A novena is nine days of focused, intentional prayer — a tradition as old as the Church itself, rooted in the nine days the Apostles prayed together between the Ascension and Pentecost. To pray a novena to St. Francis is to spend nine days in the company of one of the most beloved souls who ever lived, asking for his intercession and his spirit of radical simplicity, humility, and love.

This laminated prayer card makes that nine-day journey easy and beautiful. Designed by Shawn Kilgarlin, a wife, mother of four, and mental health clinician from Shreveport, Louisiana, every ShopCatholic card is made to bring the richness of Catholic prayer into everyday life. Laminated with gold accents, sized to tuck into a Bible, a wallet, or a pocket — your companion for nine days of grace.

🌿 The Novena Prayer

O glorious St. Francis,
who voluntarily renounced all the comforts and riches of your home
to follow more perfectly the life of poverty and total surrender to Jesus Christ:
obtain for us, we pray, a generous contempt of all things in this world
that we may secure the true and eternal things of heaven.

You who embraced all people as brothers and sisters,
and saw the face of God in every creature —
teach us to love without condition,
to serve without counting the cost,
and to find joy in the simplest gifts of life.

St. Francis, Patron of animals, of the poor, and of all creation,
pray for us. Amen.

📦 Card Details

• Laminated with gold colour accents
• 2.5" x 4.5" — wallet-size and Bible-bookmark ready
• Classic sacred art image on the front, Novena prayer on the back
• Available as a single card or in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100
• Perfect for personal novena practice, gifting, or parish handouts

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is a novena?
A novena is a nine-day prayer devotion — the word comes from the Latin novem, meaning nine. The tradition goes back to the nine days the Apostles prayed together between the Ascension and Pentecost. Catholics pray novenas to ask for a saint’s intercession for a specific intention, or simply to grow closer to God through focused, daily prayer.

When is the best time to pray a novena to St. Francis?
The traditional time is the nine days leading up to his feast day on October 4th. But novenas can be prayed any time you feel called — when you’re seeking peace, discerning a decision, caring for an animal or the environment, or simply wanting to deepen your prayer life with the spirit of Francis as your guide.

What would I ask St. Francis to intercede for?
St. Francis is the patron of animals, ecology, Italy, and the poor. People pray to him for healing of pets, care for the environment, simplicity of life, peace in relationships, and the grace to let go of material things. He’s also a beautiful intercessor for anyone feeling called to a simpler, more intentional way of living.

Can I order these in bulk for my parish?
Yes! Packs of up to 100 available — perfect for Franciscan groups, October feast day celebrations, animal blessing services, or any parish that wants to invite their community into nine days of prayer with St. Francis. Bulk orders ship quickly, usually same day or within 24 hours if in stock.