NOVENA TO THE OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

NOVENA TO THE OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

How to Make the Perpetual Novena:
1. Attend the Perpetual Novena devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help for nine consecutive Wednesdays. If possible, assist at Mass on Novena days. Those unable to go to Church because of sickness or the like may pray the novena at home before the picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
2. At the conclusion of the Novena, there may be a Benediction or Holy Mass. “That practice in a special manner is to the highly recommended by which many exercises of piety, customary among the faithful, end with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.” (Litt. Encycl Mediator Dei. Part II Ch. 4).
3. Bring this booklet with you and join in the prayers and hymns.
4. Write your petitions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and place it in the box marked, “Petitions.”
5. During the Novena, make a good confession.
6. Receive Holy Communion as often as possible.
7. When your petition has been answered, write a letter of thanksgiving to our Blessed Mother and place it in the box marked, “Thanksgivings,” so that others may also may be inspired to see the Novena as a means of going to God.


Opening Hymn

Immaculate Mother

Immaculate Mother
To you do we plead
To ask God our Father
For help in our need.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
We pray for our country
The land of our birth
We pray for all nations
That peace on earth.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Amen.

Opening Prayer
Priest: Brothers and sisters, as children of our Blessed Mother, we are gathered before her miraculous picture to honor her and to pray for our needs. Unworthy children that we are, let us first of all ask God’s mercy and pardon.
All: Merciful Father you sent your Divine Son to redeem us by his death and resurrection and to give us new life. By this, you make us your children to love one another in Christ. How many times in the past, we have forgotten this sublime dignity. We have sinned against our brothers and sisters; we have offended you. Merciful Father, forgive us. Repenting sincerely of our sins, we ask your mercy; may we always live as your truly devoted children.

Mary Immaculate Star of the Morning

Mary Immaculate, star of the morning.
Chosen before the creation began,
Destined to bring through the light of your dawning
Conquest of Satan and rescue to man.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying.
Look to this earth, where your footsteps have trod.
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying.
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
Grant us the shield of your mighty protection.
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying.
Look to this earth, where your footsteps have trod.
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying.
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.

Novena Prayer
Dear Mother of Perpetual Help from the cross Jesus gave you to us for our Mother. You are the kindness, the most loving of all mothers. Look tenderly on us your children as we now ask you to help us in all our needs especially this one…
(Pause to recall your petitions)
While you were on earth, dear Mother you willing shared in the sufferings of your Son. Strengthened by your faith and confidence in the fatherly love of God you accepted the mysterious designs of His Will. We too have our crosses and trials. Sometimes they almost crush us to the ground. Dearest Mother, share with us your abundant faith and confidence in God. Make us aware that God never ceases to love us; that He answers all our prayers in the way that is best for us. Strengthen our hearts to carry the cross in the footsteps of your Divine Son. Help us to realize that he who shares the cross of Christ will certainly share His resurrection.
Dearest Mother, as we worry about our own problems let us not forget the needs of others. You always love others so much; help us to do the same. While praying for our own intentions and for all the intentions of all here present at this Novena we earnestly ask you, our Mother, to help us comfort the sick and the dying give hope to the poor and unemployed, heal the broken-hearted lighten the burden of the oppressed, teach justice to their oppressors and bring back to God all those who have offended Him.
Dearest Mother, help us to avoid sin which separates us from our heavenly Father and from one another. Full of trust in you, we place ourselves under the mantle of your maternal protection and confidently hope for your powerful help.
Amen.

Prayer for the Home
Mother of Perpetual Help, we choose you as Queen of our homes. We ask you to bless all our families with your tender motherly love. May the Sacrament of Marriage bind husbands and wives so closely together that they will always be faithful to each other and love one another as Christ love His Church.
We ask you to bless all parents, may they love and cherish their children whom God has entrusted to them. May they always give them the example of a truly Christian life. Help them to bring up their children in the love and fear of God. Bless all children that they may love, honor, and obey their fathers and mothers. To your loving care we especially entrust the youth of today.
Give us all a sense of responsibility that we may do our part in making our home, a haven of peace like your own home at Nazareth. We take you as our model. Help us to grow daily in genuine love of God and neighbor so that justice and peace may happily reign in the entire family of mankind.
Amen.

