Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano
The Traditional Nine-Day Novena
The novena prayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, where her miraculous image has been venerated since 1467.
In 1467, as Ottoman armies pressed into the Balkans, a fresco of Our Lady is said to have appeared — apparently detached from a wall in Scutari and carried across the sea — in a half-built church in the hill town of Genazzano, east of Rome. The image is painted on a layer of plaster no thicker than an eggshell, floating free of the wall behind it. It has hung there for more than five centuries.
Mary cradles the Christ Child, who clings to His mother and rests His cheek against hers. It is not a portrait of power. It is a portrait of counsel — the private, attentive wisdom a mother gives to a son who is listening.
Pope Leo XIII, who added Mother of Good Counsel to the Litany of Loreto in 1903, loved this image. So did John XXIII and John Paul II. Every Catholic who has ever had to decide something hard and did not know how has prayed, in some form, for her counsel.
How to Pray the Novena
- Begin with the sign of the Cross.
- Pray the day's prayer below.
- Recite three Hail Marys.
- Close with the Final Prayer (recited each day).
The First Day
I. Seat of Wisdom, Mother of Good Counsel
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 defense 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Second Day
II. Cause of Our Joy
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 Ghost. 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Third Day
III. Refuge of Sinners
April 19
O Mary, Refuge of sinners, 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 favors you have granted: the tears you have dried, 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Fourth Day
IV. Our Advocate at the Throne of Mercy
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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Fifth Day
V. Queen of Martyrs
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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Sixth Day
VI. Star of the Sea
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 honored 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Seventh Day
VII. The Shrine at Genazzano
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 favors 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Eighth Day
VIII. Consoler of the Afflicted
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 counselor 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Ninth Day
IX. Before the Image Itself
April 25 · Eve of the Feast
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 protection 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. Amen.
Recite three Hail Marys, then the Final Prayer below.
The Final Prayer · Recited Each Day
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, refused, or abandoned.
Inspired with like hope and confidence, I fly to thee, O Mary, Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, and my Mother; before thee I come, casting myself on my unworthiness.
O Mother of the Eternal Word made Flesh, obtain for me from the Sacred and Adorable Heart of Jesus, my Savior, all the graces and blessings I most require, each day of my life.
O Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, reject not my petitions, but mercifully hear and answer me. Amen.
Traditional — Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Genazzano
Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.