I am going to start this post with a slightly controversial statement as someone from the Catholic tradition - I kinda hate novenas. Like a lot.
I know, I know…it is what it is.
Now if you may be unfamiliar with that term, let me give you a brief run down. The word “novena” come from the Latin word “novem,” which means nine. A novena is a series of nine days of prayer for a particular intention or situation. There are all kinds of novenas - some ask for the prayers of different saints like St. Therese of Lisieux or St. Joseph and others are are for specific things like the Christmas novena or the Divine Mercy novena. More or less, you can bet that Catholics have a specific novena for almost any situation.
Let me explain myself. Half the time, I forget to finish most novenas I begin. Day 1 or 2, I’m rocking it like a Queen. By day 5 or 6, I have missed a few days and at this point I usually throw in the towel.
I also think sometimes Catholics can be a little weird about novenas. Clutch your pearls and hold on tight. Some Catholic people have bad theology around this type of devotional prayer. It can easily become something like this: Say these set of prayers for nine days, and POOF. God answers your prayers the way you wish or gives you a sign all is well.
How we talk about spiritual practices matter and I think sometimes we could do better on the language and real-life way we speak about this type of prayer.
So remember how I told that I hate novenas? Well that was true until last fall when the disposition of my heart softened. A particular novena entered my life and has stayed with me since.
Enter in the Surrender Novena.
Last October, I was in the midst of a lot of job uncertainty. A large merger of the Catholic healthcare system I worked for was happening and there were not a lot of clear answers for the stability of my job. I had just moved to a beautiful, old apartment in Detroit and was living my happiest single girl life. Insert this song.
In the aftermath of the work shakeup, I was in Minnesota for a dear friend’s wedding (hi, Clare!!). I quickly realized I was going to have to learn somehow how to sit in the discomfort of not knowing what would happen for an extended amount of time.
As I have often done in my life, I leaned on my Catholic roots. The idea came to mind to begin an ongoing novena each day. I decided to “try” this Surrender novena because I had a lot to give to God that was outside of my control - and I can be a bit of a control freak sometimes.
I was quickly surprised to see how setting aside a few moments each day to pray these words, Jesus I surrender myself to You, take care of everything, began to touch every other area of my life.

I started to pray these words from my heart for dating journey and to find a good man with whom I could build and share life with. Heck, I would sometimes pray the refrain before (see above photo) and after the many dates I was going on. I prayed these words as I began searching for new career opportunities within Catholic healthcare leadership. With each interview and rejection letter, I kept praying and praying.
I prayed as I went further in the interview process (for the job I actually have now with a different system) for a role that was on the other side of the state.
I prayed for wisdom, clarity, discernment, and peace. I asked the Spirit to lead me every step of the way - close doors that needed to be closed and open the doors I needed to walk through.
I have never been felt so drawn to a particular prayer.
The words of this novena were a strong anchor during an extended period of uncertainty and ongoing discernment. It some ways it changed my life and reminded me how much I constantly have to surrender to Jesus, each and every day.
As I spent time, reflecting on 2024, I realized that the art of surrender, through this prayer was the greatest lesson for me.
Why? Because I like to be in control. I struggle to live in the present moment and sometimes am overly focused on the future and the next thing coming at me. Oh, the joys and growing edges of being an Enneagram 7.
Am I perfect in surrender in all things after this past year? Hell no, of course not. And yet, I have realized that for me the ongoing work in my personal, profesional, and spiritual life will always be one of surrender. Learning to do this in all ways, in all situations, will help me become a saint. It will draw me closer to the heart of God and the real lives of people I encounter in my daily life.
God is teaching me, again and again, what it means to surrender every hope, dream, desire, fear, and uncertainty to the One who loves me beyond measure. Who always takes care of me and will never ever abandon me.
As I dated my fiance, I began to share the surrender novena with him. He began praying it and has become an advocate for this prayer in his own way. Travis actually prays it more regularly than I do now and very often he reminds me when I’m freaking about something (a work issue, feeling stressed, getting into #BudgetBreen mindset with wedding planning), “Babe, did you surrender this to Jesus? You gotta let him take care of it.”
Deep breath, Patty. Just keep surrendering to Jesus. Always, in all things.
For the Love that created me will never forsake me.
Maybe as you and I start 2025, surrender can become a spiritual practice that guides all of us - regardless of faith beliefs or tradition. I think the art of surrender that has something to teach all people because not being in control is part of our collective human experience.
My current Instagram bio reads: Future patron saint of loud, sassy people. Maybe at some point, I should add: Life long learner in the art of surrender.
And you know what, maybe this is all of us too.
Learning to surrender with you,
Patty
this is so beautiful! surrender has been a big call in my own life lately, too - thanks for sharing this!
Beautiful!! I feel the same way about novenas but have felt a little nudge to start the Surrender novena with reentering the world of dating apps and the possibility of moving apartments