Life is fragile; many of us experience that reality through miscarriage or infant loss. Losing a little one is an extremely heavy cross to carry, but you do not have to carry it alone. Jesus is the ultimate comforter, and He invites you to rest in Him! We can also turn to the saints and ask them to pray for us during such a devastating time, especially if prayer is difficult.
Thankfully, the Church is not lacking saints to pray through who are patrons of pregnancy, miscarriage, or child loss. Here are a few saints to consider adding to your go-to list, praying their novenas, or simply making friends with. Remember, the saints are sinners who made it where we want to be! Their prayers are powerful for us. You can also pray with any saint that you have a connection with, related to miscarriage/infant loss or not.
Many observe October as a month to acknowledge miscarriage and infant loss as well as to spread awareness. Perhaps you haven’t personally experienced the loss of a child, but the odds are good that you know someone who has, even if they haven’t publicized it. Consider praying one of these novenas for yourself, your sister or friend who just lost a pregnancy, or the couple a few pews ahead of you suffering their loss in silence. After all, we Christians are meant to “[c]arry each other’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2).
You can also pray any of these novenas if you are pregnant, and ask for protection from loss.
The Infant of Prague Novena
The Infant of Prague devotion began when a statue of the child Jesus was brought to Prague in the early 17th century; miracles associated with the statue have occurred and the statue is venerated in the streets of Prague every year.
How often do we think of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, as an infant? Not very often for me at least! However, we know that God is all powerful and could have come to Earth in any way, yet He chose to come as a tiny, delicate newborn. He did not do this by accident!
The Infant of Prague is patron of children; the Infant Jesus Novena is traditionally prayed during Christmastide; however, you can pray it anytime.
The St. Brigid of Kildare Novena
Saint Brigid was an Irish nun who lived in the 400s-500s. She was an abbess and established many monasteries. She is the patron saint of babies. Pray the Novena to St. Brigid and she will pray with you!
The St. Zelie Martin Novena
Saint Zelie Martin (St. Therese of Lisieux’s mother) suffered many losses. Four of her and Louis Martin’s nine children died very young. She wrote about her losses and expressed no regret in having her children, even though she suffered much sorrow. She wrote: “we shall find our little ones again up above.” St. Therese attributed many graces to her sibling’s prayers in heaven. You can pray the Novena to St. Zelie Martin here.
The St. Colette Novena
Saint Colete is the patron saint of expectant mothers and of stillbirth. She was a French abbess who lived in the 1300s-1400s. Her parents prayed for a child for a long while before having her. Pray this Novena to Saint Colette and ask her to pray for you.
The St. Gianna Beretta Molla Novena
Saint Gianna is a modern day saint who suffered two miscarriages and died shortly after giving birth to her last child. She is the patron saint of motherhood and serves as an incredible witness to life. Pray the Novena to St. Gianna here.
The St. Catherine of Siena Novena
Saint Catherine is a doctor of the Church. She was devoted to the sick and to those suffering, including women who had suffered the agony of miscarriage. She is a patron of protection from miscarriage; you can pray the novena you St. Catherine of Siena here.
The St. Margaret of Antioch Novena
Saint Margaret was an early Christian martyr. A concert to the faith, she was tortured and killed for refusing to deny Christ. She is patron of pregnant women and you can pray this novena to her here.
The St. Raymond Nonnatus Novena
Saint Raymond was born via caesarean when his mother passed away during childbirth. He joined the Mercedarian order and spent his life evangelizing and saving slaves. He is the patron saint of pregnant women. You can pray this novena for St. Raymond here.
The St. Gerard Majella Novena
St. Gerard was born in 1726 to a large family in Italy. He joined religious life in his early 20s and was devoted to the poor. Throughout his life, many miracles were attributed to him. Before his death, a young girl found his handkerchief and he told her to keep it. Years later after he had died, the girl now married and pregnant, was at risk of losing her child. She placed Majella’s handkerchief on her stomach, and her pain was gone; she birthed a healthy child. You can pray this novena to St. Gerard as he is a patron of pregnant women.
The St. Bernard of Clairveuax Novena
St. Bernard wrote to a couple that had a miscarriage in response to their question, “What is going to happen to my child? The child didn’t get baptized.” St. Bernard said, “Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.” Pray this novena to St. Bernard and rest in his encouraging words.
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
We’re praying for you and all of your intentions, especially those you only speak in the silence of your heart.
Feast Days play an important role in the life of the Church. But where did they come from? And why are they necessary?
History of the the Liturgical Calendar
Like many traditions of the early Church, as many early Christians were converts from Judaism, the concept of a Liturgical calendar has Jewish roots.
Similar to the Jewish Calendar, the Christian calendar consists of weeks made up of seven days—six for work and the seventh for rest and worship. The early Church however developed their calendar around the Resurrection so the Lord’s Day was changed from Saturday to Sunday to honor this central tenet of our faith.
