The 54 Day novena, also known as the irresistible novena, was composed by Blessed Bartolo Longo in July 1879, which he said himself while he had typhoid fever. The text was inspired by visions of a miraculous portrait of Our Lady of the Rosary, to which the Novena was first dedicated in Pompeii.
A miraculous healing is attributed to the 54 Day Novena. in 1883 the commander of Naples' daughter, Fortuna Agrelli, fell severely ill with 3 incurable diseases and was almost near death for over a year. On the 3rd of March 1884, Our Lady appeared as the Lady of Pompeii before Fortuna, and the girl exclaimed “Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me, restore me to health! I have already prayed to Thee in a novena, O Mary, but have not yet experienced Thy aid. I am so anxious to be cured!”
Our Lady replied, "Child, you have invoked Me by various titles and have always obtained favours from Me. Now, since you have called Me by that title so pleasing to Me, ‘Queen of the Most Holy Rosary’, I can no longer refuse the favour you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to Me. Make three novenas, and you shall obtain all.”
The Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to Fortuna again and said “Whoever desires to obtain favours from Me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.” Fortuna obeyed and was healed of her illnesses.
The full prayer consists in praying the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, followed by various prayers. In this version, the Luminous Mysteries are included. It takes 54 days altogether to pray, 27 in petition, and 27 in thanksgiving regardless of whether the petitions were granted or not. Some versions are simpler (such as those found on the Hallow app or IPieta app) as they don't have the Memorare, St Michael's Prayer or the Litany of Loreto. The version below is the same as found on the Laudate app. I have added the Latin translations of the common prayers.
Use the Novena Day Counter below to check which day you are on. Remember to click the Advanced mode.
Novena Day Counter
