History of my Signature Novena Bracelets

I thought I would tell you the history of my “Signature” nine-bead design for my “Novena Bracelets.”

First of all, it started with a perplexing pregnancy for my daughter. I wrote my book Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers To Be during my own precarious pregnancy in which I was placed on complete bed rest.

I had a huge hemorrhage in my uterus and a serious heart condition. My doctor didn’t think my baby would make it. I had lost three babies earlier on by miscarriage. It would be a trial of patience and commitment to bed rest.

Though it was a scary and difficult time, I feel God truly blessed me with much inspiration because very soon into my pregnancy, while on bedrest, I became deeply inspired to envision a pregnancy as a beautiful nine month novena of prayer as I awaited the birth of my unborn baby.

I prayed fervently and hoped for the very best. I even got word to my friend Mother Teresa to request her special prayers. She prayed for my baby and me and also sent to me a blessed Miraculous Medal which I wear to this day. She told me to count on our Blessed Mother and pray a simple prayer: “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be Mother to me now.”

As I prayed and waited…I also wanted to share my new inspiration of seeing a pregnancy as a nine-month novena of prayer and I desired to offer a kind of a prayer journal to other expectant mothers. I wanted to help them reflect upon their holy time of waiting, all the while as they prayed and grew in holiness.

So, I put pen to paper (literally, since I did not own a typewriter or computer at the time) and I continued to write down all of the inspiration that was stirring in my heart. These scraps of paper would be stored away in a cardboard box for “later on.”

Later on, in God’s Divine plan, I would put it all together in manuscript form and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta would end up writing the Foreword to my book. She had also encouraged me to continue to write for mothers and expectant mothers.

Women all around the world are using my book Prayerfully Expecting to create a living novena of prayer throughout their pregnancies.

History of Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's Signature Novena Bracelets

Here is an article written in 2007 about my book that you might find interesting.

Novena Prayer Bracelets!

“Prayerfully Expecting” Novena Bracelets!

During the season of Advent 2015, I felt very inspired to create Novena bracelets to celebrate the sanctity of human life, as well as to have a tangible means to pray for it.

A few examples below:

The Sanctity of Human Life

These novena prayer bracelets serve many purposes. I have made each bracelet with nine beads to symbolize nine months of pregnancy. The number nine is very significant in praying a novena of prayer. As well, there are nine choirs of Angels. With regard to the sanctity of human life, the bracelet will be a visual reminder to pray a novena for your own pregnancy, for your daughter, granddaughter, godchild, daughter-in-law, or niece’s pregnancy, to pray to conceive a child, to pray to adopt a child, to pray for your own children and grandchildren, and to pray for every pregnancy to result in a live birth and for the end to abortion.

I pray as I create each novena bracelet. Each bracelet is crafted with an attached crucifix, a Miraculous Medal, and most of them will also contain a pregnancy saint’s medal. It will be shipped to you in an attractive box with prayer cards inside. I encourage you to get your bracelet blessed so that it may serve as a blessed sacramental.

You will see some of the first “Prayerfully Expecting” Novena bracelets at my bracelet shop. I have added more over the years. More photos of the Novena bracelets will be regularly added to my “Prayerfully Expecting” shop as I create them. I will also be adding a variety of saint medals to the bracelets.

Other Kinds of Novena Bracelets

After awhile, I began designing and creating an assortment of Novena Prayer Bracelets, always with my signature “nine-bead” design to represent a Novena of Prayer, and not ten beads as are in a chaplet or decade. Each bracelet comes with a prayer card to use while praying a Novena of Prayer.

I also have designed some ten-bead Prayer Bracelets when it was most appropriate to use ten beads for the particular devotion. That said, I also have a seven-bead design which is for the “Seven Sorrows of Mary” devotion. You can see these designs at my Bracelet Shop. I started another website for my bracelets and creations but I need t have some time to finish it! 🙂

Just a few examples are below:

More Information and Many Designs Available

You can go to my Bracelet Shop on this website to learn more and see the various designs. You can also see other designs on other pages. For instance, my “Fatima Five First Saturday” Bracelets are here. And “Inspiring Word Bracelets” are here. I also do custom design bracelets and you can see information for that on my “Bracelet Shop” page.

In addition, I will mention that I have designed several Novena Bracelets for EWTN Religious Catalogue. You can see them on their website.

Visiting with Doug Keck on EWTN’s “Bookmark Brief”

Watch the Bookmark Brief below. The entire Bookmark program interview will air on EWTN television in the near future.

You can order your autographed copy of “Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey” below

You can learn more and purchase here.

Chatting on the airwaves with Jon Leonetti

I recently chatted on the airwaves with Jon Leonetti on “The Catholic Morning Show” about my new book “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.”

You can listen to our conversation here.

You can learn more and order your autographed copy of my book here.