The Christian Calendar is also made up of seasons that begins with the Incarnation in the season of Advent and ends with the Feast of Christ the King, tracing Salvation History from start to finish each year.
Over the centuries, the Church has added feast days and holy days to this sacred calendar. Pope Pius V first set the official feast days celebrated by the Church by promulgating the universal calendar in 1568. The General Roman Calendar was later revised by Pope Pius XII and again by Pope St. John XXIII.
These days celebrate important events in the life of Christ and the holy men and women who have gone before us.
Feast days often corresponded to the date of a saint’s death, or their birth into eternal life–a practice that probably formed thanks to the early Christians who celebrated the anniversary of a martyr’s death with a liturgical celebration at the burial site.
Three Types of Festivals
While special Christian festivals are often grouped together under the title of “feast day,” the Church actually distinguishes three types of holy days: Solemnity, Feast, and Memorial.
Solemnities
A solemnity holds the highest rank among the holy days. The Church observes 24 solemnities, each one calling us to reflect on the most significant mysteries of our faith.
The Church remembers several saints like St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, and Sts. Peter and Paul, for their important roles in salvation history by setting aside a solemnity in their honor.
Feasts
Feast Days are the next highest rank of holy days. A feast honors saints and other events in the life of Christ.
Notable feast days include the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Presentation and the Ascension. The Apostles, the Evangelists, St. Mary Magdalene, and the Archangels also have their own feasts.
Memorials
The third category of celebrations is most likely what comes to mind when Catholics talk about “feast days.” Memorials honor the virtuous life of a saint and are either considered obligatory or optional.
This distinction really only applies to the priest and whether or not they get to choose to celebrate the memorial liturgically with special Mass parts. Obligatory memorials focus on saints of “universal significance” in the Church like St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Anthony, and St. Francis Xavier.
Optional memorials also often identify a saint with a special significance to a certain place or religious order. For example, priests in the United States have the option to celebrate the feasts of saints like Katherine Drexel and St. Junipero Serra.
Bringing us into the Story
The Liturgical Calendar isn’t simply a cute but a necessary part of our Catholic tradition; rather, it is a deeply significant aspect that draws us deeper into the beauty of our faith.
The Liturgical Calendar of the Catholic Church shapes our human experience of time in a way that intertwines the Sacred. It creates a rhythm for our lives with God at its heart and gives meaning to our earthly experience.
It gives us days of fasting and feasting, days to mourn and days to celebrate in order that we might encounter the Paschal Mystery, not as observers, but as active participants.
Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials help us focus our gaze on our eternal destination and recognize our own role in the history of Salvation.
Celebrating feast days and living in accord with the liturgical year helps us see the saints as still active members of the Body of Christ; brothers and sisters who can pray for us and serve as examples of virtue and love, that we might follow in their footsteps.
In October, we celebrate the feast of some of the greatest saints in the Church. These holy men and women not only offer profound examples of heroic virtue, but also desire to aid those of us still on earth in our own journey towards holiness.
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St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun who is known for her mystical experiences in prayer. Her writings, especially The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle helped shape the Church’s understanding of contemplation. She was named the first woman Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.
St. Gerard, an Italian lay Redemptorist, became known as “The Mothers’ Saint” after his prayers miraculously saved the lives of a mother and child dying in childbirth. Today, the Church regards him as a patron saint of mothers, expectant mothers, and those wanting to become mothers.
St. Luke the Evangelist wrote one of the Gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Not much is known about Luke’s life but he is traditionally believed that he was a Gentile doctor, who eventually became a disciple of Paul.
Pope Saint John Paul II is one of the most beloved popes in history. He is remembered for his profound impact both on the Church and on the world. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church, reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, and wrote extensively on important matters of the faith. He is also often recognized for his role in the downfall of communism.
He is also remembered for his recognition of the dignity of every human person, and serves as an example for us today on how to love.
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints Day on November 1st. This feast acknowledges all of the holy men and women–both known and unknown to us–who have gone before us to their final reward.
After celebrating the Church Triumphant, we celebrate the Church Penitent or Church Suffering on November 2nd. On this feast, we remember the holy souls in Purgatory waiting to enter the fullness of heaven.
St. Martin de Porres was a Peruvian Lay Dominican known for his great love of the poor and marginalized. He established an orphanage and children’s hospital, and generously shared the priory’s donations with those in need.
He offered all of his daily work to God and experienced God’s favor in return. Martin was known to have levitated, bi-located, and worked miracles during his life. The Church considers him the patron of people who are mixed race, race relations, as well as hair stylists, innkeepers, public education, and public health.
Saint Charles Borromeo, an Italian cardinal and archbishop, played a major role in the reform that took place in the Catholic Church after the Protestant Reformation. He rewrote the catechism, updated the process for preparing seminarians, ended the selling of indulgences, among other necessary updates made by the Council of Trent.
