I
Novenas to the Holy Helpers
II
Prayers and Petitions
"In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
petitions be made known to God" (_Philipp._ iv. 6).
"God is wonderful in His saints. The God of Israel is He who will give
power and strength to His people; blessed be God" (_Ps._ lxvii. 36).
Novena to Each of the Holy Helpers
PREPARATORY PRAYER
_For Each of the Following Novenas_
ALMIGHTY and eternal God! With lively faith and reverently worshiping
Thy divine Majesty, I prostrate myself before Thee and invoke with
filial trust Thy supreme bounty and mercy. Illumine the darkness of my
intellect with a ray of Thy heavenly light and inflame my heart with the
fire of Thy divine love, that I may contemplate the great virtues and
merits of the saint in whose honor I make this novena, and following his
example imitate, like him, the life of Thy divine Son.
Moreover, I beseech Thee to grant graciously, through the merits and
intercession of this powerful Helper, the petition which through him I
humbly place before Thee, devoutly saying, "Thy will be done on earth as
it is in heaven." Vouchsafe graciously to hear it, if it redounds to Thy
greater glory and to the salvation of my soul. Amen.
I
Novena in Honor of St. George
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. GEORGE
O GOD, who didst grant to St. George strength and constancy in the
various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee
to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and
doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto
death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. GEORGE
FAITHFUL servant of God and invincible martyr, St. George; favored by
God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ,
thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and
deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from
the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love
to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround
me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may
patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither
distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus
Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against
evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the
end.
_Prayer_
MY LORD and my God! I offer up to Thee my petition in union with the
bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, together with the
merits of His immaculate and blessed Mother, Mary ever virgin, and of
all the saints, particularly with those of the holy Helper in whose
honor I make this novena.
Look down upon me, merciful Lord! Grant me Thy grace and Thy love, and
graciously hear my prayer. Amen.
II
Novena in Honor of St. Blase
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. BLASE
O GOD, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr
Blase, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the
throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the
confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy
lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. BLASE
ST. BLASE, gracious benefactor of mankind and faithful servant of God,
who for the love of our Saviour didst suffer so many tortures with
patience and resignation; I invoke thy powerful intercession. Preserve
me from all evils of soul and body. Because of thy great merits God
endowed thee with the special grace to help those that suffer from ills
of the throat; relieve and preserve me from them, so that I may always
be able to fulfil my duties, and with the aid of God's grace perform
good works. I invoke thy help as special physician of souls, that I may
confess my sins sincerely in the holy sacrament of Penance and obtain
their forgiveness. I recommend to thy merciful intercession also those
who unfortunately concealed a sin in confession. Obtain for them the
grace to accuse themselves sincerely and contritely of the sin they
concealed, of the sacrilegious confessions and communions they made, and
of all the sins they committed since then, so that they may receive
pardon, the grace of God, and the remission of the eternal punishment.
Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
III
Novena in Honor of St Erasmus
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ERASMUS
O GOD, grant us through the intercession of Thy dauntless bishop and
martyr Erasmus, who so valiantly confessed the Faith, that we may learn
the doctrine of this faith, practise its precepts, and thereby be made
worthy to attain its promises. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. ERASMUS
HOLY martyr Erasmus, who didst willingly and bravely bear the trials and
sufferings of life, and by thy charity didst console many
fellow-sufferers; I implore thee to remember me in my needs and to
intercede for me with God. Staunch confessor of the Faith, victorious
vanquisher of all tortures, pray to Jesus for me and ask Him to grant me
the grace to live and die in the Faith through which thou didst obtain
the crown of glory. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
IV
Novena to St. Pantaleon
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. PANTALEON
O GOD, who didst give to St. Pantaleon the grace of exercising charity
toward his fellow-men by distributing his goods to the poor, and hast
made him a special patron of the sick, grant, that we, too, show our
charity by works of mercy; and through the intercession of this Thy
servant preserve us from sickness. But if it be Thy will that illness
should afflict us, give us the grace to bear it patiently, and let it
promote our soul's salvation. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. PANTALEON
ST. PANTALEON, who during life didst have great pity for the sick and
with the help of God didst often relieve and cure them; I invoke thy
intercession with God, that I may obtain the grace to serve Him in good
health by cheerfully fulfilling the duties of my state of life. But if
it be His holy will to visit me with illness, pain, and suffering, do
thou aid me with thy powerful prayer to submit humbly to His
chastisements, to accept sickness in the spirit of penance and to bear
it patiently according to His holy will. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
[Image: The Blessed Virgin Receives Holy Communion from St. John.]
