# Novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians: Day Four
*2015-05-18*

> Bill Young leads the fourth day of the novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians, focusing on the courage of the Blessed Mother and the example of the Holy Family.

## Opening Intentions

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer N Lunch podcast. Today we continue our novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians. We offer special intentions for Dwayne, praying for his speedy recovery from the hospital.

## Prayer for Courage and Fortitude

O Mary, my most sweet Mother, you who are Queen of Martyrs, through so many heroic acts of courage and fortitude which you performed on earth, deign to instill in my heart the necessary strength to always serve you. Help me to despise human respect and fulfill my religious duties openly and without shame. May I remain your devoted child at all times, even unto death.

## Devotions to the Blessed Mother

We join together in the Our Father and the Glory Be, followed by the Hail Holy Queen: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, 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 worthy of the promises of Christ.

## Reflections on the Holy Family

In Luke 2:48, we read: 'And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you done so to us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.' With admirable kindness, Mary astonished her lost son, found in the temple. It was a beautiful example of parents. Children grow in wisdom, stature, and grace before God and men when they receive a good example from their parents. In raising my children, I promise to always practice patience, prudence, and seriousness.

## Closing Prayer

O Mary, powerful Virgin, you are the great, lustrous defense of the Church. You, wonderful help of Christians, you are terrible as those in line for battle, for you alone destroy all the heresies of the world. In our sorrows, conflicts, and necessities, defend us from our enemy. And, at the hour of our death, welcome us into paradise. Amen.

*By following the example of the Holy Family, we can raise children in wisdom and grace through patience and prudence.*