Prayers in Honor of the Holy Face of our Lord

The practice of honoring our Lord's Holy Face is not new.  During Jesus' life on earth, this devotion was seen through St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother, the Magi, and the Apostles.  We also recognize this devotion in St. Veronica's veil.  However, it was not until much later that a formal devotion began.  

In the 19th century Jesus expressed His wishes to Sister Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite Nun in Tours, France, that a devotion to His Holy Face be established. Our Lord wanted this devotion in reparation for blasphemies against Him and His Holy Name, as well as for the profanation of Sunday. In August of 1843, Jesus dictated to her the well-known Golden Arrow Prayer, saying that those who would recite this prayer would pierce Him delightfully, and they also would heal those other wounds inflicted on Him by the malice of sinners. After receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Golden Arrow" as torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners. 

In 1885 Pope Leo XIII granted Ecclesiastical approval of the Devotion to the Holy Face and established an Archconfraternity for its honor.  It was of this Archconfraternity that St. Therese of Lisieux's entire family became members.  As a nun, St. Therese speaks of the image of the Holy Face, saying, “How well Our Lord did lower His eyes when He gave us His portrait! Since the eyes are the mirror of the soul, if we had seen His soul, we would have died from joy. Oh how much good that Holy Face has done in my life!”

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Years later during Lent of 1936, Jesus appeared to Blessed Maria Pierina De Micheli, a religious sister with the order of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, and told her, "I wish that My Face, which reflects the intimate sorrow of My soul, and the suffering and love of My Heart, be better honoured. He who contemplates Me consoles Me." On the Tuesday following Passion Sunday, Jesus returned to her and said: "Each time My Face is contemplated I will pour My love into hearts, and through My Holy Face the salvation of many souls will be obtained."  In 1958  Pope Pius XII formally declared Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, to be the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus.

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The celebration of the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves for the season of Lent, which begins the next day.  Remembering this devotion throughout Lent, is a method to help us remain focused on our Lenten penances, striving for reparation for our sins and the sins of the world.  The following prayers are a few that can be used to honor our Lord in this devotion.  May we employ these prayers as means to love our Lord and to help us grow in holiness as He desires. 

The Golden Arrow Prayer

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. 

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Prayer of St. Therese of Jesus to the Holy Face

O Jesus, Who in Thy bitter Passion didst become "the most abject of men, a man of sorrows," I venerate Thy Sacred Face whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am consumed with with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears which well abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, Whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy Divine Image and to set me on fire with Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen. 

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Holy Face Prayer for Sinners

Eternal Father, since Thou hast given me for my inheritance the Adorable Face of Thy Divine Son, I offer that face to Thee and I beg Thee, in exchange for this coin of infinite value, to forget the ingratitude of souls dedicated to Thee and to pardon all poor sinners.

--by St. Therese of Lisieux

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An Aspiration to the Eternal Father to be  Frequently Recited During the Day

Eternal Father, we offer You the Holy Face of Jesus, covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle, in reparation for the crimes of communists, blasphemers, and for the profaners of the Holy Name and of the Holy Day. Amen. 

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Prayer to Reproduce the Image of God in our Souls

I salute Thee, I adore Thee, and I love Thee, Oh adorable Face of my Beloved Jesus, as the noble stamp of Divinity!  Completely surrendering my soul to Thee, I most humbly beg Thee to stamp this seal upon us all, so that the Image of God may once more be reproduced by Its imprint in our souls.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria

 St. Cyril of Alexandria is honored by Holy Mother Church with a feast day on February 9.  Even at a young age, Cyril's intelligence shone.  St. Cyril possessed a great zeal for the salvation of souls and for the defense of Holy Mother Church.  He later became bishop of Alexandria, a position he held for 32 years.  He worked tirelessly against heresy and is especially known for his defense against the Nestorian heresy.  