Chatting with Teresa Tomeo on Catholic Connection

I recently had the pleasure and blessing of chatting with Teresa Tomeo on the airwaves on her show “Catholic Connection” on EWTN Radio. We chatted about my new book with EWTN Publishing: “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.”

You can listen to our conversation here.

Order your autographed copy here

Click on book cover image to learn more.

Saint Faustina’s Feast Day, 2023

A Grace-filled day!

I was blessed, very happy, and honored to present on the life and spirituality of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts a few days ago on dear St. Fasutina’s feast day. It was wonderful to see all of the folks who came out to partake in the amazing graces of the day — many coming to my presentation, and asking many great questions during our Q&A following my talk. I thoroughly enjoyed having to have a chance to chat with them afterward at my book signing held at the Gift Shop.

Click on the video image below (from Instagram) if you would like to watch my presentation at the Saint Faustina Center at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.

Part One: “Mary & The Eucharist: A Path to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament”

I was Johnnette William’s guest on EWTN’s “Women of Grace” show, discussing my new book “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.” Here is Part One of our two episodes. You can check it out right here.

“St. Faustina’s Incredible Journey”

I recently sat down with Fr. Mark Mary and enjoyed a lovely and blessed discussion on the spiritual life and St. Faustina’s incredible journey. I was at the EWTN television network in Irondale, Alabama when I bumped into Fr. Mark Mary when I was coming out of the chapel from Mass. We chatted a bit and Father invited me on his podcast. We just had to figure out when we would fit it in. Since I was there to film three shows and was all booked up, it turned out the podcast would have to be at the “last minute”! Seems to be the story of my life. 😉 I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.

Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey

Hot off the press! Releasing NOW!

Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey

“Young children are capable of great holiness. This book will help them get there!”

Ralph Martin, S.T.D., Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit

Finally, the inspiring story of Saint Faustina for young readers! 

Far from a mere gathering of historic details, this is an engaging and readable biography. In her personal, conversational style, Donna-Marie is simply telling the story of one of her favorite saints. It’s a compelling story and, as it unfolds, she invites her readers to think about their own relationship with Christ, offering them practical ways to model their lives on Faustina’s. Though geared primarily for young people, this is perhaps the fullest and richest biography of Saint Faustina and will be a great blessing for young and old alike.

Vinny Flynn, best-selling author of 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy

Book description:

Born Helena Kowalska, a simple Polish peasant farm girl at the dawn of the 20th century, Faustina was chosen by God to teach the world about His unfathomable Divine Mercy. Though mocked, ridiculed, and unbelieved, she earnestly followed Jesus’ commands, the Blessed Mother’s instructions, and saintly wisdom to tread an amazing mystical journey, filled to overflowing with gifts and graces to glorify God. She went on to become one of the world’s most popular saints. Befriend this lovable, down-to-earth saint through the work of celebrated author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, an authority on the life of St. Fasutina and master storyteller, who presents St. Faustina’s life in this page-turning novel for all ages.

***

Buy your autographed copy here: $15.95 U.S./ dollars plus shipping.

 

For purchasing when outside the United States, order here: $15.95 plus shipping

 

Longer book description:

In Diary of a Future Saint, an authority on the life of St. Faustina, master storyteller, and celebrated author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, brings to life the incredible story of one of the world’s most popular saints, and according to St. John Paul II, “the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time.”

This true biography reads like a page-turning novel and is written for ages ten and up. Helena Kowalska, once a poor Polish farm girl, whose family struggled during the years of World War I, perseveringly navigated many obstacles to follow her call to religious life. Even her pious parents stood in her way. One day, after a shocking visit from Jesus, Whom appeared covered in blood, the startled young aspirant fled to the nearby church, eventually eloping with Jesus in order to finally enter the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s.

Crossing over the threshold to religious life was an arduous journey for Helena, whom experienced crippling blows when doors shut in her face by the congregations that deemed her undesirable. With less than three years of formal education under her belt, Helena was considered to be no-one special, from a low rung of society. Therefore, when the door at the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy finally opened to her, the Sisters placed Helena in the “second choir” or class of nuns, responsible for the domestic duties.

Yet, it was there among the pots and pans, the dirty laundry, the vegetable gardens, and beggars at the gate where Jesus communed with His little bride. Helena, whom was later named Sister Maria Faustina, would flourish in the spiritual life hidden behind a cloak of humility. Saint Faustina received many graces and gifts (such as a hidden stigmata, visions, revelations, the gift of contemplation, bilocation, levitation, reading human souls, a gift of prophesy, deep knowledge of God’s mercy and of the Blessed Trinity, and mystical espousal). However, she never let on to anyone, with the exception of her directors, that Jesus Himself was instructing her to tell the world about His unfathomable Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy is not a new revelation, for God has always been merciful. Yet, Heaven saw fit that Divine Mercy would be revealed in a new way. On the evening of February 22, 1931, Sr. Faustina was in her cell when Jesus appeared to her in the image of the Divine Mercy, which took her breath away! Jesus gave her explicit instructions in propagating His image and His promises to those who venerate the image. The young visionary also communed with the Blessed Mother, whom also guided her.

