Novena to our Guardian Angel ( Feast October 2 )

Deus in adjutorium (O God, come unto my assistance:

O Lord, make haste to help me (Psalm 69, 2).

Gloria Patri.

I.

O most powerful Angel, thou who art my Guardian, I beseech thee, by the sovereign hatred thou hast for sin, because it offends God, Whom thou love with a pure and perfect love, obtain for me a sincere and lasting sorrow for my sins, and an implacable hatred against all sin, of what kind soever, so that I may never more offend my God, till the last moment of my life.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

II.

Most mighty spirit, my Angel-Guardian, I pray thee, by that supreme felicity thou dost enjoy in seeing God without a veil, even whilst watching over me, obtain for me grace to walk without ceasing in the presence of God, so that I may live a perfect Christian till my last breath.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

III.

Most perfect executor of the Will of God, my faithful Guardian, I pray thee, by the vigilant and loving eagerness with which thou fulfillest the duty of my guardianship which God has confided to thee, obtain for me the grace of being always anxious to know and accomplish perfectly to the last moment of my life, everything that God asks of me.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

IV.

My most zealous protector and dear Angel Guardian, I pray, thee, by the charge which God hath given thee to guard me in all my ways, as a mother carries in her arms her beloved child, avert from me all occasions of sin, and preserve me from all perils which could make me offend God, and for that, repress the temptations of the infernal enemy and my own passions, so that having conquered the enemies of my salvation, I may walk with ease, by the grace of God, in the way of His commandments, till I die.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

V.

Most faithful guide, my Angel-Guardian, I pray thee, by the mission which God has confided to thee to lead me on the road to Heaven, obtain, for me grace to follow faithfully and constantly the light which thou hast shown me, of the evil which I must avoid, and of the good which I must do, and do not cease to help me to the practice of all virtue, till the last moment of my life.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

VI.

Dearest friend, my good Angel, I pray thee, by the great love thou hast for me, thou who lovest God so ardently, and who seest how much He loved me and still loves me, obtain for me the consolation of always praying and praying well in my troubles, so that I may obtain His mercy, till the last moment of my existence.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

VII.

Most powerful intercessor, my faithful Guardian, I pray thee, by the zeal which God hath given thee for the eternal salvation of my soul, obtain for me the grace of having an ardent and prudent zeal for the salvation of my neighbor, so that I may merit eternal salvation.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

VIII.

O! most pure spirit, dear Angel-Guardian, I pray thee, by the burning love thou hast for the Immaculate Virgin-Mother of God, the Queen of Angels, to obtain for me great purity of soul and body, that at my death I may be found worthy to associate with thee in Paradise.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

IX.

O sweetest Angel, my faithful and loving Guardian, how can I thank thee sufficiently for the ardent love and faithful vigilance with which thou hast ever watched, and will watch over me, till thou hast led me safely into the sweet presence of God. Ah! pray for me, that I may thank thee by my obedience to thy holy inspirations, so that loving thee daily more and more, I may merit to be with thee for all eternity.

Pater. Ave. Gloria Patri.

O ye Holy Angels, our Guardians, defend us in the day of battle that we may not be lost in the dreadful Judgment.

God hath given His Angels charge concerning thee.
To keep thee in all thy ways. Amen

Prayer:

O God, who in Thine unspeakable providence vouchsafest to send Thine angels to keep guard over us, grant unto Thy suppliants that we may be continually defended by their protection, and rejoice eternally in their society in Heaven. Amen.