Preached by Nestorius, who at the time was the bishop of Constantinople, the Nestorian heresy taught that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary as man only; thus, he called our Lady Christokos, meaning mother of Christ, as opposed to Theotokos, meaning mother of God.  While  Nestorius believed in Christ's two natures, he heretically explained this as two separate persons, teaching only the human person of Christ suffered and died.  At the Council of Ephesus, over which St. Cyril presided, the Nestorian heresy was entirely condemned, as was Nestorius himself.  The doctrine of the Incarnation of Our Lord, as well as the truth of Christ's two natures united in one Divine Person  The Council of Ephesus also defined the dogma of Mary as Theotokos, Mother of God.  St. Cyril of Alexandria is known as the Defender of the Incarnation.  He died in 444 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God 
By St Cyril of Alexandria 

 

Hail, Mother and Virgin, 

eternal Temple of the Godhead, 
Venerable Treasure of Creation, 
crown of virginity, 
support of the true faith, 
on which the Church is founded, throughout the world. 
Mother of God, 
who contained the infinite God under your heart, 
whom no space can contain. 

Through you, the most Holy Trinity, is revealed, 
adored and glorified, 
demons are vanquished, 
Satan cast down from heaven into hell
and our fallen nature again assumed into heaven. 

Through you, the human race, 
held captive in the bonds of idolatry, 
arrives at the knowledge of Truth. 
What more shall I say of you? 

Hail, through whom kings rule, 
through whom the Only-Begotten Son of God 
has become the Star of Light to those sitting in darkness 
and in the shadow of death. 
Amen

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayers for the World

 My heart is saddened for the Ukrainian people right now and for the entire world.  I beg all of you to increase your prayers and penance for the people of the world and especially for the conversion of so many world leaders, and for peace throughout the entire world.  All things are possible with God!  We must pray and do penance; begin praying and fasting now for these intentions.  

Throughout history we have multiple examples of the faithful imploring heaven's help in times of war and tragedy --Mary's intercession, especially by praying the rosary and our Lord's help through devotion to the Blessed Sacrament:  the battle of Lepanto, the Muslims planned attack on the convent of the Poor Clares, and the near attack of the pirates upon Lima during the time of St. Rose to name just a few.  We must trust in God and his Mother, offering all of our prayers and penances for their help and in reparation of sin.  Remember to pray your daily rosary, imploring Mary for her intercession.

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Prayer to Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Help of Christians 

+Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, help of Christians, refuge of the human race, victorious in all the battles of God, we prostrate ourselves in supplication before thy throne, in the sure hope of obtaining mercy and of receiving grace and timely aid in our present calamities, not through any merits of our own, on which we do not rely, but only through the immense goodness of thy mother’s heart. In thee and in thy Immaculate Heart, at this grave hour of human history, do we put our trust; to thee we consecrate ourselves, not only with all of Holy Church, which is the mystical body of thy Son Jesus, and which is suffering in so many of her members, being subjected to manifold tribulations and persecutions, but also with the whole world, torn by discords, agitated with hatred, the victim of its own iniquities. Be thou moved by the sight of such material and moral degradation, such sorrows, such anguish, so many tormented souls in danger of eternal loss!

+ Do thou, O Mother of mercy, obtain for us from God a Christ-like reconciliation of the nations, as well as those graces which can convert the souls of men in an instant, those graces which prepare the way and make certain the long desired coming of peace on earth. O Queen of peace, pray for us, and grant peace unto the world in the truth, the justice, and the charity of Christ. Above all, give us peace in our hearts, so that the kingdom of God may spread its borders in the tranquility of order. Accord thy protection to unbelievers and to all those who lie within the shadow of death; cause the Sun of Truth to rise upon them; may they be enabled to join with us in repeating before the Savior of the world: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

+ Give peace to the nations that are separated from us by error or discord, and in a special manner to those peoples who profess a singular devotion toward thee; bring them back to Christ’s one fold, under the one true Shepherd. Obtain full freedom for the holy Church of God; defend her from her enemies; check the ever-increasing torrent of immorality, arouse in the faithful a love of purity, a practical Christian life, and an apostolic zeal, so that the multitude of those who serve God may increase in merit and in number. + Finally, even as the Church and all mankind were once consecrated to the Heart of thy Son Jesus, because He was for all those who put their hope in Him an inexhaustible source of victory and salvation, so in like manner do we consecrate ourselves forever to thee also and to thy Immaculate Heart, O Mother of us and Queen of the world; may thy love and patronage hasten the day when the kingdom of God shall be victorious and all the nations, at peace with God and with one another, shall call thee blessed and intone with thee, from the rising of the sun to its going down, the everlasting “Magnificat” of glory, of love, of gratitude to the Heart of Jesus, in which alone we can find truth, life, and peace. Amen. 

