Novenas, octaves, and a septenary. Meditations, prayers, and songs

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori is called “the Saint of Prayer” because he continually teaches and recommends prayer, which for him is a “simple and familiar conversation” with God. Yet he knows well that dialogue with God springs from a heart that receives and meditates on the Word, as the Virgin Mary did: “To attain perfection,” he teaches, “meditation and prayer are necessary.” For this reason, the Alphonsian novenas include meditation and prayer for each day. This collection of Novenas written by Saint Alphonsus for the most important celebrations of the liturgical year - Christmas, the solemnity of Saint Joseph, Holy Week, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart, and All Souls’ Day - helps us rediscover the joy and enthusiasm of encountering Christ.