V
Novena in Honor of St. Vitus
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. VITUS
GRANT us, O God, through the intercession of St. Vitus, a due estimation
of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of
Thy Son Jesus Christ; so that, for its salvation, we bear all trials
with fortitude. Give this Thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a
guide and protector to Christian youths, that following his example they
may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. VITUS
ST. VITUS, glorious martyr of Christ; in thy youth thou wast exposed to
violent and dangerous temptations, but in the fear of God and for the
love of Jesus thou didst victoriously overcome them. O amiable, holy
youth, I implore thee by the love of Jesus, assist me with thy powerful
intercession to overcome the temptations to evil, to avoid every
occasion of sin, and thus to preserve spotless the robe of innocence and
sanctifying grace, and to bring it unstained to the judgment-seat of
Jesus Christ, that I may forever enjoy the beatific vision of God which
is promised to the pure of heart. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
VI
Novena in Honor of St. Christophorus
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CHRISTOPHORUS
O GOD, who didst make St. Christophorus a true Christ-bearer, who
converted multitudes to the Christian faith, and who didst give him the
grace to suffer for Thy sake the most cruel torments; through the
intercession of this saint we implore Thee to protect us from sin, the
only real evil. Preserve us, also, against harmful elementary forces,
such as earthquake, lightning, fire, and flood. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHORUS
GREAT St. Christophorus, seeking the strongest and mightiest master thou
didst find him in Jesus Christ, the almighty God of heaven and earth,
and didst faithfully serve Him with all thy power to the end of thy
life, gaining for Him countless souls and finally shedding thy blood for
Him; obtain for me the grace to bear Christ always in my heart, as thou
didst once bear Him on thy shoulder, so that I thereby may be
strengthened to overcome victoriously all temptations and resist all
enticements of the world, the devil, and the flesh, and that the powers
of darkness may not prevail against me. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
VII
Novena in Honor of St. Dionysius
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. DIONYSIUS
O GOD, who didst confer Thy saving faith on the people of France through
Thy holy bishop and martyr Dionysius, and didst glorify him before and
after his martyrdom by many miracles; grant us through his intercession
that the Faith practised and preached by him be our light on the way of
life, so that we may be preserved from all anxieties of conscience, and
if by human frailty we have sinned, we may return to Thee speedily by
true penance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. DIONYSIUS
GLORIOUS servant of God, St. Dionysius, with intense love thou didst
devote thyself to Christ after learning to know Him through the apostle
St. Paul, and didst preach His saving name to the nations, to bring whom
to His knowledge and love thou didst not shrink from martyrdom; implore
for me a continual growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus, so that my
restless heart may experience that peace which He alone can give. Help
me by thy powerful intercession with God to serve Him with a willing
heart, to devote myself with abiding love to His service, and thereby to
attain the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
VIII
Novena in Honor of St. Cyriacus
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CYRIACUS
O GOD, who didst grant to St. Cyriacus the grace of heroic charity and
trustful resignation to Thy holy will; bestow upon us, through his
intercession, the grace to walk before Thee in self-denying charity and
to know and fulfil Thy will in all things. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CYRIACUS
ST. CYRIACUS, great servant of God, loving Christ with all thy heart,
thou didst for His sake also love thy fellow-men, and didst serve them
even at the peril of thy life, for which charity God rewarded thee with
the power to overcome Satan, the arch-enemy, and to deliver the poor
obsessed from his dreadful tyranny; implore for me of God an effective,
real, and true charity. Show thy power over Satan also in me; deliver me
from his influence when he tries to tempt me. Help me to repel his
assaults and to gain the victory over him in life and in death. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
IX
Novena in Honor of St. Achatius
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ACHATIUS
O GOD, who didst fortify Thy holy martyr Achatius with constancy and
trustful reliance on Thee in death; grant us through his intercession at
the hour of our death to be free from all anxiety and victorious in our
last combat with the enemy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. ACHATIUS
VALIANT martyr of Christ, St. Achatius, who preached Christ faithfully
before kings and judges, and didst gain the victory over the enemies of
God; help me through thy powerful intercession to resist and gain the
victory over all the enemies of my salvation, over the world and its
allurements, over the concupiscence of the flesh, and over the
temptations of Satan. I implore thee particularly to assist me in my
agony, when the powers of hell rise against me to rob my soul. Then do
thou come to my aid and repel the assaults of the enemy, so that I
surrender my soul into the hands of my Redeemer in faith, hope, and
charity, and confiding in His infinite merits. Through the same Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
X
Novena in Honor of St. Eustachius
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. EUSTACHIUS