--written by Pope Piux XII

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” -- Pope Pius XI 

“The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.” --Pope Leo XIII

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer to Our Queen

 Beginning on Candlemas, February 2, and extending through Spy Wednesday in Holy Week, Holy Mother Church honors our Lady with the hymn "Ave Regina Caelorum."  It is believed to have been composed by 11th century Benedictine Monk Herman Contractus; the hymn honors our Lady as Queen of Heaven and of the Angels, and begs Mary to intercede for man as our mediator with Christ.

Ave Regina Caelorum Ave, Regina caelorum, Ave, Domina Angelorum: Salve, radix, salve, porta Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa, Vale, o valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora.

Hail, Queen of Heaven Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned. Hail, by angels mistress owned. Root of Jesse, Gate of Morn Whence the world's true light was born: Glorious Virgin, Joy to thee, Loveliest whom in heaven they see; Fairest thou, where all are fair, Plead with Christ our souls to spare.

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Following this idea of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth, the following prayer written by Pope Pius XII provides the faithful with a fitting way to honor Our Lady and ask for her intercession in all our needs.

Prayer to our Queen

Out of the depths of this valley of tears, through which suffering humanity painfully struggles, up from the billows of this sea, endlessly buffeted by the waves of suffering, we raise our eyes to thee, most beloved Mother Mary, to be comforted by the contemplation of thy glory and to hail thee as Queen of Heaven and earth, Queen and Mother of mankind. With legitimate filial pride, we wish to exalt thy queenship and to recognize it as due to the sovereign excellence of thy entire being, O dearest one truly Mother of Him Who is King by right, by inheritance and by conquest. 

Reign, O Mother and Queen, by showing us the path of holiness, and by guiding and assisting us that we may never stray from it. In the heights of Heaven, thou doth exercise thy primacy over the choirs of Angels, who acclaim thee as their sovereign, and over the legions of Saints who delight in beholding thy radiant beauty. So, too, reign over the entire human race above all by opening the path of faith to those who do not yet know your Divine Son. Reign over the Church which acknowledges and extols thy gentle dominion and has recourse to thee as a safe refuge amid the calamities of our day. Reign especially over that part of the Church which is persecuted and oppressed; give it strength to bear adversity, constancy never to yield under unjust compulsion, light to avoid falling into the snares of the enemy, firmness to resist overt attack, and at every moment unwavering faithfulness to thy kingdom. 

Reign over the minds of men, that they may seek only what is true; over their wills, that they may follow solely what is good; over their hearts, that they may love nothing but what thou thyself loveth. Reign over individuals and over families, as well as over societies and nations; over the assemblies of the powerful, the counsels of the wise, as over the simple aspirations of the humble. Reign in the streets and the squares, in the cities and the villages, in the valleys and the mountains, in the air, on land and on the sea; and hear the pious prayer of all those who recognize that thine is a reign of mercy, in which every petition is heard, every sorrow comforted, every misfortune relieved, every infirmity healed, and in which, at a gesture from thy gentle hands, from death itself there arises smiling life. 

Obtain for us that all who now, in every corner of the world, acclaim and hail thee Queen and Mistress, may one day in Heaven enjoy the fullness of thy kingdom in the vision of thy Divine Son, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.

--Pope Pius XII

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer for a Catholic Family

                                              

Prayer for a Catholic Family 

God of goodness and mercy, we commend to thy all-powerful protection our home, our family and all that we possess. Bless us all as thou didst bless the holy family of Nazareth. O Jesus, our most holy Redeemer, by the love with which thou didst become man in order to save us, by the mercy through which thou didst die for us upon the cross, we entreat thee to bless our home, our family, our household. Preserve us from all evil and from the snares of men; preserve us from lightning and hail and fire, from flood and from the rage of the elements; preserve us from thy wrath, from all hatred and from the evil intentions of our enemies, from plague, famine and war. Let no one of us die without the Holy Sacraments. Bless us, that we may always openly confess our faith which is to sanctify us, that we may never falter in our hope, even amid pain and affliction, that we may ever grow in love for Thee and in charity toward our neighbor. O Jesus, bless us, protect us. 