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 9 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most loving Saint Padre Pio, thou were very devout in the service of God, always encouraging others to obey God's laws and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Obtain for us, we beg thee, not only the grace that we are asking, if it would be God’s will (mention request) but most importantly obtain for us the conversion and salvation of our souls, so that someday we may be united with Jesus, Mary and thee for all eternity.
Finally, help us to accept God's will in all things, even if it runs contrary to our own likes or desires.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 8 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most pure and chaste Saint Padre Pio, during thy life on earth thou gave a most beautiful example of purity and love of God, and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion.
Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special prayer petition which we now fervently implore (mention request).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 7 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Beloved Saint Padre Pio, thou had a most tender devotion to the Holy Mother of God and were known to recite many Rosaries and prayers in Her honor each day.
Plead for us then before the Immaculate Mother of God, that She may join us in prayer before Her most Holy Son Jesus, that we might obtain the request we are earnestly asking (mention request).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to Saint Michael the Archangel ~ Sept. 20-28, Feast Sept. 29 ~

Consecration to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, invincible prince of the angelic hosts and glorious protector of the Universal Church, I greet thee and praise thee for that splendor with which God has adorned thee, especially to remain faithful when lucifer and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honor of God and the divinity of the Son of God.

Saint Michael the Archangel, I consecrate to thee my soul and body. I choose thee as my patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care.
Be the Guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce satan, his works and pomps. Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever. Amen.

Novena Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to thee with confidence and seek thy powerful intercession.
For the love of God, Who made thee so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Holy Mother of God, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer.
Thou dost know the value of my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me.
I desire to imitate thy loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and thy great love for God and men.
And since thou art God's messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to thee this special request: (Here mention your request).

Saint Michael the Archangel, since thou art, by the will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in thy prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy will, my petition will be granted.

Pray for me Saint Michael the Archangel, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through thy powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death and reach Heaven where we may praise and love God with thee forever. Amen.

In thanksgiving to God the Father Almighty for the graces bestowed on Saint Michael the Archangel:
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 6 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Most devout priest of God, Padre Pio, thou spent countless hours in the confessional seeking always to reconcile sinners to God.
We present ourselves to thee, sinful and in sorrow for our sins.
Help us to recognize and repent of our sins, and to be always faithful to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Pray for us that God may not look upon our sins, but upon the desire in our hearts to please Him.
Plead for mercy for us before God, and especially pray for the intention that we are earnestly praying and presenting to thee (mention request).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayers according to His Holy will and for His greater Glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 5 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O God, Who fashioned Thy servant Saint Padre Pio into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through his intercession the prayer petition that we humbly and earnestly request (mention request), and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with Thee for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 4 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh blessed Saint Padre Pio, thou were a priest after the Heart of Jesus, seeking always to love and please Him in all things. We ask thee to place this request before the Sacred Heart of Jesus (mention request). And through the love that thou bore the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may God hear and answer our poor prayers.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 3 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most loving Saint Padre Pio, thou offered thy life to become a Holy Priest of God, giving thyself completely to Jesus through the intercession of His Mother, the most Blessed Virgin Mary. We ask thee to join with our Holy Mother in Heaven, and to present this request to Her Holy Son, (here mention request), and we ask our beloved Mother in Heaven to join thee and obtain this grace for us.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His Holy Will and for His greater Glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ~ Day 2 ~

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh beloved Saint of God, Padre Pio, thou were especially chosen by God to bear the holy stigmata in union with Jesus for 50 years, sacrificing and suffering all for the conversion of souls. What intense suffering these holy wounds caused thee! But thou bore this constant pain for the love of God and for the love of souls. We ask thee to place this request (mention request) into thy stigmatised hands, and present it to Lord Jesus Christ in our name.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His Holy Will and for His greater Glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to the Feast of Saint Padre Pio ( Feast September 23) ~ Day 1 ~

Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to Thy servant, Saint Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh Holy Saint Padre Pio, throughout thy entire life thou sought always to love Jesus and Mary with thy whole heart.
Help us that we too may always seek to know, love and serve God with all of our hearts, and help us to seek His holy will in all things. And for the love of God we ask the following grace ( here our prayer petition).
Beloved Saint Padre Pio, we give this request to thee, seeking thy heavenly intercession, and we ask thou to make this request in our name before the throne of God. Amen

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His Holy Will and for His greater Glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Day 9 ~

Ninth Day : Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Sorrows
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief thou experienced when thou witnessed the martyrdom, crucifixion, and death of thy Divine Son, look upon me kindly, and awaken in my heart a tender sympathy for Our Lord’s sufferings.
Grant me a sincere detestation of my sins, so that free from undue affection for the passing joys of earth, I may set my sights higher on the eternal joys of Heaven.
May all my thoughts and all my actions be directed towards this one great goal:
Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the Holy and Immaculate Mother of God. Amen