Saint Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of bishops, cardinals, and spiritual leaders, as well as seminarians and catechists. St. Charles’ St. Charles’ novena begins October 27th.
Do you plan to pray any of these novenas this month? Leave a comment and let us know. And as always, please feel free to leave your prayer intentions with us below.
The next novena we’re going to pray as a community is one of our favorites, it’s the St. Therese of Lisieux Novena!You can share your prayer intentions with us all below in the comments.
Pope Pius X called St. Therese “the greatest saint of modern times.” She’s well known for her “little way” spirituality of doing small, ordinary things with extraordinary love. She wrote in her autobiography, “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.”
We will start praying this novena on Thursday, September 22nd.
St. Therese suffered a great deal in her life. She lost her mom when she was a young girl. One of her older sisters became like a second mother to her, and St. Therese missed her when her sister entered a convent. St. Therese also suffered from chronic illness and depression. Through it all, she continued to look towards Jesus.
She’s a great example for all of us — a reminder to cling to Jesus through whatever each of us may be going through right now. Let’s look to Jesus!
The Church celebrates the feast days of many holy men and women in September and early October. Join us in honoring these saints by praying one or more of these novenas this month.
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Novena of the Holy Cross
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14. This feast commemorates St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, uncovering the true Cross of Christ and the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher built over the site where it was found.
Christian art often depicts Mary’s heart pierced by seven swords, representing the sorrows she faced alongside her Son. The Church dedicates the entire month of September to remembering these Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.
Take comfort in knowing that whatever difficulty, sorrow, or grief you face, the Blessed Mother knows your pain and will bring you closer to her Son through it. Begin this novena on September 6 to finish in time for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15.
Novena to Saint Joseph of Cupertino
St. Joseph of Cupertino joined the Conventual Franciscans and despite extreme difficulties in his studies, he was ordained a priest for the order. He is often called “the Flying Friar” because he levitated when deep in prayer.
For these reasons, the Church considers St. Joseph of Cupertino as a patron saint for test takers, students, mental handicaps, air travelers, astronauts, and pilots. If you are heading back to school or traveling this month, or if you simply have an intention you’d like prayers for, pray this novena to St. Joseph of Cupertino beginning on September 9.
Novena to Saint Matthew After hearing Jesus’ call and leaving his life as a tax collector, St. Matthew became one of the twelve apostles and later wrote one of the Gospels.
Padre Pio is one of the most recognizable saints of the 20th Century. During his life as a humble Capuchin priest, God gifted Padre Pio with some of the most incredible gifts including bilocation and the stigmata.
The devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots began with a reflection from St. Ireneaus. He said: “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary; what the virgin Eve bound by her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith.”
On September 29, the Church celebrates Michaelmas or the Feast of the Archangels–St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.
Although not by name, St. Michael does appear in Sacred Scripture, and is described as the “Great Prince and defender of [God’s] people,” so the Church calls upon him for protection from evil and for healing. He guards the faithful on earth and is considered the patron of soldiers, police officers, and doctors.
Even though she lived much of her short life as a cloistered Carmelite, St. Therese of Lisieux (also known as “The Little Flower”) is one of the most beloved saints in Church history. Pope Pius X even called her the “greatest saint of modern times.”
St. Therese’s writings offered the simple but profound spiritual truth of doing small things with great love, a message that still resonates with the faithful today. For this reason, John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church, making her the youngest saint to receive the honor.
Many Catholics don’t often think about their Guardian Angels, let alone pray to them. But these heavenly friends of ours are a gift from God and want to be a part of our lives.
They offer us guidance and protection as we go about our lives and desire to lead us safely to heaven. Recognize their presence in your life, and ask for their prayers and help with this novena by praying this novena on September 23-October 2.
Novena to Saint Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi is arguably the most well-known and influential Catholic saint both in religious and secular circles.
Founder of the Franciscan Order, St. Francis lived a life marked by prayer, humility, and a love of poverty. He recognized his total dependence on the grace of God, allowing him to fully love all those he encountered.
This title of the Blessed Mother goes back to the 1500s. Pope Saint Pius V established this feast to thank God for the victory of the Christians in the battle of Lepanto–a victory attributed to the intercession of Our Lady through the rosary.
The title of Our Lady of Good Remedy was given to Mary in the 1100s by St. John of Matha to honor her and offer her thanks.
St. John began the Brothers of the Most Holy Trinity, or the the Trinitarians, who devoted themselves to freeing Christians who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery. The Trinitarians had a deep devotion to Our Lady–daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. They invoked her intercession in their work and for all of their needs.
Do you plan to pray any of these novenas this month? Leave a comment and let us know. And as always, please feel free to leave your prayer intentions with us below.
Not all saints wore a collar or a habit; many holy men and women grew in sanctity through their vocation to marriage and family life.
