The novena : a traditionThis devotional practice of offering a prayer or pious act, repeated during nine consecutive days, is a centuries-old Catholic tradition.Classic Roman Catholic prayerIt seems to have originated in the prayer of the Apostles and the Virgin Mary as they were gathered in Jerusalem for nine days after Ascension, waiting for the Holy Spirit (see Acts of the Apostles).  The novena upholds this image of praying in the Church to express a desire, a need.The symbolic meaning of the number nineThe number nine has no magic powers!  It is symbolic of continuity, perseverance, and serenity, simply because it is the product of the number three times three, representing the perfection of the divine Persons of the Trinity." Ask and you shall receive "The novena is a humble and fervent response to Christxs proposition, oft repeated: What can be entrusted to Mary ?All kinds of knots can be entrusted to her: conflicts, anxieties, failures, debts, resentments, breakups, looking for housing, sadness, abortion, drug addiction, illness, pain, divorce, unemployment, financial woes, alcoholism, exams, stress, depressionx In short all material, family, school, professional or spiritual troubles.Countless testimonies of graces received !The history of the Church glows with manifestations of Godxs mercy, who is attentive to this kind of prayer and grants numerous graces.  They are often sensible, as attested by the testimonies of graces received by those who prayed the Novena to Mary Who Unties Knots: reconciliation, healing, financial solutions, family harmony, housing foundx  These graces are also spiritual, for the first aim of prayer is the conversion of hearts.