Novena to St. Anne

Dear St. Anne, poor prodigal child that I am, I have recourse to thee, and place myself under thy motherly care. Lend a favorable ear to my prayers and in pity refuse not to hear me. Turn not away from me at the sight of my sinful heart, but show thy never-failing goodness toward a repentant sinner. Let thy lips, sweet Mother, vouchsafe to plead in my favor before the supreme Judge of heaven, whose wrath I have kindled by my offences. Be my advocate; recommend me to His infinite mercy; obtain for me forgiveness and the grace of an humble and lasting repentance, with light to know and heart-felt sorrow to bewail my trespasses. Obtain for me strength not to fall again into sin, and to begin a new life.

Blessed St. Anne, holy Mother, I also implore of thee the grace to love, to serve and honor thy Daughter, the most holy Virgin Mary, that I may share in her prayers and her favors. Deign to recommend me to her and pray to her for me. She refuses none of thy petitions, welcomes with loving kindness all those for whom thou intercedest, and leads them to the land of eternal bliss. May Mary look down with a watchful eye and maternal solicitude upon him who loves and serves her peerless mother; may she obtain for me salvation from her cherished Son; may she take me under her especial care during these my days on earth; may she with thee come to my aid, so that my enemies may never rejoice at the loss of my immortal soul nor boast of having enslaved a child and ward of Mary and St. Anne.

Sweet Mother, direct me in all my actions, strengthen me in all temptations, console me in my affections, assist me in my needs, and be with me always, in life and in death.

O Good Jesus, be compassionate to the faithful servants of Thy grandmother St. Anne, show them Thy mercy, and for love of her extend to them a helping hand in all their necessities O Mary, Mother of God, vouchsafe always to protect those who pay homage to thy blessed Mother and serve her with a devout heart. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—I will during this Novena address several times each day pious ejaculations to St. Anne.

Ejaculation.—St. Anne, obtain for me the grace of a holy death.

Here recommend your intention.

From the depth of my heart, O noble Lady, St. Anne, do I pay thee my homage this day and ask of thee to shelter me under the shield of thy maternal protection. Thou knowest the many dangers which surround me, therefore I beseech thee to be my protectress and to save me from spiritual shipwreck. Thou knowest, amiable Mother, how greatly I revere thee, how gladly I love to serve thee, what sweet delight it gives me to praise thee, and what a soothing consolation it is to me to call upon thy name in my distress.

O Good St. Anne, show thyself then toward me a tender Mother and powerful patroness. Thou beholdest me groaning under the weight of my sins. Pray for me then with the more ardor and entreaty; the more urgently plead for me; watch over my soul that it may not be lost; give me thy help; I seek it and hope for it from thy clemency; I look up to thee with a child-like trust, and I desire to live and to die in thy holy service.

O sweet advocate, present thyself for me before the throne of the divine Majesty, that by thy mediation I may obtain pardon of the evil I have done, strength henceforth to overcome my passions, and grace to spend all my days in good works. Let me feel the effects of thy power and bounty; may I root out of my heart its wicked leanings and rear holy virtues in their stead.

Sweet Jesus, I thank Thee for all the graces which in Thy infinite goodness Thou hast lavished upon St. Anne; for having chosen her, among all women, to be Thy grandparent on earth and exalted her in Heaven with so great a power of working miracles. In the name of her great merits, I humbly recommend myself to the infinite mercy of Thy divine heart; let St. Anne be my gentle Mother, my advocate, and my Protectress during this my life and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Most holy Mother, St. Anne, be pleased to take me under thy tender care in all my wants; extend to me a helping hand and defend me against my enemies. Hasten to hear my prayers; in thy bounty I place my trust. Make righteous and godly all the desires of my heart, and always intercede for me before Jesus. Our Father.

Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—To my prayers I will join during this Novena good resolutions.

Ejaculation—Good St. Anne, beloved protectress, obtain for me from Jesus the gift of prayer.

Here recommend your intention.

