Miracle of the Rosary Mission
 |
OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR NOVENA PRAYERS |
Brief History of Devotion
On their arrival in New Orleans, December 30,18lO, this precious statue was solemnly installed in the Convent Chapel, and from that time the homage and veneration offered to Mary under the title of "OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR" has been constantly growing in our city and state and spreading far and wide allover the United States.
It does not come within the sphere of this brief sketch to relate all the favors, both spiritual and temporal, wrought through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor during the past one hundred years and more. The Chronicles of the Ursuline Convent sum up these graces by saying: "Under this title,the Most Blessed Virgin has so often manifested her power and goodness, that the Religious have unbounded confidence in her."
Two historical facts are especially worthy of notice here: the fire in 1812, and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor was only beginning to be known in New Orleans when, in 1812, a terrible fire ravaged the city. The wind rapidly drove the flames toward the convent, and the danger being imminent an order was given to leave the convent. Just then, Sr. Anthony placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window sill facing the fire, and Mother St. Michel prayed aloud: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost, unless you hasten to our help." Instantaneously, the wind changed, the convent and environs were out of danger, and the flames extinguished. Witnesses of this inexplicable incident cried out unanimously: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor has saved us!"
General Andrew Jackson's glorious victory over the British in the battle of New Orleans, fought on the plains of Chalmette, January 8, 1815, is another signal favor rightly attributed to the all-powerful intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Before the combat, in order to obtain God's blessing upon the American forces, the weeping, terror-stricken wives, mothers, children, and sisters of Jackson's valiant little band spent the night of January 7th in prayer before the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the Ursuline Chapel. On the morning of January 8th, Very Rev. William Dubourg, Vicar General and, later, Bishop of New Orleans, offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the main altar, above which the statue had been placed, and the Ursulines, through their Prioress, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, made the vow to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung annually should the Americans be victorious. At the moment of Communion, a courier rushed into the chapel, announcing the glad tidings of the enemy's defeat. After Mass Father Dubourg intoned the Te Deum, which was sung enthusiastically and with heartfelt gratitude. No one could reasonably doubt the miraculous intervention of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Jackson himself did not hesitate to admit of a Divine interposition in his favor, and came in person to the convent, accompanied by his staff, to thank the nuns for their prayers on his behalf. The vow made by the Ursulines has been faithfully kept throughout these long years.
Rome has officially approved "DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR." Most precious documents have, at different times, emanated from the Holy See, placing the Seal of Holy Church on this devotion andn conferring special privileges upon it. On September 27, 1851, His Holiness, Pius IX, graciously authorized the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the singing of the yearly Mass of Thanksgiving on January the 8th........
At the request of Their Excellencies Most Reverend John William Shaw, Archbishop of New Orleans; Most Reverend Cornelius Van de Ven, Bishop of Alexandria; and Most Reverend Jules B. Jeanmard, Bishop of Lafayette; in a decree rendered on the thirteenth day of June, 1928, by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, the Holy See approved and confirmed the choice of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Principal Patroness of the City of New Orleans and of the State of Louisiana, conceding at the same time each and all of the liturgical privileges proper to the principal patrons of places.
Accordingly, each year the Patronal Feast continues to be celebrated with solemnity on eighth day of January, the anniversary date of the battle of New Orleans.........
May devotion to Mary under her hope-inspiring tide of Our Lady of Prompt Succor spread far and wide! To invoke Our Lady under this tide is to tell her that our needs are great and pressing, and that we hope for and expect much from her. Her power equals her love; therefore, our confidence should know no bounds
Opening Prayer to Our Lady
Oh, Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future!
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable
self-destruction,
from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against the life of man from its
very beginning,
deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the
dignity
of the children of God, deliver us.
From every kind of injustice in the life of
society,
both national and international, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments
of God,
deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the
very truth
of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us,
deliver
us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies.
Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world your infinite power of merciful Love. May it put a stop to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope.
Taken from L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English 24 May 1982
FIRST DAY
When we wish to obtain some special favor through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady, the first disposition to bring to prayer is the humble recognition of our unworthiness, for it is the prayer of the contrite and humble heart that rises to the very throne of God.
PRAYER
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, you
are after Jesus our only hope. O Most Holy Virgin, whose merits have
raised
you high above angel choirs to the very throne of the Eternal and whose
foot crushed the head of the infernal serpent, you are strong against
the
enemies of our salvation. O Mother of God, you are our Mediatrix most
kind
and loving. Hasten, then, to our help, and as you did once save your
beloved
City from ravaging flames and our Country from an alien foe, do now
have
pity on our misery, and obtain for us the graces we beg of you. Deliver
us from the wiles of Satan, assist us in the many trials which beset
our
path in this valley of tears, and be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt
Succor
now and especially at the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, hasten
to help us. (Three times.)