O Mary, Mother of grace and mercy, bless us, protect us against the evil spirit; lead us by the hand through this vale of tears; reconcile us with thy divine Son; commend us to Him, that we may be made worthy of his promises. 

Saint Joseph, reputed father of our Saviour, guardian of his most holy Mother, head of the holy family, intercede for us, bless and protect our home always. 

Saint Michael, defend us against all the wicked wiles of hell. Saint Gabriel, obtain for us that we may understand the holy will of God. Saint Raphael, preserve us from ill health and all danger to life. Holy Guardian Angels, keep us day and night in the way to salvation. 

Holy Patrons, pray for us before the throne of God. 

Bless this house, Thou, God our Father, who didst create us; Thou, divine Son, who didst suffer for us on the cross; Thou, Holy Spirit, who didst sanctify us in baptism. May God, in his three Divine Persons, preserve our body, purify our soul, direct our heart, and lead us to life everlasting. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost. Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Feast of Purification

 February 2 is the feast of the Purification of Mary, also known as the Presentation of Jesus and Candlemas.  This feast occurs 40 days after Christmas and marks the end of the Christmas season. After this day, the rejoicing of Christmas gives way to the penitential days of Septuagesima and Lent. The feast of the Purification commemorates the purification of Mary, who humbly submitted to the ritual out of obedience to the Jewish Law.  St. Alphonsus wrote of Mary's humility in The Glories of Mary,

"This beautiful and so necessary virtue [humility] was unknown in the world; but the Son of God Himself came on earth to teach it by His Own example, and willed that in that virtue in particular we should endeavor to imitate Him: Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart. Mary, being the first and most perfect disciple of Jesus Christ in the practice of all virtues, was the first also in that of humility, and by it merited to be exalted above all creatures. It was revealed to St. Matilda that the first virtue in which the Blessed Mother particularly exercised herself, from her very childhood, was that of humility." 

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After the purification, St. Joseph and our Lady presented their Son in the temple, also according to the Law.  However, as Venerable Fulton Sheen wrote, "As Jesus was circumcised, so Mary was purified, though He needed not the first because He was God, and she needed not the second because she was conceived without sin." It was to the aged Simeon that Jesus was presented.  Simeon spoke, praising God:
 And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel" (Luke 2:27-32).

Ven. Sheen wrote, "Simeon was like a sentinel whom God had sent to watch for the Light. When the Light finally appeared, he was ready to sing his Nunc Dimittis. In a poor Child brought by poor people making a poor offering, Simeon discovered the riches of the world. As this old man held the Child in his arms, he... did not look back, but forward, and not only to the future of his own people but to the future of all the Gentiles of all the tribes and nations of the earth. An old man at the sunset of his own life spoke of the sunrise of the world; in the evening of life he told of the promise of a new day. He had seen the Messiah before by faith; now his eyes could close, for there was nothing more beautiful to look upon... What he had seen now was 'Salvation'------not salvation from poverty, but salvation from sin."

In relation to Simeon's words, February 2 is also know as Candlemas, since Jesus is called the light for revelation.  In Liturgical Year Dom Gueranger describes the symbolism of candles.

"According to Ivo of Chartres, the wax, which is formed from the juice of flowers by the bee, always considered as the emblem of virginity, signifies the virginal flesh of the Divine Infant, who diminished not, either by His conception or His birth, the spotless purity of His Blessed Mother. The same holy bishop would have us see, in the flame of our Candle, a symbol of Jesus who came to enlighten our darkness. St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking on the same mystery, bids us consider three things in the blessed Candle: the wax, the wick, and the flame. The wax, he says, which is the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord; the wick, which is within, is His Soul; the flame, which burns on top, is His divinity."

It is on this day the Church blesses candles for use throughout the year.  