Whether you’re preparing for marriage, newlywed life, or celebrating your golden anniversary, these married saints will serve as examples of holiness and intercessors for you and your spouse.
Saints Joachim and Anne
While not much is known about Sts. Joachim and Anne one can assume their virtue from having immaculately conceived and raised the woman who would become the Mother of God.
Tradition holds that they suffered from infertility for many years before giving birth to the Blessed Mother. It is also believed that they consecrated their daughter to God at a young age since Mary remained a virgin all her life.
Although we lack primary sources to tell us about their lives, Joachim and Anne can serve as role models for all parents; we should seek to emulate their love of Our Lady and their devotion to God.
Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin made Church history by becoming the first married couple canonized together.
Before they met, both Louis Martin and Zelie Guerin wanted to enter religious life; however, God soon made it clear that He had different plans for them.
Louis and Zelie lived the first year of their marriage as celibates, and later changed their minds at the advice of the spiritual director. The couple went on to have nine children, four of whom sadly died immaturely. After Zelie’s death, the remaining five daughters all went on to become Carmelite nuns.
This couple and their example of holiness not only influenced the lives of their children, but also the Church up until today, as their youngest daughter St. Therese of Lisieux went on to become one of the most-well known and beloved saints.
St. Monica’s parents arranged for her to marry a pagan Patricius who was infamous for his temper and promiscuousness. She suffered for many years in their marriage due to his infidelity and her argumentative mother-in-law.
Patricius often criticized Monica for her piety; however, her example and fervent prayers eventually softened the hearts of both Patricius and his mother, and they were both later baptized. Her perseverance also changed the heart of her wayward son Augustine who went on to become one of the greatest saints and philosophers within the Church. For this reason, she is considered the patron saint of wives and mothers, as well as difficult relationships.
St. Gianna, a pediatric physician and an avid skier/mountain climber, married Pietro Molla in 1955. As illustrated through their letters, they were a godly couple who encouraged one another in holiness. Together they had four children.
During her pregnancy with their fourth child, doctors discovered a tumor in Gianna’s uterus. She allowed for the doctors to remove the tumor, but declined the recommended hysterectomy that would have taken the life of her unborn daughter. Shortly after the birth, Gianna died of an infection caused by postoperative complications.
St. Thomas More was an English lawyer and statesman, as well as a philosopher, author, and scholar. He was also a devoted husband and father to his four children.
King Henry VIII trusted Thomas More with many responsibilities and eventually appointed him as Lord Chancellor. However, when Henry wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn, More would not support him. And when Henry began the Church of England, breaking ties with Rome, he stood strong in his faith.
St. Margaret of Scotland was the daughter of Princess Agatha of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward Atheling, as well as the great niece of St. Edward the Confessor. Although not originally from Scotland, she and her family arrived after fleeing from William the Conqueror.
She captivated King Malcolm with her beauty and good graces and they were later married. She helped her husband become a virtuous ruler and he even consulted her affairs of the state. She worked for educational and religious reform within Scotland, performed many works of mercy among the poor, and lived a prayerful life as a wife, mother, and queen.
Despite her desire to become a religious sister, the parents of St. Rita of Cascia had already arranged for her to marry a cruel and violent man. When he was murdered 18 years later, she prayed her two sons who wanted to avenge their father would instead forgive his killer. Her prayer was answered and her sons, who died young, remained free from this mortal sin.
After the death of her husband and sons, St. Rita joined the Augustinians in Cascia where she lived the last forty years of her life in prayer. It was during this time that St. Rita received a partial stigmata–a wound on her head–that allowed her to more fully enter into the Passion of the Lord.
Saint Louis IX reigned as the King of France in the 1200s. As monarch, he was known for his fairness and for his devotion to the Catholic faith. He had a very happy and holy marriage with his wife Margaret and together they had 11 children.
Through every joy and challenge, Mary and Joseph relied totally on God’s grace and trusted their lives fully to the service of the Lord. Because of their “yes” –both as individuals and as a couple–Jesus could fulfill His salvific mission.
The word “novena” comes from the Latin word novem which means “nine” as they involve nine days of prayer for a specific petition or grace.
Novenas have long been a part of the Church’s spiritually treasury–both in public prayer and private devotion. But where did this practice originate?
A Scriptural Blueprint
We actually hear about the first “novena” in Sacred Scripture in Acts of the Apostles.
After the Ascension, Christ’s apostles alongside the Blessed Mother gathered together in the Upper Room and devoted themselves to constant prayer:
When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:13-14).
Nine days later, the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost, pouring out grace and spiritual gifts.
These nine days became a model of prayer for many Christians, and have been used to develop several devotions that involve nine days or nine months of prayer for a specific intention.
Putting it into Practice
The practice of nine days of prayer for a specific purpose may have developed more widely in the Church by “baptizing” a similar ancient Roman practice.
