# Day Two of the Novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians
*2015-05-16*

> Bill Young leads the second day of the novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians, offering prayers, reflections, and a reading from Luke for anyone seeking God’s assistance.

## Introduction and Intentions

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today we continue our novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians, with a special intention for our friend Dwayne and his family. While the novena is rooted in Catholic tradition, anyone can join in prayer. For Catholics, the suggested practices include going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, offering a donation or charitable work, and renewing our devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and to Our Lady.

## Prayers for the Day

We pray these prayers before the Blessed Sacrament for nine days. Today is Day Two.

**Our Lady’s Prayer**
Mary, Most Holy Mother of goodness and mercy, who with your visible help often frees the Christian people from the assaults and barbarism of our enemies, I ask you, my Lady, to deliver my soul from the onslaughts of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and grant that I may obtain, at all times, complete victory over the enemies of my soul.

**Our Father**
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; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

**Hail Mary**
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among 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.

**Gloria Patri**
Glory 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.

**Hail Holy Queen**
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; we lift up our sighs, mourning and weeping in the valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us. After this, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O loving, sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us. All praise and thanksgiving for every moment.

## Scripture Reflection

Today's reading is Luke 1:38. Mary says, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.” May Mary, Most Holy, be an example of humility, obedience, and readiness to the will of God, cooperating with His plan of salvation.

## Closing Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Oh Mary, powerful Virgin, you are a luminous defense of the Church, the wonderful Help of Christians. You alone destroy the heresies of the world. In our sorrows, conflicts, and needs, defend us from the enemy, and at the hour of our death, welcome us into paradise. Amen.

*Through Mary’s example of humble obedience, we find strength to face the world’s assaults and grow in faith.*