Hail, sweet Mother St. Anne, who didst give the earliest cares to her whose purity surpasses that of angels, and from whom was born the Saviour of the world, thou, and thy holy spouse, Joachim, didst tend her infancy, present her to the Lord in the temple, and, according to thy promise, consecrate her to the service of God.

Hail, holy Mother St. Anne, thou art the powerful advocate of those who call on thee and serve thee, for thou takest them under thy protection in life, thou providest for their needs, thou preservest them from danger, and obtainest for them the eternal rewards of paradise.

Hail, St. Anne, mighty and powerful, who dost generously reward thy servants, guide all their undertakings and bring sinners to repentance; thou showest thyself specially compassionate to those who are in sorrow or tribulation, and thou dost bestow temporal favors on those who place confidence in thee.

Hail, St. Anne, blessed Mother, I rejoice in the numerous miracles thou dost perform constantly, which encourage all to have recourse to thee in their necessities.

Holy Mother St. Anne, by that great power which God has given unto thee, show thyself my Mother, my consoler, and my advocate, reconcile me to the God whom I have so deeply offended; console me in all my trials, strengthen me in all my combats; aid me in my day of need; deliver me from all danger; help me at the hour of death and open to me the doors of paradise. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—I will, in honor of St. Anne, during this novena, give an alms to the poor, or for a good work, and I will practice an act of mortification.

Ejaculation.—O dear St. Anne, obtain for me from Jesus crucified the grace always to forgive my enemies.

Here recommend your intention.

Hail, holy Mother St. Anne, I rejoice in the faith, piety, and love with which thou didst offer thy pure and holy daughter Mary in the temple. By the happiness which then inundated thy heart, I pray thee to present me to thy grandson Jesus, so that, being purified, I may be agreeable in His eyes. Present me also to thy holy daughter Mary, so that she may intercede for me, and taught by her I may evermore act conformably to the Will of God.

Hail, holy Mother St. Anne, take me forever under thy protection and deliver me from the temptations which are constantly assailing me; defend me from the assaults of my enemies, so that they may not overcome me; save me from all the numberless dangers that surround me, so that I may not perish; above all assist me at my last hour; do thou and thy daughter Mary come then to my help and though I do not merit it, I ask ye both to vouchsafe to be present at my deathbed, to console and strengthen me; Holy Mary and holy Anne, show yourselves to be Mothers indeed, and obtain for me the grace of a good death. When my soul shall go forth from this world, do ye present it before God's tribunal, so that by your powerful help and intercession, it may obtain a favorable sentence. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—To-day I will honor St. Anne several times in her image.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, obtain for me generosity in the service of God.

Here recommend your intention.

Hail, all powerful lady, who, by a special favor from God, dost console the hearts of those who invoke thee, by procuring for them not only the eternal riches of heaven, but also, like a good Mother, success in their temporal affairs.

Holy Mother Anne, forget not that I am thy servant, and reject me not on account of my sins. I confess that my iniquities are great, but I now repent of them all; and though I do not deserve that my prayers should be granted, yet I have recourse to thee, knowing thee to be a good Mother, that will not repulse a repentant child; make peace for me with my Lord and my God whom I have offended, and deliver me from the punishment which my sins have deserved; obtain for me success in my temporal affairs, but above all, see to the salvation of my soul. St. Anne, by thy influence with Jesus, the Son of Mary thy Daughter, thou hast obtained the gift of conversion for many sinners. Must I then, who have chosen thee for my Mother, be the only sinner abandoned by thee? No, St. Anne, thy name alone, which signifies Grace, assures me the help of thy prayers, and by these prayers I am certain of obtaining pardon and mercy from Jesus. Yes, thou wilt pray for me now and at the hour of my death; at that decisive moment, thou wilt come to me with Jesus and Mary, thou wilt defend me against the attacks of the evil one, and thou wilt open to me the gates of heaven. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—I will assist as often as possible at holy Mass.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, obtain for me that I may dread sin more than death.