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To the Blessed Mother for Humility

O Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray to thy Divine Son for me, a poor sinner; beg Him to make me humble. Oh, how humble art thou, the purest of Virgins; thou, my powerful mediatrix; thou, O most holy among the children of Adam, who art the exalted Mother of God! Thou didst declare thyself the handmaid of Him Whose Mother thou art. Behold, my dear heavenly Mother, how gladly I would dedicate myself to thy Divine Son, that His Will may also be mine. But my pride, my self-esteem, my vanity, are always against me. I struggle against them, and yet I allow them to surprise and deceive me so often. Oh, how this afflicts me! Mary, Refuge of Sinners, if I were only sincere when I beg of thee to obtain humiliation for me. But alas, whilst praying for such helps to humility, I fear the granting of my prayer. I clearly see better things; I even desire their possession and yet I shrink from what alone can give me true humility. Behold my trials, my combats in this valley of tears! O my dearest Mother, if to be freed from this body would give glory to God, how gladly would I not lay down my life.  --St. John Neumann

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer for the Feast of St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows

 The feast of St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated by Holy Mother Church on February 27.  Born Francis Possenti to a devout Italian family, St. Gabriel was a pious and kind person, even from boyhood.  Although he was quite intelligent and could have excelled in worldly pursuits, he was drawn to the religious life, feeling the Blessed Virgin Mary calling him.  Staring in the eyes of a statue of our Lady, he felt her speak, "Why! thou art not made for the world! What art thou doing in the world? Hasten, become a religious!” From that moment Francis' life changed.  He immediately entered the strict Passionist Order and took the name St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. 

Here St. Gabriel  lived a life of silent joy, using each act of suffering to rid himself of any sin and to grow closer to Our Lord.  He sought constantly to honor the Blessed Mother, often contemplating her amidst her sorrows, which filled him with great grief of heart.  At the age of 24, joyfully gripping his image of the Crucifixion scene, St. Gabriel experienced a painful death caused by consumption.  During his life with the Passionists, St. Gabriel lived a quiet life devoted to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Meditating on the Passion, he strove to draw closer to God, leaving his worldly desires behind. 

With Septuagesima upon us and Lent nearing, may we imitate St. Gabriel, turning with greater attention to our Lord and Lady and detaching ourselves from those things that draw us from God and our most Blessed Mother.  As we pray the novena below, may we keep the image of our Lady of Sorrows in our minds, striving to love her ever more.  To end the novena below on the vigil of St. Gabriel's feast, begin praying it on February 18. 

"Love Mary!… She is loveable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.” --St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows

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Prayer to St. Gabriel

O angelic young Gabriel, who, with your ardent love for Jesus Crucified and your compassion for Our Lady of Sorrows, were on earth a mirror of innocence and an example of every virtue; we turn to you full of confidence to implore your aid. Oh! How many evil things and afflictions O how many dangers, assail our young people from every side, seeking to make them lose the faith. You, who lived always a life of faith, who amongst the temptations of the world maintained purity and virginity; turn your eyes to us, cast us a compassionate and pitying glance! Help us to have the grace to persevere in faith; we invoke your name; we cannot doubt the effactiousness of your patronage! In full confidence of our hope in you, we pray, O Sweet Saint, to obtain this particular grace for the greater glory of God and for the good of souls (here mention your request). Finally, obtain for us from Jesus Christ Crucified, through Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, resignation and peace so that we might always live the Christian life, throughout all the times of this present life, so that we might one day be happy with you in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Amen

God bless!

+JMJ+

In Honor of St. Blaise

 ***Just a reminder if you want to begin a novena to Our Lady of Lourdes for her upcoming feast day, you would begin today to finish on the eve of her feast.  I have one novena to her here.

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In a previous post I wrote about the group of Saints known as the Fourteen Holy Helpers.  St. Blaise, whose individual feast day is February 3, is one of those Saints.  St. Blaise lived in the 3rd century and faced great persecution after becoming Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia.  Because he is known for curing a small boy who was dying from a fish bone caught in his throat, St. Blaise is known as the patron saint against troubles of the throat.  For this patronage Catholics receive throat blessings at Mass on his feast day.  St. Blaise died a martyr's death.

the Martyrdom of St. Blaise

Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Joseph, helper in all needs, pray for us.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, pray for us.

