Traditional Catholic Novena
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
A traditional Catholic novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for urgent needs, constant help, and family burdens. Traditionally prayed Any time.
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About This Novena
This is one of the clearest older Catholic prayers of dependence on Mary. It does not pretend strength. Instead, it admits weakness, asks for rescue, and repeats the one grace that matters most: never to stop calling upon the Mother who helps her children keep hold of God.
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for urgent needs, constant help, family burdens, and protection in trouble.
Usual timing
Any time
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Opening Prayer
Pray this same prayer each day after the day's meditation.
O Mother of Perpetual Succour, behold me, a miserable sinner at thy feet. I have recourse to thee and put my trust in thee. O Mother of Mercy, have pity upon me, I hear thee called by all, the refuge and the hope of sinners, be then my refuge and my hope.
Succour me for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to me, a poor sinner, who recommend and dedicate myself to thee, as thy perpetual servant. I bless and thank God, for, having in his Mercy given me this confidence in Thee, the pledge, as I believe, of my eternal salvation.
Alas, too often in past times have I miserably fallen, because I had not recourse to thee, I know that with thy help I shall conquer. I know that thou wilt help me, if I recommend myself to thee, but I fear lest in the occasion of falling, I should cease to call upon thee, and so should lose my soul.
This then is the grace I seek from thee, and I beg of thee, as far as I know how and can, to obtain it for me, namely, in the assaults of hell, always to have recourse to thee and to say to thee; O Mary, help me, Mother of Perpetual Succor, suffer me not to lose my God. Amen.
Related devotion
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Our Lady
The Story of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The story of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the story of an icon that would not stay lost. The image is Byzantine in form: Mary holds the Child Jesus, while the archangels Michael and Gabriel show Him the instruments of His Passion. The Child has run to His Mother with such haste that one sandal hangs loose. This is not a sweet domestic picture only. It is the Passion seen through the eyes of a child who knows what He has come to suffer, and through the arms of a mother who receives Him without refusing the cost.
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Related litany
Litany of Loreto
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About this novena
Description
This is one of the clearest older Catholic prayers of dependence on Mary. It does not pretend strength. Instead, it admits weakness, asks for rescue, and repeats the one grace that matters most: never to stop calling upon the Mother who helps her children keep hold of God.
Traditionally invoked as patron of
urgent needs, constant help, family burdens, protection in trouble
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for urgent needs, constant help, family burdens, and protection in trouble.
Usual timing
Any time
Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Byzantine icon