# Day four: Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii
*2015-05-04*

> Bill Young leads the fourth day of the novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii, focusing on Mary's role as the refuge of sinners and the powerful advocate before God.

## Opening prayers and intercession

We continue with our novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii. Today is day number four. We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Before beginning this novena, let us pray to St. Catherine of Siena so that she may recite it together with us: O St. Catherine of Siena, my protector and teacher, assist me and unite yourself with me in this novena to the Queen of the Rosary, who placed the throne of her graces in the valley of Pompeii. Through your intercessions, grant that I may obtain the grace I desire. Amen.

## Foundations of faith

We call upon the Lord: O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

We profess our faith through the Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, He 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.

## Petition to the Blessed Mother

To whom should I turn, if not you, who are the relief of the poor, comfort to the abandoned, and consolation of the afflicted? I confess that I am not worthy to receive graces, but you are the hope of those who despair, the great mediatrix between God and humankind, our powerful advocate before the throne of the Most High, and a refuge of sinners.

Say a word in my favor to your Son, and He shall listen to you. Ask Him, O Mother, for this grace of which I am so much in need. You can obtain it for me. You are my hope, my consolation, my sweetness, and my life; thus I hope that you shall grant it to me. Let it be so.

## Closing with the Salve Regina

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

*Through the intercession of Mary, the refuge of sinners, we can find hope and a powerful advocate for the graces we need.*