Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

‘Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation’ to Begin Oct. 27 as Election Draws Near

Posted on October 22, 2024 in: News

‘Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation’ to Begin Oct. 27 as Election Draws Near

Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 27, the Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) will launch a nine-day novena in anticipation of the U.S. election on Nov. 5. Catholics and all people of goodwill are invited to join in the “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation” to pray for the country and all government officials. (Editor’s note: EWTN is the parent company of CNA.)

“As Catholics, we turn instinctively to our Blessed Mother in times of need,” said EWTN Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Michael Warsaw.

“In this present moment, when there is so much division and unrest in our country, and when many of the values that formed our nation seem to be at risk, we again need to turn to our Blessed Mother,” Warsaw said. “We need to pray for her intercession, that leaders and all who seek public office will follow the path of truth, guarantee religious liberty, and ensure that all human life is valued and protected, most especially the unborn.”

The Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation concentrates on some central truths and Mary’s unique role in salvation. Each day turns to different times and roles in the Gospel and rosary — days dedicated to themes such as “The Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God Day,” “The Divine Motherhood of Mary,” “The Wedding Feast of Cana Day,” “Mary at Calvary Day,” “The Mystery of Easter Day,” and the “Assumption Into Heaven.”

Even in the earliest times of Christianity, the faithful turned to Mary for her intercession in their times of persecution and great need, as did the Catholics who lived in the new republic of the United States.

In 1792, Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore, the nation’s first Catholic bishop, chose the Blessed Mother as “patroness of the United States,” and he entrusted the new United States of America to her maternal care. On May 13, 1846, 54 years later — on the same month and day she would appear years later at Fátima — the nation’s bishops named Mary under the title of “The Immaculate Conception” as the patroness of the United States.

Once again, the bishops solemnly entrusted the U.S. to the Blessed Mother in 1959, when the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated in Washington, D.C. 

America’s first president, George Washington, strongly reminded citizens of the need for heavenly help. In his farewell address, he told the nation: “[T]he propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.”

Many victories throughout history have been credited to the prayers of the Blessed Mother, such as the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the Victory of Muret in 1213, the Battle of Vienna in 1683, the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the defeat of Soviet Communism in Austria in 1955, the defeat of dictatorship in the Philippines in 1986, and more. 

From those earliest of times of Roman persecutions, Christians would pray the simple yet very powerful “Sub Tuum Praesidium”: “We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.”

The Mother of God for the Nation novena’s introduction reminds the faithful that “in times of crisis, Catholics turn instinctively to the Mother of God to heal our wounds. Now we can all do our part in this national effort by praying the Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation. In this powerful supplication, our voices speak as one asking Mary’s intercession to unite us as one nation under God.” 

Each day of the Mother of God for the Nation novena there is a short Scripture reading related to the day’s theme, a reflection, and a prayer. The novena will be broadcast on EWTN in the morning and evening (see the times listed below). To follow along, and for those who cannot watch at those times, EWTN has a free novena eBook and will send each day’s prayers of the novena directly by email. Requesting it is simple and quick. 

If possible, during the novena people are also encouraged to do as many of the following five acts as they can (fully explained in the free novena booklet): 1) Attend Mass and receive holy Communion each day of the novena. 2) Go to confession; receive the sacrament of penance. 3) Read Scripture and pray the rosary each day. 4) Make a donation or do something practical to help the poor. 5) Encourage as many people as possible to make the novena. 

The novena booklet reminds those who join the novena that prayer testifies to the Church’s faith that “Jesus Christ is God and Mary is the mother of God and the mother of Christ’s disciples (John 19:25–27). Her maternal relationship to Christ and to all the members of his body is the foundation of Christians’ confidence in her ability to help her children on earth who face any danger.” 

“Here is a wonderful secret of prayer: Christ wants us to go humbly to his mother in search of his help,” the introduction in the novena booklet states. “This is precisely what we are doing in ‘Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation.’”

Join in prayer

 

If you would like to receive the Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation, please click here

The free eBook is available in English and in Spanish. The printed booklet is only available to ship to homes in the U.S., one per household. For a digital version for everyone who prefers one and those outside the U.S., please click “Send me an eBook.”

