April Brings Powerful Novenas: Here Are the Prayers the Faithful Especially Pray During This Month
April is rich in prayer preparations, and among them the novenas especially dedicated to Servant of God Petar Barbarić, Saint Expeditus, Blessed Ozana of Kotor, Saint Joseph the Worker, and Divine Mercy stand out.
Novenas are among the most popular forms of devotion today. We bring you the novenas you can pray as preparation for the feasts and memorials we celebrate in April.
Novena to the Servant of God Petar Barbarić (April 6–14)
The Venerable Servant of God Petar Barbarić became a model for young men and women on the path of growing up, a help in discovering one’s own vocation in life, and in attaining holiness through the simplicity of everyday duties. He also became a sure intercessor in all troubles and difficulties.
Novena to Saint Expeditus (April 10–18)
Saint Expeditus is especially invoked by those who need immediate and urgent help. This brave and courageous Roman soldier converted to Christianity in the year 303 and was baptized, and for that reason, he gave his life for Christ the very next day.
Novena to Blessed Ozana of Kotor (April 18–26)
Blessed Ozana of Kotor was the first Croatian blessed, a Dominican tertiary who, as an enclosed virgin, spent more than fifty years in her voluntary confinement. Immediately after her death, people began to venerate her as a saint, and that devotion spread throughout the world.
Novena to Saint Joseph the Worker (April 22–30)
Saint Joseph was a poor carpenter from Nazareth who, through his simplicity, became the model of all workers, and his memorial is celebrated on May 1.
Novena to Divine Mercy (begins on Good Friday)
The Novena to Divine Mercy is prayed from Good Friday until the Sunday after Easter, the so-called Divine Mercy Sunday. These are the words of Saint Faustina about the novena she received from the Lord:
“I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the source of My mercy, so that they may draw strength, consolation, and every grace they need for the struggles of life, and especially at the hour of death. Each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. And I will lead all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the life to come. I will refuse nothing to any soul whom you bring to the source of My mercy. Each day you will beg My Father, by virtue of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.”