Here recommend your intention.

Good St. Anne, thou knowest my pitiable state, thou knowest my want, how little good there is in me, and how prone I am to evil. I beg of thee to have pity on my wretchedness and not to suffer that my soul, the work of God, be lost forever. Through thy prayers and merits, obtain from the divine Goodness that I may be found worthy of becoming a faithful instrument for the glory of God and the salvation of others. Pride, vanity and self-love have taken possession of my soul and have stifled therein the graces and inspirations of God. Pluck these ill weeds from my heart and plant in their stead the holy virtue of humility, so that I may know and despise myself, conceive self-contempt with meekness and simplicity, thus to become agreeable in the eyes of the Most High. Then will his divine graces freely enter into my inner soul, and cause to spring forth the blessed fruit of good works.

My heart, alas! my inclinations, and my will are attached to vanity, to the world, and to sensuality. The great love which God bears toward me, the many benefits He has bestowed upon me, neither touch, nor rouse me from my guilty sloth.

Good St. Anne, change these unholy dispositions. Let self-love and the love of the world perish in me; that henceforth the love of God may inflame my soul and alone reign therein; that I may show this sweet love within me by works of mercy and charity toward my neighbor. The fires of evil have consumed the precious gifts wherewith heaven had enriched my soul; O St. Anne, in thy boundless charity, come to my aid and banish far from me every vicious thought and all evil longing. Cause to flourish in my heart the spotless lily of chastity, that its divine perfume may dispel every wrong desire. Help me to contend, O blessed Mother, against the power of darkness, that the fear of God and His hallowed love may supplant in my heart the barren pleasures of the world; that I may mortify and discipline my rebellious flesh. Let me gain a complete victory over my unruly passions, and thus merit that glorious crown which is given only to those who fought with steadfast manliness against the world, the flesh, and the devil. In this severe contest, do thou, O St. Anne, support thy child. Let not the assaults of the enemy nor any temptation overcome me; let me forever preserve purity of heart and body. With thy most Holy Daughter Mary and her divine son Jesus, overshadow me, and protect me at all times. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Practice.—In order to be a worthy child of St. Anne, I will approach regularly the holy tribunal of penance and use the means of salvation there provided and taught me.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, by thy great reverence for God, deliver my country from the vice of blasphemy.

Here recommend your intention.

AGAIN to-day, most amiable Lady, I choose thee for my advocate and have recourse to thy intercession. Thou seest in me but a small share of good and a heavy weight of evil. By the power and the grace wherewith God has invested thee, extend to me thy helping hand. Deliver thy devoted servant from the wiles of Satan. Renew my mind and my heart; may I for the future lead such a Christian life that the remainder of my days may be the beginning of an eternity of celestial glory. My dear Mother St. Anne, I have unbounded confidence in thy prayers; I place in thy blessed hands my soul, my body, and all my hopes, both in this world and in the world to come. Direct my actions in the way which thy wisdom seeth to be the best for thy confiding child. I place myself under thy motherly care, and with all the ardor of my soul I commit to thy guidance my course through life, and above all recommend to thy patronage the important work of my salvation. Receive me, O good Mother; cover me with the mantle of thy protection; show me thy solicitude and thy tenderness. Look kindly upon me and come to my assistance. By thy earnest entreaty and thy great merits, may I obtain grace and mercy from God and all I stand in need of both for body and soul. Free me from all danger, O kind Mother; be thou the stay of my soul, and be my mediatress before the offended Majesty of my God. Obtain for me the remission of my offenses; ward off from me the chastisement I have deserved for them; help me to master my besetting sins; procure for me purity and humility, and the grace to lead so devout a life here upon earth that I may secure the everlasting reward of heaven. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Practice.—I will to-day, in honor of St. Anne, keep a guard on my tongue, that I may not offend by speech.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, obtain for me a true devotion to Mary.

Here recommend your intention.