Hail Mary

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the Holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded Sorrowful Heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the Cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my earnest and humble prayer petition (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears?
Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

By This Sign We Shall Conquer The Enemies of Our Salvation
( submitted by Dr. Thomas A. Droleskey ~~ Christ or Chaos)

The Savior of the world hung on the wood of the Holy Cross: Ecce lignum Crucis, in quo salus mundit pependit (Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Savior of the world. (Adoration of the Cross, Good Friday Liturgy.)

The Cross of the Divine Redeemer was displayed prominently on street corners and in the nooks and crannies of every village in Europe during the era of Christendom. There is no "expiration date" on the Cross of the Divine Redeemer's relevance to the life of any man or of any nation. We must lift high the Cross in our own daily lives and we must plant it firmly in the soil of our nation without any apology whatsoever as Catholicism is the one and only foundation of personal and social order.

We must also remember that Our Lady stands at the foot of her Divine Son's Most Holy Cross in every true offering of Holy Mass just as she stood at the foot of the Holy Cross on Good Friday. She stands with us as we bear our own crosses in our daily lives. We must, therefore, seek the assistance of the Mother of God in lifting high her Divine Son's Holy Cross in our daily lives, praying as many Rosaries each day as our states-in-life permit.

The cross is ever present in each of our lives, and for this we must say with Saint Francis of Assisi, Deo gratias! Penance is the path to Heaven. We do our penances by carrying our crosses with gratitude. Isn't it great to be a Catholic?

Hail, O Holy Cross! Hail!

A blessed Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to each of you.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Day 8 ~

Eight Day : Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14
Sweet Mother of Sorrows, Providence wished that Saint Helena, like thee the Holy Mother of a King, find the Cross of thy Son and lavish honors on this relic of relics.
Grant, me Sorrowful Queen and Mother that, like Saint Helena, I always honor the symbol of our salvation, the Holy Cross. And like the Holy Church, may I hold it high, display and wear it with gratitude and pride.
Above all, may I unite my sufferings to that of Jesus on the Cross, and carry my crosses not in shame but in faith, love and patience as He did.
The Holy Church teaches that suffering thus carried and united to His, is never in vain, but a powerful, redemptive prayer.
May I always believe it, so my life will always have meaning.

Hail Mary

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~Day 7 ~

Seventh Day Prayer in honor of the Seventh Sorrow of Mary
The Burial of Jesus
Most Sorrowful Virgin, sorrow again filled thy Heart when the Sacred Body of Jesus thy Son was taken from thy arms, and placed in a cold grave. Yet thou did not doubt that He would rise again.
Queen of Martyrs, let me join thee in thy sorrow, and grant me thy own deep, trusting faith in the word of thy Son. Let me trust that even in suffering, even when all seems lost, with Jesus there is always a way out.
Obtain for me too, a sincere sorrow for all my sins, a burning love for my God, a tender devotion to thee, so that one day, I may die in His grace and, with Him, rise to eternal life.

Hail Mary

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Day 6 ~

Prayer in honor of the Sixth Sorrow of Mary:
The Piercing of the Side of Jesus and His Descent from the Cross

Most Sorrowful Mother, when thy Son’s body was lowered from the Cross and laid in thy arms, deep anguish and excruciating distress filled thy most Sorrowful Heart.
How endless painful it was for thee to gaze on that body, formerly the seat of perfect life, health and beauty, gruesomely scarred, pale and lifeless.
Mother, Queen of Martyrs, let me join my heart to thine in this grief, and obtain for me to receive Jesus into my soul before I die, so I may join Him in Heaven forever.+ Amen

Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Day 5 ~

Prayer in honor of the Fifth Sorrow of Mary: 
The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Most sorrowful Mother, standing by the Cross of thy Divine Son Jesus, thy Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart was one great knot.
And yet, thou did not sit, thou did not even lean, but stood as thou watched Him suffer for the sins of the whole world–for my sins.
Like Abraham, thou offered the sacrifice standing up, consciously and willingly.
In thy case, thou offered it for me, and for every sinner.
Still, unlike Abraham, thou stood and watched Him die, while the bitter sorrows pierced like a sharp sword thy tender Immaculate Heart.
In thy case, thy perfect and Divine Son was not spared.
Queen of Martyrs, let me join thee in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to fight against temptation and sin at the cost of effort, suffering and even life.
When my turn comes, grant me, Holy Mother of God , by thy Jesus death and thy own sacrifice, the grace to die in His holy Grace–the grace of a happy death.

Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Day 4 ~

Prayer in honor of the Fourth Sorrow of Mary:
The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Way to Calvary

Most sorrowful Mother, who can fathom the grief of thy Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart when thou saw thy Son fall, wounded and bleeding under the crushing weight of the Cross, on the way to Calvary?
Queen of Martyrs, let me unite my heart to thine in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to bear patiently whatever cross God may see fit to send me.

Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Third Day ~

Prayer in honor of the Third Sorrow of Mary:
The Loss of the child Jesus in the Temple

Most sorrowful Holy Mother, grief, sorrow and anxiety filled thy Immaculate Heart when thou found thou were separated from thy Son on leaving Jerusalem.
For three days He remained lost to thee and to thy Holy spouse Saint Joseph. For three days thou sought Him who was the light of thy life. And for three days thou failed to find Him.
Let me join thee in this pain, O Queen of Martyrs, and obtain for me the grace to never lose Jesus through sin, but to stay united to Him by the help of His grace. If I have the misfortune of falling, may I never doubt His Mercy and always return through the Sacrament of Confession, which He instituted.

Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to our Lady of Sorrows ~ Second Day ~

Second Day

Prayer in honor of the Second Sorrow of Mary:
The Flight into Egypt

Most sorrowful Mother, thy Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart brimmed over with sorrow at the hate of Herod for thy innocent Son.
To save Him from the king’s jealousy, thou had to flee with Him to Egypt.
Thy Heart also suffered at seeing the suffering of thy holy spouse, Saint Joseph, at the prospect of taking the divine babe and thee, his immaculate spouse, into the wilderness and the unknown.
Queen of Martyrs let me unite my heart to thine in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to avoid those who wish me evil, above all evil to my soul. Let me avoid temptations and never leave the difficult but royal road to Heaven.
Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows ( September 6 - 14) Day 1

First Day
Prayer in honor of the First Sorrow of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon

Most Sorrowful Mother, grief filled was thy Heart when, on offering thy divine Son at the temple, Holy Simeon foretold that a sword would pierce thy soul. There and then thou knew thou will suffer with Jesus.
Queen of Martyrs, let me unite my heart to thine in this pain, and ask thee the grace to keep the thought of my death in mind, so I may always avoid sin.
Hail Mary..

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

Most blessed and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who didst stand generously beneath the holy Cross, beholding the agony of thy dying Son; by the sword of sorrow which then pierced thy soul, by the sufferings of thy sorrowful life, by the unutterable joy which now more than repays thee for them;
look down with a mother’s pity and tenderness, as I kneel before thee to compassionate thy sorrows, and to lay my petition with childlike confidence in thy wounded heart.
I beg of thee, O my Mother, to plead continually for me with thy Son, since He can refuse thee nothing, and through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy own sufferings at the foot of the cross, so to touch His Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request (pause and pray)
For to whom shall I fly in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk the chalice of thy Son, canst most pity us poor exiles, still doomed to sigh in this vale of tears? Offer to Jesus but one drop of His Precious Blood, but one pang of His adorable Heart; remind Him that thou art our life, our sweetness, and our hope, and thou wilt obtain what I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Mary, Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us. (Seven times)

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Novena in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross ( September 5 - 13 )

Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi,
quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
for by Thy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Let us faithfully pray Novena in the Exaltation of the Holy Cross :

Lord Jesus, Who because of Thy burning Love for us
willed to be crucified
and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood
for the Redemption and Salvation of our souls,
look down upon us and grant the petition we humbly ask for
( pause and pray.. )

