In the early part of the Middle Ages the pious custom began of a novena of preparation before Christmas, but only in Spain and France. The Theatine Father Piscara Castaldo, in a book approved in 1525 by the author’s Father General, gives complete directions for the celebration of the Christmas Novena with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A special novena in preparation for Christmas was known in Rome from 1618 onwards. This devotion consisted in the reading and singing of verses from the prophets.
Later, Carlo Antonio Vacchetta (1665-1747), an Italian Vincentian living in Turin, received the credit for composing the novena, his work following on prior centuries of tradition. With greater lay involvement in the life of the Church in the baroque period after the Reformation, popular piety expressed itself in numerous new devotions. Periods of prayer leading up to the festivals of saints were commonly observed, often lasting three, six, or nine days. Shrines noted for special devotion to Our Lord and the Blessed Mother also commemorated feasts and seasons with set days of prayer, often in the popular language.
The occasion for the Christmas Novena as we know it was offered by Gabriella Marolles delle Lame, Marchesa of Caluso, twice widowed and quite devout. She frequented the Vincentian church, had Vincentian spiritual directors, and assisted the community financially. Carlo Antonio Vacchetta, together with his confreres Giovanni Amosso and Sebastiano Valfre, set out to encourage the Marchesa’s piety by composing, or possibly revising, a novena in preparation for Christmas. Its first recorded appearance took place in 1720 at the Vincentian church in Turin. After that, the Christmas Novena spread throughout Italy, first through the Vincentians and Daughters of Charity, and later also through the Salesians of Don Bosco. It has spread elsewhere in the world due to the missionary work of the three communities.
We supply here a simple version of the novena which could be prayed in families.
Opening Prayer each day:
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Day 1: 16 December
The Incarnation
O most sweet infant Jesus, who descended from the bosom of the Eternal Father into the womb of the Virgin Mary, where, conceived by the Holy Ghost, you took upon yourself, O Incarnate Word, the form of a servant for our salvation, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 2: 17 December
The Visitation
O most sweet infant Jesus, who by means of your Virgin Mother, visited St. Elizabeth, and filled your servant, St. John the Baptist, with the Holy Spirit, sanctifying him from his mother’s womb, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 3: 18 December
The Expectation of Birth
O most sweet infant Jesus, who waited for nine months enclosed in the womb, and inflamed the heart of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph with the most powerful love and expectation, all for the salvation of the world, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 4: 19 December
The Holy Nativity
O most sweet infant Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, wrapped in poor swaddling clothes, laid in the manger, glorified by angels and visited by shepherds, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to thee;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Christ is at hand. O come, let us worship him.
Our Father…
Day 5: 20 December
The Circumcision
O most sweet infant Jesus, circumcised when eight days old, and called by the glorious name of Jesus, and proclaimed both by your name and by your blood, to be the Savior of the world, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 6: 21 December
The Adoration of the Kings
O most sweet infant Jesus, who was made known to the three kings, who worshipped you as you lay on Mary’s breast, and offered you the mystical presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 7: 22 December
The Presentation
O most sweet infant Jesus, presented in the temple by the Virgin Mary, embraced by Simeon, and revealed to the Jews by Anna the prophetess, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Day 8: 23 December
The Flight into Egypt
O most sweet infant Jesus, whom Herod tried to slay, carried by St. Joseph with your Mother into Egypt, saved from death by flight, and glorified by the blood of the holy innocents, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us. O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to thee;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Christ is at hand. O come, let us worship him.
Our Father…
Day 9: 24 December
The Journey in Egypt
O most sweet infant Jesus, who dwelled as an exile in Egypt for seven years, where you spoke your first words, and first began to walk upon this earth, have mercy upon us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary…
Closing prayer:
Let us pray: O almighty and ever-living God, Lord of heaven and earth, who revealed yourself to little ones, grant, we beg you, that while we celebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of your Son, the infant Jesus, and strive to imitate them, we may arrive at that heavenly kingdom which you have promised to little children, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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