The Perpetual Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Explanations of the Picture
The Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour belongs to the group of Passion icons of the 15h century. These paintings are characterised by the symbols of the Passion and the austere features of the Madonna and the Child. Around the crowned head of the Madonna are the words "Mother of God." On both sides are the two archangels Michael and Gabriel with their respective names inscribed above their heads and holding the instruments of the Passion; St. Michael holding the spear and the sponge and St. Gabriel the Cross. At the sight of the Cross the Child Jesus is struck by fear his feet strike each other and knock off a sandal from his foot and he clings to his mother for support. The features of the Madonna are grave conveying message of hope and an assurance of help to all those who in identical circumstances will appeal to her for help. There is also a plea in her eyes; do not hurt by Son more by sin and I will help you by his goodness.
Order of Devotions
1. Invocation to the Holy Spirit
2. An Act of Contrition
3. One Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father
4. Invocation to Our Lady
5. Summary of petitions and thanksgivings
6. Novena Prayers
7. Hymn - Mother Dear, O Pray for Me
8. Announcements and sermonette
9. Silent Prayer
10. The 'Memorare'
11. Exposition and Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
12. Blessing of the Sick
13. Hymn - Mary from Thy Sacred Image
14. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
15. Hymn - Mother Dearest Mother Fairest
NOVENA PRAYERS
1.
COME HOLY GHOST
(kneel)
Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest
And in our Souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy Grace and Heavenly Aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created;
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray
O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us the same Spirit, to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His Holy comfort, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
2. AN ACT OF CONTRITION
(Here, O God is my sacrifice, a broken spirit; a heart that is humbled and contrite, Thou, O God, will never disdain; Ps. 50.19)
My God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee above all things with all my soul, with all my heart and with all my strength; I love Thee because Thou are infinitely good and worthy of being loved; and because I love Thee, I repent with all my heart of having offended Thee; have mercy on me a sinner. Amen
3. FOR THE INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER
(To gain the indulgences attached to this Novena)
The Our Father
Our Father, in Heaven, holy be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil. Amen
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee, Blessed art Thou amongst women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
The Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen
4. INVOCATIONS TO OUR LADY
We fly to Thy patronage, O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Priest : O Mother of Perpetual Succour, Thou whose very name inspires confidence
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may love and serve God with all my heart
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may never neglect prayer
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : In temptations against the Holy Virtue of Purity
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may quickly rise again should I have the misfortune to fall into sin
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may courageously resist the seductions of the world, evil companions, bad books and films
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may often and devoutly receive the Sacraments and fulfil my Christian duties and the duties of my state
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may be patient and resigned in all trials and troubles of life
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : In sickness and pain, in poverty and distress
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may not delay my conversion from day to day
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may ever love and serve Thee and invoke Thy assistance
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : That I may be able to lead others to love, serve and pray to Thee
People :
Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : When death is near and I am about to pass into eternity
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : To my last hour, to my last breath do Thou watch over me
People : Help me, O loving Mother
Priest : Pray for us O Mother of Perpetual Succour
People : That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O Almighty and merciful God who in order to assist the human race hast willed the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son; Grant, we beseech Thee that by Her intercession we may avoid the contagion of sin and serve Thee with a pure heart; Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen
5. SUMMARY OF PETITIONS &
THANKSGIVINGS
6.
NOVENA PRAYERS
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, heave 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 They 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 Succour, suffer me not to lose my God. Amen
Priest : Mother of Perpetual Succour
People : pray for Thy Children
Hail Mary …. (repeat three times)
Holy
Mary, succour the miserable, help the faint hearted, cheer those that weep, pray
for the people, be the advocate of the clergy, intercede for all devout women,
let all feel Thine aid, who implore Thy Perpetual Succour.
Priest : Thou has been made for us O Lady, a Refuge
People : A helper in need and tribulation
Let us Pray
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast given us Thy Mother Mary, whose wondrous image we venerate, to be our Mother ever ready to succour us, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who earnestly implore her maternal aid, may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of Thy redemption. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen
7. HYMN - MOTHER DEAR OH PRAY FOR ME
Mother dear, Oh, pray for me
Whilst far from Heaven and Thee,
I wander in a fragile bark
O'er life's tempestuous sea.
O Virgin Mother, from Thy throne,
So bright in bliss above,
Protect Thy child, and cheer my path,
With Thy Sweet Smile of love
Chorus :
Mother dear, Oh pray for me
And never cease Thy care;
Till in heaven eternally,
Thy love and bliss I share.
8.
ANNOUNCEMENT AND SERMONETTE
SILENT PRAYER
9.
THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to they protection, implored they help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother, to Thee I come, before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
10.
EXPOSITION AND PRAYER, BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Merciful Lord whose mercies are without number
And whose goodness is without end
You abide with your people in wondrous manner
And are with us all days, even to the end of time.
By your kindly presence, direct our minds,
With your guiding love, watch over our paths,
With your powerful help, deliver us from every tribulation
From all danger and sin, that we may on earth always live
With you and in your and in your eternal dwelling
Enjoy your presence forever.
Amen
11.
BLESSING OF THE SICK
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord
R. Who made heaven and earth
V. Lord, hear my prayer
R. And let my cry come unto Thee
V. The Lord be with you
R. And with you also.
Let us Pray
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God that these Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness through Christ our Lord. Amen
(Extending his right hand towards the sick)
May the Lord Jesus Christ be amongst you, to defend you; within you, to preserve your, before you, to guide you; after you, to guard you; above you, to bless you; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen
Through the intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Succour may the blessing of Almighty God, + Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you forever. Amen
12. MARY FROM THY SACRED IMAGE
Mary, from they sacred image, With those eyes so sadly sweet,
Mother of Perpetual Succour ! See us keeling at thy feet.
In thy arms thy Child thou bearest - Source of all the joy and woe;
What thy bliss, how deep thy sorrows, Mother, though alone canst know
13. BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Let us bow in adoration, To this Sacrament so great,
Here is new and perfect worship; All the old must terminate,
Senses cannot grasp this marvel, Faith must serve to compensate.
Glory, Honour, Adoration, Let us sing with one accord,
Praised be God, Almighty Father, Praised be Christ, His Son Our Lord
Praised be God the Holy Spirit, Triune God-head to Adored. Amen
Priest : Let us Pray : O God in this wonderful Sacrament you have left usthe memorial of your Passion grant that we may so reverence the Sacred Mysteries of your Body and Blood, that the taste of the fruit of your redemption may ever be within us, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
People : Amen.
THE
DIVINE PRAISES
Blessed be God
Blessed be His Holy Name
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man
Blessed be the Name of Jesus
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy
Blessed be Her Holy and Immaculate Conception
Blessed be Her Glorious Assumption
Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste Spouse
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints
14.
MOTHER DEAREST, MOTHER FAIREST
Mother dearest, Mother fairest, Help of all who call on Thee,
Virgin purest, brightest, rarest, Help us, help we cry to Thee.
Chorus
Mary, help us,
help we pray, Mary, help us, help we pray,
Help us in all care and sorrow, Mary, help us, help we pray.
Mary, help in pain and sorrow, Soothe those rack'd on bed of pain,
May the golden light of morrow, Bring them health and joy again.
Chorus
Help our priests, our sisters lowly, Help our Pope long may he reign,
Pray that we who sing their praises, May in Heav'n all meet again.
Chorus
Mary, help the absent loved ones, How we miss their presence here,
May the hand of Thy protection, Guard and guide them far and near.
Chorus