A Most Powerful Novena to Our Lady of Good Success
composed by Reverend Father José M. Urrate, S. J.
with Ecclesiastical Approval from Archbishop Carlos Maria, of Quito, Ecuador: July 31, 1941
(Permission is granted to re-print.)
DAY 3
Act of Contrition
I believe in Thee, my God; strengthen, O Lord, my faith!
I hope in Thee, my God; affirm, O Lord, my hope!
I love Thee, my God; ignite, O Lord, my love!
I repent of having offended Thee, O my God! increase, O Lord, my repentance!
and I promise, with the help of Thy Grace,
and the powerful Patronage of our Most Holy Mother, Mary of Good Success,
to never sin again.
Lord, have pity and mercy on me! Amen.
Supplication
O Most Excellent and Immaculate Queen of Heaven, Most Holy Mary of Good Success. Chosen daughter of the Eternal Father, most loving Mother of the Divine Son, beloved Spouse of the Holy Spirit, exalted throne of the Divine Majesty, Majestic Temple of the Most Holy Trinity, in whom the Three Divine Persons have poured out the Treasures of their power, wisdom, and love!
Remember, Virgin Mary of Good Success, that God has made Thee so great so that Thou canst help poor sinners. Remember that Thou hast promised us many times to show Thyself the Merciful Mother of those who have recourse to Thee. I seek my refuge in Thee, Mother Most Merciful, and I beg Thee, for the love that the Most High God had for Thee, to obtain for me from God the Father a faith so lively, so as to never lose sight of the eternal truths of the Son; a hope so firm, so as to always hope to enjoy that heavenly bliss that He purchased for me with His Blood; and from the Holy Ghost, a charity so inflamed, so as to make me live always loving the Highest Good and Thee, Virgin Most Holy, until, through Thy intercession, I will be able to go to love and possess Him eternally in Heaven. Amen.
The Angelic Salutations
R: WE SALUTE THEE, MARY
V: As the favoured Daughter of God the Father.
Hail Mary, etc.
R: WE SALUTE THEE, MARY
V: As the chosen Mother of God the Son.
Hail Mary, etc.
R: WE SALUTE THEE, MARY
V: As the singular Spouse of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, etc.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, etc.
MEDITATION
Consider how the travellers driven by grace and attracted by a curiosity for examining such amazing marvels, headed to the place where they had spotted their shelter. Taking off their shoes and climbing, with great difficulty and with mutual help, over steep rocks and cliffs, they arrived at the opening they had spotted in the flash of lightning. They were filled with joyous surprise and admiration when they beheld, there in that cave which nature had exquisitely worked into a spacious church, a most beautiful statue of the Most Holy Virgin with her beautiful Child in her left arm, a scepter at her right hand, and her head encircled by an exquisite crown. She was clothed according to the older style, but neatly, and to the side there was another piece of the same cloth and workmanship. The place was adorned with many various flowers which carpeted the stone floor of the cave and climbed up the walls, perfuming the blissful country house of the Queen of Heaven with an exquisite fragrance. As well, there was the observation of a singular lamp embedded in the rock with skillful ingenuity, whose light gave off the brightness of many lights. What beauty and charming details to honour a Lady so admirable! What a surprise and cause of admiration for the absorbed travellers who, ecstatic and with beating hearts, stood contemplating a bit of Heaven, venting their longing in the presence of their Mother. For She was presenting herself in such a casual manner, radiant with beauty and a most affable face, after such a horrible storm, to be their shelter and consolation in such a desperate hour.
Vent your sorrows, O my soul, before Mary’s statue whenever life’s sorrows and the most imminent dangers threaten to make you despair. Go to Her with tranquility and confidence, thanking God, because He has displayed His Omnipotence in allowing to be found, in such a hidden place, this portentious statue in order to honour the Immaculate Virgin, and so that we may all venerate Her under the very precious advocation of the Good Success.
PRAYER
O God of Mercy! May Thou never abandon in desolation those who serve Thee faithfully and fervently in the midst of chance and the dangers of the time, and that Thou send us to go to Thy Mother and advocate of those who are troubled, so that She may be our refuge in all adversities. Obtain for us a tender and fervent heart to look for Mary, and to always find Her loving and the protectress of all of us who serve Her in all truth, so that we may become worthy, through Her intercession, of a Christian life and afterwards, Heaven. Amen.
ACT OF THANKSGIVING
TO THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN
O Virgin blessed among all women! We lack voices to thank Thee for the countless benefits that we receive from Thy hand. The day that Thou were born into the world can be called a day of grace, of health, and of consolation. Thou art the honour of humanity, the joy of Paradise, the beloved gift of God, and the health of our people. O Most Holy Virgin of Good Success, what merits can we claim that make Thee to be known as our Mother? May God be infinitely blessed who wanted it so! May Thou be equally blessed, Virgin Mary since, despite our ingratitude, Thou show Thyself so propitiously in our favour! Therefore, most clement Mother, have Thy image be our consolation on earth, being our refuge, our help and protection, both in our public and private needs. Keep from us wars, plagues, illness, hunger, lightning, earthquakes and all scourges that we merit due to our faults. Pray for Holy Church and for Her visible Head. Hear the supplications of those who invocate Thee, remember that Thou art our Advocate, our Mother; because as such we put in Thee our confidence. We resort to Thee, and hope that Thou will obtain from Thy Son the pardon of our faults and perseverance in a life of grace until death. Amen.
Now, raising your heart to the Heart of God, ask for what you want to obtain through the intercession of Most Holy Mary of Good Success.
JOYS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Virgin Mother Mary, Who by Thy superiority has always captivated the whole earth.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Singular, without equal, Thou gave pleasure to the Word of the Father, Who does great things to have Thee honoured.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Thou art the most worthy temple of the Most Holy Trinity in Whom Thou art enraptured.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
In Thee is found the same purity the Angels enjoy; Thou art a mercy for the sorrowing.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
The Christian world cries out to Thee as Queen; the King of kings keeps Thee at His Right Hand.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
O Mother of Grace! O our Hope! Port for the shipwrecked and Star of the Sea.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Gate of Heaven, Health of the sick, Light in the darkness.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Through Thee we will attain to see God in that Heavenly Court of the Saints, where He lives and reigns.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Guide our steps and tenderly assist us, O sweet Mary! in the final hour.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Permit praise from an affectionate tongue which is unable to express Thy rare magnificence.
Response: Protect us, O Pious! because Thou art our Mother.
Antiphon
Holy Mary, save the wretched, help the weak, strengthen the afflicted, plead for the people, intercede for the clergy, petition for the faithful. Our Lady, oblige all those who celebrate Thy most holy memory with Thy favour and protection.
V: Plead for us, O Virgin of Good Success!
R: That we may be made worthy to obtain the promises of Christ.
FINAL PRAYER
We beg Thee, Our Lord and God, to grant us health of soul and body through the intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary; by whose merits and by those of Her sovereign Son Jesus, we hope to be freed from present evils, and obtain eternal blessings. Amen.