O GOD, who didst lead Thy holy martyr Eustachius safely through many
trials and dangers to the glorious crown of martyrdom; enlighten and
strengthen us through his intercession, that we persevere in Thy love
amid the trials of this life, and by resignation to Thy holy will come
forth from the darkness of this earth into the light of Thy eternal
glory. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. EUSTACHIUS
HEROIC servant of God, St. Eustachius, cast from the height of earthly
glory and power into the deepest misery, thou wast engaged for a long
time in the labor of a menial servant, eating the bitter bread of
destitution; but never didst thou murmur against the severe probation to
which God subjected thee. I implore thee to aid me with thy powerful
intercession, that in all conditions I may resign myself to the holy
will of God, and particularly that I may bear poverty and its
consequences with patience, trusting in God's providence, completely
resigned to the decrees of Him who humbles and exalts, chastises and
heals, sends trials and consolations, and who has promised to those who
follow Him in the spirit of poverty His beatific vision throughout all
eternity. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
XI
Novena in Honor of St. Giles
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. GILES
O GOD, we beseech Thee to grant us through the merits and intercession
of St. Giles to flee from the vanity and praise of this world, to avoid
carefully all occasions of sin, to cleanse our hearts from all
wickedness by a sincere confession, to leave this world in Thy love and
rich in good works, and to find Thee gracious on the day of judgment.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. GILES
ZEALOUS follower of Christ, St. Giles; from early youth thou didst take
to heart the words of our Saviour: "Learn of Me, because I am meek and
humble of heart." Therefore thou didst flee from the praise and honors
of the world, and wast rewarded with the grace to preserve thy heart
from all sin and to persevere in a holy life to a ripe old age. I, on my
part, through pride, self-confidence, and negligence, yielded to my evil
inclinations, and thereby sinned grievously and often, offending my God
and Lord, my Creator and Redeemer, my most loving Father. Therefore I
implore thee to help me through thy mighty intercession to be
enlightened by the Holy Ghost, that I may know the malice, grievousness,
and multitude of my sins, confess them humbly, fully, and contritely,
and receive pardon, tranquillity of heart, and peace of conscience from
God. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
XII
Novena in Honor of St. Margaret
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. MARGARET
O GOD, grant us through the intercession of thy holy virgin and martyr
Margaret, undauntedly to confess the Faith, carefully to observe the
chastity of our state of life, and to overcome the temptations of the
world, the devil, and the flesh, and thereby escape the punishments of
eternal damnation. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. MARGARET
ST. MARGARET, holy virgin and martyr, thou didst faithfully preserve the
robe of holy innocence and purity, valiantly resisting all the
blandishments and allurements of the world for the love of thy divine
Spouse, Jesus Christ; help me to overcome all temptations against the
choicest of all virtues, holy purity, and to remain steadfast in the
love of Christ, in order to preserve this great gift of God. Implore for
me the grace of perseverance in prayer, distrust of myself, and flight
from the occasions of sin, and finally the grace of a good death, so
that in heaven I may "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
XIII
Novena in Honor of St. Catherine
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CATHERINE
O GOD, who didst distinguish Thy holy virgin and martyr Catherine by the
gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a victorious combat with the
enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, through her
intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the saints, that
we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CATHERINE
ST. CATHERINE, glorious virgin and martyr, resplendent in the luster of
wisdom and purity; thy wisdom refuted the adversaries of divine truth
and covered them with confusion; thy immaculate purity made thee a
spouse of Christ, so that after thy glorious martyrdom angels carried
thy body to Mount Sinai. Implore for me progress in the science of the
saints and the virtue of holy purity, that vanquishing the enemies of my
soul, I may be victorious in my last combat and after death be conducted
by the angels into the eternal beatitude of heaven. Amen.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
XIV
Novena in Honor of St. Barbara
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of Part IV).
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. BARBARA
O GOD, who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with
extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst
console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her
intercession perseverance in the fulfilment of Thy law and the grace of
being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy
death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. BARBARA
INTREPID virgin and martyr, St. Barbara, through thy intercession come
to my aid in all needs of my soul. Obtain for me the grace to be
preserved from a sudden and unprovided death; assist me in my agony,
when my senses are benumbed and I am in the throes of death. Then, O
powerful patroness of the dying, come to my aid! Repel from me all the
assaults and temptations of the evil one, and obtain for me the grace to
receive before death the holy sacraments, that I breathe forth my soul
confirmed in faith, hope, and charity, and be worthy to enter eternal
glory. Amen.
