What is the Archdiocese of Louisville's Great Novena?

The Great Novena in the Archdiocese of Louisville is first and foremost a prayer to God for communion and solidarity here in our home and beyond. This nine-year prayer initiative began in 2024 and culminates in the year 2033. The year 2033 marks the 2000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the birth of the Catholic Church on the first Pentecost. The purpose of the Great Novena is to fully preapre the Archdiocese of Louisville to fully celebrate this jubilee by helping to create a life of communion, solidarity, and true transformation in the Archdiocese through Prayer, Study, Liturgy, & Shared Life.

Pilgrim Commitments to Prayer, Communion and Solidarity

1. The Great Novena is first and foremost a prayer.

"Communion is built primarily 'on our knees,' through prayer and constant commitment to conversion. For only in this way can each of us hear within the voice of the Spirit crying out: 'Abba! Father!' and then, as a result, listen to and understand others as our brothers and sisters." - Pope Leo XIV

▶ Pilgrim Commitment: A pilgrim of the Great Novena commits to a desire for constant conversion, and to do their best to memorize and pray the Daily Great Novena prayer: "Lord, help me to love as you love. Through Mary and Joseph, grant us communion in the Church and solidarity in our communities."

2. To be fully prepared to celebrate the 2033 Jubilee requires communion in the local church.

"The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." - John 17:22-23

▶ Pilgrim Commitment: A pilgrim of the Great Novena commits to COMMUNION as a Church which is:

• Receiving Holy Communion for the intentions of someone in need

• Promoting unity in Jesus Christ.

• Respect for the dignity of persons as loved by God.

• Listening to the Spirit and to each other.

• Making room for the other in one's heart and in one's life.

3. The Church is a visible sign of communion to the world, and a Church in communion can speak a message of solidarity to the world.

[Solidarity] is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. - St. John Paul II

"Over time, Benedictine monasteries became places for overcoming the culture of exclusion. Monks and nuns cultivated the land, produced food, prepared medicines and offered them, with simplicity, to those most in need. Their silent work was the leaven of a new civilization, where the poor were not a problem to be solved, but brothers and sisters to be welcomed. The rule of sharing, working together and helping the vulnerable established an economy of solidarity, in contrast to the logic of accumulation. The monks’ witness showed that voluntary poverty, far from being misery, is a path of freedom and communion. They did not limit themselves to helping the poor: they became their neighbors, brothers and sisters in the same Lord. In the cells and cloisters, they created a mysticism of God’s presence in the little ones." - Dilexi te (56) by Pope Leo XIV

"We need to acknowledge that we are constantly tempted to ignore others, especially the weak. Let us admit that, for all the progress we have made, we are still ‘illiterate’ when it comes to accompanying, caring for and supporting the most frail and vulnerable members of our developed societies. We have become accustomed to looking the other way, passing by, and ignoring situations until they affect us directly.” - Fratelli tutti (64) by Pope Francis

▶ Pilgrim Commitment: A pilgrim of the Great Novena commits to SOLIDARITY which is:

• Reviewing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and working them into our daily lives.

• A firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.

• Resisting the temptations to look the other way, pass by, or ignore situations until they affect us directly.

Themes of Each Year

2024-25 – Year of Invitation – “Treasure Buried in a Field” ~ Matthew 13:44

Surrender to the power of prayer for all planning and promotion

▶ 2025-26 – Year of Wonder – “He Found It Very Good” ~ Genesis 1:31

You are here. Life is amazing.

2026-27 – Year of Freedom – “Standing on Holy Ground” ~ Exodus 3:5

You are here for a purpose.

2027-28 – Year of Growth – “Blessed Are You Who Believed” ~ Luke 1:45

You can find your purpose.

2028-29 – Year of Healing – “What Are You Looking For?” ~ John 1:38

You can find strength and courage from God to walk the right path.

2029-30 – Year of Love – “Remaining in His Love” ~ John 15:9-10

God loves you even when you fail. You are lovable.

2030-31 – Year of Desire – “The Promise of the Holy Spirit” ~ Acts 2:32-33

God desires our love, and we can choose to love Him back.

2031-32 – Year of Wisdom – “Jesus, Our Hope Behind the Veil” ~  Hebrews 6:19-20

Lord, show us Your Way so we may walk in Your Truth.

2032-33 – Year of Beatitude – “Yes, I Am Coming Soon” ~ Rev 22:17,20

Lord, let Your Face shine on us.

2033-34 – Year of Pentecost – “The Truth Will Set You Free” ~ John 8:31-32
Embrace the Great Commission & the power of Pentecost.

For a deep dive into the theology of the Great Novena (not required to become a pilgrim), check out this online info session:

If you are interested in learning more about ArchLou's Great Novena, or helping to spread the word, please contact us.