June 2013
Novena
On 26 June the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is celebrated, which means the novena in honour of the famous icon begins today (18 June).
For nine consecutive days the following prayer is said, followed by three Hail Marys:
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips.
Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name.
But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you.
Love
Mary is my first love.
- St John Vianney
Mercy
Through Mary, the miserable obtain mercy, the graceless find grace, and sinners receive pardon. The weak gain strength, earthlings acquire heavenly things, mortals win life, and pilgrims find their country.
- St Augustine
