# Novena to our Lady of Tears: praying for the Caribbean and Florida
*2017-09-07*

> Bill Young leads the first day of the Novena to Our Lady of Tears, seeking intercession for those affected by hurricanes and for personal intentions.

## Introduction to the Novena

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer and Lunch podcast and Block Talk Radio Show. Today is September 6th, and we are beginning the novena to Our Lady of Tears, also known as Our Lady of Syracuse. These prayers are to be made daily from September 6th through the 14th in order to ask for specific graces.

## Opening Prayers and the Apostles' Creed

We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Oh God, come to my aid; oh 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, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from there He will come 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, and the resurrection of the body in life everlasting. Amen.

## Intercession for the Caribbean and Florida

Moved by the miracle of your tears and merciful Virgin Mary of Syracuse, I come today to prostrate myself at your feet. I come to you, O Mother of Mercy, so that I may open my heart entirely to you and pour out all my sufferings into your sweet motherly heart, uniting my tears with yours—tears of sorrow for my sins and tears of sorrow for the afflictions that beset me. Look upon my tears with gracious confidence, oh dear Mother, and through your love for Jesus, comfort me and hear my prayers.

At this time, we add our personal intentions. My intentions are for those in the Caribbean in the path of Hurricane Irma, and for those who live in South Florida. We hope this storm will stay east of us and that lives and property—specifically lives—will be protected.

## Seeking Strength in Sorrow

O Mary, my Mother and my confidence, I place all my trust in the immaculate and sorrowful heart of Mary. Have mercy on us. 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.

O Mother of Jesus, how many tears have you shed along the path of your life? You can understand so well the anguish of my heart. Your heart is rich in mercy; open for us a new source of grace in these times of great trials. I invoke the consoling source of your holy tears. O sorrowful heart, entreat your Son, Jesus, to grant me the strength with which you bore the great sufferings of your life, so that I may always fulfill the will of God with childlike obedience, even in times of sorrow.

## Personal Petitions and Consecration

I offer a personal intention for my son, a prodigal son; may he come back to our Lord, Jesus Christ. O Matrix of all graces, healer of the sick, and comfort of the afflicted, do not abandon this child of yours in his sorrow. Through the tears of mercy which you shed at the foot of the cross, grant that my love may increase towards God and towards my brothers and sisters.

I also pray for a friend who has stage three cancer, that the disease would be cleared and destroyed in her body. Our Lady of Syracuse, Mother of love and sorrow, to your immaculate and sorrowful heart I consecrate my poor heart. Guard it and save it with your holy and unfailing love.

## Closing Prayer

Remember, our most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, our Virgin, our Mother. We come before you, kneeling, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, not our petitions, but in your clemency, hear and answer them. Immaculate and sorrowful heart, have mercy on us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*By uniting our personal sufferings and tears with those of Our Lady of Syracuse, we can find the strength to fulfill God's will even in times of great trial.*