How to Pray a Novena (the Right Way)

A novena is a special way to pray for a specific intention or grace, such as for a loved one, healing, forgiveness, clarity with a big decision, etc. However, they aren’t magic. We can’t assume that God will answer our prayers immediately or in the exact why we ask him to answer them.

Today, Fr. Mike shares with us the right way to approach praying a novena—whether it be a traditional nine day novena, a 33 day Consecration, or even a 54 day Rosary Novena—and what pitfalls to avoid when praying this way.


Feed Your Spiritual Life in Just 25 Minutes a Day



Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. as they read and explain Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales in the first season of Ascension’s podcast, Catholic Classics!

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Meet Fr. Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Schmitz serves as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and as chaplain for the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

He is a presenter in Ascension’s ChosenAltaration, and The 99 programs, and has a channel on Ascension Presents. He is also the host of the Ascension podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year.

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