The Romans would often celebrate nine days of prayer to avert a predicted tragedy, offer thanksgiving, or to mourn someone’s death. Similarly, the early Christians did have a custom of offering nine days of masses and prayers for a newly departed soul.
Novenas of Preparation began in the Middle Ages, particularly in Spain, with the faithful praying an anticipatory novena leading up to Christmas. At this same time, Novenas of Petition rose in popularity in France and Belgium with prayers to particular saints to recover health.
During this period, some members of the Church hierarchy expressed concern with Novenas of Petition, as they feared the faithful might use this form of prayer superstitiously.
However, during the papacy of Pope Pius IX the Church officially recommended a large number of novenas, like the Novena to the Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Conception Novena by granting indulgences to those who prayed them. Having novenas recognized and approved by the Church paved the way for more widespread use of this devotion among the faithful.
As more novenas were written, novenas shifted from a primarily public devotion to a more private one, as people began calling on saints that held some personal significance to them.
Rooted in Our Creed
The belief in an eternal life and in the Communion of Saints have shaped the Catholic understanding of the intercession of saints since the days of the early Church. In fact, many Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church have spoken of its importance from as early as the 3rd Century.
In 1545, the Council of Trent explicitly defined the Church’s teaching on saintly intercession:
“…the saints who reign together with Christ offer up their own prayers to God for men. It is good and useful suppliantly to invoke them, and to have recourse to their prayers, aid, and help for obtaining benefits from God, through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Who alone is our Redeemer and Savior.”
Praying a novena allows a Catholic to pray alongside the Blessed Mother and the saints for a particular request. And because these saintly brothers and sisters stand before God in a very real and intimate way, their prayers for those on earth are particularly efficacious.
Novenas are rooted in the example of the early Christians and beliefs fundamental to our faith, and remain a meaningful tool to deepen the spiritual life of the faithful today.
Throughout Church history, novenas have remained one of the most popular devotions among the faithful. From ancient times until today, countless members of the Church have offered nine days of prayers for a special purpose.
Over the years, four specific types of novenas have emerged: Novenas of Mourning, Novenas of Preparation, Novenas of Petition, and Novenas of Indulgences.
Although these categories are not completely distinctive and almost overlap with one of the other types, they just might help you find your next novena.
Novenas of Mourning
This first type of novena developed from the early Christian custom of offering nine days of masses and prayers for a newly departed soul.
Like all Christians, Catholics believe that when a person dies their soul goes either to heaven or hell. However, unlike other Christians, Catholics also believe in Purgatory, a temporary stop on the way to heaven where souls undergo a final purification “to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC, 1030).
Since we cannot truly know the destinations of our deceased loved ones at the time of their passing, the Church encourages us to pray for their souls. We pray that God might free them from any burden of sin and welcome them into the fullness of heaven.
You can pray a Novena of Mourning, like the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for someone who has passed away or for the people left to grieve for them. This type of novena not only comforts you as you process your loss, but will also comfort the Holy Soul as he or she looks forward to finally meeting God face-to-face.
If you find yourself in a season of anticipation or preparation, invite God into it with this type of prayer. Novenas of Preparation offer a chance to spiritually prepare for a special occasion and to ready oneself to receive the graces that God desires to pour out.
Novenas of Petition
Arguably the most common type of novena are Novenas of Petition. This type of novena brings a special intention to God or invokes the intercession of a Saint.
The Church encourages us to turn to Christ, through His Blessed Mother and with the help from the saints, with our every need.
The Church has also come to entrust certain situations or petitions to particular saints that held some connection to the intention in their lifetime.
Novenas of Indulgence or Novenas of Penance offer an opportunity to remove the temporal punishment of sin.
When we sin, we face two types of consequences: eternal and temporal. While Confession forgives the eternal consequence of sin, it does not necessarily remove all temporal punishment. We can do that through prayer and penance, through time in purgatory, or through the obtaining of indulgences.
The Church offers partial and plenary indulgences for the recitation of more than 30 novenas. Most Novenas of Indulgences often overlap with Novenas of Preparation for definitive feast days, like the Divine Mercy Novena which begins Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday or the Immaculate Conception (Nov. 30- Dec.8).
While many of these novenas have a suggested “start date,” you can pray them whenever you would like or need.
Thank you so much for joining us in praying the Novena for Marriage & Family! If you’ve had any of your prayers answered throughout this novena, you can share those with us all below. To God be the glory!
We are continuing to pray for you every day. Do not give up on hope. Jesus is with you and you are not forgotten.
Mental illness can be an excruciating struggle and cross that many people carry. It’s important to acknowledge that mental illness is not equated with sinfulness or unholiness. Plenty of saints have struggled with their mental health, showing us how to move forward with faith even in the darkest of days. There is always hope! And the Lord is with you in every struggle.
As Christians we know that Jesus is the ultimate healer, but please don’t be afraid or hesitant to also seek professional help.
