Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The icon of Perpetual Help — a 14th-century Byzantine icon — shows Mary holding the Child Jesus, who is startled by the angels of the Passion. It is the image of motherly help in the midst of pain. In 1866, Pius IX entrusted to the Redemptorist Fathers (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) the diffusion of this devotion, today spread throughout the world.
Offering Prayer (every day)
O Mother of Perpetual Help, refuge of the abandoned, we offer you this novena in thanksgiving for all the graces you have obtained for the Church and for so many of your devotees, and in humble supplication for the grace we now ask. Accept our trust, O Mother who never forgets us. Amen.
The Nine Days
Day 1 — Mother of Perpetual Help
In the icon, Mary does not look at the Child: she looks at us. Her face is tranquil, but her gaze is that of one who helps. The title perpetual says it all: she never stops helping, is never too busy, never tires.
Mother of Perpetual Help, hear me always — not only today, not only in this request, but in every moment of my life. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 2 — Refuge of sinners
St Alphonsus taught: whoever trusts in Mary will not be lost. In the icon, the Child grasps his Mother’s hand tightly — for he sees the instruments of the Passion and seeks protection. We sinners make the same gesture.
Refuge of sinners, hold me as the Child holds you; free me from the near occasions of sin; restore me to grace when I stray. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 3 — Health of the sick
How many healings are attributed to this image! In Rome, in the church of Sant’Alfonso, whole walls are covered with ex-votos. Mary does not always heal by miracle — but she always gives the grace to bear illness with hope.
Health of the sick, remember the ill of our family, especially (state the intention); if it be God’s will, restore their health; in any case, give them peace. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 4 — Consolation of the afflicted
The icon of Perpetual Help was painted to console — not to impress. The colours are golden, but the scene is sad: the Child knows what awaits him, and Mary with him. Whoever prays before this image is not alone in suffering.
Consoler of the afflicted, sit beside those who weep tonight; dry the tears of orphans, of widows, of the abandoned. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 5 — Help in temptation
When St Alphonsus preached in popular missions, he would repeat: when temptation comes, it is enough to say My Mother, and she comes to your aid. This is absolute trust in Mary’s motherly intercession.
Mother who never tires, help us at the moment of temptation; remove us from dangerous occasions; renew in us the holy horror of sin. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 6 — Patroness of missionaries
The Redemptorist Fathers, in obedience to Pius IX, brought this devotion to every continent. Wherever it was preached, it took hold of the people: in popular missions, in peripheral parishes, in pagan lands.
Star of evangelisation, sustain Christian missionaries; protect those who preach the Gospel in hostile lands; multiply missionary vocations in your Church. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 7 — Mother of the voiceless
The icon spent centuries forgotten in a Roman church, then disappeared in the Napoleonic wars, was rediscovered and restored to the Redemptorists. Like many of the poor of our time, it was lost and found again.
Mother of the voiceless, give hope to those who have no one to turn to; console those who feel invisible; restore dignity to the discarded. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 8 — Helper at the hour of death
St Alphonsus composed strong prayers for the hour of death and taught that Our Lady of Perpetual Help is particularly effective at this last moment. She stood beside the Cross; she will know how to stand beside our deathbed.
Helper of the dying, obtain for me the grace to die assisted by the sacraments, with you at my side; and protect the dying this day throughout the world. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 9 — The trust that does not deceive
The great lesson of this devotion is unlimited trust. No cause is too small or too great for Mary. The Child of the icon entrusts himself to her: so must we entrust ourselves.
Mother of Perpetual Help, in you I trust. Present this petition of mine to the Heart of Jesus, your Son: (state the intention). I know you will be heard. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Final Prayer (every day)
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant us always to invoke your powerful Name, which is the help of the living and the salvation of the dying. Most pure Mary, most sweet Mary, may your Name from now on be the breath of our life. And when the final hour comes, hear the last invocation of our heart, O Mary! Amen.