This traditional prayer belongs to the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which has been especially promoted by the Redemptorists. Pope Pius IX entrusted the ancient icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to the Redemptorists in Rome in 1866 and asked them to make her known throughout the world. Catholics invoke Mary under this title during novenas, in temptation, in urgent need, and when praying for the grace of a holy death. The prayer expresses confidence in the power of Mary’s name and maternal intercession. It reflects the Church’s petition that Mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death, as explained in CCC 2677.
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O purest Mary, O sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee; for, in all my temptations, in all my needs, I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary.
O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce thy sacred name, or even only think of thee. I thank the Lord for having given thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely pronouncing thy name. Let my love for thee prompt me ever to hail thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.
When to pray it: Pray this prayer during a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in temptation or urgent need, and when asking for the grace of a holy death.
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