The Christmas Novena in Italy

Saint Andrew Novena Chaplet (Note the 15 knots for 15 recitations)

The Novena is a Catholic ritual linked to the rosary and is normally a nine-day prayer. The term is sometimes used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. While there are many times of the year where this devotional activity takes place, one of the most observed is the Christmas Novena.

Also called the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena or the Christmas Anticipation Prayer, a special prayer is prayed 15 times every day from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30) until Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

Saint Andrew

Feast of Saint Andrew Novena
(This prayer is not prayed to Saint Andrew, but to God Himself)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

The Novena can be said all 15 times at once or divided up necessary (perhaps five times at each meal). Saint Andrew was the very first disciple called by Jesus, and he also convinced his brother, Saint Peter, to become Jesus’ disciple.

Afterwards during Advent, in the 9 days leading up to Christmas day, the rosary is said as a preparation to welcoming Christ. This religious tradition was transformed with children going from house to house just as the time of prayer was over to sing traditional Christmas songs. The children would in turn receive small gifts of sweets or cakes.

--Jerry Finzi

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