Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Begins Tomorrow

Contemplative Redemptoristine Nuns Honor the Patroness

of Their Monastery

It is the custom to give especially significant names to monasteries. Sometimes it may be just the name of the place and sometimes it is a name significant to the charism or history of the Order. I learned just yesterday that the name of our monastery, Mother of Perpetual Help, was probably suggested by the Redemptorists who had invited these contemplative nuns to come from Canada to a monastery they would provide on the grounds of their major seminary in Esopus, New York. While the Redemptorist Congregation was especially commissioned in 1866 by Pope Pius IX to make Our Mother of Perpetual Help known throughout the world, Redemptoristines too have long felt an affinity to Our Blessed Mother under this title. Certainly they had frequently sought her intercession as they considered starting a new foundation in the United States. Since the the entire process of discernment regarding the move, selection of the party of sisters who would enter new territory, the establishment of a new community in a large and fully equipped monastery, and all that has been experienced in the intervening years had been placed before the image of Perpetual Help over and over again, this year's Novena and Feast are especially significant. This is the fiftieth anniversary year of Mother of Perpetual Help Monastery.

Please join us in expressing loving gratitude for favors granted in the past and in placing ever more pressing needs before this image of Mary, our Mother.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console

the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious,

strengthen family life, bring peace to our world,

intercede for all God's holy people;

let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary,

whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother,

ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly

implore her aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the

fruit of your Redemption. You who live and reign,

for ever and ever. Amen