Of course, either way, prayer is essential for our health and well-being, and there are a lot of novenas to pray for the sake of your mental health or for someone you care about who is suffering. Here are a few novenas to get you started!
St. Louis was a devoted husband of St. Zelie Martin and father of many, one of whom was St. Therese of Lisieux. At the end of his life, he suffered from dementia and had to be admitted to an asylum for three years; this was a sorrow anddifficulty not only for Martin but for his children who loved him. He courageously accepted the cross God gave him, even remarking that “this trial is a mercy.”; you can pray this novena to St. Zelie Martin for healing, humility, and/or courage.
St. Therese
St. Therese, the daughter of St. Louis and Zelie Martin, is known for her little way as well as for her sensitive soul. She’s thought to have suffered from depression and possibly from OCD. She would be a great intercessor for any mental health difficulties and sufferings. You can pray the St. Therese Novena here.
St. Alphonsa
St. Alphonsa was a religious sister in the early 1900s in India. She endured many sufferings throughout her life including teasing in school, various physical health issues, and toward the end of her life, mental trauma. While in the Poor Clares, a thief entered her room at night and she was so frightened that she suffered amnesia for a lengthy period. Pray this novena to St. Alphonsa and ask her to pray for you!
Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica had a difficult early life. She was a child of divorce, abandoned by her father at the age of five, and witnessed her mother’s depression. In high school, she was given medication for anxiety. She is a great example of someone who struggled with mental health then made a 180, dedicated her entire life to God, and overcame the illness. Pray this novena and ask Mother Angelica to pray for you
St. John Paul II
Saint John Paul II often encouraged us to “be not afraid!” He was filled with hope, despite suffering many losses and difficult circumstances. Let us be comforted by Saint John Paul II’s reminder that “Christ took all human suffering on himself, even mental illness.” Pray this novena to St. John Paul II to never lose hope in these struggles.
St. Margaret of Cortona
Saint Margaret of Cortona lost her mother as a child and was not treated well by her step-mother. She left home and had a son out of wedlock. After nine years, she found her lover murdered. This experience led her to a life of penance. She eventually joined a Franciscan order serving the poor and sick. Her life was centered around prayer and penance, a beautiful example of redemption. Pray this novena to St. Margaret of Cortona that our struggles and downfalls might also be redeemed.
All Saints
Praying the All Saints novena is a great way to cover all your bases, so to speak! There are bound to have been more saints who struggled with mental health than we are aware of, and of course there are so many saints in heaven who aren’t canonized or known at all. When you pray the All Saints Novena, you can call on them all to pray for you. Imagine all the possible graces!
The Novena for Difficult Times
There’s no doubt that struggling with any type or severity of mental illness is difficult. That makes this Novena for Difficult Times an easy choice for praying during a difficult time or situation.
Novena for Chronic Illness
When mental health struggles persist for a long time, it can be discouraging. This is a good time to remember God promised He would never leave us! Pray the Novena for Chronic Illness here.
Novena to Heal the Sick
You can pray this novena for yourself or someone you love, for any type of illness. Many throughout the world are in need of healing from sickness and can benefit from your prayers as well. Pray the Novena to Heal the Sick anytime.
Our Lady of Knock Novena
In 1879, Our Lady appeared to a small group of people in Knock, Ireland. She did not say anything, but shortly after, a girl was completely healed of her deafness and severe ear pain. There is now a basilica where Our Lady appeared, and it has become a place where thousands pilgrimage to each year to ask for Our Lady’s intercession for healing.You can pray this novena to Our Lady of Knock for healing.
Novena of Gratitude
Gratitude is a virtue always worth cultivating. Many mental health professionals have drawn the connection between gratitude and an improved mental health function. Let us never forget to thank God for everything we have and everything He has done for us, and just like prayer, we can make thankfulness a habit. Pray the Novena of Gratitude in hope for a mindset shift toward gratefulness, even amidst a mental illness.
Novena to Jesus for Healing
Jesus is the ultimate healer and we are all in need of healing! How fitting it is to ask Him to heal us of our inequities and trials in whatever way gives Him the most glory. Pray this novena to Jesus for healing.
Our Lady of Hope Novena
Struggling with mental illness can cause feelings of hopelessness. Perhaps, you or someone you know has been struggling for a long time and you’re in need of more hope. Pray this novena to Our Lady of Hope!
The Church gives the title “Doctor of the Church” to great saints whose writings and teachings helped shape Catholic Theology and Christian spirituality.
These 37 men and women were given wisdom and insight of the faith that served not only the church during their lifetime but also the Church today. We look to these Doctors as examples of authentic witnesses to the Gospel and as great teachers from whom we can learn.
While not every Doctor of the Church has their own novena prayer, we’ve rounded up all those who do:
Saint Ambrose went from an unbaptized layman to Bishop of Milan in just over a week. Even before his baptism, Ambrose was known for his great charity and for using his intellectual gifts to defend Christian doctrine.
