Nativity of Mary Novena – 9 Days of Prayer

A nine-day novena celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary — the dawn before the Sun of Justice, the beginning of our salvation

The Nativity of Mary celebrates the birth of the Mother of God on September 8, exactly nine months after the Immaculate Conception. The Gospels do not describe her birth, but the Church has kept the feast since early centuries. This novena prays for children, mothers and all new beginnings. It calls her the dawn before the Sun of Justice. It falls early in autumn, a natural moment to renew family habits of prayer. Pray it with children, with a birthday cake for Mary if your family likes, and ask her to bless anyone beginning school or a new job.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary · September 89 daysfeast

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (September 8) 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

Nativity of Mary Novena – prayer for all nine days

Intention: In Honor of the Birth of Our Lady and for Her Intercession

Blessed Virgin Mary, on this feast we celebrate your birth — the birthday of the woman whom God chose before all ages to be the Mother of His Son. The world did not yet know what was beginning. Your parents Anne and Joachim held a child who would hold God. The dawn had come before the Sun.

Mary, your birth was the beginning of our salvation. From the moment God decided to become flesh, He also decided you would be the one to bear Him. You were prepared from the first moment of your own conception — full of grace, as the angel would later say.

You were born into an ordinary family in an ordinary place. Your parents did not know the weight of what they held. And yet — from you would come the Word made flesh. From your 'yes' would come the redemption of the world.

We celebrate your birthday because every good birth is a gift, and yours was the gift that made all gifts possible. You who were born small would cradle the Almighty. You who were helpless would raise the One who holds the universe.

(Pause to mention your intentions)

Blessed Mary, on your birthday I bring you my petitions as a child brings wishes to a beloved mother. Intercede for me. Carry my prayers to your Son. And teach me, as you learned yourself, to say yes to whatever God asks — trusting that from our small yes, something great can grow.

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: September 8. One of the oldest Marian feasts, celebrated since the 5th century in the East

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Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Nativity of Mary Novena?

Begin on August 30 to end on September 7, the eve of the feast on September 8.

How do I pray the Nativity of Mary Novena?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, and say a Hail Mary for a birthday you wish to bless.

Who is the Nativity of Mary Novena for?

It is for expectant mothers, families and anyone starting something new.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play