# Day Nine of the Novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians
*2015-05-21*

> Bill Young concludes the nine‑day novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians, offering prayers for the sick Dwayne and reflecting on Mary's role as mother and protector.

## Opening Prayer

Good morning. This is Bill Young, and welcome to Prayer at Lunch. As we finish this novena a little early because I must attend a wedding for my wife’s cousin, we pray the ninth and final day of the Novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians. Our intentions include a speedy recovery for Dwayne, his family, and friends. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## Prayer to Our Lady

O Mary, my most gracious Mother, ever ready to be the Help of Christians, assist me with your powerful patronage throughout my life and especially at the hour of my death. Grant that, having loved and revered you on earth, I may sing your mercies in heaven. Amen.

O God, you have established the mantle of your beloved Son as the mantle and Help of Christians. Grant, we beseech, that we may live under your protection and that the Church may rejoice in your everlasting peace, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## The Our Father and Hail Mary

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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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 and the Litany of the Holy Queen

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, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we lift up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes and mercy toward us; after this exile, show 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 made worthy of the promises of Christ.

## Scripture Reading

Short Bible reading: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciples standing, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciples, “Behold your mother.” From that hour the disciples took her as their mother. (John 19:26‑27)

Mary, most holy, consenting to the suffering of her Son, became a mother to the disciples and to all of us. She is the Church’s model of faith and charity, the Help of Christians who cooperates in the work of the Redeemer to restore the supernatural life in souls.

## Closing Prayer

O Mary, powerful Virgin, you grant illustrious defense of the Church. You, the wonderful Help of Christians, are a shield for those in battle; you alone destroy all heresies of the world. In our sorrows, conflicts, and necessities, defend us from the enemy, and at the hour of our death welcome us into paradise. Amen.

May God bless you all, and may Dwayne have a speedy and healthy recovery.

*May Our Lady, Help of Christians, continue to protect and guide us, especially in times of illness and at the hour of death.*