Novenas for World Apostolate of Fatima members are basically for Marian feasts. They are usually Nine -Day Rosary Novena; it is only when it is not possible for a nine -day novena or when otherwise directed (see introduction to each novena), that a three -day prayer (Triduum) is done.

In 1884, Our Lady appeared at Naples to a dying girl, Fortuna Agrelli, telling her to make a novena of Rosaries and she would be cured. The girl took the mother of God at her word and recovered! From the bedside of a dying girl, the idea of a ‘Rosary Novena’ has spread the world over.

Pains have been taken to compile prayers for the various novenas. World Apostolate of Fatima leaders should always check a the beginning of each month what novenas are starting and those ending in that month, so as not to fail to remind their members to attend.

Generally, the novena starts with a hymn, then Rosary, (5 decades), the novena prayer, the Memorare, prayer for th e Holy Father’s intention, invocation of the Sacred Heart & saints and concluded with “We fly to your patronage”.

Some centres have petition envelopes for these novenas where petitions can be put along with donations. At the end of the novena, all the petitions are burned (i.e. on the final day of the novena).

On the feast day members are gathered together for a mass, after which they say the Rosary; there is a brief talk, then if some fund (money) is available there can be light refreshments. Though some feasts like Our Lady’s birthday (September 8th) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8) are expected to be celebrated in a big way, it is not compulsory.

At Fatima Our Blessed Mother Mary asked us to pray for conversion of sinners and for peace in the world. In order to encourage this life of piety among the World Apostolate of Fatima members; the following novena (or nine-day) prayers are recommended for individual or collective use. The use of novena prayers is an age-long church practice through which members seek special favours from God. The following feast days and solemnities attract novena prayers.