Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Novena and Litany

Compliments of Gary Schaefer


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 1

    When we wish to obtain some special favor through the intercession of Our 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 penetrates the skies and 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,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen!


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 2

    Filial resignation to Gods Holy Will is the second disposition required
for the obtaining of special graces. This disposition is especially necessary
when we ask for temporal favors, as 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 of you to obtain from your Divine Son the favors we
now implore...... ( Here name the special grace 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, Hail Mary, and Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor Novena -- Day 3

    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 who have such power over
the Heart of Jesus, hasten to our assistance and obtain our earnest request...(
Here name the favor desired.) In thee, 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

    Out Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.  (Three Times)

    Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 4

    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 death. Amen

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 5

To aquire a special right to the protection of Mary, one of the surest means
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, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 6

    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 raise and 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, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 7

    Mary's love for us is tender and generous. Our love for her should have
as characteristics: 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 interests 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,
but 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, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor Novena  -- Day 8

    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 ebery birtue, 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 inploring your powerful
intercession to obtain the favors we ase, especially....(Here mention the
grace desired.)  Assist us byyour meditation, O Mary, that your Divine Son
may shower His blessings upon us now and at themoment of our death. Amen

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Our Lady of Prompt Succor -- Day 9

    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 un-rewarded.

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, Hail Mary, Glory Be,,,
with the prayer,,,
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid 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.
O Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners who have recourse to thee. Amen


Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

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 in 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 infant Jesus,   "   .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith,  " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works,  "  .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every special necessity, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self will, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation,".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident,".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightening and tempest, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the ship-wrecked, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the Holy Priesthood and the religious life,".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's Vineyard, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II, ".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith,".
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, " .
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory.

Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord,
Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord,
Lamb of God you take 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 the 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.
Let us Pray
    O Most merciful Jesus, Who has placed the riches of Your mercy in the heart of your Mother Mary: propitiously grant that through her patronage we may be delivered from all evils of mind and body. Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit world without end. Amen

    Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.


NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

Introduction:

    Devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor dates back to 1802, when the Ursuline Order in New Orleans pleaded for help in sustaining the Order with new sisters from France. Their prayers were answered with papal permission for sisters to be transferred from France to New Orleans. In thanksgiving for this favor, the Ursulines dedicated a statue in their convent chapel to Our Lady of Prompt Succor in 1810.

    In 1812, a terrible fire broke out in New Orleans, and the wind was blowing the flames toward the convent. Prayers before the statue of Our Lady were answered with a reversal of the wind direction and the convent was spared.

    During the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815, the sisters again invoked the assistance of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. As the sound of guns and cannons thundered around the chapel during Mass, they vowed to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung every year if the Americans were victorious. At Communion time, a messenger arrived with the news that Gen. Andrew Jackson's overmatched army had successfully driven the British from the city. Once again Our Lady had responded promptly.

    In 1928, the Holy See approved the selection of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. The Mass of Thanksgiving is offered each January 8 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in New Orleans.