Make sure to watch the “Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation” on EWTN TV beginning Oct. 27. Check the broadcast times below. Join us and unite with others in prayer to the Blessed Mother.

Schedule on EWTN: 

Times shown are Eastern time; adjust for other time zones.) 

Sunday, Oct. 27, at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Monday through Thursday, Oct. 28–Oct. 31, at 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Friday, Nov. 1, at 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 3, at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Monday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

 

By Joseph Pronechen

 

This story was first published by the National Catholic Register on Oct. 21, 2024, and has been adapted by CNA.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Remembering September 11th - Mercies in Disguise
Editor's note: The following article was originally published Sept. 10, 2023. It is republished to mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11. It highlights the very best of our shared humanity—the kindness, compassion, and generosity that transcend boundaries of faith, culture, and nationality. We share it again here as a reminder that, even in times of darkness, goodness and light can still be found in the world. Sometimes, the best stories come from unexpected moments of inspiration. Recently, I had a unique experience attending Mass at St. Columba in Columbia...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV Proclaims Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati Saints
Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims following the canonization Mass for Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media   Vatican City, Sep 7, 2025 -- Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Italians Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis as saints of the Church on Sunday, decreeing their veneration among the Catholic faithful. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, were the first of Leo’s pontificate. The congregation, which included the family of Acutis, app...

Read More

40 Days for Life begins September 23rd with a Vigil Mass
September 24th through November 2nd  Praying for a change of mothers’ hearts and for an end to the taking of innocent lives. 40 Days For Life is a string of nearly 6,500 local campaigns throughout the world -with over 1,000,000 people taking a peaceful, prayerful approach by standing up for the dignity of all human life – praying outside Planned Parenthood facilities and speaking up about this injustice - with our families, friends, neighbors, and communities.  It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in carrying out of His Pl...

Read More

Book by Fr. Ray Introvigne and Dr. William Ayles Explores the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience
A newly released book, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Revisited, invites readers to a deeper spiritual encounter with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Written by Father Ray Introvigne, M.Div., and Dr. William Ayles, D.D., the book presents the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as a transformative “head to heart experience” endorsed by modern-day popes and rooted in the life of the Church. Dedicated to Catholic brothers and sisters — as well as all Christians — who seek a richer, Spirit-filled life, the book highlights how the Renewal can ...

Read More

In Memoriam—Sr. Lorraine Deziel, DHS

Posted on September 11, 2025 in: News

1202

In Memoriam—Sr. Lorraine Deziel, DHS
Sr. Lorraine Deziel, DHS October 10, 1936 – September 5, 2025 Sr. Lorraine Deziel, DHS, 88, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, entered into her eternal rest on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT, where she had been in residence since 2024. Marie Lorraine was born on October 10, 1936, in Waterbury, CT, the middle daughter of Donat and Azeline (Grenier) Deziel. She entered religious life in 1956 and made her religious profession on April 9, 1958. She was then known as Sr. Antoine de l’Enfant Jesus. After ...

Read More

Vacation’s over: How to get Back into the Routine with Joy and Hope
After days of vacation this summer, many people have returned to their usual routines, leaving behind long, peaceful days and that feeling of freedom from schedules or obligations. The return to school, the early-morning rush, and the many responsibilities of work and family life can sometimes lead to fatigue and even a certain melancholy. However, this time also offers the opportunity to begin anew and embrace Christian joy and hope with faith. Father Juan José Pérez-Soba, a diocesan priest and professor of family ministry at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological I...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Celebrate the Feast Day of Padre Pio
Homeschool Families Invited to Michaelmas Celebration
40 Days for Life begins September 23rd with a Vigil Mass
Book by Fr. Ray Introvigne and Dr. William Ayles Explores the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience
Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference Announces 18th Annual Gathering for 2025 Jubilee Year
In Memoriam—Sr. Lorraine Deziel, DHS
Remembering September 11th - Mercies in Disguise
Vacation’s over: How to get Back into the Routine with Joy and Hope
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Bowling with Bishop Reidy 2025
Click to view album: Ninety-Fifth Anniversary of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Saint Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294