# Novena to the Child Mary
*2015-07-29*

> Bill Young leads the first day of a novena to the Child Mary, coinciding with the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist and prayers for those affected by Tropical Storm Erica.

## Intercessions for the Caribbean

Today is Saturday, August 29th, the feast day of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. As we gather, we also keep in our prayers those in the Caribbean and Florida facing Tropical Storm Erica. Let us pray for those who have lost their lives in the islands of Dominica and all those who have been displaced from their homes. May God help us to assist them in rebuilding, whether in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, or any of the other Caribbean islands.

## Beginning the Novena

Today we begin a novena called the Novena to the Child Mary, which runs from August 29th through September 7th. A partial indulgence is granted once a day to those who recite this novena for the devotions. I am requesting my indulgence for the poor and the needy, especially those hardest hit by this tropical storm.

## Prayers for Love and Purity

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Holy Child of the Royal House of David, Queen of Angels, Mother of grace and love, I greet you with all the love of my heart. Grant that I may love the Lord with generous fulfillment all the days of my life. Grant me fervent devotion towards you, who are the firstborn of divine love.

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.

O heavenly child, who was born beautiful and immaculate like a white dove, my soul exalts before you, a true prodigy of God's wisdom and goodness. O creature chaste and pure, help me to live according to your heavenly virtue of purity at all costs, regardless of whatever sacrifice may be asked of me.

## Seeking Virtue and Humility

Hail gracious and holy child, spiritual paradise of delight, in whom the true tree of life, the Savior of the world, was planted on the day of the Incarnation. As you love me so much, help me to flee from the poisoned fruits of vanity and the pleasures of this world and to detest them. Inspire my soul with thoughts and sentiments of the virtues of your divine Son, which are the fruits of immortal life.

Hail, O admirable little child, closed garden that creatures cannot enter, open only to your heavenly spouse's delights, resting among the flowers of the great virtues. O lily of paradise, marvelous example of a humble and hidden life, grant that the heavenly spouse may always find the door of my heart open to the loving visits of your graces and inspirations.

## A Plea for Perseverance

O holy child, mysterious dawn, happy door of heaven, my soul trusts and hopes in you. How lukewarm am I in the service of God; how great is my danger of being lost. O powerful advocate, correctly stretch out your hands from the little cradle; take me out of the [unclear], sustain me in the journey of life. Grant that I may devote myself to the service of the Lord with fervor and consistency until my death, thus attaining the eternal crown.

*Through the intercession of the Child Mary, we seek the virtues of purity, humility, and a fervent devotion to the service of the Lord.*