Enter into one of the treasured spiritual practices of the Church! Since the seventh century Catholics the world over have used the novena as a means of deepening their spiritual life, expressing devotion to a saint, or as an avenue for petitioning the Lord for a particular grace. The novena (from the Latin novem, "nine," and noveni, "nine at a time") is a period of public or private prayer lasting nine days, symbolizing the time between Christ's Ascension and Pentecost, during which Mary and the Apostles awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. At the heart of Novenas for the Church Year is a collection of nearly 60 original novenas that you can use to feed your soul as you commemorate an astounding variety of holy souls and holy days. Allow Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., editor of Magnificat, to lead you on a rewarding journey of prayer and intercession in rhythm with the Church year. Bring your fears, your passions, your worries and your thanksgiving to God with a wide variety of novenas including those in honor of: Mary the Mother of God The Presentation of the Lord Good Friday The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus The Conversion of St. Paul Week of Christian Unity The Feast of All Saints World Day of Prayer for Vocations The Feast of the Holy Family A helpful foreword introduces you to the novena and its special role in the life of the Church, setting the stage for these powerful prayers.