The Our Father, Hail
Mary, and
Glory be to the Father may be added, with the Litany of Our Lady of
Prompt
Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
SECOND DAY
Filial resignation to God's Holy Will is the second disposition required for the obtaining of special graces. This disposition is especially necessary when we ask for temporal favors, for we cannot be certain whether they are conducive to our salvation or not.
PRAYER
Our Lady of
Prompt Succor,
O Virgin most pure and Mother of the Word Incarnate, you are the
dispenser
of all graces and the refuge of poor sinners. With lively faith and
unbounded
confidence we have recourse to your maternal love and we beg you to
obtain
from your Divine Son the favors we now implore (here name the special
favor
desired). With filial trust we place our hearts under your motherly
care
beseeching you to obtain for us the all-important grace of perfect
conformity
to God's Will, and, O Mary, show yourself to be OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR,
especially at the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
THIRD DAY
A profound respect for the exalted dignity and sublime prerogatives of Mary is an excellent means to draw down upon us Heaven's choicest blessings.
PRAYER
Our Lady of
Prompt Succor,
O Mary Immaculate, you are the model of all virtues, the path by which
we go to Jesus, the mysterious channel through which divine favors are
imparted to us. You have such power over the Heart of Jesus, hasten to
our assistance and obtain our earnest request (here name the favor
desired).
In you, O Mary, we put our trust, let it not be said that our hopes
have
been frustrated. O Mother most chaste, be our strength against
temptation,
our help in danger, our consolation in sorrow, but especially be OUR
LADY
OF PROMPT SUCCOR at the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, hasten
to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc., as on
first
day.
FOURTH DAY
A filial eagerness in striving to fathom the treasures of holiness contained in the heart of Mary, the most loving and lovable of mothers, is another means of obtaining Our Lady's special protection.
PRAYER
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, living
temple of the Holy Spirit and Queen of Heaven and earth, behold us
prostrate
at your feet to offer you the filial homage of our hearts, to thank you
for the innumerable favors you have obtained for us, and to implore,
through
your all-powerful intercession, the graces we need, especially (here
specify
the favor desired). O Mary, be truly to us "Mary," that is, our shield
against the darts of temptation, our solace in the midst of trials and
afflictions, our firm hope, sweet consolation, and PROMPT SUCCOR at the
hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, hasten
to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc., as on
first
day.
FIFTH DAY
One of the surest means to acquire a special right to the protection of Mary is to keep ourselves in the state of grace and endeavor to please her by imitating her virtues.
PRAYER
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor, Virgin
most powerful and Mirror of Justice, who offered yourself totally to
God
for the perfect accomplishment of His Holy Will, make us generous in
sacrifice.
We have recourse to you to obtain the graces we need, especially (here
name the favor desired). O Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, heavenly
protectress
of souls devoted to your Divine Son, deign to bless us each day of our
mortal pilgrimage, cast upon us your eyes of mercy, and after our
exile,
show unto us Jesus, your Son and our Brother. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
SIXTH DAY
A tender love for Mary is another efficacious means of obtaining her favors. Since love can be requited only by love, what should not be our sentiments of filial affection for so generous and loving a Mother?
PRAYER
O Mary, Our
Lady of Prompt
Succor, bright Star of the Sea shining upon life's stormy ocean, we
implore
your speedy help especially to obtain (here specify the desired
favor).
Shining Star of our tempest-tossed souls, lovingly guide us among
temptation's
heaving billows and treacherous shoals, and lead us safely into
eternity's
peaceful harbor. O sweetest of mothers, we seek your PROMPT SUCCOR now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
SEVENTH DAY
Mary's love for us is tender and generous. Our love for her should be characterized by deep gratitude, filial confidence, and ardent zeal. We should endeavor, by good example and the spirit of sacrifice, to propagate devotion to her under her sweet title of PROMPT SUCCOR.
PRAYER
O Mary, Our
Lady of Prompt
Succor, whose protection is so powerful and whose help is so prompt and
efficacious, we come to lay at your feet all our cares and sorrows, to
place into your hands all our hopes, to entrust to you all our interest
both spiritual and temporal. Deign, O Most Holy Virgin, to assist us
and
obtain the graces we now ask, especially (here mention the favor
desired).
O Mother of PROMPT SUCCOR, close not
your ears to our earnest supplications; rather
hasten
to our help now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
EIGHTH DAY
Confidence is an excellent and necessary means for obtaining Mary's protection. Our Lady of Prompt Succor will bestow favors upon us in proportion to our filial trust in her all-powerful intercession.
