Praying with Our Mother of Perpetual Succour (Help)...

Praying With Icons

An icon is not simply a picture of a holy person or event but an image through which we enter communion with God. Icons have the same function as Scripture: they not only instruct us in faith but also reveal God to us and draw us closer to God.

When we choose to pray with an icon, we are really choosing a companion. The icon will ac company us on our journey to God. It may encourage us or challenge us.

• Settle comfortably in front of the icon; perhaps light a candle.

• Place yourself in the presence of God, asking the Holy Spirit to pray with you and in you.

• Fix your gaze on the icon and allow it to gaze at you.

• Allow the icon to speak to you in silence.

• Respond to the icon. Share with God what is deepest in your heart.

Praying with icons is really about welcoming God's presence into your life. You may not be able to describe what happens to you in words, but as you continue to pray with icons, you will find that they speak to you deep in your heart.

Prayers to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Novena Prayer

Mother of Perpetual Help, with the greatest confidence we

come before your holy picture to be inspired by the example

of your life. We think of you at that moment when, full of faith

and trust, you accepted God's call to be the mother of his Son.

Help us, your children to accept with joy our own calling in life.

When you learned that your cousin Elizabeth was in need you

immediately went to serve her and offer your help. Help us, like

you, to be concerned for others. We think of you, Mother, at

the foot of the cross. Your heart must have bled to see your

Son in agony: But your joy was great when he rose from the

dead, victorious over the powers of evil. Mother of Sorrows,

help us through the trials and disappointments of life. Help liS

not to lose heart. May we share with you and your Son the joy

of having faced lip to all the challenges of life Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Mother of Perpetual Help, with grateful hearts we join you in thanking God for all the wonderful things he has done for us, Jesus, your Son, as our Redeemer. God, our Creator, we thank you for the gift of life and all the gifts of nature: our senses and faculties, our talents and abilities. We thank you for creating us in your Image and likeness and for giving us this earth to use and develop, to respect and cherish. Despite our failures, you continue to show your love for us today by increasing the life of your spirit in us at the Eucharistic table.

Finally, we thank you, loving Father, for giving us Mary, the Mother of your Son,

to be our Mother of Perpetual Help.

We are grateful for all the favours we have received through her intercession. We pray that those past favours may inspire us to greater confidence in your loving mercy and to seek the aid of our Mother of Perpetual Help. Amen.