Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Since the Second Vatican Council the liturgy of the Mass has been gradually revised in accordance with the directives of that Council. It is in keeping with the same directives that the novena has now been similarly revised. “Popular devotions (e.g. the Novena)…should be so drawn up that they harmonize with the liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some fashion derived from it, and lead the people to it.” (s.c.13)
How to make the Perpetual Novena
- Attend the mass and novena to our mother of perpetual help for nine consecutive Wednesdays. Assist at mass and novena days those unable to go to the church because of sickness or the like, may pray the novena at home before a picture of our mother of perpetual help
- Have a booklet with you and join in the prayers and hymns.
- During the novena, make a good confession and receive holy communion as often as possible.
- Write your petition to our blessed mother and place it in the box marked, “petitions”.
- When your petition has been answered, write a letter of thanks to our blessed mother and place it in the box marked, “thanksgiving”, so that others also be inspired to see the novena as a means of going to god.
Opening
LEADER: PLEASE STAND FOR THE 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 BE ON EARTH
AVE, AVE, AVE MARIA
AVE, AVE, AVE MARIA
LEADER: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
ALL: AMEN.
LEADER: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AS CHILDREN OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER, WE ARE GATHERED BEFORE HER MIRACULOUS PICTURE TO HONOR HER AND TO PRAY FOR ALL 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.
LEADER: LET US NOW SING 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.
REFRAIN:
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.
WE SINNERS HONOUR YOUR SINLESS PERFECTION
FALLEN AND WEAK, FOR GOD’S MERCY WE PLEAD.
GRANT US THE SHIELD OF YOUR MIGHTY
PROTECTION.
MEASURE YOUR AID BY THE DEPTH OF OUR NEED. (REFRAIN)
LEADER: PLEASE KNEEL.
Novena Prayer
DEAR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP* FROM THE CROSS JESUS GAVE YOU TO US FOR OUR MOTHER. YOU ARE THE KINDEST, 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 PETITION).
WHILE YOU WERE ON EARTH, DEAR MOTHER * YOU WILLINGLY 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 LOVED OTHERS SO MUCH; * HELP US TO DO THE SAME. WHILE PRAYING FOR OUR OWN INTENTIONS * AND FOR 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 THE 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 LOVES HIS CHURCH.
WE ASK YOU TO BLESS ALL PARENTS. MAY THEY LOVE AND CHERISH THE 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
L: HOLY MARY R: PRAY FOR US
L: HOLY VIRGIN CONCEIVED
WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN R: PRAY FOR US
L: OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL
HELP R: PRAY FOR US
L: WE SINNERS CALL TO YOU R: LOVING MOTHER HELP US
RESPONSE: LOVING MOTHER HELP US.
ADVENT: THAT WE MAY PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST. R.
CHRISTMAS: THAT WE MAY GIVE OUR HEARTS ESPECIALLY TO CHRIST THIS CHRISTMAS. R.
LENT: THAT WE MAY BE FAITHFUL TO THE PROMISES WE MADE AT BAPTISM. R.
EASTER: THAT WE MAY REJOICE WITH YOU AT CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH. R.
REGULAR WEEKS:
L: THAT WE MAY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BECOME COURAGEOUS WITNESSES OF CHRIST’S LOVE FOR ALL. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE MORE AND MORE LIKE OUR DIVINE LORD AS YOU WERE. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART LIKE YOUR OWN SON JESUS. R.
L: THAT WE MAY FEAR LOSING GOD’S FRIENDSHIP FOREVER BY UNREPORTED SIN. R.
L: THAT WE MAY SEEK CHRIST’S MERCY AND FORGIVENESS CONSTANTLY IN THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE AWARE OF GOD SPEAKING TO US IN THE EVENTS OF DAILY LIFE. R.
L: THAT WE MAY PRAY DAILY WITH LOVE AND TRUST, ESPECIALLY IN MOMENTS OF TEMPTATION. R.
L: THAT WE MAY REALIZE THE VALUE OF WORSHIPPING GOD TOGETHER IN THE EUCHARIST. R.
L: THAT WE MAY GROW IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND NEIGHBOR BY FREQUENT COMMUNION. R.
L: THAT WE MAY REVERENCE OUR BODIES AS TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. R.
L: THAT WE MAY STRIVE TO BE TRUE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVING CONCERN FOR
OTHERS. R.
L: THAT WE MAY PROCLAIM THE DIGNITY OF WORK BY DOING OUR OWN WORK
CONSCIENTIOUSLY. R.
L: THAT WE MAY FORGIVE FROM OUR HEART THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED US. R.
L: THAT WE MAY SEE THE EVIL OF SEEKING OUR OWN INTEREST AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. R.
L: THAT WE MAY WORK FOR THE JUST DISTRIBUTION OF THIS WORLD’S GOODS. R.
L: THAT WE MAY SHARE OUR TALENTS WITH OTHERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY. R.
L: THAT WE MAY ACCEPT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY IN A SPIRIT OF GENUINE SERVICE. R.
L: TO PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT MAY GUIDE AND STRENGTHEN POPE JOHN PAUL II,
THE BISHOPS AND THE CLERGY. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE BLESSED WITH AN INCREASE OF PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS
VOCATIONS. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BRING THE KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE OF CHRIST TO THOSE WHO DO NOT
KNOW HIM. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE AWARE OF OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD IN THE MIDST OF HUMAN
ACHIEVEMENT. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE READY AT DEATH TO ENTER THE HOME OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. R.
L: THAT WE MAY DIE AT PEACE WITH CHRIST AND OUR FELLOWMEN. R.
L: THAT WE MAY BE COMFORTED AT THE DEATH OF OUR DEAR ONES BY OUR HOPE IN THE RISEN LORD. R.
L: TO PRAY THAT OUR DEPARTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS QUICKLY SHARE IN YOUR SON’S RESURRECTION. R.
L: 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.
LEADER: 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
(EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH)
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 MAY 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.
LEADER: PLEASE STAND TO SING 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 O’ER, O STAND ON THE SHORE
AND SHOW HIM AT LAST TO ME.
LEADER: PLEASE KNEEL.
Thanksgiving Prayer
ALL: 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 FAVOURS 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 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 HONOUR, GLORY AND
THANKSGIVING FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
Prayer for the Sick
ALL: 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 AFFLICTIONS 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.
LEADER: PLEASE STAND TO SING 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
WE PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE, THE INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE JOHN PAUL II, THE CLERGY ESPECIALLY THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS, ALL RELIGIOUS, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY REMEMBERING THE SICK AND THE NEEDY.
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, I 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.
LEADER: LET US NOW SING OUR FINAL HYMN AVE MARIA
AS I KNEEL BEFORE YOU
AS I BOW MY HEAD IN PRAYER
TAKE THIS DAY, MAKE IT YOURS
AND FILL ME WITH YOUR LOVE
REFRAIN:
AVE MARIA, GRATIA PLENA
DO O MINUS TE EE CUM
BENE E DICTA TU!
ALL I HAVE I GIVE YOU
EVERY DREAM AND WISH ARE YOURS
MOTHER OF CHRIST, MOTHER OF MINE
PRESENT THEM TO MY LORD.
(REFRAIN)
AS I KNEEL BEFORE YOU
AND I SEE YOUR SMILING FACE
EVERY THOUGHT, EVERY WORD
IS LOST IN YOUR EMBRACE. (REFRAIN)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.