Mary Mother of God Novena – 9 Days of Prayer

A nine-day novena to Mary as Theotokos — God-bearer — prayed to begin the new year under her maternal protection

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on January 1, honours Mary as Theotokos, God-bearer, the title confirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431. This novena begins on December 23 and invites you to start the new year under her maternal protection. It is a good way to carry the joy of Christmas into the first week of January and to entrust your resolutions to her. Pray it while the Christmas tree is still up, and let the stillness of the days after Christmas lead you into the new year with her at your side. It is also the World Day of Peace.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God · January 19 daysfeast

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (January 1) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Mary Mother of God Novena – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Protection and Grace in the New Year

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, on this first day of the new year the Church proclaims what the angels have always known: you are the Theotokos, the God-bearer, the woman through whom the Word entered our world. We come to you at the threshold of this year, asking for your maternal intercession.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, you held the eternal Word of God in your arms as a newborn child. You knew His first cry, His first smile, His first steps. You raised the Son of God and watched Him grow in wisdom and grace. Now you intercede for us before His throne.

At the wedding feast of Cana, your first recorded words to your Son were words of intercession: 'They have no wine.' You noticed the need before anyone asked. You brought it to Jesus. He acted. This is what you still do — you notice our needs and bring them to Him.

Stand with me now at the beginning of this year. I do not know what it holds — what joys, what trials, what losses, what surprises. But I know that you walked through a life of great uncertainty with great faith. You did not know all that would happen to your Son. You said yes anyway.

(Pause to mention your intentions)

Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, cover me with your mantle in this new year. Intercede for the graces I need most. And lead me, as you led Jesus, ever more deeply into the Father's will.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: January 1. The oldest Marian feast in the Western Church

More novenas

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Mary Mother of God Novena?

Begin on December 23 to end on December 31, the eve of the feast on January 1.

How do I pray the Mary Mother of God Novena?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, perhaps with a Hail Mary, offering the coming year to her.

Who is the Mary Mother of God Novena for?

It is for families, mothers and anyone who wants to begin the year in prayer.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play