Lord we trust completely in Thy Mercy.
Cleanse us from sin by Thy Grace,
sanctify our work,
give us and all those who are dear to us our daily bread,
lighten the burden of our sufferings,
bless our families,
and grant to the nations,
so sorely afflicted,
Thy Peace, which is the only True Peace,
so that by obeying Thy Commandments
we may come at last to the Glory of Heaven. Amen

We Catholics have a great share in this Exaltation of the Cross. It is our special trust, our badge, our glory. Like the first Christians, it is ours to honor, to use, to be known by. Those who have fallen from the true faith have laid it aside as childish and not fit for the mature. But the Gospel was preached to the childlike, and the Kingdom of Heaven reserved for them. So we will keep our childlike ways, and loyally use the sacred sign. We will make it with reverence, with confidence, with joy. And the day will come when we who are signed with the Sign of the Cross upon our foreheads will go forth to meet our Redeemer, and He will acknowledge us to be His own. Like Constantine, by that sign we shall conquer.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (or Triumph of the Cross) we honor the Holy Cross by which Christ redeemed the world.
The public veneration of the Cross of Christ originated in the fourth century, according to early accounts, beginning with the miraculous discovery of the cross on September 14, 326, by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine, while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem -- the same day that two churches built at the site of Calvary by Constantine were dedicated.
Christians "exalt" the Cross of Christ as the instrument of our salvation. Adoration of the Cross is, thus, adoration of Jesus Christ, the God Man, who suffered and died on this Roman instrument of torture for our redemption from sin and death. The Holy Cross represents the One Sacrifice by which Jesus, obedient even unto death, accomplished our salvation. The Holy Cross is a symbolic summary of the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ -- all in one image.
Christians "exalt" the Cross of Christ as the instrument of our salvation.

Oremus/Let us pray :
O God, Who, for the redemption of the world, wast pleased to be born in a stable, and to die upon a Cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy Holy Sufferings, which we, Thy unworthy servants, devoutly call to mind, by Thy Holy Cross, and by Thy Holy Passion and Death, deliver us from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to conduct us whither Thou didst conduct the thief who was crucified with Thee.
Who livest and reignest eternally in Heaven. Amen.

Novena in honor of the Holy Name of Mary ( September 3 - 11 )

O Great Mother of God and my Mother Mary, it is true that I am unworthy to salute thee, but thou who loves me and desires my salvation must, not withstanding the impurity of my tongue, grant that I may always invoke thy most Holy and powerful Name in my aid, for thy Name is the succor of the living and the salvation of the dying.

Most pure Holy Mary, most sweet Mary, grant that henceforth thy Name may be the breath of my life.

O Lady, delay not to help me when I invoke thee, for in all the temptations that assail me, and in all my wants, I will never cease calling on thee and repeating again and again thy Holy Name Mary, Mary.

Thus it is that I hope to act during my life and more particularly at death, that after that last struggle I may eternally praise thy beloved Name in Heaven, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Oh Holy Mother of God Mary, most amiable and forever Immaculate Mary, with what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness is my soul penetrated in only naming, in only thinking of thee!

I thank my Lord and my God, Who for my good has given thee a Name so sweet and deserving of love, and at the same time so powerful.

But my sovereign Lady, I am not satisfied with only saluting thee, I wish to salute thee with love.
I desire that my love may every hour remind me to call on thee, so that I may exclaim with Saint Bonaventure, "O Name of the Mother of God, thou art my love."

O my Beloved Jesus and my own dear Mary, may Thy most sweet Names reign in my heart and in all hearts.
Grant that I may forget all others to remember and always invoke thy adorable Names alone.
Ah, Jesus, my Redeemer, and my Mother Mary, when the moment of death comes when I must breath forth my soul and leave this world, deign, through thy merits, to grant that I may then pronounce my last words, and that they may be: "I love Thee, O Jesus; I love thee, O Mary; to thee do I give my heart and my soul."
+Amen

~Prayer of St. Alphonsus de Ligouri