Our Lady of Fatima Novena Guide: How to Pray the 9-Day Prayer
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917 and asked for prayer, penance, and the daily Rosary. This guide explains who she is, what a novena is, and how to pray the nine-day prayer step by step.
The Fatima novena prepares for Our Lady of Fatima feasts — nine days of Rosary, Fatima prayers, and sacrifices for conversion of sinners and peace. Many begin May 4 for May 13; First Saturdays extend the devotion year-round.
Who Is Our Lady of Fatima?
Our Lady of Fatima appeared six times to three shepherd children — Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta — in Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and October 13, 1917. She asked for daily Rosary, penance, and the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. The apparitions were approved by the Church in 1930. Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most venerated Marian apparitions in history, and her message of prayer, penance, and conversion remains urgently relevant today. Her feast day is May 13.
What Is a Novena?
A novena is a nine-day prayer, traditionally prayed in preparation for a feast day or in petition for a specific intention. The word comes from the Latin novem (nine). The Fatima Novena is traditionally prayed in the nine days before May 13, but can be prayed at any time.
Why Pray the Our Lady of Fatima Novena?
Our Lady of Fatima asked for prayer, penance, and the conversion of sinners. The Fatima Novena is prayed for world peace, the conversion of sinners, protection from evil, healing, and the intentions of the Church. It is especially powerful when combined with the daily Rosary — which Our Lady specifically requested at every apparition. Many Catholics pray this novena in May (the month of Mary) or in October (the month of the Rosary).
How to Pray the Our Lady of Fatima Novena — Step by Step
- Choose your intention. Bring to Our Lady of Fatima your deepest needs — peace in your family, the conversion of a loved one, healing, or the peace of the world.
- Begin on any day. Many begin nine days before May 13 (her feast day) or October 13 (the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun). But any day is a good day to begin.
- Pray for nine consecutive days. Each day, pray the novena prayer once. Do not skip days.
- Pray the Rosary daily. Our Lady asked for the daily Rosary at every apparition. Combining the novena with the Rosary multiplies its power.
- Pray the full novena online. The complete Our Lady of Fatima Novena — with the traditional prayer text for all nine days — is available at Catholic Bible Online. This free resource guides you through each day with the full prayer text.
The Fatima Prayer (O My Jesus)
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen."
This prayer was given by Our Lady at Fatima to be added after each decade of the Rosary.
The Message of Fatima
Our Lady's message at Fatima has three essential elements: pray the Rosary every day, make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners, and consecrate yourself to her Immaculate Heart. She warned that if her requests were not heeded, Russia would spread its errors throughout the world. She also promised: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." The Fatima Novena is a way of responding personally to Our Lady's urgent call to prayer and penance.
Ready to begin? The complete Our Lady of Fatima Novena — with the full prayer text for all nine days — is available for free at Catholic Bible Online. You can pray it directly on the site, day by day, with no registration required. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.