St. Barbara, at my last end
Obtain for me the Sacrament;
Assist one in that direst need
When I my God and Judge must meet:
That robed in sanctifying grace
My soul may stand before His face.
Prayer (located in St. George's novena).
Novena to All the Fourteen Holy Helpers
PREPARATORY PRAYER
_(By St Alphonsus Liguori.)_
GREAT princes of heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your
earthly possessions, wealth, preferment, and even life, and who now are
crowned in heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory;
have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears, and obtain
for me from God, for whom you gave up all things and who loves you as
His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this
life, to overcome all temptations, and to persevere in God's service to
the end, that one day I too may be received into your company, to praise
and glorify Him, the supreme Lord, whose beatific vision you enjoy, and
whom you praise and glorify for ever. Amen.
FIRST DAY
The Devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE practice of honoring and invoking the saints to obtain, through
their intercession, help in the various needs of body and soul, is as
old as the Church. At what period, however, the custom of having
recourse to the fourteen saints called Holy Helpers originated, is
unknown. Nevertheless it is certain that each one of them was invoked
for his intercession with God since his entrance into heaven. Prayer is
the Christian's resource in every difficulty: and difficulties and
trials are never wanting on earth.
Because the needs of mankind on earth are various, the faithful selected
certain saints as intercessors in certain cases of distress, and
obtained relief; hence these saints came to be regarded as special
patrons in such trials, and were called Holy Helpers.
PRACTICE
MAKE this novena with full confidence in the power of the intercession
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. During their earthly life they devoted
their whole energy to the spreading of God's kingdom and the relief and
succor of their fellow-men. Much more efficiently can they do so now
when they are in the enjoyment of eternal happiness, and can supplicate
for us at the very throne of God.
The saints _can_ help us through their intercession. God hears their
prayers and He wrought miracles to confirm us in this belief, even
whilst His servants sojourned here on earth. They _desire_ and are
willing to help us. St. Bernard says: "In heaven hearts do not grow
cold; they are rather rendered more affectionate and tender. By
receiving the crown of justice the saints were not hardened against the
sufferings of their brethren on earth."
Therefore, in calling on them, have full confidence in their power and
ability to come to your aid.
_Prayer_
WE BESEECH Thee, O Lord, to hear the prayer which we send up to Thee in
honor of Thy glorified servants, the Fourteen Holy Helpers: and as we
can not rely upon our own justice, grant our petition through the
intercession of those whose merits have made them especially dear to
Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Image: Death of the Blessed Virgin]
LITANY OF THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, queen of martyrs, pray for us.
St. Joseph, helper in all needs, pray for us.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, pray for us.
St. George, valiant martyr of Christ, pray for us.
St. Blase, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, pray for us.
St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, pray for us.
St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, pray for us.
St. Vitus, special protector of chastity, pray for us.
St. Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers, pray for us.
St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, pray for us.
St. Cyriacus, terror of hell, pray for us.
St. Achatius, helpful advocate in death, pray for us.
St. Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, pray for us.
St. Giles, despiser of the world, pray for us.
St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, pray for us.
St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray
for us.
St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying, pray for us.
All ye Holy Helpers, pray for us.
All ye saints of God, pray for us.
In temptations against faith, pray for us.
In adversity and trials, pray for us.
In anxiety and want, pray for us.
In every combat, pray for us.
In every temptation, pray for us.
In sickness, pray for us.
In all needs, pray for us.
In fear and terror, pray for us.
In dangers of salvation, pray for us.
In dangers of honor, pray for us.
In dangers of reputation, pray for us.
In dangers of property, pray for us.
In dangers by fire and water, pray for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and storms, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From eternal damnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy birth and Thy life, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy cross and passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, deliver us, O Lord.
On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou convert us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee,
hear us.
That Thou protect and propagate Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear
us.
That Thou preserve peace and concord among the nations, we beseech
Thee, hear us.
That Thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed, we beseech
Thee, hear us.