Early in religious life, Sr. Faustina’s Guardian Angel escorted her to Purgatory where she learned the need to pray for the holy souls. She also experienced Hell and all its chasms and observed many unspeakable torments. She learned that almost all souls perishing in Hell were ones who did not believe in Hell’s existence while on Earth. Sister Faustina had many enthralling experiences with holy angels and dreaded demons. Jesus asked Sr. Faustina to record her experiences, which she hand wrote in notebooks. Today, St. Faustina’s writings are known as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.

Saint Faustina’s Diary is God’s loving message of Divine Mercy for our world. Though Helena Kowalska was considered to be insignificant and uneducated, she was obedient to God’s designs on her soul and eventually raised to the altar as a canonized saint, Jesus’ “Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy.” Faustina’s humble faith and trust in God gives us great hope for our own lives.

Please visit the Marian Press website to learn more or to purchase there.

Stay tuned for additional endorsements to be posted.

Women of Grace, Part 5

Here is Part 5 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on “Women of Grace” on EWTN. You can see it by clicking here.

Watch by clicking here.

Here’s a description of the episode:

“Have you ever considered that you may well be part of God’s plan in bringing restoration and hope to others, healing and new life? 

And have you ever considered that perhaps your sufferings and trials are the means God uses to fill you with His divine life that you might be that font of mercy for another? 

Well, it’s not just possible, it is plausible. And here to tell us how God has used her travail to be a source of grace for others is our guest, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.”

Click here to purchase your autographed copy.

Women of Grace, Part 4

Here is Part 4 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on her show “Women of Grace” on EWTN. You can see it by clicking here.

Part 4: Discovering the Beauty of Cross

The description from the website is here:

“Do you recall the Via Dolorosa of Our Lord? That moment when He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem and up the hill to Calvary? 

We can only imagine the intensity of the suffering He endured, the pain and travail that he experienced – physically, emotionally, psychologically, and yes, spiritually. 
But notice something more. Jesus was not alone on His way of the Cross. God’s providence was in play and there were others who sojourned with Him to bring Him aid and relief, consolation and solace, encouragement and strength. 

And so it is with us. The Father always provides for us in the midst of our suffering. And He sends others to assist us as well, to help us discover the beauty of the Cross. Guest Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle knows this to be true. And today she is going to tell us about it.” 

Women of Grace, Part 3

Here is Part 3 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on her “Women of Grace” show on the EWTN television network. You can see it by clicking here.

Here’s the description from the “Women of Grace” website:

“As we have come to discover, no one is immune from suffering, especially those seeking holiness of life and working in the service of the Lord. 

It seems that it is in the crucible of tribulation that the greatest of saints are made. And, when they are in that crucible, they strive to find the spiritual benefit as well as God’s will – what am I to do, Lord? What is your will? 

Today, we will look at the trial of marital discord and divorce with our guest, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.”

Part 3: Discovering the Beauty of the Cross
Purchase your autographed copy by clicking here.

Women of Grace, Part 2

You can click here to see the second episode.

Here is the description from the Women of Grace website:

“Woman’s greatest gift is the gift of herself. Through her feminine charisms of receptivity, trust, and surrender, she demonstrates fully her Christ-likeness in the world. Be she professional woman in the world, mother of a family of ten, or religious sister or nun, woman is called to be mother.”

Today, we will talk about this graced charism of the feminine person with our guest, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.”

Part 2: Discovering the Beauty of the Cross
You can click here to purchase your autographed copy of my memoir “The Kiss of Jesus.”

Women of Grace, Part 1

Here is Part 1 of my 5-part mini-series with Johnnette Benkovic Williams in discussing my memoir “The Kiss of Jesus” and the spiritual life, particularly the crosses in our life. You can click here to watch Part 1.

Part 1 Discovering the Beauty of the Cross

Here’s the description from the Women of Grace website:

“The common denominator of the human experience is suffering. We all experience it to greater or lesser degree, and if we haven’t experienced it yet, it is sure to come. After all, we live in a broken and fallen world surrounded by broken and fallen people. 

So the question ought not to be. “Will I suffer?” We are assured of that. Rather the question ought to be, “What will I do when I suffer?” And the way we answer that question makes all the difference in the world. 

This week’s guest on Women of Grace answered that question not once in her life, but many times over. And what she discovered was the cross, when embraced, holds abundant and beautiful treasures. In this 5 Part Women of Grace series, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will share with us how to Discover the Beauty of the Cross.”

You can purchase an autographed copy of my book “The Kiss of Jesus” here on my website or at EWTN Religious Catalogue.