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St. Martha Novena

Catholic novena

St. Martha Novena

Pray this nine-day Catholic novena through the intercession of St. Martha for hospitality, home life, active faith.

About the St. Martha Novena

St. Martha of Bethany welcomed Jesus into her home and confessed faith in Him as the Christ before the raising of Lazarus. Her life speaks to service, hospitality, grief, and trust. This novena asks for faith in daily duties and generous love.

When to pray this novena

This novena may be prayed at any time, especially for hospitality, home life, active faith. Many Catholics begin a novena nine days before a feast day, during a period of discernment, or when a particular need calls for patient, persevering prayer.

Common intentions

  • Hospitality
  • Home life
  • Active faith

How to pray the St. Martha Novena

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Pray the opening prayer and the daily prayer for the appropriate day.
  3. Name your intention simply before God.
  4. Conclude with the closing prayer, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
  5. Repeat for nine days, trusting God’s will and timing.

Opening Prayer

O God, source of every grace, I come before You with trust and humility. Through the intercession of St. Martha, help me pray this novena with faith, repentance, patience, and love. Receive the intention I carry, purify it according to Your holy will, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ.

Day 1: Faith

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me faith, especially in matters of hospitality. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 2: Trust

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me trust, especially in matters of home life. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 3: Conversion

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me conversion, especially in matters of active faith. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 4: Perseverance

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me perseverance, especially in matters of hospitality. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 5: Healing

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me healing, especially in matters of home life. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 6: Courage

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me courage, especially in matters of active faith. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 7: Charity

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me charity, especially in matters of hospitality. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 8: Peace

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me peace, especially in matters of home life. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Day 9: Thanksgiving

St. Martha, join your prayers to mine on this day of the novena. Ask the Lord to give me thanksgiving, especially in matters of active faith. Help me respond to grace with humility, courage, and charity, and lead me closer to Jesus Christ in the sacraments, prayer, and daily fidelity.

Closing Prayer

St. Martha, pray for me before God. Ask the Lord to strengthen my faith, guide my choices, protect me from sin, and grant the grace most needed in this intention. May this novena lead me not only to the help I seek, but to deeper love for Christ and His Church. Amen.

Submit a prayer request

If you are praying this novena for a personal intention, you may also submit a private prayer request.

Submit a Prayer Request

Related saint profile

Learn more about St. Martha and the saint’s life, patronage, and devotion.

Read the St. Martha profile

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the St. Martha Novena?

A novena is traditionally prayed for nine days. You may begin on any day, though many Catholics pray a novena during the nine days leading to a feast.

What intentions can I bring to this novena?

This novena is especially suited for hospitality, home life, active faith, but any honest need may be brought before God with humility and trust.

Does praying a novena guarantee the exact result I ask for?

No. A novena is not magic. It is persevering prayer that entrusts a real need to God while asking for grace, conversion, patience, and help according to His will.