That Thou come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy
Helpers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. George Thou preserve us in the
Faith, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Blase Thou confirm us in hope, we
beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy
holy love, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Pantaleon Thou give us charity
for our neighbor, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Vitus Thou teach us the value of
our soul, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Christophorus Thou preserve us
from sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Dionysius Thou give us
tranquillity of conscience, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou grant us
resignation to Thy holy will, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Eustachius Thou give us patience
in adversity, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Achatius Thou grant us a happy
death, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Giles Thou grant us a merciful
judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Margaret Thou preserve us from
hell, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Catherine Thou shorten our
purgatory, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Barbara Thou receive us in
heaven, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant
our prayers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear
us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us,
O Lord.
V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.
_Let us Pray_
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and
gifts on Thy saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus,
Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles,
Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles;
we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their
intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the
confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their
fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us
through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we
may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS
FOURTEEN Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on
earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in heaven;
because you persevered till death you gained the crown of eternal life.
Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and
intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor you as mighty
intercessors, and come with filial confidence to you in my needs, for
the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by
your intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my
sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me
the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy
will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that,
having finished my earthly course, I may join you in heaven, there to
praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His saints. Amen.
SECOND DAY
The Destiny of Man
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE Holy Helpers faithfully co-operated with God's designs concerning
their eternal destiny. No obstacle could prevail on them to stray from
the path of duty. Always and everywhere they fulfilled the will of God.
You, too, have an eternal destiny. You are not your own master, but
belong to God, whose servant and property you are. Therefore you must
obey Him, and not your own inclinations; you must do His will, and not
your own. God had the right of requiring our submission to Him without
giving us a reward, because He is Our Lord; nevertheless He promised to
give us Himself in reward for our faithful service. Ought this not be
sufficient inducement for us to serve Him zealously and gratefully?
Remember, moreover, that you shall be unhappy both in this and in the
next world if you do not give yourself entirely to God, for whom you
were created. St. Augustine says: "Thou hast created us for Thee, O
Lord, and our heart remains restless till it rests in Thee."
PRACTICE
THANK God for the undeserved grace of creation and redemption. Make an
act of contrition for having served Him so negligently. Promise
amendment, and invoke the aid of God's grace through the intercession of
the Holy Helpers.
_Prayer_
O GOD, who according to the decrees of Thy providence hast created man
for eternal bliss; grant, through the intercession of the Holy Helpers,
that I may attain to my destiny by being united with Thee in this life
and loving and praising Thee for ever in heaven. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
THIRD DAY
The Virtue of Faith
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE Holy Helpers were so thoroughly imbued with the virtue of divine
faith, that they believed its sacred truths with perfect abandonment of
their intellect, will, liberty, and whole being. They wavered not amid
the severest torments, but remained firm until death in the confession
of Christ.
Our time is noted for assaults on the Faith and on the Church that
teaches it. The Church, the depository of divine revelation, is
blasphemed in her doctrine, in her precepts, in her sacraments, in her
ministers, in her cult, in her entire essence. Were you never ashamed of
your Catholic name? What cowardliness, what timidity, what downright
malice!
PRACTICE
REVIVE your faith by the consideration of the example of the Holy
Helpers. Do not, from human respect, neglect the sanctification of the
Lord's Day, the observance of days of fast and abstinence, the reception
of the holy sacraments, the profession of your belief in the real
presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, etc. Meditate frequently
on the words of Christ: "He that shall deny Me before men, I will also
deny him before My Father who is in heaven" (_Matt._ x. 33).
_Prayer_
O GOD, I beseech Thee, through the faith of the Holy Helpers, grant me
the grace to treasure in my heart the doctrines of our holy faith, to
believe them firmly, to confess them bravely, and to live according to
their precepts, that through that same faith I may become worthy to be
admitted to Thy beatific vision in heaven. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
FOURTH DAY
The Virtue of Hope
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
"HOPE confoundeth not" (_Rom._ v. 6). According to the commentators
these words of Holy Scripture are to be understood in the sense that our
works must be in conformity with that which is the object of our hope;
that is, we must live in such a manner that we really merit the reward
of heaven.
We sin against hope also by presumption in God's mercy, by despair, and
by over-confidence in our own righteousness. According to Holy Scripture
we can not, of our own efficacy, perform a good act, but can do all in
Him that strengthens us.
All these truths are exemplified in the lives of the Holy Helpers. Their
hope was based on the firm foundation of faith, and consequently, like
it, firm, constant, and unwavering.
