# Day Three – Novena to Our Lady of Pompeii
*2015-05-03*

> Bill Young leads the third day of the novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii, beginning with a prayer to St. Catherine of Siena, reciting the Apostles’ Creed, and invoking Mary’s intercession.

## Opening Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Let us begin today’s novena with a prayer to St. Catherine of Siena, asking her to intercede for us as we turn to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii.

“O St. Catherine of Siena, protector and teacher, assist me. Ignite in me the desire to turn to the Queen of the Rosary, who placed the thorn of her graces in the valley of Pompeii. Through your intercession, grant that I may obtain the grace I desire. Amen.”

## Invocation of the Trinity and the Apostles’ Creed

“O God, come to my aid. Lord, be with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell, and on the third day rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.

## Calling Upon Our Lady of Pompeii

Having heard of the many graces received by those who approach you with faith, I have courage to invoke your help. You promised St. Dominic that those who seek your graces through the rosary will obtain them. With the rosary in my hand, I call upon you, Mother, to fulfill your motherly promises. You continue to work great wonders, calling your children to honor the shrine at Pompeii. You dry our tears, calm our fears, and draw us ever closer to you.

Dear Mother, most beautiful, most sweet, help us, Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii. Stretch out your hand to save us; any delay may bring ruin.

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope! To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve. We send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, O most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.”

## Final Petition

O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may be granted the graces we seek.

*Through the rosary and Mary’s maternal intercession, we find hope and consolation in our valleys of tears.*