The participants in the "Great Novena of the Immaculate Conception" were asked to say every day at least one decade of the rosary, followed by three times the invocation: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." Indulgences were granted to those who attended the Novena prayers in the/a church (three-hundred days each time) and received Holy Communion on one of the days of the Novena during or the octave. Even after sixty-six years of its existence, the basic prayer obligations remain the same, though from 1947 on, a special prayer to the Immaculate was added. This prayer reflects the special concerns and events of the time. The Novena is publicized by way of a special holy card featuring on one side the image of Our Lady, and on the other side the guidelines on how to pray the Novena. In particular, it lists the special prayer to the Immaculate. Here are some of the highlights and
intentions mentioned over the years: |
France knows what is called the "Great
Novena of the Immaculate Conception," which is held annually
from November 30 to December 8. It was founded in 1936, and is
practiced to this day without discontinuing. The original reason for
this Novena was, according to the founders, the "extreme gravity of
present events," alluding to the combined threat of communism and
fascism, Nazism in particular. the Novena asked for zealous prayer
in favor of the social and Christian regeneration of France and for
universal peace. This call in homage of Pope Pius XI's eightieth birthday
was addressed not only to the Catholics of France. It received a
positive answer from hundreds of thousands of faithful in many countries
of the world.
Sustain
those who fight
