NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

(Novena: 17-25 April, Feast: 26 April)

I. INTRODUCTORY PRAYER

Mary, our Mother, you know well the treasures of divine wisdom hidden in your Son.
You have always been concerned with us that we may believe in your Son. In your “yes”
to the angel Gabriel to accept your role as the Mother of God, you accepted a unique role
in the history of salvation. Your counsel to us extends back to your earthly life when you
spoke of your Son, commanding us: “Do whatever He tells you”.
Our Mother of Good Counsel, today, we ask for your intercession for a world in need of
your guidance and for counsel in our own life. Holy Mother, moved by filial devotion we
cast ourselves before you and invoke you under the sweet title of Mother of Good
Counsel. We beseech you: come to our aid. Our Mother of Good Counsel, enlighten us,
so we may act prudently and decide wisely; may we not be seduced by evil
masquerading as good. May we be rooted in the values of the Kingdom of God and seek
to love God and our neighbour.

Blessed Mary, Star of the Sea, guide us now as you have guided pilgrims in years past.
Be our constant beacon, a blazing light in this dark night, and lead us home to dwell
with your Son forever and ever. Amen.

II. PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY

DAY 1 - APRIL 17
O Mary, my mother, I humbly beseech you to counsel me as I begin this novena of
prayerful petition. I fly to your protection, O holy Mother of God. You are the defence of
all Christians, the Seat of Wisdom, the Mother of Good Counsel. You know, most holy
virgin, how much I require your all-powerful aid. Guard me from the evils that afflict
me; heal my wounds; relieve my wants and miseries. Obtain for me strength and
courage to bear the trials and temptations of life. O Virgin most prudent, help me to
persevere until death in the love of God.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, Mother of Good Counsel, may the blessing of your
Son come upon me.
For guidance for our world leaders, pray for us.
For counsel for those who are persecuted and suffer grave injustice, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

DAY 2 - APRIL 18
O most holy Virgin, Cause of our joy, you were chosen by the Blessed Trinity to be the
Mother of the Word made Flesh. You alone were conceived Immaculate; you always
remained faithful to the indwelling Holy Spirit. Every moment of your life you were "full
of grace." O Mary Immaculate, I gratefully acknowledge the countless joys you have
gained for me; the happiness I have found in my Faith; the contentment in prayer; the
security of your protection. As I make known my petitions in this novena, I promise
always to revere you as the Treasure of divine grace.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our country's leaders, pray for us.
For counsel for those who are exiled from their home countries, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.
DAY 3 - APRIL 19
O Mary, Refuge of sinner, you are our life, our sweetness, our hope. It has never been
heard that anyone ever sought your help and was rejected. Amid the uncertainties of life
I turn to you; with aching heart I seek your comfort and counsel. No one can ever
number the favours you have granted; the tears you have tried, the needs you have
supplied, the sickness you have cured, the petitions you have answered. O Mother of
Mercy, hear my prayers and grant my requests.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our city's leaders, pray for us.
For counsel for those who are homeless, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

DAY 4 - APRIL 20
O Virgin most renowned, you are our advocate at the Throne of Mercy. By your
intercession with your divine Son you have saved us from the punishment we deserve
for our sins. You have obtained for us mercy and pardon. To you I turn, imploring your
aid. O gentle and loving Mother. Pity me in my misery; help me in my needs; give me
good counsel. To you I pour forth my petitions in this novena, O clement, O loving, O
sweet Virgin Mary.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our home parish, pray for us.
For counsel for those who do not pray, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

DAY 5 - APRIL 21
O Virgin Mary, Queen of Martyrs, I thank you for the consolation you have given me in
times of sorrow and anxiety. I bring to mind the great suffering you so patiently
endured. In the Temple as you offered your Divine Son, you heard the words of the
prophet: "Your own soul a sword of sorrow shall pierce." Standing at Calvary you
compassionated your dying Son. The lance which opened His Sacred Heart was the
sword which pierced your soul. I am deeply sorry for my sins which caused your Son to
suffer such a cruel Passion and Death. O compassionate Mother, help me in my hours of
suffering and tribulation; counsel me to unite my sufferings with the Cross of Christ;
teach me to draw from His Passion the strength to bear my cross daily and so to atone
for my sins.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our friends, pray for us.
For counsel for those who are lonely, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.
DAY 6 - APRIL 22
O Mother of Good Counsel, Star of the Sea, to you I turn for light to guide my uncertain
steps through life. Throughout the world, in every land, your picture is venerated. Your
gracious image is given an honoured place in countless homes. So many people, in
prayerful petition, have obtained from you good counsel. O Virgin most faithful, renew
in my heart the joy of true devotion to you. May your counsel enlighten the darkness of
my mind and safeguard me from the misery of sin.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our extended families, pray for us.
For counsel for extended families who are estranged, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

