Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 4: Humility
Join in praying the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes to seek Mary's miraculous intercession and healing grace.
Today's Focus: Humility
On this fourth day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, we pray for humility - the virtue that St. Bernadette so perfectly exemplified. We ask Mary to help us recognize our own nothingness and to trust completely in God's grace and mercy.
Prayer for Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Most Humble Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother,you appeared to St. Bernadette, a simple and humble girl, showing us that God chooses the lowly and the poor to confound the wise and the powerful.
On this fourth day of our novena, we pray for the gift of humility.Help us to recognize our own nothingness and to trust completely in God's grace and mercy. Teach us to be humble like St. Bernadette, who never sought glory for herself but always gave glory to God.
O Mary, you are the most humble of all creatures, for you called yourself the handmaid of the Lord. You never sought your own glory but always pointed to your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to imitate your humility and to recognize that all good comes from God.
We also pray for these intentions… (State your intentions here)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Reflection for Today
Today we focus on humility, a virtue that is essential for spiritual growth and for receiving God's graces. Humility is the foundation of all other virtues and is what makes us pleasing to God.
St. Bernadette was a perfect example of humility. She was a poor, uneducated girl from a simple family, yet God chose her to receive the apparitions of Our Lady. She never sought attention or glory for herself, but always pointed to God and to Mary.
When Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, she chose someone who was completely humble and who would not seek her own glory. This teaches us that God works through the humble and the lowly, not through the proud and the powerful.
Mary herself is the perfect example of humility. She called herself the handmaid of the Lord and never sought her own glory. She always pointed to her Son, Jesus Christ, and gave all glory to God.
As we pray today, let us ask Mary to help us grow in humility. Let us ask her to help us recognize our own nothingness and to trust completely in God's grace and mercy. Let us strive to be humble like St. Bernadette and like Mary, always giving glory to God and never seeking our own glory.
How to Make an Excellent Novena
Begin with Faith
Start each day with complete trust in Mary's intercession. Believe that she will help you and bring your prayers to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Be Consistent
Pray the novena for nine consecutive days without interruption. Consistency shows your commitment and trust in Mary's help.
Offer Your Intentions
Present your specific needs and intentions to Mary. Be honest about your struggles and trust that she understands your situation.
Practice Penance
As Mary requested at Lourdes, offer small sacrifices and penances during the novena. This can include fasting, acts of charity, or giving up something you enjoy.
Closing Prayer
O Most Humble Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, increase our humility and help us to recognize our own nothingness. Teach us to trust completely in God's grace and mercy, and to always give glory to Him. May our humility make us pleasing to God and help us to grow in holiness. Amen.