An Italian priest named Father Charles Vachetta is credited with writing a novena in 1721 to inspire his parishioners during Advent. Today, that novena is known as the “Christmas Novena.”
The nine-day prayer begins on Dec. 16 and concludes on Christmas Eve. Drawing from the Psalms and Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah, the novena includes a daily Scripture reading, a meditation, an antiphon, the Magnificat, intercessions, and a closing prayer.
Vachetta, the pastor of the Church of the Immaculate in Turin, Italy, also composed an included canticle, or hymn, called “Let the Heavens Be Glad.”
The novena overlaps with the “O Antiphons” of Advent, prayers that are recited or chanted in an ancient tradition leading up to Christmas. The novena below has been edited for brevity.
How to pray the ‘Christmas Novena’ that’s been said for 300 years – Catholic World Report
How to pray the ‘Christmas Novena’ that’s been said for 300 years – Catholic World Report
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