Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7: Perseverance
Join in praying the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes to seek Mary's miraculous intercession and healing grace.
Today's Focus: Perseverance
On this seventh day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, we pray for perseverance - perseverance in prayer, perseverance in faith, and perseverance in following God's will. We ask Mary to help us remain steadfast in our spiritual journey and to never give up hope.
Prayer for Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Most Persevering Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother,you appeared to St. Bernadette eighteen times at Lourdes, showing us the importance of perseverance in prayer and in following God's will.
On this seventh day of our novena, we pray for the gift of perseverance.Help us to remain steadfast in our faith and to never give up hope, even in the face of difficulties and trials. Teach us to persevere in prayer and to trust in God's timing.
O Mary, you are the perfect example of perseverance, for you remained faithful to God throughout your life, even when you had to stand at the foot of the cross and watch your Son suffer and die. Help us to imitate your perseverance and to remain faithful to God no matter what challenges we face.
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 perseverance, a virtue that is essential for spiritual growth and for achieving our goals. Perseverance is the ability to continue in a course of action despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
St. Bernadette's perseverance was remarkable. She returned to the grotto eighteen times to see Mary, even when others doubted her and when she faced ridicule and persecution. She persevered in prayer and in following Mary's instructions, and her perseverance was rewarded with the miraculous spring at Lourdes.
Mary's own perseverance is evident in her life. She remained faithful to God throughout her life, even when she had to stand at the foot of the cross and watch her Son suffer and die. She never gave up hope and never lost faith in God's plan.
The miraculous spring at Lourdes is a symbol of the fruits that come from perseverance. Just as the spring continues to flow and bring healing to millions of people, our perseverance in prayer and faith can bring great blessings to ourselves and to others.
As we pray today, let us ask Mary to help us grow in perseverance. Let us ask her to help us remain steadfast in our faith and to never give up hope, even in the face of difficulties. Let us strive to persevere like St. Bernadette and like Mary, always trusting in God's plan.
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 Persevering Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, increase our perseverance in faith and help us to never give up hope, even in the face of difficulties and trials. Teach us to remain steadfast in prayer and to trust in God's timing. May our perseverance make us more pleasing to God and help us to achieve the spiritual goals He has set for us. Amen.