As bishop, he studied Scripture and Theology and became known for his preaching. The Church remembers Ambrose as a great theologian and defender of the faith, as well as for his pivotal role in the conversion of Saint Augustine.
After his powerful conversion from a life of self-indulgence and sin, Saint Augustine became a bishop of North Africa and one of the most influential theologians in Church history.
He lived the rest of his life in prayer and service to the poor, not only desiring to know Truth but to teach it to others. His writings, particularly Confessions and City of God, have remained influential spiritual classics.
Saint Jerome was a priest, monk, and brilliant Scripture scholar who is often considered the most learned of the Latin Fathers. He helped make the Bible more accessible to the faithful by translating almost the entire Bible from Hebrew into Latin. His translation remains the most commonly used in the Church.
Saint Jerome also wrote many works on Catholic theology and defenses against heresy, as well as extensive commentaries on Scripture.
Saint Gregory the Great served the Church as Pope from 590-604. During that time, he emphasized the Church’s missionary call to evangelization and service of the poor, and also made some important liturgical updates that we still see in the Mass today.
The most well-known part of Saint Gregory’s legacy among the faithful is Gregorian Chant. Although he didn’t write it, the Church began to use this type of liturgical music under his papacy. For this reason, he is considered a patron saint of musicians.
Known as the “Father of Orthodoxy,” Saint Athanasius boldly defended the Church from the Arian Heresy while he served as the Bishop of Alexandria. Even when the emperor wanted to relax the condemnation of Arius, Athanasius stood firm in his position. He was later described by St. Gregory of Nazianzen as “the true pillar of the church” for his commitment to truth.
Saint John Chrysostom earned the nickname “Golden-mouthed” because of his great ability to preach. His writings–consisting primarily of his homilies, letters, and commentaries on Scripture– fill more than 20 volumes, making them the largest surviving collection of the early Church.
Saint John Chrysostom is the patron saint of preachers, orators, and lecturers, as well as education.
Saint Basil the Great founded one of the first monasteries in Asia Minor. While he is often called “the Father of Eastern monasticism,” his influence spread far beyond the region, even inspiring Benedict’s monastic rule in the West.
Basil also played an instrumental role in defeating Arianism in the East by helping to develop the Church’s doctrine of the Trinity.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus served as Archbishop of Constantinople during the 4th Century. He convened the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople that firmly condemned the Nestorian Heresy that had taken hold at the time and defended Mary’s title of Mother of God and Perpetual Virgin.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus also helped shape early Trinitarian Theology, setting the stage for its further development by later theologians.
Saint Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican priest who wrote prolifically on philosophy, theology, and Catholic Doctrine. His writings, like the Summa Theologica, have guided the Church in her teachings for centuries and his poetry became well-known hymns still used to praise the Blessed Sacrament.
Aquinas is the patron saint of Catholic schools, colleges, and universities, as well as theologians, philosophers, students, and booksellers.
The great Franciscan saint, Saint Bonaventure, not only brought peace and order to the Franciscans during a time of great internal conflict, but also a renewed sense of Francis’ spirituality. He is often considered the second founder of the order because of the much needed renewal he brought to them.
Pope Gregory X insisted Bonaventure accept the role as Archbishop of Albano and sent him to the Second Council of Lyon, where Bonaventure made great contributions toward Church unity.
Saint Bonaventure earned the nickname the “Seraphic Doctor” because Jesus always remained at the center of his teaching, his writings, and his life.
During his time as Archbishop of Seville, Saint Isidore reunited the Church that had been divided by the Visagoths. He almost completely eradicated the Arian heresy in his area and stopped the spread of new heresies.
Isidore also helped establish Spain as a center of education and culture by emphasizing both the Christian faith and classical education. His encyclopedia, or Etymologiae, remained in use for over nine centuries which led some to refer to him as “the Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages.”
Pope Saint Leo I became the first pope to receive the title of “Great” and it’s easy to see why! Saint Leo had the gift of intellect as well as the ability to bring peace and resolution to conflict. His abilities led him to unanimously be named the Pope in 440.
During his papacy, Leo preached against Pelagianism and Manichaeism, and even persuaded Attila the Hun to stop his attack on Rome. Saint Leo the Great’s papacy has had a significant impact on the Church even until today.
After growing up in poverty, Saint Peter Damian became a reforming Benedictine monk. His fervor led him to take on extreme penances, but also to devote himself to studying the Scriptures. Against his desires, he went on to become the abbot of his monastery and eventually, a cardinal.
Through these roles and through his writing, he helped bring needed reform to the Church, especially among the clergy. Dante even placed him in the highest circles in his Paradiso.
As the founder and abbot of the Abbey of Clairvaux, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux helped spread the Cisertian order throughout Europe. Despite living a life of contemplation at the Abbey, he had a great evangelical fervor and became known for his inspiring preaching and his theological writings.
