NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
DAY 9 - JUNE 26
O MARY, If - as St. Peter says - death is terrible even for the just, how much more so will it be for a sinner who has many times deserved hell. So when I think of that moment on which depends my loss for eternity, I begin exceedingly to fear and to tremble. O Mother of Perpetual Help, in thee alone is my hope, for thou are the advocate of sinners and patron of the dying. I place myself from henceforth in thy blessed hands, to thee I entrust the care of my sinful soul: dispose of me, do with me as thou pleasest, but preserve me from an evil death. Reject, if thou wilt, all my other prayers, provided thou hearest this one for a good death; or may a peaceful and holy death be the crowning answer to all the prayers I address to thee henceforth to the end of my days. And when my last hour shall come, grant, O my good Mother, that I may worthily receive all the help the Holy Church affords to the dying: And be thou pleased thyself to come then to my aid, to encourage, console and defend me from the assaults of Satan and that thy name, with that of Jesus, may be my last thought, and my last sigh, so that I may go to heaven to sing thy mercies. Come, O Lady of Perpetual Help, to help me at the hour of my death. Amen.
PRAYER
O Mother of Perpetual Succour, behold me a miserable sinner at thy feet; I have recourse to thee and put my trust in thee. O Mother of Mercy have pity upon me. I hear thee called by all the refuge and the hope of sinners, be then my refuge and my hope. Succour me for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to me a poor sinner, who recommend and dedicate myself to thee as thy perpetual servant. I bless and thank GOD for having in His mercy given me this confidence in thee, the pledge as I believe of my eternal salvation. Alas! Too often in past times have I miserably fallen, because I had not recourse to thee! I know that with thy help I shall conquer. I know that thou will help me if I recommend myself to thee; but I fear lest in the occasion of falling. I should cease to call upon thee and so should lose my soul. This, then, is the grace I seek from thee; and I beg of thee, as far as I know how and can, to obtain it for me; namely, in the assaults of hell, always to have recourse to thee and to say to thee: O Mary help me; Mother of Perpetual Succour, suffer me not to lose my God. Amen.
(Say 3 Hail Mary's to obtain the special favours you seek)
Holy Mary, succour the miserable, help the faint hearted, cheer those that weep, pray for the people, be the advocate of the clergy, intercede for all devout woman; let all feel thine aid who implore thy perpetual succour.
Thou has been made for us, O Lady, a Refuge.
A helper in need and tribulation.
Mother of Perpetual Succour, pray for us.