St. George, valiant Martyr of Christ, pray for us.
St. Blaise, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, pray for us.
St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, pray for us.
St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, pray for us.
St. Vitus, special protector of chastity, pray for us.
St. Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers, pray for us.
St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, pray for us.
St. Cyriacus, terror of Hell, pray for us.
St. Achatius, helpful advocate in death, pray for us.
St. Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, pray for us.
St. Giles, despiser of the world, pray for us.
St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, pray for us.
St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray for us.
St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying, pray for us.

All ye Holy Helpers, pray for us.
All ye Saints of God, pray for us.
In temptations against faith, pray for us.
In adversity and trials, pray for us.
In anxiety and want, pray for us.
In every combat, pray for us.
In every temptation, pray for us.
In sickness, pray for us.
In all needs, pray for us.
In fear and terror, pray for us.
In dangers of salvation, pray for us.
In dangers of honor, pray for us.
In dangers of reputation, pray for us.
In dangers of property, pray for us.
In dangers by fire and water, pray for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!

From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and storms, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From eternal damnation, deliver us, O Lord.

Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy birth and Thy life, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, deliver us, O Lord.
On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!

We sinners, beseech Thee hear us.
That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt convert us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt protect and propagate Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt preserve peace and concord among the nations, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt give eternal rest to the souls of the departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. George, Thou wilt preserve us in the Faith, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Blaise Thou wilt confirm us in hope, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Erasmus Thou wilt enkindle in us Thy holy love, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Pantaleon Thou wilt give us charity for our neighbor, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Vitus Thou wilt teach us the value of our soul, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Christophorus Thou wilt preserve us from sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Dionysius Thou wilt give us tranquility of conscience, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou wilt grant us resignation to Thy holy will, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Eustachius Thou wilt give us patience in adversity, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Achatius Thou wilt grant us a happy death, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Giles Thou wilt grant us a merciful judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Margaret Thou wilt preserve us from Hell, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Catherine Thou wilt shorten our Purgatory, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Barbara Thou wilt receive us in Heaven, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers, we beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.

Let us Pray.
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy Saints George,
Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

God bless!

+JMJ+

For the Month of the Holy Family

 The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, a fitting example for all families today.  Saint John Paul II spoke on families, saying, 

“To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others...."

The Holy Family lived in this way, serving one another in virtue and truly following God' Will in all things.  Families today are called to this life:  a life of charity, humility, obedience, patience, and simplicity, among numerous other virtues.  As St. John Paul II stated, each member of the family is called to help the other members through loving service, which includes service in daily tasks, but most importantly service in the spiritual life.  Too often the cares of the world overshadow this special call from God, the call to help our family members truly follow God's Will and attain our heavenly goal.

During the month of February, may we remember to ask for the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth for our own families and families throughout the world.  May we look toward them, seeing in them an example to imitate to help our own family grow in holiness.  May we also strive to be that example to the world of God's love within the family through faithfulness to God and cheerful kindness to all we meet.

The following beautiful prayer is a fitting one to say during this month of the Holy Family; through it we ask Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to intercede for our family and help us grow in the virtues that illuminated their daily lives and work.

Prayer to the Holy Family

O most loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst bless with peace and happiness the family Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency look down upon this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving kindness; preserve us from danger; give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of Thy Holy Family; that having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in heaven.

O Mary, most sweet Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers.

And do thou, O glorious Patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation, and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen.
--Prayer Book for Religious by Fr. Lasance

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"Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of this Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues."  --Pope Leo XIII

God bless!

+JMJ+

Prayer for Christian Families

 “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”  --St. John Paul II

With February's dedication to the Holy Family and the rapidly approaching Lenten season (in fact it begins tomorrow), this is a fitting time to take to heart St. John Paul II's words and offer sacrifices and prayers for the sanctification of family life.  It is also vital to pray for the intention that the entire world will grasp and embrace the significance of holy families.  May we also pray for the families throughout the world that they may strive to imitate the faith-filled, loving, and virtuous example provided by the Holy Family of Nazareth, just as Pope Pius XII penned in the following prayer.

Prayer for Christian Families

O Lord, God of goodness and mercy, Who in the midst of an evil and sinful world hast presented to the society of the redeemed the Holy Family of Nazareth as a spotless mirror of piety, justice and love, behold how the family is being undermined on all sides, every effort being made to desecrate it by stripping it of faith, religion and morals.

