“Ask a Priest: Can I Improvise When Praying Chaplets and Novenas?”

Q: I would like to know about praying chaplets and novenas. If I want to pray a chaplet, can I pray it once or as many times as I feel inspired to? Do I have to pray a full novena each time? I know any prayer is a good thing, but I would like to know what’s the best way to pray, and what is recommended by the Church. Also, if I pray a chaplet out of devotion to a particular saint for example, do I have to have a specific reason or petition, or can I simply pray the chaplet as a way of being closer to the saint or to honor them? Thank you for your help. – T.S.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: There are various levels of prayer.

One level is personal, where you can do pretty much anything you want.

Another level is public prayer. If you are praying the rosary with a group, for instance, that’s not the time to introduce personal innovations. That could confuse and distract people.

Then there are the most important prayers of the Church, such as the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, which have some flexibility built in, but otherwise shouldn’t be tinkered with.

A novena, by definition, comprises nine days’ private or public devotion to obtain special graces. If you recite its prayers for fewer than nine days, there could be some merit in that, but it is simply not a novena.

Some chaplets, such as that of the Divine Mercy, are linked to a certain time of the day. There is nothing stopping a person from praying it at other times. But its 3 p.m. timing is meant to remind us of the hour of Jesus’ death on the cross.

The structure and pace of devotional prayers help give structure and discipline to our piety. This is key since we are prone to distraction and inconsistency. Moreover, some structured prayers are linked to indulgences, which is another reason to follow the norms.

In sum: You can be flexible in your private prayer. But resist the temptation toward frequent innovation. Consistency and fervor are more important than originality.

You ask about having intentions. Some devotions such the above-mentioned chaplet already have a built-in intention. Prayers to saints already contain an implicit intention to seek help in the widest sense. And healthy veneration to a saint is ultimately a show of worship to God.

In short: Don’t scruple over whether you consciously need to think of a specific intention every time you pray. Keep things simple.

Two more points: To say that “any” prayer is good needs qualification. Prayers done mindlessly or out of vanity aren’t meritorious.

And the “best” prayer is that which gives the most glory to God and helps a person grow in virtue.

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