What is the Nine-Hour Novena to the Infant Jesus?
The Nine-Hour Novena to the Infant Jesus is a powerful and unique devotion that can be completed in a single day. Unlike traditional nine-day novenas, this special prayer is prayed for nine consecutive hours, making it perfect for urgent situations or when you need immediate spiritual assistance. This devotion is particularly associated with the Infant Jesus of Prague, a famous statue of the Child Jesus that has been venerated for centuries and is known for its miraculous intercessions.
The novena is based on the belief that the Child Jesus, in His divine mercy and love, is especially attentive to the prayers of those who approach Him with childlike trust and faith. The nine hours represent the nine months Jesus spent in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the traditional nine days of prayer, but condensed into a single day for urgent needs.
The History and Significance of the Infant Jesus of Prague
The Infant Jesus of Prague is a famous statue of the Child Jesus that originated in Spain and was brought to Prague in the 17th century. The statue is known for its miraculous powers and has been venerated by countless faithful throughout the centuries. Many popes, including Pope Benedict XVI, have expressed devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague.
The statue depicts the Child Jesus standing, dressed in royal robes, with His right hand raised in blessing and His left hand holding a globe surmounted by a cross. This image represents Christ as the King of the Universe, even as a child. The devotion to the Infant Jesus emphasizes the humility and trust that Jesus showed as a child, and invites us to approach Him with the same childlike faith.
When to Pray the Nine-Hour Novena
This novena is particularly appropriate for:
Urgent Needs
When you have an immediate need that requires quick intervention, such as a medical emergency, financial crisis, or family problem.
Impossible Situations
When you're facing a situation that seems humanly impossible to resolve, and you need divine intervention.
Special Intentions
For important life decisions, job opportunities, relationship problems, or any matter that requires God's guidance and help.
Thanksgiving
To thank the Infant Jesus for graces received or to fulfill a promise made for answered prayers.
How to Prepare for the Novena
Before beginning the nine-hour novena, it's important to prepare yourself spiritually and practically:
Spiritual Preparation
1. Confession: If possible, go to confession before starting the novena to ensure you're in a state of grace.
2. Intention: Clearly define your intention or need. Write it down and keep it in mind throughout the novena.
3. Trust: Approach the novena with complete trust in the Infant Jesus and His love for you.
Practical Preparation
1. Schedule: Choose a day when you can dedicate nine consecutive hours to prayer. You can still go about your normal activities, but you'll need to pray every hour.
2. Reminders: Set alarms or reminders on your phone to ensure you don't forget to pray each hour.
3. Prayer Space: If possible, create a small prayer space with an image of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
The Nine-Hour Novena Structure
Each hour of the novena follows the same structure, but with different prayers and intentions. Here's how to pray it:
Opening Prayer (Pray at the beginning of each hour)
O Divine Infant Jesus, I adore You and I love You with all my heart. I am heartily sorry for having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always, and then do with me what You will.
Hour 1: Adoration and Thanksgiving
O Divine Infant Jesus, I adore You and I thank You for all the graces You have given me. I thank You for creating me, for redeeming me, and for calling me to the Catholic faith. I thank You for all the blessings of my life, especially for the gift of faith and the sacraments.
Help me to always be grateful for Your love and mercy. Teach me to see Your hand in all the events of my life, both joyful and difficult. May I never take Your love for granted, but always respond with love and gratitude.
Infant Jesus, I place my trust in You. I know that You love me and that You want what is best for me. Help me to trust in Your divine providence and to accept Your will in all things.
Hour 2: Repentance and Contrition
O Divine Infant Jesus, I am heartily sorry for all my sins. I have offended You by my thoughts, words, and actions. I have failed to love You as I should and to love my neighbor as myself.
I confess my pride, my selfishness, my lack of charity, and all my other sins. I ask for Your forgiveness and for the grace to avoid sin in the future. Help me to be more like You - humble, obedient, and loving.
Infant Jesus, purify my heart and make me worthy of Your love. Give me the strength to resist temptation and to choose what is good and holy. May my life be a reflection of Your love and mercy.
Hour 3: Petition for My Intention
O Divine Infant Jesus, I come to You with my urgent need: [State your intention here]. I know that nothing is impossible for You, and I trust in Your power and love.
I ask You to hear my prayer and to grant my request if it is according to Your holy will. I know that You want what is best for me, and I accept whatever answer You give me. Help me to trust in Your wisdom and to be patient in waiting for Your response.
Infant Jesus, I place my need in Your hands. I know that You care for me and that You will provide for me according to Your divine plan. May Your will be done in my life.
Hour 4: Intercession for Others
O Divine Infant Jesus, I pray for all those who are in need of Your help. I pray for the sick, the suffering, the lonely, and the despairing. I pray for those who have lost their faith and for those who have never known You.
I pray for my family and friends, for my parish, and for all those I love. I pray for my enemies and for those who have hurt me. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, and to love as You have loved me.
Infant Jesus, I pray for the Church and for all priests and religious. I pray for the conversion of sinners and for the salvation of souls. May Your love and mercy reach all those who need You.
Hour 5: Trust and Surrender
O Divine Infant Jesus, I place all my trust in You. I know that You are all-powerful and all-loving, and that You care for me as a father cares for his child. I surrender my life to You and I accept whatever You send me.
