Novena Day 4

Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help - Day 4

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . Amen!

ACT OF CONTRITION

My Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, my Father and Redeemer,

Behold at Thy feet, a poor sinner who has so grievously afflicted Thy Loving Heart.

O Lovable Jesus! How could I have offended Thee and filled with bitterness that heart that loves me so and has spared no effort to attain my love?

How great has been my ingratitude! But, O my Savior, be consoled, be consoled; I say to Thee

Now I find myself repentant, such grief I feel for the affliction I have caused Thee, that I would like to die of pure sorrow and contrition.

O my Jesus! Who could make me weep for sin as Thou has wept for it in Thy mortal life!

My soul is oppressed for having offended Thee. 

Eternal Father, in satisfaction for my offenses, I offer Thee the affliction and the sorrow the heart of Thy Divine Son has felt for them.

And thou O Loving Jesus! Give me such a horror for sin that from now on it make me avoid even the most trifling of faults. 

Depart from my heart, earthly affections; I do not want to love anything now but my most bountiful Redeemer.

O my Jesus, help me, strengthen me and pardon me.

My Mother of Perpetual Help, intercede for me and obtain for me the pardon of my sins. Amen! 

PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary!

Who to inspire us with boundless confidence has been pleased to take the sweet name of Mother of Perpetual Help.

I implore Thee to come to my aid always and everywhere, in my temptations, after my falls, in my difficulties, in all the miseries of life, and, above all, at the hour of my death.

Give me, O Loving Mother, the desire nay more, the habit always to have recourse to thee; for I feel assured that if I am faithful in invoking thee, Thou wilt be faithful in coming to my assistance.

Obtain for me, then, this grace of graces, the grace to pray to thee without ceasing, and with childlike trust.

That by means of my constant plea, I may ensure Thy Perpetual Help and final perseverance.

Bless me, O tender and solicitous Mother,

Pray for me now and at the hour of my death.

Amen!

READ MEDITATION 

Meditate and ask. . . Recite the Joys

EJACULATORY PRAYER

O Mother of Perpetual Help! Do not let us fall into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. Amen.

EXERCISE

Accustom yourself to not arguing with temptation and to crying immediately to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

PRAYER

O my Mother of Perpetual Help! I bless and thank my God for having inspired me with such confidence in Thee because I know this confidence is for me a pledge of salvation. Oh, how unfortunate for me! If in the past I have fallen into sin it is for not having had recourse to Thee. I hope I have been pardoned through the merits of Jesus and through Thy powerful intercession. But I can again lose the grace of God. The danger has not ceased. The enemy does not sleep. Oh, how many new temptations remain for me to overcome.

O most sweet Sovereign! Protect me, receive me under Thy mantle, do not let me fall. Grant me Thy Perpetual Help and obtain for me the grace that, in all the assaults of Hell, I will not forget to invoke Thee, repeating without ceasing, "Mother of Perpetual Help, do not let me lose my God." Amen.

RECITE THE MEMORARE

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

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

+ In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . Amen