The word "novena" derives from the Latin novem which means "nine" and is a form of persistent prayer and meditation that repeats for a minimum of nine days, asking God's help for a special necessity or in preparation for a solemn feast (such as Pentecost or Our Lady of Guadelupe). 

A "devotion" is a custom, ritual or practice that worships of God or honors one or more saints that is intended to increase a person's faith and closeness to God. It is not part of the liturgy of the Church, but often will point to the liturgy.
 
A novena may ask a saint to intercede for us in a special way, taking our petitions to God. The Novena of Saint Jude, for instance, asks Saint Jude to intercede in our name in an especially grave matter. 

Biblically, a novena is a fulfillment of the order of the Lord to the apostles before His Ascension to pray while they were awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (see Acts 1:14, 2:1-4). Those nine days of prayer were the gestation period of the Church before its birth at Pentecost. 

The nine days of prayer may also be considered as a representation of the nine months that Jesus grew in Mary's womb. Like Jesus our Head, we His Body also need to be born of Mary and the Holy Spirit.
For more information about visit https://novenaprayer.com/catholic-novenas-calendar/


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes devotions as "expressions of love and fidelity that arise from the intersection of one's own faith, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ." ("Prayer and Worship - What are Devotions?". www.usccb.org. Retrieved 2022-05-10) 

They include Eucharistic adoration, participating in the Way of the Cross, taking part in processions or pilgrimages. They may also be as private and simple as wearing a scapular medal, reciting the Rosary or meditating on a Bible passage. 

As Saint John Paul II said in 2001:

        "Genuine forms of popular piety, expressed in a multitude of different ways, derives
         from the faith and, therefore, must be valued and promoted. Such authentic
         expressions of popular piety are not at odds with the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy.
         Rather, in promoting the faith of the people, who regard popular piety as a natural
         religious expression, they predispose the people for the celebration of the Sacred
         Mysteries.    Devotions promote the faith of the people."
                    - Address to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline
                      of the Sacraments, September 21, 2001.

Popular Devotional Practices: Basic Questions and Answers | USCCB


Prayer to Saint Aloysius of Gonzaga , Our Patron Saint

O Blessed Aloysius, adorned with angelic graces! I, your most unworthy suppliant, recommend specially to you the chastity of my soul and body, praying you by your angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb, and His most Holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins, that They would keep me from all grievous sin. O never let me be defiled with any stain of impurity; but when you see me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from my heart all bad thoughts and unclean desires, and awaken in me the memory of my eternity to come and Jesus Crucified; impress deeply in my heart a sense of the holy fear of God; and thus, kindling in me the fire of divine love, enable me so to follow your footsteps here on earth, that in Heaven, with you, I may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of our God forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Pope Pius VII, in 1802, granted to all the faithful who, with at least contrite heart and devotion, shall say this prayer, with one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father: An indulgence of one hundred days, once a day.