The Wednesday novena

The perpetual novena prayed by millions every week.

The Redemptorists have carried this devotion around the world, and in many countries the Wednesday novena fills churches all day. It may be prayed as nine consecutive days or, as most do, weekly and indefinitely — hence <em>perpetual</em>.

The Novena Prayer

O Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the greatest confidence I come before your holy picture
to be strengthened in my need.

Behold me, a poor sinner, at your feet.
I have recourse to you, Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the firm confidence that you will obtain for me
the grace I now ask [name it],
if it be for the good of my soul.

Help me, O Mother, in my trials,
strengthen me in my weakness,
and keep me faithful to your Son until death.

And if it is not God's will to grant what I ask,
obtain for me the grace to accept His will,
and to keep asking for what I most need
rather than what I most want. Amen.

The Petition and Thanksgiving

At the traditional novena service, two collections of slips are read aloud: petitions and thanksgivings. That second half is what makes the devotion unusual — a public record, week after week, of prayers people believe were answered.

About This Novena

The icon is Byzantine, painted on wood, and probably came from Crete in the fifteenth century. Pius IX gave it to the Redemptorists in 1866 with a simple instruction: make her known throughout the world.