How to pray the Perpetual Help Novena

This novena is said on every Wednesday a week. It is best to pray this upon waking up every morning of Wednesday.

A. Sing 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

B. The opening prayer:

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 honour 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.

C. 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.(Repeat Refrain)

D. Pray the 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 petitions).

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 love 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 unemployed * heal the broken-hearted * walk in solidarity with 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.

E. Pray the 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 love 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.

F. The Petitions

Holy Mary,

Pray for us.

Holy Virgin conceived without sin,

Pray for us.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help,

Pray for us.

We sinners call to you,

Loving Mother pray for us.

Seasonal

Advent:

That we may prepare like you for the coming of Christ,

Loving Mother pray for us.

Christmas:

That we may give our hearts completely to Christ, this Christmas,

Loving Mother pray for us.

Lent:

That we may be faithful to the promises we made at Baptism,

Loving Mother pray for us.

Easter:

That we may rejoice with you at Christ’s victory over sin and death,

Loving Mother pray for us.

OTHER WEEKS:

That we may be filled with the Holy Spirit and become courageous witnesses of Christ’s love for men,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be more and more like our Divine Lord, as you were,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be meek and humble of heart like your Son, Jesus,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may fear losing God’s friendship forever by unrepented sin,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may seek Christ’s mercy and forgiveness constantly in the Sacrament of Penance,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be aware of God speaking to us in the events of daily life,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may pray daily with love and trust, especially in moments of temptation,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may understand the value of worshipping God together in the Eucharist,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may grow in the love of Christ and neighbor by frequent Communion,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may reverence our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may strive to be true Christian by our loving concern for others,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may proclaim the dignity of work by doing our own work conscientiously,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may forgive from our heart those who have wronged us,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may see the evil of seeking our own interest at the expense of others,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may work for the just distribution of this world’s goods,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may share our talents with others for the good of the community,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may accept our responsibility in the community in the spirit of genuine service,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That the Holy Spirit may guide and strengthen Pope Francis, the Bishops, and the clergy,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be blessed with an increase of priestly and religious vocations,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may care and protect God’s creation,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may defend the human dignity and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That there will be genuine and lasting peace in the world,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may bring the knowledge and love of Christ to those who do not know Him,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be aware of our dependence on God in the midst of human achievements,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be ready at death to enter the home of our heavenly Father,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That we may be comforted at the death of our dear ones by our hope in the risen Lord,

Loving Mother pray for us.

That our departed brothers and sisters quickly share in your Son’s resurrection,

Loving Mother pray for us.

(Let us pray in silence for our own intentions)

All: Holy Mary * pray for us, * pray for all the people of God; * may all experience God’s 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.

G. 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.

H. Pray the Thanksgiving Prayer

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 renew our lives.

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 us 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 favors we have received through her intercession, * and especially through the Novena * inspire us with greater confidence in God’s loving mercy * and 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

I. Pray the Prayer for the Sick

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 prayer for the sick especially (pause and remember your sick loved ones). Grant that they who are weighed down * with pain and other affliction of illness * may experience God’s healing power and comfort*. Restore them to health* in body and soul* so that they can continue to serve you* and their brothers and sisters.

Amen.

J. Sing the Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Consecration (For 1st Wednesday of the month):

Immaculate Virgin Mary, * Mother of God and Mother of the Church, * you are also our Mother ever ready to help us. * 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 sins * and fidelity to the promises of our Baptism.

We consecrate our minds and hearts to you * that we 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.

Finish the novena by making the Sign of the Cross

How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, also called the Divine Mercy Chaplet, is a Christian devotion to the Divine Mercy, based on the Christological apparitions of Jesus reported by Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish religious sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000.

Faustina stated that she received the prayer through visions and conversations with Jesus, who made specific promises regarding the recitation of the prayers.^[2] Her Vatican biography quotes some of these conversations.

As a Roman Catholic devotion, the chaplet is often said as a rosary-based prayer with the same set of rosary beads used for reciting the Rosary or the Chaplet of Holy Wounds. As an Anglican devotion, the Divine Mercy Society of the Anglican Church states that the chaplet can also be recited on Anglican prayer beads. The chaplet may also be said without beads, usually by counting prayers on the fingertips, and may be accompanied by the veneration of the Divine Mercy image.

A. Begin by making the Sign of the Cross

B. Say this prayer:

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! (3 times)

C. Say these 3 prayers:

1. Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

2. 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.

3. I believe in God,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and life everlasting. Amen.

D. For the large (Our Father) beads, say this prayer:

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

E. For the small (Hail Mary) beads, say this prayer:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (10 times)

F. Repeat D and E for the remaining decades:

G. After the 5 decades, say this prayer:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (3 times)

H. Closing prayer (optional)

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Additional optional:

O greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness,today all makind calls out from the abyssof its misery to Your mercy---to Your compassion,O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out.Gracious God do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles!O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding,Who are acquainted with our misery through and through,and know that by our own powerwe cannot ascend to You,we implore You; anticipate us with Your Graceand keep on increasing Your mercy in us,that we may faithfully do Your holy willall through our life and at death's hour.Let the omnipotence of Your mercyshield us from the darts of our salvation's enemies,that we may with confidence,as Your children await Your final coming- that day known to You alone.And we expect to obtain everything promised usby Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness.For Jesus is our Hope:Through His merciful Heartas through an open gate we pass through to heaven.

I. Finish with the Sign of the Cross