Petitions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Holy Mary
PRAY FOR US
Holy Virgin conceived without sin
PRAY FOR US
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
PRAY FOR US
We sinners call to you
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be filled with the Holy Spirit and become courageous witnesses of Christ’s love for men.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be more and more like our Divine Lord, as you were.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be meek and humble of heart like your son, Jesus.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may fear losing God’s friendship forever by unrepented sin.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may seek Christ’s mercy and forgiveness constantly in the sacrament of Penance.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be aware of God speaking to us in the events of daily life.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may pray daily with love and trust, especially in moments of temptation.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may realize the value of worshipping God together in the Eucharist.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may grow in the love of Christ and neighbor by frequent Communion.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may reverence our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may strive to be true Christian by our loving concern for others.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may proclaim the dignity of work by doing our own work conscientiously.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may forgive from our heart those who have wronged us.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may see the evil of seeking our own interest at the expense of others.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may work for the just distribution of this world's goods.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may share our talents with others for the good of the community.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may accept our responsibility in the community in the spirit of genuine service.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
To pray that the Holy Spirit may guide and strengthen Pope Benedict XVI, the Bishops, and the clergy.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be blessed with an increase of priestly and religious vocations.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may bring the knowledge of Christ to those who do not know Him.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be aware of our dependence on God in the midst of human achievements.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may be ready at death to enter the home of our heavenly Father.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may die at peace with Christ and our fellowmen.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
That we may comforted at the death of our dear ones by our hope in the risen Lord.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US
To pray that our departed brothers and sisters quickly share in your Son’s resurrection.
LOVING MOTHER HELP US

Let us pray in silence for our own intentions (Pause)
ALL: Holy Mary, help us in our needs pray for all the people of God; may all experience your perpetual help.
Priest: Lord, you gave us Mary to be our mother ever ready to help us; grant us the grace to have recourse to her in all our needs.
ALL: Amen.

Consecration to Our Mother of Perpetual Help (First Wednesdays only)
Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church you are also our Mother of Perpetual Help. With hearts full of love for you we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart so that we may be your devoted children. Obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and fidelity to the promises of our Baptism.
We consecrate our minds and hearts to you that we always do the Will of our heavenly Father. We consecrate our lives to you that we may love God better and live not for ourselves but for Christ, your Son and that we may see Him and serve Him in others.
By this humble act of consecration dear Mother of Perpetual Help we pledge to model our lives on you, the perfect Christian. So that, consecrated to you in life and in death we may belong to your Divine Son for all eternity.
Amen.

Mother of Christ
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ
What shall I ask of thee?
I do not sigh for the wealth of earth.
For the joys that fade and flee.
But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I long to see.
The bliss untold which your arms enfold.
The treasure upon your knee.
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
I toss on a stormy sea.
Oh, lift your Child as a beacon light
To the port where I fain would be
And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ
This do I ask of thee
When the voyage is over
O, stand on the shore
And show Him at last to me.

O Saving Victim
O saving Victim opening wide
The gate of heaven to men below!
Our foes press on from every side,
Your aid supply, Your strength bestow.
To your great name be endless praise.
Immortal God-head, one in three
Oh, grant us endless length of days
In our true native land with thee.
Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, truly present in the Most Blessed Eucharist we adore You. It has pleased the Father that in you all his fullness should dwell. And that through You He should reconcile all things to Himself. Grant us the grace to be truly grateful for all that our Father has done for us. Grant that we may be truly sorry for our sins and do penance for them.
Through you, we thank the Eternal Father for the gift of life. He has created all the wonderful things of this world for us. May we learn to use them well so that through them we may grow in love for Him.
Above all, we thank our Father for sending You to us as the greatest expression of His love to save us and all creation by Your death and resurrection.
We thank you Lord, for giving us your own Mother, to be our Mother of Perpetual Help. May the countless favors we have received through her intercession, and especially through the Novena inspire us to greater confidence in God’s loving mercy and her perpetual help. Grant us that we may always do the holy Will of God and persevere in His love.
To the most Holy Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be honor, glory and thanksgiving forever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer for the Sick
Lord Jesus Christ, you bore our sufferings and carried our sorrows in order to show us clearly the value of human weakness and patience; graciously hear our prayers for the sick. Grant that those who are weighed down with pain and other affliction of illness, may realize that they are among the chosen ones whom you call Blessed. Help them to understand that they are united with You in your sufferings. For the salvation of the world.
Amen.

