# Novena to Our Lady of Tears (Sept. 6‑14)
*2015-09-06*

> Bill Young leads a novena prayer to Our Lady of Tears, invoking the Blessed Claudio Granzotto and asking for graces for families, the Pope, and the world.

## Feast of Blessed Claudio Granzotto

Good morning, this is Bill Young, welcoming you to Prayer and Lunch from Orlando, Florida. Today, September 6, we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Claudio Granzotto. He was born near Venice in 1900, lost his father at nine, served in the Italian army, and died of a brain tumor in 1947. Claudio was a talented artist and sculptor who lived a holy life. We ask his intercession for us today.

## Introducing the Novena to Our Lady of Tears

We are beginning a novena to Our Lady of Tears, also known as Our Lady of Syracuse, which will run from September 6 through September 14. Syracuse is both a city in New York and a historic seaport in Sicily—my grandfather was born in Sicily, so this devotion has personal resonance for me.

## Opening Prayer and Creed

O God, come to my aid. 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.

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, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell, rose on the third day, 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. Amen.

## Prayer to Our Lady of Tears

Moved by the miracles of your tears, merciful Virgin Mary of Syracuse, I come to your feet, seeking the many graces you have already granted. O Mother of Mercy, open my heart completely. Pour my sufferings into your sweet, motherly heart; unite my tears with yours—tears of sorrow for my sins and for the pains that afflict me. Look upon me with merciful eyes and hear my prayers.

Through your divine, holy, and innocent tears, I ask your Son to grant me forgiveness, a deepening of faith, and the specific graces I humbly request. I place special intentions for my family—my son and my wife—asking that they be blessed.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. To you we cry, children of Eve, raising our sighs from the valley of tears. Turn, most gracious advocate, and obtain for us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O Clement, loving Virgin Mary, pray for us that we may be worthy of Christ’s promises.

## Petitions for the Pope and the World

We pray for Pope Francis—may his trips to Cuba, Washington, New York, and Philadelphia bear fruit; may his homilies move politicians and peoples toward the Gospel. May Our Lady of Tears continue to be our source of hope and mercy in these times of great trial.

Immaculate and sorrowful Heart of Mary, have mercy on us. Amen.

*May the tears of Our Lady of Tears draw us closer to Christ’s mercy and grant us the graces we need.*