DAY 7 - APRIL 23
O Mother most admirable, I recall the wondrous gifts of grace and healing which have
occurred at your shrine in Genazzano. For five hundred years there has been the
constant testimony of grateful clients. To countless multitudes who have knelt before
your picture, health has been restored, afflictions have been removed, peace of mind
restored, faith has been strengthened, repentance for sin granted. Beloved Mother of
Good Counsel, be mindful of the favours you have granted to others. Listen to the
prayers I humbly pour forth. Protect me from the dangers that surround me; keep me
secure under your protection.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for our families, pray for us.
For counsel for families who are torn, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

DAY 8 - APRIL 24
O most glorious Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, I rejoice that I can call upon your
protection. Your great desire is to be my counsellor in the urgent matter of my eternal
salvation. Kindly receive me, O Consoler of the Afflicted; awaken in me a spirit of true
repentance; entice me towards perfection; comfort me in my sorrows; remove from me
all doubts; draw me nearer to your Divine Son. Today I implore you to heed my prayers.
Obtain from Jesus pardon for my sins. Show yourself a mother unto me; counsel me to
become a true child of yours. May He, through you, receive my prayer Who, for love of
me became your Son.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for ourselves, pray for us.
For counsel for how to love those who I find difficult to love, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.
DAY 9 - APRIL 25
O most glorious Queen of Heaven and earth, with joy I gaze upon your renowned
picture. In your arms you lovingly enfold the Divine infant, your head turned tenderly
towards Him. Safely He nestles in the protections of your embrace. From Him you draw
all knowledge and counsel. In union with all who venerate you at your shrine in
Genazzano I gratefully praise God for the gift of this picture. While I mention my
petitions in this novena, I promise to heed your counsel and to be fully reconciled to
God's Will. I shall always strive to prove myself to be a true child of yours. O Help of
Christians, give me your counsel; in life and in death assist me, O merciful mother.

O Mary, most blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me.
For guidance for all those who pray this novena, pray for us.
For counsel to seek your Son every day of our lives, pray for us.
For an increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to
Jesus, pray for us.

III. PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

OPTION 1
Remember, O Immaculate Mary, Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, that it has never been
heard of in any age that such as had recourse to thee, imploring thy help and seeking thy
powerful intercession, were ever rejected or refused or abandoned. Inspired with the
like hope and confidence, I fly to thee, O Mary, Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, and my
Mother; before thy shrine I come, casting myself on my unworthiness. O Mother of the
Eternal Word made Flesh, obtain for me, through the whole course of my life, all the
graces and blessings I more require, from the Sacred and Adorable Heart of Jesus, my
Saviour, O Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, reject not my petitions, but mercifully hear
and answer me. Amen.

OPTION 2
Most glorious Virgin, chosen by the eternal Counsel to be the Mother of the eternal
Word made flesh, you who are the treasurer of divine graces and the advocate of sinners,
I who am your most unworthy servant have recourse to you; be pleased to be my guide
and counsellor in this vale of tears. Obtain for me through the Most Precious Blood of
your divine Son, the forgiveness of my sins, the salvation of my soul and the means
necessary to obtain it. In like manner obtain for Holy Church victory over her enemies
and the spread of the kingdom of Jesus Christ upon the whole earth. Amen.

OPTION 3
We turn to you, Our Mother of Good Counsel, as we seek to imitate your faith-filled life.
May we be led by the same wisdom which God sent forth from heaven to guide you
along unfamiliar paths and through challenging decisions. Keep us united in mind and
heart as we go forward in joyful hope toward the grace filled freedom that St. Augustine
recommends. O Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, hear our prayer as we look to you for
guidance. Pray for us to our loving and merciful Father, to your Son, our Lord, Jesus the
Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, giver of all wisdom, one God forever and ever. Amen.

IV. NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

OPTION 1 : Novena Prayer by St. Francis De Sales

Mary, Virgin Immaculate and my Mother, who are the Mother of Good Counsel and
Mother all-powerful, take me under your guidance, because ignorant and blind as I am,
I am scarcely able to discern the truly good from that which is evil, on account of the
seductions of the devil, my own passions and the false maxims of the world, which draw
me from the ways of grace to the paths of perdition. Unless you direct me with the light
of your heavenly wisdom I shall not certainly be able to escape eternal misfortune. You,
who had the privilege of being on earth the counsellor of the Apostles in the
establishment of the Church, assist me also by your wise counsels to the end, that I may
faithfully discharge all the duties I owe my God and my neighbour. I firmly promise to
follow always your counsels, and in my doubts to have recourse to you with confidence. I
also promise to cherish a tender devotion to you, as Mother of Good Counsel, so that
being guided by your assistance I hope, after the grace of a good life and a happy death, I
may be permitted to share in the incomparable glory with which God has crowned you,
by praising, blessing and rendering thanks to you for all eternity.