The Church remembers Saint Bernard as a Doctor of Mariology, not because of his writing on Our Lady, but because of his great love for her and his deep understanding of her role in the Church.
After his conversion to Christianity through Scripture, Saint Hilary became a Bishop of Poitiers and a staunch defender of the Church. When Arianism spread throughout the Church, Hilary was exiled for defending the faith and for refusing to condemn Athanasius at the request of the Emperor.
During his exile, Hilary continued to care for his diocese and wrote his two most important contributions to theology and Church doctrine: De synodis and De trinitate. When his exile ended, Hilary traveled through Greece and Italy preaching against heretics. His love and courage to defend Orthodoxy led to his nickname as “the Hammer of the Arians.”
At the age of 16, Saint Alphonsus Liguori received a doctorate in both civil and canon law; however, he soon gave up his practice and became a priest. He later founded the Redemptorists, an order dedicated to preaching and working among the poor.
Over his lifetime, Saint Alphonsus wrote over 100 works on Catholic spirituality and theology. He made some of the most significant contributions to Catholic Moral Theology and successfully defended the Church against the heresy of Jansenism.
Saint Francis de Sales became a priest during the time of the Protestant Reformation and attempted to bring those who were lost back to the true faith. Through his teaching and witness, it is believed that he reconverted thousands of Calvinists.
After becoming Bishop of Geneva, Francis became spiritual director to Saint Jane Frances de Chantel, with whom he later founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary or the Salesian Sisters. Through his spiritual direction with Jane, he combatted the idea that lay people were not meant for holiness and sainthood–an idea summed up in his most famous work Introduction to the Devout Life.
Saint Cyril of Alexandria was an Egyptian bishop and theologian, best known for his role in the Council of Ephesus. During this Council, he strongly condemned the Nestorian heresy that was spreading during this time and helped establish the first Marian Dogma which affirms her title of “Mother of God.”
Saint John of the Cross, often called “The Mystical Doctor,” founded the Discalced Carmelites along with Saint Teresa of Avila. As tensions rose between the Calced and Discalced Carmelites, a group opposed to the reform imprisoned John for several months; during this time of suffering, he composed a great part of his most famous poem Spiritual Canticle.
After his escape, he helped establish several monasteries throughout Spain and continued to write poetry that focused on the soul’s journey to God. His most famous work The Dark Night of the Soul is still considered a poetic masterpiece, not only in Spain, but within the Church.
Saint Robert Bellarmine was an Italian Jesuit scholar and cardinal, as well as a significant figure in the Counter-Reformation. His three-volume Disputations on the Controversies defended the Catholic faith against the arguments of the Protestant reformers.
Ballarmine acted as a spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, helped St. Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of his Order, and attempted, though unsuccessfully, to defend Galileo Galilei.
St. Robert Bellarmine is the patron saint of catechists and catechumens.
While most often invoked, even among non-Catholics, to help to find lost items, Saint Anthony of Padua’s legacy in the Church goes far beyond that.
Anthony became the first theologian in the Franciscan order and expertly preached the faith with fervor and eloquence, earning him the nickname “the Evangelical Doctor.” His tongue remains incorrupt as a testament to his great teaching.
During her time as a Carmelite, Saint Teresa of Avila had many mystical experiences– seeing visions of both Jesus and Mary. She wrote extensively about her experience with prayer in her well-known works The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle which have shaped Christian spirituality and our understanding of contemplation.
Saint Teresa also worked to reform the Carmelite order and founded many convents committed to contemplative prayer. Her numerous contributions to the Church lead Pope Paul VI to name her the first woman Doctor.
During her time as a Third Order Dominican, Saint Catherine of Siena experienced several mystical experiences recorded in her Dialogues. She received the stigma (though not visible during her lifetime), and entered into an extraordinary union with God known as a “mystical marriage.”
In addition to her deep prayer life, she also became an influential figure in the Church, boldly calling its leaders, including, the Pope to holiness. Many consider her to have single-handedly ended the Avignon papacy, and helped bring about peace and reconciliation between the Pope and those who opposed him.
She is one of the four female doctors of the Church.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the Little Flower, was once described as “the greatest saint of modern times.” This privilege may seem surprising for a young woman who spent much of her life as a cloistered French Carmelite; however, her spiritual autobiography Story of a Soul, which describes her “little way” of spiritual perfection, remains an influential and beloved work in the Church.
Saint Irenaeus was the most recently named Doctor of the Church, despite being one of the earliest born saints on this list. As a bishop and the most prominent theologian of his time, Irenaeus played a primary role in developing Christian theology and defining orthodoxy.
His major work Against Heresies exposed Gnostic cults and provided thoughtful defense of Christianity; historically it remains important as the first compendium of Christian theology.
Which Doctor of the Church do you plan to pray with? Leave a comment and let us know. As always, please feel free to leave your prayer intentions with us below.