Regard the work of Thy own hands. Safeguard in our homes the domestic virtues, for these alone will ensure us harmony and peace. Come and stir up the champions of the family. Bestir the modern apostles so that in Thy Name, bearing the message of Jesus Christ and exhibiting holiness of life, they may revive the doctrines of conjugal fidelity for married couples, the exercise of authority by parents, obedience on the part of children, and modesty on the part of girls. Grant also through the efforts of these apostles, that the home favored by Thee with many blessings may again become an object of esteem and love in the minds and hearts of all.

It is through the examples of the Divine model of Nazareth that the Christian family is to be restored in Jesus Christ and to recover its former respect and dignity. Then every home will again become a sanctuary and in every household will be rekindled the flame of faith to teach patience in adversity and moderation in prosperity and to promote order, peace, and harmony in all things.

Under Thy paternal gaze, O Lord, and with confidence in Thy Providence and in the loving patronage of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the family will become a sanctuary of virtue and a school of wisdom. It shall prove, as Christ has promised, a haven of rest against life's burdens. In the sight of the world it shall render glory to Thee, O Father, and to Thy Son, Jesus, until the day when, through Him, we shall, together with all His members, sing the Divine praises in the eternal ages to come. Amen.

--By Pope Pius XII

In 2013 Pope Francis addressed families, saying,

"Dear families, you know very well that the true joy which we experience in the family is not superficial; it does not come from material objects, from the fact that everything seems to be going well... True joy comes from a profound harmony between persons, something which we all feel in our hearts and which makes us experience the beauty of togetherness, of mutual support along life’s journey. But the basis of this feeling of deep joy is the presence of God in the family and his love, which is welcoming, merciful, and respectful towards all. God alone knows how to create harmony from differences. But if God’s love is lacking, the family loses its harmony, self-centeredness prevails and joy fades. But the family which experiences the joy of faith communicates it naturally. That family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world, it is the leaven of society."

May we use this Lenten season to work toward the sanctification of our families, and through example, prayer, and sacrifice, the sanctification of families everywhere!

God bless!  I pray each of you have a blessed, holy Lent!

+JMJ+

Consecration to the Holy Family

 Holy Mother Church dedicates the month of February to the Holy Family. This special devotion, which gives the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue for all families, began in the seventeenth century. Placed in February, the devotion falls between the Christmas season, during which we focus our meditation on the Infant Jesus, and the season of Lent, when our focus is changed to the public life of Christ and His Passion. Thus the days between these two seasons finds our hearts looking at the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, "Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of this Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues."

The Holy Family by Murillo

During this month of the Holy Family, may we strive to imitate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their devotion, love, and service of God and one another. As Paul VI suggests, “May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character....” The following prayer, Consecration to the Holy Family, is a fitting prayer to recite during February. As we consecrate ourselves and our families to this most Holy Family, may we grow in our own virtues and love of God, helping one another reach our ultimate goal of heaven.

Consecration to the Holy Family

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and
example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home in Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.


Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
 Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times each)

+  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, save souls!  +

God bless! 

 +JMJ+

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

 I have always had a special devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette; my confirmation name is Bernadette.  Thus I am looking forward to the upcoming feast of Mary under this title.  I also have a special intention of healing for someone dear for which I will be asking her intercession through the first novena below.

I have provided two novenas to Our Lady under this title, the second being shorter in length, in case anyone prefers a simpler novena format.  If you have any requests for which you would like me to pray during this novena, please leave me a comment, and I will add them to my prayers.  Regardless of which novena you choose, it is to prayed daily beginning on February 2 and continuing through February 10, the day before Our Lady's feast.

On February 11 Holy Mother Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1858 Mary appeared in a grotto to a young French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, who historical feast day is April 16. By July Our Lady had appeared to St. Bernadette eighteen times, calling herself the Immaculate Conception. During her appearances Mary, clothed in a white gown and blue sash, with a golden rose on each foot, asked St. Bernadette to pray the rosary. In another apparition a spring appeared from the ground where Our Lady instructed St. Bernadette to dig.

