The Novena for Impossible Requests, also known as the Annunciation Novena or the 9-Month Novena, is one of the most beloved and patient devotions in the Catholic tradition. Starting on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, and concluding on December 25th, Christmas Day, this prayer honors the nine months Jesus spent in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
If you are facing situations that feel humanly insurmountable, this novena is a powerful way to surrender those intentions to the Mother of God.
The "Impossible Requests" Novena is a marathon of faith. Unlike a standard nine-day novena, this devotion spans nine months. It follows the "Walk of the Incarnation," tracing the journey from the moment the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) to the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
The title "Impossible Requests" comes from the biblical assurance found in the story of the Annunciation: "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).
March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation. It marks the moment Mary gave her Fiat—her "yes"—to God’s plan. By beginning this prayer on this day, we join our own "yes" to hers, asking her to intercede for our most difficult intentions as she prepares for the birth of her Son.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R – That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Virgin of the Incarnation, a thousand times we greet thee, a thousand times we praise thee for thy joy when God was incarnated in thee. Because thou art so powerful a Virgin and Mother of God, grant what we ask of thee for the love of God.
[State your first request]
[Repeat above prayers for your second request]
[Repeat above for your third request – then, continue with “Conclusion” prayers below]
CONCLUSION:
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother. To thee do I cry, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in Heaven, on earth, and everywhere. Amen.
This novena is an exercise in spiritual patience. In a world of "instant results," spending nine months in prayer teaches us to trust in God's timing. Just as the Incarnation took time to develop in the hidden quiet of the womb, our prayers often require a season of hidden growth before they are answered.
It also includes powerful Marian prayers like the Hail Mary and the Hail Holy Queen and the Memorare. These ancient prayers have been loved and prayed by the Saints throughout the ages and are full of depth and significance for every Catholic.
The journey from the Annunciation to Christmas is a long one, and consistency is the heart of this devotion. To help you stay committed to your three intentions over the next nine months, we have designed a free, printable PDF guide that you can keep in your Bible, on your nightstand, or in your pocket.
To help you stay consistent over the next nine months, we have created a simple, one-page PDF guide. This printable contains the full text of the Novena for Impossible Requests, along with a space to write down your three specific intentions.
Traditionally, this prayer is known as the "Three Impossible Things Novena." By bringing three requests to Mary, we acknowledge her powerful intercession as the Queen of Heaven and earth, trusting that she will present each of our needs to her Son.
While the traditional start date is the Feast of the Annunciation, you can begin this nine-month journey at any time. However, the spiritual significance of ending on Christmas Day makes the March 25th start date the most common practice.
If you forget a day, simply resume as soon as you remember. The goal is a heart of devotion, not legalistic perfection. Some people "double up" the following day to stay on track.
As you begin this nine-month commitment to the Novena for Impossible Requests, you may find that other devotions help sustain your spirit during seasons of waiting or difficulty. We recommend exploring these resources to deepen your daily prayer life:
Waiting nine months for an answer to prayer can be a test of patience. The Litany of Trust, composed by the Sisters of Life, is a beautiful way to surrender your anxieties and let go of the need to "fix" things on your own. It is the perfect companion to any long-term novena.
If one of your "impossible" intentions involves physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration, visit our comprehensive collection of Catholic Prayers for Healing. This resource includes traditional petitions to the saints and prayers for strength during illness.
When we pray for "impossible" requests, we often face spiritual discouragement. The Chaplet of St. Michael is a powerful prayer of protection. Invoking the Archangel and the nine choirs of angels can provide the spiritual fortification needed to stay disciplined in your 9-month novena.
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