Our Lady of Perpetual Succor

The title of “Perpetual Succor” or “Perpetual Help” is, as we shall see Later, Our Lady’s title. It is, therefore, a title that must fill all hearts that seek her aid with the greatest confidence.

The word “Succor” expresses more than “Help.” It comes from the Latin word–subcurrere, which means to run under a thing and support it. If, for instance, a mother hears her fallen child call for help, she immediately runs to the assistance of her little one and picks it up. In this case, the mother does more than help the child; she succours it. Our Lady wishes us to understand that she will always be a Mother to us and succour us as often as we seek her aid.

Notice also the word “Perpetual.” This one word gives Mary a very special and significant role to us. Does it not recall to our minds her wonderful, unceasing, powerful intercession?

Perpetual means unlimited in time, never ceasing, ever ready.  Therefore, although we may have already obtained many favours from this good Mother, she wishes us to continue to invoke her, day by day. During the past nineteen hundred years, her devotees have continually sought her motherly assistance, and, in the words of St. Bernard: “It has never been known that anyone who implored her help was left unaided.”She was a Mother of Perpetual Succor to her Divine Son, she wishes to be to us, also, a Mother of Perpetual Succor.

Members of the Devotion at Christ the King meet every Wednesday at 5:30 pm for Perpetual Succor Novena with Adoration.

O Mother of Perpetual Succour,
behold me a miserable sinner at thy feet,
I have recourse to thee and put my trust, in thee,
O Mother of Mercy, have pity upon me,
I hear Thee called by all,
the refuge and hope of sinners,
be then my refuge and my hope.
Succour me for the love of Jesus Christ;
stretch forth thy hand to me,
a poor sinner
who recommend and dedicate myself to Thee,
as thy perpetual servant.

I bless and thank God for having in His Mercy given me,
this confidence in Thee,
the pledge as I believe of my eternal salvation.
Alas too often in past times have I miserably fallen,
because I had not recourse to Thee,
I know that with thy help I shall conquer,
I know that thou wilt help me,
if I recommend myself to Thee,
but I fear lest in the occasion of falling,
I should cease to call upon thee,
and so should loose my soul.

This then is the grace I seek from Thee,
and I beg of Thee, as far as I know how and can,
to obtain it for me,
namely, in the assaults of hell,
always to have recourse to thee and say to Thee:
O Mary, help me.
Mother of Perpetual Succour,
suffer me not to lose my God.

Amen.