Novena in honour of our Mother of Perpetual Help

The Magnificat

My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age
on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Petitions

That we may be faithful to our daily prayers.

Response. Mother Mary, pray for us.

That we may have courage in our griefs and troubles. R.

That we may be generous to those in need. R.

That our homes may be places of welcome, love
and understanding. R.

That we may be truly Christian in our sexual lives. R.

That we may be free from harmful addictions. R.

That we may be peacemakers in our troubled world. R.

That we may cheerfully use our talents in the service of the Church. R.

That the Church may have more priests and religious. R.

That Cod's Kingdom of justice, peace and joy may come. R.

Novena prayer

Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the greatest confidence
we come before your holy picture
to be inspired by the example of your life.

We think of you at that moment when,
full of faith and trust,
you accepted God's call
to be the mother of his Son.
Help us, your children,
to accept with joy our own calling in life.

When you learned that your cousin Elizabeth was in need
you immediately went to serve her
and offer your help.
Help us, like you,
to be concerned for others.

We think of you, Mother,
at the foot of the cross.
Your heart must have bled
to see your Son in agony.

But your joy was great
when he rose from the dead,
victorious over the powers of evil.

Mother of Sorrows,
help us through the trials and
disappointments of life.
Help us not to lose heart.

May we share with you and your Son
the joy of having courageously faced up
to all the challenges of life.
Amen.

Thanksgiving prayer

O Mother of Perpetual Help,
with grateful hearts we join you
in thanking God
for all the wonderful things
he has done for us,
especially for giving us
Jesus, your Son, as our Redeemer.

O God, our Creator,
we thank you for the gift of life
and all the gifts of nature:
our senses and faculties,
our talents and abilities.

We thank you for creating us
in your image and likeness
and for giving us this earth
to use and develop,
to respect and cherish.

Despite our failures,
you continue to show your love for us today
by increasing the life of your Spirit in us
at the Eucharistic table.

Finally, we thank you, loving Father,
for giving us Mary,
the Mother of your Son,
to be our Mother of Perpetual Help.

We are grateful for all the favours
we have received through her intercession.
We pray that those past favours may inspire us
to greater confidence in your loving mercy
and to seek the aid of our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Amen.

Additional Prayers

Prayer for healing

O Jesus, we believe in you, we hope in you, and we love you.
Strengthen our faith, renew our hope and love, and grant our prayers.
Touch with your healing love, O Lord, all who feel the hurt of life's wounds.

Long ago, when people prayed to you for healing,
you listened to them, blessed them
and answered their prayer.
Heal us now of our sinfulness and
of the hatred that divides us.

Take away our hardness of heart.
Open our eyes which are often blind to the needs of others.
Remove our selfishness and our greed.
Give us self-control at all times,
and fill our hearts with your eternal love.

O Jesus, we ask you now to heal and bless us,
and fill us with your peace. Amen.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you do I come, before you I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.

0 Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
But in your mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

A Mhuire na ngrás

A Mhuire na ngrás, a Mháthair Mhic Dé,
go gcuire tú ar mo leas mé.
Go sabhála tú mé ar gach uile olc,
go sabhála tú mé idir anam is chorp.

Go sabhála tú mé ar muir is ar tír,
go sabhála tú mé ar lic na bpian.
Gárda na n-aingeal os mo chionn
Dia romham agus Dia liom.

Prayer from the Irish

Holy Virgin Mary, you are the joy of my soul.
You are the dew of heaven to relieve my parching thirst.
You are the stream of God's grace,
flowing out from his heart into mine.

You are the light of my darkened soul.
You are the healing of my wounds.
You are the strength of my weakness.
You are the consolation of my hardship.
You are the easing of my trouble.
You are the loosing of my chains.
You are the help of my salvation.

Hear me, I beg you, O Virgin most faithful.
Take pity on me.
Turn not away from my need.
Let my tears move you.
Let your own compassionate heart move you.

I cry to you, Mother of God and lover of the human race.
Hear me, poor sinner that I am,
and grant me the grace I ask from you,
O Mary my Mother.