V. Pray for us, Mother of Good Counsel.

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

Most Blessed Virgin, worthy to be made mother of God, faithful dispenser of the graces
which your Son deigns to bestow on us in this life, I beseech you by the love of your
divine Son, my Saviour, Jesus Christ, to obtain for me of the Holy Spirit, your heavenly
Spouse, celestial light and good Counsel by which I may know all I ought to do and how
I ought to conform myself for the glory of God and the furtherance of my own salvation.

(here mention your request)

Most sacred Virgin, I hope to receive this favour of heaven through your intercession;
for next to God Himself in you I place my trust. Amen

OPTION 2

Holy Virgin, moved by the painful uncertainty we experience in seeking and acquiring
the true and the good, we cast ourselves at your feet and invoke you under the sweet title
of Mother of Good Counsel. We beseech you: come to our aid at this moment in our
worldly sojourn when the double darkness of error and of evil plot 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 our most urgent need..... (here mention your
request) and secure for us from your Divine Son the love of virtue and the strength to
choose, in doubtful and difficult situations, the course agreeable to our salvation.

Supported by your hand we shall thus journey without harm along the paths taught us
by the word and example of Jesus our Saviour, following the Sun of Truth and Justice in
freedom and safety across the battlefield of life under the guidance of your maternal
Star, until we come at length to the harbour of salvation to enjoy with you unalloyed and
everlasting peace. Amen

IV. LITANY OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

OPTION 1
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, 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.

Beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father, Pray for us.

August Mother of God the Son, Pray for us.
Blessed Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, Pray for us.
Living temple of the Holy Trinity, Pray for us.
Queen of heaven and earth, Pray for us.
Seat of Divine wisdom, Pray for us.
Depositary of the secrets of the Most High, Pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, Pray for us.
In our doubts and difficulties, Pray for us.
In our tribulations and anguish, Pray for us.
In our discouragements, Pray for us.
In perils and temptations, Pray for us.
In all our undertakings, Pray for us.
In all our needs, Pray for us.
At the hour of death, Pray for us.
By your Immaculate Conception, Pray for us.
By your happy Nativity, Pray for us.
By your admirable Presentation, Pray for us.
By your glorious Annunciation, Pray for us.
By your charitable Visitation, Pray for us.
By your Divine Maternity, Pray for us.
By your holy Purification, Pray for us.
By the sorrows and anguish of your maternal Heart, Pray for us.
By your precious Death, Pray for us.
By your triumphant Assumption, 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, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. And obtain for us the gift of good counsel.

Let Us Pray:
Lord Jesus, Author and Dispenser of all good, who in becoming incarnate in the womb
of the Blessed Virgin have communicated to her lights above those of all the heavenly
intelligences: grant that in honouring her under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel
we may merit always to receive from her goodness counsels of wisdom and salvation,
which will conduct us to the port of a blessed eternity. Amen.

OPTION 2
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, 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.

Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins, Pray for us.
Mother of Good Counsel, Pray for us.
Daughter of the Heavenly Father, Pray for us.
Mother of the Divine Son, Pray for us.
Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Pray for us.
Temple of the most Holy Trinity, Pray for us.
Dispenser of graces, Pray for us.
Gate of heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of Angels, Pray for us.
Honour of patriarchs, Pray for us.
Glory of prophets, Pray for us.
Counsellor of apostles, Pray for us.
Counsellor of martyrs, Pray for us.
Counsellor of confessors, Pray for us.
Counsellor of virgins, Pray for us.
Counsellor of all saints, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Counsellor of widows and orphans, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the sick, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the sorrowful and of prisoners, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the poor, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the needy, Pray for us.
Counsellor in all temptations, Pray for us.
Counsellor of penitent sinners, Pray for us.
Counsellor of the dying, Pray for us.

In all anxiety and trouble, Give us good counsel.

In all affairs and necessities, Give us good counsel.
In all doubts and perplexities, Give us good counsel.
In all afflictions and adversities, Give us good counsel.
In all dangers and misfortunes, Give us good counsel.
In all undertakings and concerns, Give us good counsel.
In all our needs, Give us good counsel.
In all crosses and sufferings, Give us good counsel.
In all temptations and snares, Give us good counsel.
In persecution and calumny, Give us good counsel.
In all wrongs suffered, Give us good counsel.
In all dangers of the soul and body, Give us good
counsel.
In all the events of our life, Give us good counsel.
In all sickness and infirmity, Give us good counsel.
In the hour of death, Give us good counsel.

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, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. And obtain for us the gift of good counsel.

Let Us Pray:
O God the giver of all good and perfect gifts, let us, who seek refuge with Mary, obtain in
all our wants, troubles and affairs, good counsel, help and assistance for the sake of
Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen.