2007-06-18 03:48:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
In the Roman Catholic faith it is seen as showing devotion, and the use is akin to eastern medition in becoming closer with the christian God. These are often used when asking God for something such as as becoming pregnant, a job, or some other achievment. Asking for God's intervention or help.
2007-06-18 04:03:55 · answer #1 · answered by Deirdre O 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Novena
(From novem, nine.)
A nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces. The octave has more of the festal character; to the novena belongs that of hopeful mourning, of yearning, of prayer. "The number nine in Holy Writ is indicative of suffering and grief" (St. Jerome, in Ezech., vii, 24; -- P.L., XXV, 238, cf. XXV, 1473). The novena is permitted and even recommended by ecclesiastical authority, but still has no proper and fully set place in the liturgy of the Church. It has, however, more and more been prized and utilized by the faithful. Four kinds of novenas can be distinguished: novenas of mourning, of preparation, of prayer, and the indulgenced novenas, though this distinction is not exclusive.
The Jews had no nine days' religious celebration or nine days' mourning or feast on the ninth day after the death or burial of relatives and friends. They held the number seven more sacred than any other. On the contrary, we find among the ancient Romans an official nine days' religious celebration whose origin is related in Livy (I, xxxi). After a shower of stones on the Alban Mount, an official sacrifice, whether because of a warning from above or of the augurs' advice, was held on nine days to appease the gods and avert evil. From then on the same novena of sacrifices was made whenever the like wonder was announced (cf. Livy, XXI, lxii; XXV, vii; XXVI, xxiii etc.).
2007-06-18 05:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Roman Catholic Church a Novena is "A recitation of prayers and devotions for a special purpose during nine consecutive days." These prayers are not said as part of the regular liturgy of the church, but are a private devotion of the individual, or a group. Protestants do not say Novenas.
2007-06-18 04:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Novena means guiding star
2007-06-18 03:55:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think novenas are mostly cathilic not sure Im a believer in Jesus christ our savior and son of God and I'm not sure what they are. I pray
2007-06-18 04:01:07 · answer #5 · answered by Pearl Wagoner 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