I'm Terrible at Novenas

After Dom selflessly gifted the Christmas Creche to a mother who needed one for her family, I wanted to do something special for her in return.  She simply asked for a novena to St. Monica for her children.

I obliged.  

I was a bit anxious.  I'd never successfully completed a novena before.  Isn't that terrible?  It's embarrassing to admit that.  I've tried countless times, but on day 6 or 8 or even 9, my mind slips and I forget to say the prayers.

However, for Dom and her Christmas spirit, I would say a novena.

And I'm still trying.

I've "completed" the novena enough times that I've memorized the words and, altogether, have prayed the "full" novena 4 or 5 times.  

(So I guess you're going extra prayers, Dom... lots of them - ha!)

However, I didn't do it over the specified time-frame.

So I'm trying again and starting tonight.  I'm going to set an alarm on my phone that rings at my appointed time and stop what I'm doing to turn my thoughts to Dom, her children, and St. Monica.  

Do any of you have this problem with novenas, or am I really the only one?  Do you have any tips or tricks to better get me on board with these special prayers?

I feel like such a terrible Catholic, but novenas were never my thing.  My consistency is impressively poor.

*blush*

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