novena

noun

no·​ve·​na nō-ˈvē-nə How to pronounce novena (audio)
: a Roman Catholic period of prayer lasting nine consecutive days

Examples of novena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To celebrate and honor the faith, friendships and memories that have shaped the parish community, there is a nine-day novena running through Oct. 26 that will culminate with a weekend full of events for alumni, parishioners and friends. Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 Her mother started a novena, a nine-day period of prayer to ask for Casey's intercession on Mary's behalf. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 3 July 2025 Around 350 to 400 people had gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in downtown Spokane on Tuesday for the second night of novena, a tradition of gathering for prayer for nine days or nine weeks, when the man, identified as Joshua James Sommers, allegedly attacked the priest. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2025 Simbang Gabi is a nine-day novena to Mary, who Catholics revere as the blessed mother, and it is traditionally celebrated in a series of pre-dawn masses by Filipino Catholics worldwide. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024 According to legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed a nine-day novena to St. Joseph, patron saint of Carpenters, for help building a staircase to the choir loft. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2024 Also, the national order of the Knights of Columbus began a novena for peace and healing. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2024 Intercessions and novenas were prayed in hopes that God would miraculously heal Ian of his sickness. Josh Holdenried, National Review, 5 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, feminine of novenus nine each, from novem

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of novena was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Novena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novena. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

novena

noun
no·​ve·​na nō-ˈvē-nə How to pronounce novena (audio)
plural novenas or novenae
-nē
: a Roman Catholic devotion in which prayers are said for the same intention on nine days in a row
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