# Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii
*2016-03-30*

> In honor of the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, Bill Young leads the first day of a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii, seeking her intercession and the assistance of St. Catherine.

## Introduction and Intentions

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer and Lunch Podcast. Today is the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena. In honor of her feast, we are beginning a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii. In this novena, we request St. Catherine of Siena to assist us in our prayers to Mary.

## Opening Prayers

We begin by asking St. Catherine of Siena to recite these prayers with us: O St. Catherine of Siena, my protector and teacher, assist me. Unite yourself with me in this novena to the Queen of the Rosary, who placed the throne of her graces in the valley of Pompeii. Through your intercession, grant that I may obtain the grace that I desire. Amen.

Oh God, come to my aid; O 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.

## The Apostles' Creed and Invocation

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day, he rose again. He 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.

Immaculate Virgin, Queen of the Rosary, in these times of dying faith, you wish to place your seat as Queen and Mother in the ancient land of Pompeii. From that place where idols and demons were once worshipped, you, Mother of divine grace, distribute today the treasures of heavenly mercy. From the throne where you reign with compassion, turn your eyes upon me, O Mother, and have mercy.

## Petition to the Queen of the Rosary

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and 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.

At the foot of your throne, glorious lady, my soul venerates you. Afflicted by sorrows, cares, troubles, and agitation, I raise my eyes with confidence to you. You, who chose your dwelling place in the land of poor and abandoned peasants, called your devoted children from every part of Italy and the world to build a temple for you. Help of Christians, free me from the trials in which I find myself. Give me back peace, tranquility, love, and health.

## Confidence in Mary's Intercession

Having heard that many have been blessed by you because they appealed to you with faith, I have the courage to invoke your help. You promised St. Dominic that those who seek graces can obtain them through your Rosary. With the Rosary in my hand, I call upon you, Mother, to fulfill your motherly promises. Mother, Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, hasten to stretch out your hands to save me, for any delay in your help could bring me to ruin.

To whom should I turn, if not you, who are the relief of the poor, the comfort of the abandoned, and the consolation of the afflicted? I confess that I am not worthy to receive your graces, but you are the hope of those in despair. You are the great mediatrix between God and humankind and our powerful advocate before the throne of the Most High. Say a word in my favor to your Son, and he shall listen to you.

## Final Plea for Grace

Virgin and Queen of the most holy Rosary, daughter of the heavenly Father, mother of the divine Son, spouse of the Holy Spirit, you who can obtain all things through the Holy Trinity, implore this grace for which I ask—provided it is not an obstacle to my eternal salvation. I ask it for the sake of your Immaculate Conception, your divine maternity, your joys, your sorrows, and your triumphs. I ask it through the heart of your Son, Jesus, for the sake of the nine months he dwelt in your womb, through his death on the cross, and through his most precious blood.

O Mary, Star of the Sea, powerful lady, Mother of Sorrows, Gate of Heaven, Mother of every grace, I trust in you and put all my hope in you. Amen.

*By uniting our prayers with the saints and the Rosary, we can confidently approach the Blessed Mother for the graces we need in our lives.*