HAIL, most blessed Mother Anne, I rejoice at thy great honor; thou gavest birth to Mary, that precious flower, whose blessed fruit, Jesus, has brought salvation to a lost world, fulfilled the desire of all pious hearts, conquered death, and restored life and hope to sinners. Vouchsafe to intercede for me before Jesus Christ and obtain for me pardon of my sins, a real change of life, and acceptable fruits of penance.

Exalted Lady, glorious St. Anne, deliver me from everything that is displeasing in the sight of God; let thy bounteous hand enrich thy client with grace and virtue; strengthen me against the attacks of Satan, the wicked world, and my own perverse nature. Dear St. Anne, Mother of Jesus' Mother, deign, with thy blessed Daughter, to watch over and make prosperous all my interests. Good Mother pray to him who for love of us deigned to clothe himself in our human flesh in the chaste womb of thy Daughter. Yes, pray to this gentle and mighty Grandson that He may wash my soul from every stain in His precious blood; that He may vouchsafe to send his Holy Spirit to enlighten me and direct me in all that I do, and make my heart and will obedient forever to His holy inspirations. Appease, O my Mother, appease my Judge, keep a watchful eye upon my soul; cause to flourish therein every virtue; help me in all things; help me in all my crosses and difficulties. Give me of the fulness of thy bounty, sustain my courage by thy favors, and lead me to a happy end. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—I will be faithful to invoke St. Anne every day, even though I should have had the misfortune of displeasing God by mortal sin.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, obtain for me the most strict fidelity to all the duties of my state in life.

Here recommend your intention.

DEAR Good St. Anne, I have reached the end of the novena which I have undertaken in thy honor. I have asked, and this day again implore of thee, dear Mother, to obtain for me forgiveness of my many trespasses, true sorrow, a sincere and lasting amendment of life, and a good death; also such temporal and spiritual favors as I stand in need of for soul and body. But my miseries are endless; wherefore, O holy patroness, my entreaties must also be incessant. Let not I beseech thee, O Mother, let not thy kind ear grow weary of my prayers, though I repeat them so often. At last thy many favors will conquer my obdurate heart; they will endear me to thy service forever, and, through thine, to the faithful service of our God. Yes, dear patroness, cause my heart to relish the sweetness of divine love and things spiritual; fill my soul with true piety; enlighten my mind; purify my inclinations; give uprightness to my will and holiness to my intentions.

O bounteous Lady, secure for me perseverance in my good resolutions, resignation in adversities, Christian humility in my conduct, and prudence in all my actions. Through thy mediation, obtain that for the love of Jesus I may despise the world and its vanities; grant that I may be delivered from all the wiles of Satan and that my soul may be filled with the love of God and of my neighbor. Do not fail, O my amiable Mother, to implore for me, from divine Providence, all needful aids through life. May I receive from thy bounteous hand, not only means sufficient for my own wants, but, further, be enabled through thy goodness to help the poor and contribute to the good works of our holy religion. Dear Good St. Anne, obtain for me from our merciful Lord health of body and ease of mind; freedom from every misfortune and peace of heart. Assist me at the hour of my death; that I may depart this life with a heart truly repentant, a lively faith, a firm hope and ardent love, and fortified by the last Sacraments of holy Church. With thy holy Daughter Mary, do thou, O St. Anne, protect me in my last moments; shield me from the snares of the evil one and his angels; secure for me before the judgment seat of God a favorable sentence, and lastly grant me a happy admission in the company of the blessed, in the ever-during kingdom of heaven, there to glorify and there to thank the Adorable Trinity, thy divine Grandson Jesus Christ, thy glorious Daughter Mary, and thyself, O dear St. Anne, during endless ages. Amen. So I hope. So may it be. Our Father. Hail Mary.

O Jesus, Mary, Anne, help me now and at the hour of my death.

Practice.—For the concluding act of my novena I will perform some good work in honor of St. Anne.

Ejaculation.—Good St. Anne, by thy motherly intercession bring me into Paradise, where thou art, there to praise and thank thee forever.