PRAYER
Our Lady of
Prompt Succor,
sanctuary of every virtue, who was chosen among all women to be the
Mother
of our Redeemer, be our advocate and protectress. To you do we raise
our
hearts and hands imploring your powerful intercession to obtain the
favors
we ask, especially (here mention the favor desired). Assist us by your
mediation, O Mary, that your Divine Son may shower His blessings upon
us
now and at the moment of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
NINTH DAY
Mary became our Mother on Calvary's crest. We are the children of her tears and sorrows. On this last day of our novena, let us take the resolution ever to foster a true and tender devotion to our Immaculate Mother of Prompt Succor, to cast all our cares and anxieties into her maternal heart. Our confidence will not remain unrewarded.
PRAYER
Our Lady
of Prompt
Succor, Queen of the Universe and Sovereign full of kindness, you are
the
advocate of sinners, a haven of safety to the shipwrecked, the health
of
the sick and infirm, the consolation of the afflicted, the refuge and
salvation
of all on earth. O Mary, grant us, we beseech you, the help of your
prayers
to obtain the graces we implore, and in particular (here name the favor
desired). Let your maternal heart be touched by our misery; hasten to
our
assistance and be to us, now and at the hour of our death, OUR LADY OF
PROMPT SUCCOR. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Our Father, etc.,
as on
first day.
Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor
(For private recitation only)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on
us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who invoke you
with
confidence, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are devout
toward
the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively
faith,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope
of
Christians, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and
persevering
in charity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law
of God,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing
perseverance
in virtue and good works, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual
necessity,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of
self-will,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin,
pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation,
pray for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil
spirit, pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining
contrition, pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to
re-enter
the path of salvation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of
sinners,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal
necessity,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction,
pray for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families,
pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the
poor, pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious
diseases
and epidemics, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray
for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by
fire,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and
tempest,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by
flood,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked,
pray for
us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of
our
country, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to
the Holy
Priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the
Lord's vineyard,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who
spread
the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the
Pope,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for
the
faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of
the
Church, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death,
pray
for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of
the
souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the
world, spare
us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the
world, graciously
hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the
world, have
mercy on us.
V. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for
us.
R. That we may be made worthy of the
promises of
Christ.
LET US PRAY
O Almighty and
Eternal God! Who
sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Your
infinite
goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Divine Son, may
defend
us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that
always,
and with PROMPT SUCCOR, she may deliver us from every evil of soul and
body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven, through the merits
of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in
the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help
us. (3 Times) (partial indulgence)
PRAYERS TO
OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
O, Mary, Mother of
God, who,
amidst the tribulations of the world, watches over us and over the
Church
of your Son, be to us and to the Church truly OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR,
make
haste to help us in all our necessities, that in this fleeting life you
may be our succor, and obtain for us (here ask the particular favor you
desire). Help us to gain life everlasting through the merits of Jesus,
your Son, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
(partial indulgence)
Our Father, Hail
Mary,
Glory be to the Father.
Our Lady of Prompt
Succor,
hasten to help us. (Three times)
O Queen of the Universe,
Our
Lady of Prompt Succor, sovereign full of kindness, you are the advocate
of sinners, a haven of safety to the shipwrecked; you are the resource
of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the infirm, the
consolation
of the afflicted, the refuge and salvation of all on earth. We beseech
you to grant us the help of your prayers, which incline our Heavenly
Father
to forgive our sins and grant our petitions in all the necessities of
this
miserable life, prayers which obtain for us an abundance of graces to
receive
the pardon of our faults and arrive at the practice of virtue, prayers
which stop our enemies, confound their designs, and triumph over their
efforts. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Patroness of State of Louisiana
Our Lady
of Prompt Succor, ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God,
you are most powerful against the enemy of our salvation. The divine
promise of a Redeemer was announced right after the sin of our first
parents; and you, through your Divine Son, crushed the serpent’s head.
Hasten, then, to our help and deliver us from the deceits of satan.
Intercede for us with Jesus that we may always accept God’s graces and
be found faithful to Him in our particular states of life. As you once
saved our beloved City from ravaging flames and our Country from an
invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from
hurricanes and all other disasters. (silent pause for individual
petitions). Assist us in the many trials which beset our path through
life. Watch over the Church and the Pope as they uphold with total
fidelity the purity of faith and morals against unremitting opposition.
Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour
of our death, that we may gain everlasting life through the merits of
Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to
help us. (Three times)
Additional Information:
Our Lady of Prompt Succor National Shrine
2635 State St. New Orleans LA 70118
(504) 866-1472
