Our Lady of Africa Novena
Contents
Show HideOur Lady of Africa is a title given to Mary. This title is associated with a specific statue of Our Lady in Algeria. Devotion to Mary under the title Our Lady of Africa became popularized in the 1800s.
The Our Lady of Africa devotion is popular in both Africa and among African immigrants in other countries. You can use this novena to seek intercession from Mary under the title Our Lady of Africa.
About Our Lady of Africa
The statue of Our Lady of Africa is an image of Mary as a Black woman. In 1840, the bishop of Algiers, Algeria, ordered the Our Lady of Africa image to be made. The statue was made in imitation of a French sculpture that was called “Faithful Virgin.” Within a few years, the Our Lady of Africa image came into possession of some Trappist monks in Algeria.
In 1846, a man named Louis-Antoine-Augstin Pavy became the new archbishop of Algiers, Algeria. He planned to construct a new church, which was to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The Ladies of the Sacred Heart in his home diocese of Lyons, France, suggested that he use the French sculpture “Faithful Virgin” in the new church. He liked this idea but decided to use the African statue of Our Lady of Africa instead.
In 1857, the Our Lady of Africa statue was installed in a small chapel, while the church Norte-Dame d’Afrique was completed. The statue was moved to the church as soon as the building was finished.
The statue of Our Lady of Africa was made out of bronze, and it depicts Mary with African features. The French missionaries in the area eventually dedicated the whole continent of Africa to Our Lady of Africa.
In 1869, the next bishop of Algiers, Charles Lavigerie, established an order of nuns dedicated to Our Lady of Africa. The order was called the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.
The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa had close ties with the Missionaries of Africa, the men’s religious order often called the White Fathers. Bishop Lavigerie was himself a member of the White Fathers. He assigned both the White Fathers and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa to help in the operation of the new church.
Soon, Norte-Dame d’Afrique became associated with miraculous healings attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Africa.
In 1876, Pope Pius IX gave the Our Lady of Africa statue a canonical coronation. The church Norte-Dame d’Afrique was also elevated to minor basilica status.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI prayed to Our Lady of Africa at the Synod for Africa. In 2010, the basilica was renovated in order to repair damage sustained during World War II and during a 2003 earthquake.
The Feast of Our Lady of Africa is celebrated with great solemnity in Northern Africa. It is a major feast for the White Fathers.
Our Lady of Africa’s Feast Day: April 30th
Why Pray the Our Lady of Africa Novena?
Our Lady of Africa is the patron saint of Africa, Algeria, and Ceuta. You can pray the Our Lady of Africa Novena if you live somewhere in Africa or if you live in Algeria or Ceuta. You can also pray this novena for someone you know who lives in one of these areas or if you are planning to travel to one of these areas.
Additionally, you can pray the Our Lady of Africa Novena to seek Mary’s intercession for the Church in Africa. Or you can pray this novena to ask for her intercession for the White Fathers or the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, since these orders were instrumental in promoting devotion to her.
You can pray the Our Lady of Africa Novena for any intention!
Our Lady of Africa Novena Prayers
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, you care for us with tender motherly love and bring our petitions before the throne of your Son. Your prayers for us are powerful. You can bring about great good for us and for your Son’s Church through your intercession.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray for the Church in Africa.
Pray for us, that we may always be holy servants of your Son. Pray that we may always be eager to serve your Son and His Church in whatever ways He calls us to.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, you came to be widely venerated under this title throughout Africa because of the work of missionaries. The White Fathers and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa did a lot of work to help spread devotion to you.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray for all missionaries.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to bring the souls of others to your Son. Pray that we may grow in devotion and advance in holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother as well. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, devotion to you under this title was spread largely through the work of the White Fathers in Africa. The members of the White Fathers do a lot of important missionary work in Africa. You can help the members of the White Fathers through your prayers.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray for all members of the Missionaries of Africa religious order.
Pray for us, that we may work tirelessly for the good of souls at every opportunity. Pray that we may serve your Son with greater devotion each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa are devoted particularly to you under this title. Members of this religious order do a lot of important work in spreading devotion to you under your Our Lady of Africa title.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray for all members of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa religious order.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may do all we can to advance in holiness and virtue in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, you care for each one of us with a tenderly motherly love. Your Son gave you to us as a mother to help us on the way of salvation. We should do our best to turn to you for the help you can give us through your powerful intercession.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the people of Africa and of the whole world may grow in devotion to you.
Pray for us, that we may always make use of all the helps God gives us for our salvation. Pray that we may grow in devotion to your Son each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, you long to help us by bringing our prayers before the throne of your Son. You want us to turn to you as our mother so that you may offer your powerful assistance to us.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in our relationship with you.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to advance in virtue and holiness. Pray that we may always be eager to serve your Son in whatever ways He calls us to.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, the church where your image is venerated has become associated with many miraculous healings. Your powerful intercession can obtain such miracles for us, but we must also practice great faith like yours in order for your Son to work such miracles.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the virtue of faith.
Pray for us, that we may grow in all the virtues we need for holiness. Give us the grace to grow to a closer relationship with your Son each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, your Son’s Church gives us many pious devotions and means to grow in our faith. Pious devotion to you under the title of Our Lady of Africa has brought about many miracles for people.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow to a greater piety in our lives.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve your Son each day of our lives. Pray that we may grow in our relationship with your Son at every opportunity we encounter.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Lady of Africa Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us Your mother to be our mother also. Please hear the prayers of Our Lady of Africa on our behalf.
Our Lady of Africa, devotion to you was spread through the work of the White Fathers and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. Your Son must be pleased at the efforts of these missionaries, as they work to bring souls to His Church.
Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of Your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in zeal for souls.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to preach the gospel to others in our lives. Pray that we may do all we can to bring souls to your Son.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.