Archive novena · 9 Days
Novena for Restoration of Bodily Health
Invoking the soothing touch of the White Sister over chronic infirmity, convalescence, and mental exhaustion.
Seven fresh white carnations, clean well water changed each morning, unlit white tapers.
- Day 1 — Name the body without drama. Water. Sit.
- Day 2 — Physicians and the people on the night shift.
- Day 3 — Pain that will not perform for visitors.
- Day 4 — Sleep, if it will come; company if it will not.
- Day 5 — The room: keep it clean enough to heal in.
- Day 6 — Fear of the scan, the bill, the wait.
- Day 7 — Those who cannot visit.
- Day 8 — If healing comes, without humiliation.
- Day 9 — Thanks, or a decent ending, or both.