PRACTICE
LIKE the Holy Helpers, hope to obtain from God all things necessary to
salvation, for "the Lord is good to them that hope in Him, to the soul
that seeketh Him" (_Lam._ iii. 25). Live so that He can fulfil His
promises. Place no obstacle to His bounty and might by a sinful life.
_Prayer_
ETERNAL God of love and mercy, I thank Thee for all the benefits Thou
hast conferred upon me, and hope to obtain, through the intercession of
the Holy Helpers, all the graces necessary for my salvation. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
FIFTH DAY
The Love of God
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE love of God which inflamed the Holy Helpers showed forth in their
whole life, and particularly at their death. We, too, ought to be
inflamed with such love, for without it faith, wisdom, the gift of
tongues, and good works in general, avail nothing; for the love of God
must inspire them all. "And we know that to them that love God, all
things work together unto good" (_Rom._ viii. 28). Such, and such alone,
will receive the crown of life. Did not God love us first? To redeem us
from sin and eternal death He spared not His only begotten, divine Son.
All goods of life and fortune are gifts of His love, evidences of His
infinite love. And we find it difficult to return this love? How
ungrateful not to love God with your whole heart!
PRACTICE
IMITATE the Holy Helpers in their ardent love of God. Implore their
intercession to obtain it. Meditate often on God's love for you, and
your heart will be enflamed with love for Him.
_Prayer_
O GOD of mercy and love, I thank Thee from all my heart for the
countless graces which Thy infinite love has bestowed on me. By the
ardent love which the Holy Helpers had for Thee, I implore Thee to
enkindle in my heart the flame of Thy love, so that I may remain in Thee
and Thou in me. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
SIXTH DAY
The Virtue of Charity
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
CHARITY is one of the fundamental virtues of the Christian religion. The
moral doctrine preached by Christ is comprised in the words: "Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and
with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And
the second is like to this. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On
these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets"
(_Matt._ xxii. 37-40).
As in everything else, the Holy Helpers are our exemplars also in
charity. Charity consists in wishing well to our fellow-men, rejoicing
with the glad and sympathizing with the sad, doing good to all, excusing
their faults whenever possible, disclosing them only when necessary,
being friendly, indulgent, meek, and helpful toward them. We love our
neighbor if we succor the poor and distressed, if we harbor no envy for
the rich, if we esteem the just for their virtue, and hate--not the
sinner--but sin. We love our neighbor if we are not content with
harboring these sentiments in our heart, but show them by our actions.
PRACTICE
ENDEAVOR to exercise this charity according to the spirit of Christ. The
love of your neighbor must not be a sentimental affection; it must not
originate in casual qualities of character or rank, in inclination,
etc., but must have the love of God for its motive. We must exercise
charity toward all because God wills it, and in the manner in which He
wills it. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
_Prayer_
O GOD of charity, who dost will that I love my neighbor for Thy sake,
grant me the grace, through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, to be
animated with that spirit of charity which embraces all and excludes
none, which "is patient, kind, envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is
not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to
anger, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with
the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all
things, and never falleth away" (1 _Cor._ xiii. 4-8). Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
SEVENTH DAY
Human Respect
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
BY THE conscientious fulfilment of the duties of their state of life the
Holy Helpers show us that the will of God alone was the motive of all
their actions. Human respect, regard for the opinion of others, did not
influence them.
The cowardly fear, "What will people say?" was the ruin of many a soul.
The enemy of mankind is ever intent upon preventing us from doing good
through human respect. He insinuates that virtue and piety are out of
date and ridiculed. From human respect many a person boasts of that
which ought to make him blush; he thinks it discreditable to be less
remiss in his religious obligations than others. Ought the opinion and
ridicule of the world influence us to prevent our pleasing God? St. Paul
says: "If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ"
(_Gal._ i. 10). Our Lord Himself tells us, "He that shall deny Me before
men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven" (_Matt._ x.
33).
PRACTICE
OUR Lord says: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (_Matt._ v.
16). Do not stray from the path of duty on account of human respect; do
not let yourself be influenced by the judgments of the world.
_Prayer_
MERCIFUL God, who gavest the Holy Helpers the grace to fulfil Thy will
regardless of human respect; grant that we may obtain through their
intercession and merits the courage to despise the opinion of men, and
ever serve Thee with a fearless heart. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
EIGHTH DAY
Prayer
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE Holy Helpers, well knowing the efficacy of prayer, assiduously
devoted themselves to it. From it they drew that wonderful strength
which sustained them in their combat for the Faith.