Let us Raise our Voice
Let us raise our voice
To proclaim our faith
Christ the Lord for us has died.
Dying, He destroyed our death.
Rising, He restored our life.
O Lord Jesus, we await
Your last return in glory
When we eat the bread
And we drink the cup in the blessed Eucharist
We meet You, our Risen Savior giving life to us anew.
Through life’s journey, be with us, to strengthen us forever.
Amen.
V:
You have given them bread from heaven (Alleluia)
R:
The source of all happiness (Alleluia)

LET US PRAY:
Lord God, by the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Your only Son, You accomplish the work of man’s redemption. Full of trust, we proclaim the paschal mystery in the sacramental signs of the Eucharist. Help us to see ever growing in us the fruits of Your saving work through Christ Our Lord.
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 Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
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.

O Sacrament Most Holy
O Sacrament Most Holy,
O Sacrament Divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving,
Be every moment thine,
Be every moment thine.

Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Pray for us sinners now
And at the hour of our death.
Amen.


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PRAYERS FOR PRIVATE DEVOTIONS

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help and sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I hasten to you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To you come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise my petition, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Prayer for Financial Aid
Realizing, dear Mother, that you are our perpetual help, not only in spiritual but also in temporal necessities, we ask you to help us in our present financial worry. Because of unavoidable circumstances, which have arisen in our lives, we are in great want and financial embarrassment, since we are unable to meet our honest debts. We are not asking, dearest Mother of Perpetual Help, for wealth if the possession of it is not in accordance with the will of God; we merely ask you for that assistance which will help us in our present obligations. We believe, dear Mother of God, that you are extremely kind and generous to all your loving and devoted children. We plead with you, therefore, dear Mother, to obtain us the help we so urgently need. We are trying to earnestly to solve our problem but we believe in your powerful intercession with Our Lord Jesus Christ, your son and redeemer. Amen.

Prayer against Temptation
Mary, my mother, your love for us could not be greater or more powerful. You are rich in love and your power brings us relief. You want everyone to be saved. I beg you, therefore, protect me in temptation and strengthen me when I weaken. I struggle daily to be faithful to Jesus your son. Help me my mother at every moment. But above all take me by the hand when you see that I am weakening and about to fall. I will have to battle with temptation till the day I die. My lady, you are my hope, my refuge, my strength; never let me lose the grace of God. In every temptation, I resolve to turn to you at once and pray Mary help me (St. Alphonsus).

Prayer for Company Keepers
Eternal Father, through the powerful intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help, I come to beg your guidance and strength during the important time of courtship.
Help us to realize that genuine love, deep and lasting, is Your own gift to those who respect and reverence one another. Take from our hearts all trace of selfishness, so that in all things, we may help each other to grow in true friendship. Convince us that true love will not hurt…use…or abuse the one loved.
To this end, Keep ever growing in us an ardent love of Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, by means of constant prayer and frequent Holy Communion.
May the bright hope of a happy marriage make us determined to prepare well by avoiding sin, and the dangers that can so easily lead us into sin.
We thank you for our love and we desire to consecrate it to You. Keep it always pure so that we may continue to live as worthy children of Mary, our Mother and You, our Heavenly Father. We ask you this through the spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit of perfect love.
Amen.