Novena: meaning, definitions and examples

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novena

 

[ nษ™หˆviห.nษ™ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious practice

A novena is a form of communal or private prayer in Christianity that lasts for nine days. Traditionally, it is offered to obtain special graces or fulfill specific intentions, often involving a particular saint. Novenas can be done through various formats, including reciting prayers, singing hymns, and meditating on scripture.

Synonyms

devotion, prayer, supplication

Examples of usage

  • She participated in the novena for the feast of her patron saint.
  • Every year, the parish holds a novena leading up to Christmas.
  • He prayed the novena for healing after his surgery.

Translations

Translations of the word "novena" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น novena

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเฅŒเคตเคพเค‚

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Novene

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ novena

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะพะฒะตะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nowenna

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒŽใƒดใ‚งใƒŠ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท neuvaine

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ novena

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท novena

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋…ธ๋ฒ ๋‚˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ูˆููŠู†ุง

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ novรฉna

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ novรฉna

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไนๅคฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ devetnica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ nรณvenda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฝะพะฒะตะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒ•แƒ”แƒœแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ novena

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ novena

Etymology

The word 'novena' comes from the Latin term 'novem', which means 'nine'. This derives from the fact that a novena is traditionally prayed over a period of nine days, often leading up to a significant feast or event in the Christian calendar. The practice of novenas has roots in early Christianity, as early Christians would pray for nine consecutive days in preparation for a major feast or to seek divine help during times of need. The tradition was also influenced by the Jewish practice of counting the Omer, which is the period of seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot. Novenas became more formalized in the Middle Ages, when specific prayers and rituals were established. Today, many Christian communities continue to observe novenas, often as part of their liturgical traditions, combining prayer, reflection, and community participation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,197, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.