourdes, invites us to place our worries at the foot of the Grotto.
All you need to know about the Great Novena
When to pray the Great Novena to the Immaculate Conception?
This prayer is particularly recommended during times of health or personal crisis, but also traditionally from November 30 to December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) or from February 3 to 11 (Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes).
What interpretation can be made of this prayer?
It is a prayer of gentle “spiritual combat”: it opposes the luminous figure of Mary, “smile of God”, to fear and sickness. It affirms that evil will not have the last word.
Who is this novena for?
It is addressed to all those who are worried about the future, to the sick, to caregivers, and to bereaved families who seek the maternal comfort of the Virgin.