Help me to trust in Your providence and to believe that You will provide for all my needs. Teach me to be content with what You give me and to find joy in Your love. May I always remember that You are with me and that You will never abandon me.
Infant Jesus, I surrender my fears, my worries, and my anxieties to You. I know that You are in control and that everything will work out according to Your plan. Help me to rest in Your love and to find peace in Your presence.
Hour 6: Love and Devotion
O Divine Infant Jesus, I love You with all my heart. You are my Savior, my King, and my Friend. I want to love You more and more each day, and to serve You with all my strength.
Help me to grow in love for You and to show my love by keeping Your commandments. Teach me to love others as You have loved me, and to be a witness of Your love in the world. May my life be a reflection of Your love and mercy.
Infant Jesus, I consecrate myself to You. I want to belong to You completely and to do everything for Your glory. Help me to be faithful to You and to never turn away from Your love.
Hour 7: Perseverance and Faith
O Divine Infant Jesus, I ask for the grace to persevere in faith and to never lose hope. Help me to remain faithful to You even when times are difficult and when I don't understand Your ways.
Give me the strength to carry my cross and to follow You wherever You lead me. Help me to trust in Your promises and to believe that You will never abandon me. May my faith grow stronger each day and may I always remain close to You.
Infant Jesus, I pray for the grace to persevere in prayer and to never give up hope. Help me to continue praying even when I don't see immediate results, and to trust that You are working in my life according to Your perfect timing.
Hour 8: Thanksgiving and Praise
O Divine Infant Jesus, I thank You for hearing my prayers and for all the graces You have given me. I praise You for Your love, Your mercy, and Your power. You are worthy of all praise and adoration.
I thank You for the gift of life, for the gift of faith, and for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me. I thank You for Your presence in my life and for the love You have shown me. May I always be grateful for Your goodness.
Infant Jesus, I praise You for Your humility and for the example You have given us. I praise You for Your obedience to the Father and for Your love for all humanity. May I always praise and glorify You.
Hour 9: Final Petition and Consecration
O Divine Infant Jesus, as I complete this nine-hour novena, I once again present my intention to You: [Repeat your intention]. I trust in Your power and Your love, and I believe that You will answer my prayer according to Your holy will.
I consecrate myself to You completely. I want to belong to You and to serve You all the days of my life. Help me to be faithful to You and to never turn away from Your love. May my life be a witness to Your love and mercy.
Infant Jesus, I thank You for allowing me to pray this novena and for the graces You have given me. I promise to always love You and to serve You with all my heart. May I always remain close to You and may Your love guide me throughout my life.
Closing Prayer (Pray at the end of each hour)
O Divine Infant Jesus, I adore You and I love You. Thank You for hearing my prayer. I trust in Your love and Your power. May Your will be done in my life. Amen.
Additional Prayers for the Novena
You can also include these traditional prayers during your novena:
Prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague
O Divine Infant Jesus, I adore You and I love You with all my heart. I am heartily sorry for having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always, and then do with me what You will.
Litany of the Infant Jesus
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, true God and true Man, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, born in a stable, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, laid in a manger, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, adored by the shepherds, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, visited by the Magi, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, presented in the Temple, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, fleeing to Egypt, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, dwelling in Nazareth, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, found in the Temple, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, obedient to Mary and Joseph, have mercy on us.
Infant Jesus, growing in wisdom and grace, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O Divine Infant Jesus.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O Divine Infant Jesus, who said, 'Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,' mercifully hear our prayers and grant us the grace of Your most divine love, that we may love You with all our hearts and in all our words and actions, and never cease to praise You. Amen.
Tips for a Successful Novena
To make the most of your nine-hour novena, consider these suggestions:
Stay Focused
Try to maintain focus on your intention throughout the day. Even when you're not actively praying, keep your mind and heart directed toward the Infant Jesus and your need.
Offer Sacrifices
Consider offering small sacrifices during the novena, such as fasting from a favorite food, avoiding unnecessary entertainment, or performing acts of charity.
Attend Mass
If possible, attend Mass during the day of your novena. This will strengthen your prayer and unite you more closely with Christ.
Pray with Others
If appropriate, invite family members or friends to join you in praying the novena. There is great power in united prayer.
What to Expect After the Novena
After completing the nine-hour novena, you may experience:
Immediate Answers
Some people receive immediate answers to their prayers, while others may need to wait longer. Trust in God's timing and His perfect plan for your life.
Inner Peace
You may feel a sense of peace and trust, knowing that you have placed your need in the hands of the Infant Jesus.
Spiritual Growth
The novena may lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Christ, regardless of whether your specific request is granted.
Conclusion
The Nine-Hour Novena to the Infant Jesus is a powerful devotion that can bring great spiritual benefits and, often, miraculous answers to prayer. By approaching the Child Jesus with childlike trust and faith, we open ourselves to His love and mercy.
Remember that the most important aspect of any novena is not the specific outcome we desire, but the deepening of our relationship with Christ. Whether or not our specific request is granted, we can be certain that the Infant Jesus hears our prayers and responds according to His perfect will and timing.
Trust in the love of the Infant Jesus, and know that He cares for you as a loving father cares for his child. May this novena bring you closer to Him and help you to experience His love and mercy in your life.