Prayer is the elevation of the mind to God, intercourse with Him by acts
of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and petition. St. Chrysostom says of
prayer: "Without prayer it is impossible to lead a good life; for no one
can practise virtue except he humbly implores God for it, who alone can
give him the necessary strength. Who ceases to love and practise prayer,
no longer possesses the gifts of the Spirit. But he that perseveres in
the service of God, and deems it an irreparable loss to miss constant
prayer, possesses every virtue and is a friend of God."
PRACTICE
OFFER yourself at the beginning of each day to God, and thereby you will
belong to Him throughout its whole course. Renew your consecration to
Him frequently during the day by short acts of virtue and especially by
a good intention, thus rendering all your work a prayer, and you will
attain perfection.
_Prayer_
O GOD, I implore Thee through the merits and intercession of the Holy
Helpers, to grant me the spirit of prayer, that following their example
I may walk in Thy presence and ever enjoy the consolation of intercourse
with Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
NINTH DAY
Perseverance
Preparatory Prayer (located at the start of the novena).
MEDITATION
A VICTORIOUS death was the reward of the Holy Helpers' perseverance in
the service of God. During this novena you have, no doubt, formed many
good resolutions, exclaiming with the Royal Prophet, "And I said, now I
have begun" (_Ps._ lxxvi. 11). But it happens that many, despite their
good will, become remiss in the pursuit of virtue. Satan is assiduously
trying to accomplish their ruin, representing to them and exaggerating
the difficulties to be encountered on the path of virtue. They hesitate,
falter, and finally turn back. This is the most unfortunate happening
that can occur. Of the condition of such a one Our Lord Himself says:
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places
without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: 'I will return
into my house whence I came out.' And when he is come, he findeth it
swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven spirits
more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last
state of that man becometh worse than the first" (_Luke_ xi. 24-26). Are
these words not a sufficient warning to encourage us to persevere in our
good resolves?
[Image: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven.]
PRACTICE
IN concluding this novena, survey again the depth of that
incomprehensible eternity which is awaiting you. Contemplate in spirit
the endless chain of centuries following each other there in reward or
in punishment. Does this thought not banish all the difficulties of
perseverance?
_Prayer_
O GOD, whose mercies are infinite and whose goodness is without limit, I
beseech Thee through the merits and intercession of the Holy Helpers,
grant me the grace of perseverance in Thy love and service to the end.
Thou, who dost dispense so many favors through the Holy Helpers, despise
not my prayer, but graciously hear and grant it. Amen.
Litany and Prayers (located on the first day of the novena).
CONCLUDING PRAYER
O FAITHFUL servants of God and powerful protectors of man, Holy Helpers!
Since Our Lord appointed you the heavenly advocates for our needs on
earth, I confidently turn to you for help in my distress. Countless
numbers praise you for aiding them with counsel in doubt, with
consolation in anxiety, with health in illness, with safety in danger,
with delivery from prison, and with help and assistance in all
tribulations. Therefore I, too, have recourse to you, and implore you
not to refuse me your aid.
Give thanks to God for me for all the graces He granted me during this
novena. I ascribe them to your great merits and powerful intercession. I
thank you all together, and each one in particular, for your interest in
my favor before the throne of God. I commend myself to your continued
protection, that I may one day be united with you in heaven, there to
thank the Giver of all good things and to praise Him for all eternity.
Amen.
Prayers of Petition and Intercession
I. Three Invocations
1. GREAT friends of God, Holy Helpers, humbly saluting and venerating
you, I implore your help and intercession. Bring my prayers before the
throne of the Most Holy Trinity, so that I may experience in all the
difficulties and trials of life the mercy of the eternal Father, the
love of the incarnate divine Son, and the assistance of the Holy Ghost;
that despondency may not depress me when God's wise decree imposes on my
shoulders a heavy burden. Above all, I implore your assistance at the
hour of death. Help me then to gain the victory over the temptations and
assaults of Satan, and to leave this world hopefully trusting in God's
mercy, to join you in heaven, there to praise Him for ever and ever.
Amen.
2. With confiding trust I turn to you, Holy Helpers, who were selected
by God before many other saints to be the special intercessors and
advocates of the distressed. Obtain for me strength and courage to
struggle and suffer on earth for the glory of God, for the propagation
of our holy faith, and for my own perfection. You are fruitful branches
of the true and living vine, Jesus Christ, for whom you heroically
suffered hunger and thirst, persecution and ignominy, afflictions and
adversity, tortures and death. Here on earth you were true disciples and
dauntless martyrs of Christ. Assist me to follow your example and to
suffer for His sake, so that I may not be parted from Him as a useless
member, but persevere in His service despite all trials and tribulations
of life. Knowing my inconstancy and weakness, I have recourse to you, O
glorious members of the Church triumphant, and implore you to support my
feeble prayers, and to bear them before the throne of the Almighty, who,
for your sake, will hear them. Amen.
