FIRST DAY
Meditation: MARY OUR PERPETUAL HELP
Mary while still remaining a creature. is nevertheless, by reason of her incomparable greatness, raised above all creatures. She towers high above them all, and we, looking up at her from our lowliness, find it impossible to take in her greatness at one glance and express it by one word. Hence the numerous titles we bestow upon Our Blessed Lady are a necessity arising from the very nature of the case. Some of these titles express her dignity: Mother of GOD. Queen of Heaven, others remind us of her sorrows: Our Lady of the Seven Dolours, Queen of Martyrs: others again speak to us of her power: Our Lady of Victories; whilst others make known to us her goodness; Our Lady of Mercy, Mother of Divine Grace. Help of Christians. But there is one title which more than any other, should inspire us with confidence in Mary's powerful intercession: Our Lady of Perpetual Help. For this title reminds us that, in whatever dangers, trials and difficulties we may find ourselves, Mary is ever ready, at all times, in every place, and under all circumstances, to come to our help and assistance.
Mary is our Perpetual Help, first, because she is the Mother of Jesus. How can Jesus Who is truly God and likewise Mary's loving Son refuse His Blessed Mother anything she asks of Him. St. Brigid in vision heard Our Blessed Redeemer thus address His Holy Mother, and;As you refused Me nothing whilst I was on earth, so I will refuse you nothing now that you are in heaven.and; Mary is our Perpetual Help, secondly because she is our Mother. In His dying breath Jesus spoke these words to St. John and through him to the whole human race: and;Behold thy Mother.and; By these words He bequeathed to the whole human race. His divine Mother to be the Mother of their souls. Mary therefore cannot refuse to Help the souls who have been commited to her charge by her Divine Son Himself as a last sacred trust with good reason then do we call her and;Our Mother of Perpetual Help.and;
PRAYER TO BE SAID EACH DAY AFTER THE MEDITATION
O Mother of Perpetual Help, behold me a miserable sinner at thy feet; I have recourse to thee and put my trust in thee. O Mother of Mercy have pity upon me. I hear thee called by all the refuge and the hope of sinners, be then my refuge and my hope. Help me for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to me, who recommend and dedicate myself to thee as thy perpetual servant. I bless and thank GOD for having in His mercy given to me this confidence in thee, the pledge as I believe of my eternal salvation. Alas! Too often in past times have I miserably fallen, because I had not recourse to thee! I know that with thy help I shall conquer. I know that thou will help me if I recommend myself to thee; but i fear lest in the occasions of falling I should cease to call upon thee and so should lose my soul. This, then, is the grace I seek from thee; and I conjure thee, as far as I know how and can, to obtain it for me; namely, in the assults of hell always to have recourse to thee and to say to thee: O Mary help me; Mother of Perpetual Help, suffer me not to lose my God.
Five "Hail Mary's" to obtain the special favours you seek -- then: -- Holy Mary, assist the miserable, help the faint hearted, cheer those that weep, pray for the people be the advocate of the clergy, intercede for all devout woman; let all feel thine aid who implore thy perpetual help.
V. Thou has been for us, Our Lady, a refuge.
R. A helper in needs and tribulation.
LET US PRAY
Oh almighty and merciful GOD, who hast given us to venerate the picture of Thy most Blessed Mother, under the special title of Perpetual Help, graciously grant that, amidst all the changes of our journey through life, we may be so defended by the continual protection of the same Immaculate, ever Virgin Mary, that we may deserve to obtain the rewards of Thy eternal Redemption; Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit; world without end. Amen.