A novena is a traditional Christian practice of devotional praying, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The word "novena" comes from the Latin word for nine, "novem". Novenas are a way to grow purposeful, consistent, and persistent in daily prayer. They are often used to ask God for a specific intention, often through a saints intercession. Novenas can be made at any time and are a means of praying to petition spiritual or personal favor through Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, or the saints of the faith who are believed to empower divine intervention. Novenas are a ritualistic devotional worship where one or more Christian devotees make petitions, implore favors, or obtain graces by honoring Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, or the saints of the faith who are believed to empower divine intervention. Novenas are especially common in Roman Catholicism, and many of the most popular and widely-prayed novenas begin or end on a saints feast day. The number nine is significant in a novena, as it recalls the similar time spent by the Apostles in prayer, "with the women and Mary," in preparation for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some novenas are prayed during specific times, such as the Divine Mercy Novena that begins on Good Friday. Novenas can be prayed for a variety of reasons, including to obtain special graces, implore special favors, or make special petitions.