During the nine days before Christmas, the Marians annually celebrate a Novena of Holy Masses at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Amid the distractions we face as Christmas draws near, this Novena helps us to take time to focus on the Incarnation’s role in God’s plan of mercy for mankind. As a way of preparing for this festivity in the Middle Ages, people used to offer novenas of prayers for nine days, recalling the nine months our Blessed Mother lovingly carried Our Lord in her womb. During the novena of prayers, people participated in common prayer so to enter more fully into the feast. Today, you may pray along with the Marians online daily. You also may send us your special intentions to have them placed near the altar during the Novena, or ask the Marians to remember someone in need of prayer. The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception wish you a very blessed Christmas.