NOVENA TO MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

St. John Bosco was the greatest propagator of the devotion to Mary Help of Christians, whose feast day is May 24.  He consistently recommended the novena to Mary Help of Christians to all who came to him.  Many extraordinary favors were granted to those who followed St. John Bosco's advice.

Prayer

O Mary, You love me with a Mothers heart.

Just as you held your son Jesus in your arms you hold me in your care.

Help in my need;

Protect me day by day;

and through your Motherly intercession,

May I become ever more aware of the breath of God living within me.

Mary, Help of Christians, Pray for us. Amen

First Day

O Mary, you readily agreed to the Angel’s request when you were asked to be the mother of God’s Son, and throughout your life your one desire was to do the will of your Father in heaven. Help me always to be obedient and humble. May I, like you, always have the generosity to follow Jesus, wherever he calls.

(add your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Second Day

O Mary, by your visit to your cousin, Saint Elizabeth, you joyfully spread the good news of the coming of Jesus into the world. May many young people generously follow your example, and give their lives totally to the service of your Son as priests, brothers and sisters.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Third Day

O Mary, ever since the wedding feast of Cana you have always been the powerful help of all those who have asked your aid and protection. By your prayers, keep me free from all dangers and help me always to rise above my faults and failings.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Fourth Day

O Mary, by your presence at the foot of the cross, you comforted and strengthened your son as he offered his life to the Father. Be with me at the hour of my death, and lead me quickly to the joys of your Son’s kingdom in heaven.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Fifth Day

O Mary, by your presence in the upper room you strengthened and encouraged the apostles and disciples as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May I always be open to the gifts of the Spirit, and may my faith always be deep and living.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Sixth Day

O Mary, throughout her long history you have always defended your Son’s Church from the attacks of her enemies. Be with her again in our days. Help each one of us to be her loyal subjects and to work without ceasing for that unity of peace and love for which your Son so fervently prayed.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Seventh Day

O Mary, you have always been the special guide and protector of Saint Peter’s successor, the Bishop of Rome. Keep our present Holy Father in your loving care. Defend him from all harm and give him all those gifts he needs to be the faithful shepherd of your Son’s flock.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Eighth Day

O Mary, the wonderful way you helped Saint John Bosco’s work to grow and spread shows that you have a great love for the young. As you watched over the child Jesus at Nazareth, so now watch over all young people, especially those most in need, and help them to grow daily in love of your Son.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Ninth Day

O Mary, you so often showed great courage during your life here on earth. Help all those who are suffering pain and persecution as they try to worship your Son. Obtain for me a deep love of Jesus, so that my life may always be pure, my service of others generous and loving, and my death a truly happy one.

(add in this moment all your personal intentions)

Hail Mary, full of grace…

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate, Help of Christians

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, our help and the help of all Christians. May we

fight vigorously for the faith here on earth, and may

we one day praise your victories in heaven. Grant this

in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Amen.