Saint Martha Novena

JMCD

Just started my novena to Saint Martha on tuesday just gone and I really believe in it...was just wondering has anybody got any experiences good or bad from the novena? Now im not expecting people to say miracles happened or that.....but if they did let me know...but just in general has the novena being a positive experience.

Thanks.

BrianCalgary

Please do not allow this thread to go down the path of Catholic bashing.

I will ban if it does.

JimiTime

My fingers are sealed anyway:) What is Marthas Novena?

kelly1

JimiTime wrote: »

My fingers are sealed anyway:) What is Marthas Novena?

You must have heard of a novena Jimi? It's a prayer said for 9 consecutive days or a certain day of the week for 9 weeks. And shock horror, it is scriptural!

After Jesus' ascension into Heaven, the disciples prayed together in the upper
room for 9 days after which time the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost.

Some info about St. Martha:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=79

God bless,
Noel.

Acid_Violet

Think I saw that once in my church, supposedly never fails to grant your wish, is it that one?

philologos

That's very interesting. Noel could you tell me about how the Novena is practised if at all in Catholicism. Sounds like something that should be practised more often at a stage in the Christian year.

JimiTime

kelly1 wrote: »

You must have heard of a novena Jimi? It's a prayer said for 9 consecutive days or a certain day of the week for 9 weeks. And shock horror, it is scriptural!

I have, I just didn't know about Martha's Novena. Praying is indeed scriptural, I'll leave it at that. Before I'm accused of being a shark;)

kelly1

Jakkass wrote: »

That's very interesting. Noel could you tell me about how the Novena is practised if at all in Catholicism. Sounds like something that should be practised more often at a stage in the Christian year.

Novenas aren't restricted to any time of the year. A novena can be started on any day but they sometimes are said so that the 9th day coincides with a feast day. Most novenas involve praying for the intercession of a particular saint so you have novensas to Padre Pio, St Anthony etc. Catholics believe that the saints intercession is powerful before God because they were exceptional in doing God's while on earth.

Usually novenas are prayers of petition for a particular intention.

God bless,
Noel.

kelly1

Acid_Violet wrote: »

Think I saw that once in my church, supposedly never fails to grant your wish, is it that one?

You often see leaflets left lying around churches especially to St. Jude and it often says guaranteed not to fail and you have to leave more leaflets in other churches if your prayer is answered etc. But of course no prayer is guaranteed to work and it starts getting a bit superstitious and gives Catholicism a bad name.

God bless,
Noel.

Michael G

I'm sorry; as a Catholic I should know this — but what is St Martha's Novena for?

kateks

I have used this novena for 20 years. My then flat mate gave it to me. I am not really a religous person. go to mass, bring the kids up as Catholics etc but if I miss mass I'm not upset. There are many things about the Catholic church I don't agree with. However this prayer has helped me many times in my life-during exams, when I was stuck in a bad job and most importantly when I couldn't get pregnant. The strange thing is there are times when I cannot complete the 9 weeks-I forget and its Wednesday before I think of it again, its as if what I want is not worthy. My daughter is called Martha-I didn't intentionally call her after St. Martha, my sister asked me later if I had. I had tried the novena many times at that stage and kept breaking it. Finally I got my wish. I am currently doing it for a friend with cancer and she hasn't gotten any worse. I have meant to acknowledge St. Marthas power and all I owe her for many years. Thank you St. Martha-I will pass it on to my daughter

homer911

While we are on the subject, can anyone explain to a non-Catholic the practice of placing anonymous advertisements in newspapers about prayers offered or answered? Is it meant as an encouragement to others, or is there some some sort of "condition" attached? I've always been puzzled by it.

kateks

I guess its meant as an acknowledgement. It can be a condition as such to acknowledge the power of prayer but I suppose if you were to look at the saints side of it it keeps their memory alive! Its very Catholic but I suppose there are so many saints they need all the publicity they can get!

Tinyh

Yes she does work - I passed my driving test having asked her and that was only after 2 weeks of doing the novena. Be sure to continue to the 9th week even if you have been granted your request though.:)

babuszka77

yes i wasnt sure at the beginning what to expect and started to pray with novena to st martha.
and it worked: my brother passed his driving license test( he had difficulties to pass it, it was a lorry driving test), and i got pregnant as i wished.
i m sure it was st martha who granted me these favors.

B208broken

st martha does work she has helped me many times im working with her & I started praying 2 tuesdays now...im hope it works this time..just be specific on what you want what your praying for...(:

Jacrobat

Did this novena last year when facing some truly impossible situations and it worked. Thank you St. Martha. Am starting it soon for some people close to me. God Bless all who read this (especially those who don't believe in Him).

Goldengirl

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