Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel - April 17 to 25 patroness of the 11 guidelines

Holy Virgin, moved by the painful uncertainty we experience in seeking and acquiring the true and the good, we cast ourselves at thy feet and invoke thee under the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel. We beseech thee: come to our aid at this moment in our worldly sojourn when the twin darknesses of error and of evil plots our ruin by leading minds and hearts astray.

Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the victims of doubt and of error so that they may not be seduced by evil masquerading as good; strengthen them against the hostile and corrupting forces of passion and of sin.

Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from thy Divine Son the love of virtue and the strength to choose, in doubtful and difficult situations, the course agreeable to our salvation. Supported by thy hand we shall thus journey without harm along the paths taught us by the word and example of Jesus our Savior, following the Sun of Truth and Justice, in freedom and safety across the battlefield of life under the guidance of thy maternal Star, until we come at length to the harbor of salvation to enjoy with thee unalloyed and everlasting peace. Amen.

(By Pope Pius XII, 23 January 1953)

Litany of Loreto Help of Christians, flesh from the womb of the Virgin Mary: grant Queen of Angels, unto thy suppliants, that we who believe that Queen of Patriarchs, she is truly the Mother of God, may be assisted V. Lord, have mercy. Queen of Prophets, by her intercession before Thee. Through the R. Christ have mercy. Queen of Apostles, same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us. Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors, R. Christ graciously hear us. From Christmas to Candlemass (the Feast of the Queen of Virgins, God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. Presentation), that is through February 1: God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have Queen of all Saints, mercy on us. Queen conceived without original sin, God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Queen assumed into heaven, V. Thou gavest birth without loss of thy Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, virginity. Queen of families, R. Intercede for us, O holy Mother of God. Queen of peace, Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Let us pray. O God, Who by the fruitful virginity Holy Virgin of Virgins, [etc.] V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of of blessed Mary hast offered unto the human Mother of Christ, the world, race the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we Mother of divine grace, R. Spare us, O Lord. beseech thee, that we may know the effects of Mother most pure, V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of her intercession, through whom we have Mother most chaste, the world, deserved to receive the author of life, our Lord Mother inviolate, R. Graciously hear us, O Lord. Jesus Christ, Thy Son. R. Amen. Mother undefiled, V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Mother most amiable, the world, From Candlemass to Easter (through Holy Mother most admirable, Have mercy on us. Week), AND from the day after Pentecost (or Mother of good Counsel, from Trinity Sunday, if Pentecost is celebrated Mother of our Creator, V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. with octave) to the beginning of Advent: Mother of our Savior, R. That we may be made worthy of the Virgin most prudent, promises of Christ. V. "Pray for us" and prayer "Grant unto thy Virgin most venerable, servants," as above: Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Virgin most merciful, God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual During Eastertide (from Easter day through Virgin most faithful, health of mind and body, and by the glorious Pentecost, and throughout the octave of Mirror of justice, intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may Pentecost if it is celebrated): Seat of wisdom, we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in Cause of our joy, eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. Spiritual vessel, Amen. R. For the Lord is truely risen, alleluia. Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, The versicle and prayer after the litany may be Mystical rose, varied by season. Thus, during Advent (from the Let us pray. O God, Who by the resurrection of Tower of David, fourth Sunday before Christmas to Christmas Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed Tower of ivory, Eve): to make glad the whole world, grant, we House of gold, beseech Thee, that through the intercession of Ark of the covenant, the Virgin Mary, His mother, we may attain the V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. Gate of heaven, joys of eternal life, through the same Christ our R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Morning star, Lord. R. Amen. Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Let us pray. O God, who hast willed that by the Source Comforter of the afflicted, message of an Angel, thy Word should receive