3. Great friends and servants of God, Holy Helpers! Humbly saluting and
venerating you, I implore your help and intercession. God has promised
and granted that whosoever invokes your aid shall be relieved in his
needs and succored at the hour of death. Therefore I have recourse to
you and confidently implore your aid. I am surrounded by difficulties
and my soul is oppressed with grief. Burdened with sins, the fear of
God's rigorous judgment appalls me, whilst Satan ceases not to exert all
his power to accomplish my eternal ruin.
Therefore I implore your assistance, powerful Holy Helpers, in my dire
distress. By the penitential life you led, by the cruel tortures you
suffered, and by your holy death I entreat you to pray for me. Obtain
for me the remission of my sins and perseverance to the end in God's
grace. Assist me in my agony and protect me against the wily assaults of
Satan, that through your help I may die a happy death and enter a
blissful eternity. Amen.
II. Prayer in Illness
COMPASSIONATE Holy Helpers, who restored health to so many through the
power of the name of Jesus; behold me suffering from bodily illness and
from wounds of the soul. Implore the kind, merciful Good Samaritan, your
and my Lord Jesus Christ, to heal the wounds of my soul by washing them
in His most precious blood, and to quicken my spirit by His sanctifying
grace. If it, then, be God's holy will and for the welfare of my soul,
let me experience the powerful effect of your intercession, that,
restored to health, I may serve God with greater fervor, and promote
your veneration together with so many who experienced your help in
illness and suffering. Amen.
III. Prayer for the Sick
MERCIFUL Holy Helpers, look benignly upon me, who implore your
intercession for a sick person. Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, who
Himself went about healing and doing good, appointed you the special
protectors and intercessors of the sick, and restored to bodily and
spiritual health many for whom you prayed. Encouraged thereby to invoke
you, I implore you to offer up to His sacred Heart all the pains and
torments He suffered during His bitter passion. Offer up to Him also
your own sufferings for God's glory, which you underwent during life,
and in death; offer up to Him all the anguish and distress suffered by
the sick person for whom I invoke your intercession. Ask Him to restore
him to health of body, and to infuse into his soul the grace of
salvation, so that he may devote his life with renewed vigor to the
service of God and to the fulfilment of his duties, and thereby gather
rich merits for eternity.
But if God, in the designs of His providence, should otherwise dispose,
implore for the sick person patience in his illness, resignation to the
divine will, and the grace of a happy death. Assist him in his agony,
and conduct his soul to the throne of the Almighty. Amen.
IV. Prayer of Parents for Their Children
HOLY Helpers, assist me to give thanks to God for blessing me with
children. Having received them from Him, it is my duty to train them for
His service. Therefore I commend them to your special protection. Guard
them from sin, help them to know and fulfil their duties, preserve them
from all harm of body and soul; pray for them that they may be and
remain children of God. For me, obtain the grace always to take good
care of them, to edify them by good example, to punish their faults
wisely, to preserve their innocence, and to instruct them unto piety, so
that they and I may together enjoy the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
V. Prayer of Children for Their Parents
HOLY Helpers, mighty intercessors with God in all necessities; God
strictly commanded that children should love, honor, and obey their
parents. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself gave them the example
of submission and obedience by being subject to His mother and
foster-father. I commend myself to your powerful intercession and
implore you to obtain for me the grace to follow His example. For my
parents I implore protection from all evil of body and soul, a long
and prosperous life, and a happy death. Reward them for all the care,
anxiety, labor, and trouble which they underwent patiently for my sake
with the eternal crown of heavenly glory. Amen.
VI. Prayer of Married People
HOLY Helpers, powerful intercessors at the throne of God, by whose
providence we were indissolubly joined in holy wedlock through the
sacramental bonds of matrimony; obtain for us, through your
intercession, the grace to dwell together in mutual love and peace, and
to fulfil faithfully the duties of our state of life; that following the
example of the saints and elect who lived in wedlock, we may merit God's
grace and blessing by a virtuous life here on earth, and united in
heaven praise and bless Him for ever. Amen.