Many Catholics are familiar with daily prayer. Whether it is grace before meals, a bedtime prayer, or attending Mass each Sunday, prayer often becomes part of a family’s routine. A novena, however, invites Catholics to take a step deeper.
The word novena comes from the Latin word novem, meaning nine. A novena is a special devotion in which a person prays for nine consecutive days, often for a particular intention or in preparation for a feast day. Rooted in the example of the Apostles and Mary praying together while awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, novenas have been a treasured part of Catholic life for centuries.
What makes a novena different from a daily prayer is its intentionality. While daily prayers are an important part of a faith-filled routine, a novena requires a commitment to return to prayer each day with purpose. Participants pray, reflect on Scripture, and bring their intentions to God over a period of nine days. The practice encourages perseverance, trust, and a willingness to make time for God amid the busyness of everyday life.
This June, the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) invited families, educators, and parish communities to pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The novena includes daily Scripture readings, reflections, and prayers centred on Christ’s love, mercy, and compassion. One of the opening reflections reminds participants that, “Even when our heart is worried or troubled, we can trust in God’s love because we have seen the love of his Son, Jesus.”
The ICE Novena to the Sacred Heart aligns beautifully with this year’s Catholic education theme, On the Path to Holiness. Just as a path is travelled one step at a time, a novena is prayed one day at a time. Each prayer, Scripture passage, and reflection offers an opportunity to draw closer to Christ and allow His love to shape our hearts.
For families looking to deepen their prayer life, a novena can be a meaningful place to begin. It does not require a great deal of time—only a willingness to return each day and place one’s trust in God. As the Sacred Heart Novena reminds us: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.”
Families can access the ICE Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at: