- Introduction
- Purpose of Immaculate Conception Novena
- How to Pray the Immaculate Conception Novena
- Related Novenas
“The Immaculate Virgin however invites us not to fix our eyes on her but to pass beyond, and as much as possible, to enter into the mystery in which she was conceived: the mystery of God who is One and Three, full of grace and fidelity. As the moon shines with the light of the sun, so the immaculate splendor of Mary is totally relative to that of the Redeemer. The Mother leads us to her Son; passing through her, we reach Christ”
Pope St. John Paul II
We celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, based on the doctrine that proclaims Mary was conceived without original sin. Mary is the one from whom Jesus received His perfect humanity, so she needed to be without sin from the moment of her conception. In scripture, Angel Gabriel tells Mary she is full of grace (Luke 1:29).
She was saved by her Son, Jesus, in an extraordinary way, and this gift was given to her freely. God filled her with His grace and His love, and she experienced full communion with Him.
Throughout the whole of her earthly life, Mary willingly cooperated with God’s grace and remained sinless, as she said in scripture, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). The Immaculate Conception teaches us that God’s promises are always fulfilled and that His grace can bring forth true faith within us.
The Early Church widely accepted Mary’s holiness, especially after the Council of Ephesus declared her the Mother of God. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was officially proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
Purpose of Immaculate Conception Novena
The novena, typically recited for nine consecutive days leading up to the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, serves as a spiritual preparation for this momentous occasion. It is a time for fervent prayer, reflection, and seeking Mary’s intercession in various aspects of life.
How to Pray the Immaculate Conception Novena
Throughout the novena, we are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of humility, repentance, and trust in Mary’s intercession. We can present our personal intentions, seeking her guidance and assistance in overcoming challenges and achieving their spiritual goals.
First, begin by reciting this prayer at the start of each day and follow it with the specific prayer of that day.
Prayer to be said Before Each Day
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
Amen.
Day 1
O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request:
(State your intention here… )
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, Mother of Our Saviour, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.
Amen.
[ Pray on Hallow ]
Day 2
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, Mother of Our Saviour, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.
Amen.
Day 3
O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena…
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Day 4
O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favour which we now so earnestly seek.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Day 5
O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time…
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
[ Pray on Hallow ]
Day 6
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh; listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Day 7
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena… if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Day 8
O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena… O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Day 9
O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favour for which we now plead.
(State your intention here… )
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
(Source)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!
More Novenas
If you are interested in praying more novenas, check these out below.