What Is the Surrender Novena?
“"O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!"”
This simple prayer has brought peace and consolation to countless Catholics around the world.
Known as the Surrender Novena, it is a powerful invitation to place our anxieties, fears, and burdens into the hands of Christ.
If you are facing uncertainty, grief, illness, financial worries, or a difficult decision, the Surrender Novena offers a gentle but profound reminder: God is already at work.
Who Wrote the Surrender Novena?
The prayer was composed by the Servant of God Fr Dolindo Ruotolo (1882–1970), an Italian priest from Naples.
Fr Dolindo was known for his deep spirituality, personal suffering, and extraordinary trust in Divine Providence.
The novena is based on words he received in prayer from Jesus, who repeatedly invites the soul to surrender completely:
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
What Does “Surrender” Mean in Catholic Prayer?
Surrender does not mean giving up.
It means entrusting our concerns to God with confidence, while continuing to pray, act, and hope.
When we surrender, we acknowledge that:
God sees the full picture.
God loves us more than we can imagine.
God is capable of bringing good even from suffering.
We do not need to carry every burden alone.
This echoes the words of St Peter:
“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
How the Surrender Novena Works
The novena is traditionally prayed over nine days.
Each day includes a short reflection from Jesus and the repeated prayer:
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
The reflections address common struggles such as anxiety, overthinking, fear, and the desire to control outcomes.
Why So Many Catholics Love This Prayer
The Surrender Novena is particularly meaningful because it speaks directly to the worries of everyday life.
It is often prayed for:
Family concerns
Illness and healing
Financial difficulties
Discernment and decision-making
Anxiety and emotional distress
Situations beyond our control
Its message is simple but transformative: trust Jesus completely.
How to Pray the Surrender Novena
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
State your intention.
Read the reflection for the day.
Repeat: “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
Close with gratitude and trust.
Many people pray the novena during times of uncertainty or as part of their daily prayer routine.
A Short Prayer of Surrender
If you do not have time to pray the full novena, simply repeat:
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
These words can become a prayer for every moment of the day.
The Spiritual Fruits of the Surrender Novena
Those who pray this novena often experience:
Greater interior peace
Reduced anxiety
Renewed trust in God
Freedom from overthinking
A deeper sense of hope
The novena does not promise that circumstances will change immediately.
It promises that we do not face them alone.
Surrender and the Example of the Saints
Many saints lived this same spirit of abandonment to Divine Providence.
St Thérèse of Lisieux trusted God with childlike confidence.
St Teresa of Ávila encouraged perseverance in prayer.
Padre Pio urged people to “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”
The Surrender Novena stands firmly within this tradition.
How Devotio Can Help You Pray the Surrender Novena
Devotio includes the full Surrender Novena as part of its treasury of traditional Catholic prayers.
With Devotio, you can:
Pray the novena in a beautifully designed interface.
Schedule all nine days in advance.
Add your personal intentions.
Pair the novena with relevant Scripture and saint intercessions.
Resume where you left off if interrupted.
Keep your intentions entirely private on your device.
There are no accounts, no subscriptions, and no tracking.
A Prayer for Our Time
In a world marked by anxiety and uncertainty, the Surrender Novena offers a profoundly Catholic response: trust in the loving care of Jesus Christ.
Whatever burden you are carrying today, you can place it in His hands.
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
Begin the Surrender Novena Today
If you are seeking peace, trust, and a deeper reliance on God, the Surrender Novena is a beautiful place to begin.
Download Devotio to pray the full novena, schedule each day, and entrust your intentions to Christ in complete privacy.
Download Devotio free for iPhone and Android.
