Mary, help of Christians/Part 4: Novena to all the holy helpers



The Devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION HE 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 AKE 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: &quot;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.&quot; Therefore, in calling on them, have full confidence in their power and ability to come to your aid. Prayer E 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.

LITANY OF THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS ORD, 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 LMIGHTY 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 OURTEEN 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 (p. 237). MEDITATION HE 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: &quot;Thou hast created us for Thee, O Lord, and our heart remains restless till it rests in Thee.&quot; PRACTICE HANK 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 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 (p 240). THIRD DAY The Virtue of Faith Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION HE 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 EVIVE 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: &quot;He that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven&quot; (Matt. x. 33). Prayer 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 (p 240). FOURTH DAY The Virtue of Hope Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION OPE confoundeth not&quot; (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 IKE the Holy Helpers, hope to obtain from God all things necessary to salvation, for &quot;the Lord is good to them that hope in Him, to the soul that seeketh Him&quot; (Lam. iii. 25). Live so that He can fulfil His promises. Place no obstacle to His bounty and might by a sinful life. Prayer TERNAL 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 (p 240). FIFTH DAY The Love of God Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION HE 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. &quot;And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good&quot; (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 MITATE 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 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 (p 240). SIXTH DAY The Virtue of Charity Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION HARITY is one of the fundamental virtues of the Christian religion. The moral doctrine preached by Christ is comprised in the words: &quot;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&quot; (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 NDEAVOR 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. &quot;Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.&quot; Prayer 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 &quot;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&quot; (1 Cor. xiii. 4-8). Amen. Litany and Prayers (p 240). SEVENTH DAY Human Respect Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION Y 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, &quot;What will people say?&quot; 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: &quot;If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ&quot; (Gal. i. 10). Our Lord Himself tells us, &quot;He that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven&quot; (Matt. x. 33). PRACTICE UR Lord says: &quot;So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven&quot; (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 ERCIFUL 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 (p 240). EIGHTH DAY Prayer Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION HE 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: &quot;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.&quot; PRACTICE FFER 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 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 (p 240). NINTH DAY Perseverance Preparatory Prayer (p. 237). MEDITATION 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, &quot;And I said, now I have begun&quot; (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: &quot;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&quot; (Luke xi. 24-26). Are these words not a sufficient warning to encourage us to persevere in our good resolves? PRACTICE N 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 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 (p 240). CONCLUDING PRAYER 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.