In modern times, as then, many miraculous cures occur for those pilgrims who, imploring Our Lady of Lourdes' intercession, come into contact with the waters of the grotto. In our trials may we remember to ask for our Heavenly Mother to intercede for us, looking to her as an example of how to serve the Lord in all things. May we also imitate the humble St. Bernadette by invoking Our Lady's name with love and devotion and honoring her through the recitation of her holy rosary.

The following novena asks Our Lady for her intercession and is to be prayed daily from February 2 through February 10, the day before Our Lady's feast.

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Opening Prayer (repeat each day)
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest thy shining glory with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” A thousand times we praise thee for thine Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Infirm, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted, thou knowest our wants, our troubles, and our sufferings; deign to cast upon us thy look of mercy.

By appearing in the grotto of Lourdes, thou wast pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, from whence thou dost dispense thy favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore thy maternal affection, and intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the request we beseech of thee…(state thy request)

Through gratitude for thy favors, we will endeavor to imitate thy virtues, that we may one day share thy glory. O Queen of Heaven. O Mary Immaculate, O Mother of Christ, thine influence was plentitudinous with thy Divine Son, while still upon earth. Do thou shine forth thine influence ever present in Heaven. Pray for us, and obtain for us from thy Divine Son our special request, if it be His Will. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 1: O Mary Immaculate, O Sovereign Grace, Virgin and Mother, and Queen of Heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and by that virtue, preserved from Original Sin, we kneel before thee as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in thee, that as we contemplate thy glorious appearance there, thou wilt look with mercy on our present petition, and secure for us a favorable answer to the request for which we offer this novena. (state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 2: Blessed be thee, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest thyself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception!” O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of thy pure heart. Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for thee, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy thy glorious eternity. O Mediatrix of All Graces here below, take into thy keeping, and present to thy Divine Son, the intention with which we are offer this novena. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day3: “Thou art all fair, O Mary, and there is in thee no stain of original sin.” O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant Star of Sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon the rough hewn rocks at Lourdes, when thou didst speak to the child Bernadette, and a fountain broke from the plain earth, and miracles happened, and the great shrine of Lourdes began, do now, we beseech thee, hear our fervent prayer and likewise obtain for us the fulfillment of the intention we now so earnestly seek. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 4: O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we thy wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the Angels and Saints, and thine own, that the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified on earth, as They are in Heaven.
Our Lady of Lourdes, as thou didst look down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her Rosary in the grotto, look down now, we beseech thee, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted to thee by thy Divine Son, O Mother of God, grant to each of us all that thy motherly heart sees we need, and at this moment, look with special favor on the intention for which we offer this novena. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 5: O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of thy dignity, look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in thy unbounded goodness, and confident that thy Divine Son will look favorably upon any request thou makest of Him in our behalf, we beseech thee to come to our aid, and secure for us the intention for which we offer this novena. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 6: O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under thy special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to thee we raise our hearts and hands to implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, and for the special intention for which we so earnestly offer this novena.
O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in thy hair, and the roses of Earth at thy feet, look with compassion upon us today as thou didst so long ago, on Bernadette, in the Grotto of Lourdes. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 7: O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did preparest a worthy dwelling place for Thy Son, we humbly beseech Thee, that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body.
O most gracious Mother Mary, O Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look down with favor upon us, as thou didst that day on Bernadette, and intercede with Him for us, that the intention we now so earnestly seek, may be granted to us. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 8: O Immaculate Mother of God, from Heaven itself, thou camest to appear to the little Bernadette, in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at thy feet and the miraculous spring burst forth, and as multitudes have knelt ever since before thee in that grotto of Lourdes, O Mother of God, we kneel before thee today to ask that in thy mercy, pleadest thou with thy Divine Son, to grant the special intention for which we offer this novena. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Day 9: O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time. (again state thy request)

O Brilliant star of purity, O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in thine Assumption, triumphant in thy Coronation, show unto us thy mercy, O Virgin Mary, O Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, and be our comfort, our hope, our strength, and our consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

A shorter, but just as beautiful, novena to Our Lady of Lourdes is below.

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Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. (mention your petition) Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.  Amen.
(1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be)

--My Prayer Book by Fr. Lasance

God bless!

+JMJ+