OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
FOR PROTECTION AGAINST
HURRICANES, NATURAL DISASTERS AND ATROCITIES OF WAR
HURRICANES, NATURAL DISASTERS AND ATROCITIES OF WAR
OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
Our Lady of Prompt Succor is a religious title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the Roman Catholic Church. It refers to a statue of the Madonna kept in a shrine in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. She is also known as Notre-Dame de Bon Secours. She is the principal patroness of the state of Louisiana, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the city of New Orleans.
Her feast day is celebrated on January 8.
It is customary for the citizens of New Orleans to pray before the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, asking for her intercession whenever a hurricane threatens the city, reciting the prayer:
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Hasten to Help Us!
During hurricane season, prayers are said at every Mass in the city during the Prayers of the Faithful requesting Our Lady of Prompt Succor's intercession and protection. After Hurricane Katrina, prayers were made to Our Lady of Prompt Succor asking for the quick recovery of the damaged city and surrounding area.
The statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor was moved from the Old Ursuline convent in the French Quarter to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, located on the State Street campus of Ursuline Academy and Convent., New Orleans, Louisiana.
Brief History of Devotion
On their arrival in New Orleans, December 30,18l0, this precious statue
was solemnly installed in the Convent Chapel, and from that time the homage and
veneration offered to Mary under the title of "OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR" has been constantly growing in our city
and state and spreading far and wide allover the United States.
It does not come within the sphere of this brief
sketch to relate all the favors, both spiritual and temporal, wrought through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor during
the past one hundred years and more. The
Chronicles of the Ursuline Convent sum up these graces by saying:
"Under this title,the Most Blessed Virgin has so often
manifested her power and goodness, that the Religious have unbounded
confidence in her."Two historical facts are especially worthy of
notice here: First the fire in 1812; Second the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
Devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor was only beginning to be known in New Orleans when, in 1812, a terrible fire ravaged the city. The wind rapidly drove the flames toward the convent, and the danger being imminent an order was given to leave the convent. Just then, Sr. Anthony placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window sill facing the fire, and Mother St. Michel prayed aloud: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost, unless you hasten to our help." Instantaneously, the wind changed, the convent and environs were out of danger, and the flames extinguished. Witnesses of this inexplicable incident cried out unanimously: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor has saved us!"
General Andrew Jackson's glorious victory
over the British in the battle of New Orleans, fought on the plains of
Chalmette, January 8, 1815, is another signal
favor rightly attributed to the all-powerful intercession of Our Lady
of Prompt Succor. Before the combat, in
order to obtain God's blessing upon the American forces, the weeping,
terror-stricken wives, mothers, children, and
sisters of Jackson's valiant little band spent the night of January 7th
in prayer before the statue of Our Lady
of Prompt Succor in the Ursuline Chapel. On the morning of January 8th,
Very Rev. William Dubourg, Vicar General and,
later, Bishop of New Orleans, offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at
the main altar, above which the statue had been
placed, and the Ursulines, through their Prioress, Mother Ste. Marie
Olivier de Vezin, made the vow to have a Mass of
Thanksgiving sung annually should the Americans be victorious. At the
moment of Communion, a courier rushed into the chapel, announcing the glad tidings of the enemy's defeat.
After Mass Father Dubourg intoned the Te Deum, which was sung enthusiastically and with heartfelt gratitude. No one could
reasonably doubt the miraculous intervention of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Jackson himself did not hesitate to admit of
a Divine interposition in his favor, and came in person to the convent, accompanied by his staff, to thank
the nuns for their prayers on his behalf. The vow made by the Ursulines has been faithfully kept throughout
these long years.
Rome has officially approved "DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR." Most precious documents have, at different times, emanated from the Holy See, placing the Seal of Holy Church on this devotion andn conferring special privileges upon it. On September 27, 1851, His Holiness, Pius IX, graciously authorized the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the singing of the yearly Mass of Thanksgiving on January the 8th...
At the request of Their Excellencies Most Reverend John William Shaw, Archbishop of New Orleans; Most Reverend Cornelius Van de Ven, Bishop of Alexandria; and Most Reverend Jules B. Jeanmard, Bishop of Lafayette; in a decree rendered on the thirteenth day of June, 1928, by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, the Holy See approved and confirmed the choice of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Principal Patroness of the City of New Orleans and of the State of Louisiana, conceding at the same time each and all of the liturgical privileges proper to the principal patrons of places.
Accordingly, each year the Patronal Feast continues to be celebrated with solemnity on eighth day of January, the anniversary date of the battle of New Orleans...
May devotion to Mary under her hope-inspiring tide of Our Lady of Prompt Succor spread far and wide! To invoke Our Lady under this tide is to tell her that our needs are great and pressing, and that we hope for and expect much from her. Her power equals her love; therefore, our confidence should know no bounds
Our Lady of Prompt Succor,
hasten to help us!
Reference: L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly
Edition in
English 24 May 1982
BELOW ARE LISTED: DAILY PRAYER, DAILY LITANY, 9 DAY NOVENA
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DAILY PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
FOR PROTECTION DURING HURRICANE SEASON
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DAILY PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
FOR PROTECTION DURING HURRICANE SEASON
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord
and God, you are most powerful against the enemy of our salvation. The
divine promise of a Redeemer was announced right after the sin of our
first parents; and you, through your Divine Son, crushed the serpent’s
head. Hasten, then, to our help and deliver us from the deceits of the evil one. Intercede for us with Jesus that we may always accept God’s
graces and be found faithful to Him in our particular states of life. As
you once saved our beloved City from ravaging flames and our Country
from an invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from
hurricanes and all other disasters. (silent pause for individual
petitions). Assist us in the many trials which beset our path through
life. Watch over the Church and the Pope as they uphold with total
fidelity the purity of faith and morals against unremitting opposition.
Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour
of our death, that we may gain everlasting life through the merits of
Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times)
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OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCORNINE DAY NOVENA
FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST HURRICANES,
NATURAL DISASTERS AND ATROCITIES OF WAR
Opening Prayer to Our Lady
Oh, Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future!
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against the life of man from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world your infinite power of merciful Love. May it put a stop to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope.
FIRST DAY
When we wish to obtain some
special
favor through the intercession of Our Blessed 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 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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
SECOND DAY
Filial
resignation to God's
Holy Will is the second disposition required for the obtaining of
special
graces. This disposition is especially necessary when we ask for
temporal
favors, for 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 you to
obtain
from your Divine Son the favors we now implore (here name the special
favor
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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail
Mary, and
one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of
Prompt
Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
THIRD DAY
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 have such power over the Heart of Jesus, hasten to
our assistance and obtain our earnest request (here name the favor
desired).
In you, 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.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail
Mary, and
one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of
Prompt
Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
FOURTH DAY
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 our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
FIFTH DAY
One of the surest
means to acquire
a special right to the protection of Mary 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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
SIXTH DAY
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
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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
SEVENTH DAY
Mary's love for
us is tender
and generous. Our love for her should be characterized by 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 interest
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; rather hasten to our help now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
your ears to our earnest supplications; 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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
EIGHTH DAY
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 every virtue, 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 imploring your powerful intercession to obtain the
favors
we ask, especially (here mention the favor desired). Assist us by your
mediation, O Mary, that your Divine Son may shower His blessings upon
us
now and at the moment of our death. Amen.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
NINTH DAY
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 unrewarded.
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.)
Recite: One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be to the Father may be added,with the Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the prayer "O Mary, Mother of God".
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(For private recitation only)
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 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 the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and tempest, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the Holy Priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes 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 to 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. (3 Times) (partial indulgence)
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