NOVENA TO THE MOST HOLY MARY OF HEALTH
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA SALUD
Act of Contrition
(At the start of every day of the novena)
My Lord, Jesus Christ, My Father, Redeemer of my soul, wounded and crucified, in
order to give me health that I do not deserve; I repent and am sorry for having offended
You, I come to You, my God, my Creator and my Health; because of what You are, I
feel great pain in my heart for having greatly offended You. I resolve Lord, with Your
grace, the amendment never to sin again; for this reason, I expect from Your infinite
goodness through Your Sacred Passion, and through the merits of my Most Sweet
Mother of Health, and I also hope that Your free me in this life from plague of souls and
body, by granting to me what I ask in this Novena, if it is for Your glory. Amen.
Daily Opening Prayer
Eternal God, Creator of all things and Redeemer of the World, who through Your
Immense goodness, You deigned to grant us the ineffable gifts of eternal health,
through the fertile Virginity of Your Beloved Mother, Most Blessed Mary my lady who is
our Health, Life and Hope. I humble beg You through the merits of this Sovereign
Queen, and through those of Your Passion, Life and Death, that when mine comes, my
heart may be detached from the things of this World; dedicating myself totally in loving
You with most ardent love, in such a way that I may die of pure love for You, at Your
feet and at those of Your Most Pure Mother, and that the Saints to whom I am devoted
may help me love You and to die; however, if you wish me to remain still in this Valley of
Misery, I beg You, Lord that You help me walk through the path of Your chosen ones,
by following Your examples, and imitating the virtues of Your Most Holy Mother; so that
I may merit to see You, as the Saints in Heaven see You; and I also beg You to grant
me what I request in this Novena, for your greater glory, in the service of my Lady,
health and the good of my soul. Amen.
FIRST DAY: The Birth of Virgin Most Holy
Scripture Passage:
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named
Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of
grace, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:26-28)
Consideration
Let us consider the extraordinary beauty of the body and soul with which the Most Holy
Mary was born in the World. That her body was so special or unique, that compared to
it, that of the most beautiful Seraph is ugliness and imperfection, so much so that when
St. Dionysius saw her he was so astounded and engrossed that he himself admitted
that she received it from God and preserved her from ugliness. The beauty of her soul is
so incomparable that neither spoken nor written words could explain. The Angels are
left mute in admiration. It is enough only to know that all the power of God, being
infinite, pour over this most outstanding child the immeasurable treasure if all the
virtues, privileges and graces, with which she surpasses and exceeds, all perfect
creatures there are and there may be in heaven and on earth. Here the Divine Wisdom
did its utmost, for no other reason, but that se had to be the Mother of the Eternal Word
and the general health of human kind. For this reason, from eternity he preserved her
so pure that the original sin did not offend even just by its shadow.
Reflection
Is it possible that, at the sight of so beautiful a Child, that you can find such beauty on
earth?
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
First Day Prayer
Most Blessed Virgin, Child of the Eyes of God, and Child also of our own, who were
born in the World made beautiful with all the treasure of glory and of nature, in order to
give joy to heaven and earth, and to banish with your brilliant light the darkness of the
original sin; my soul praises you one and a thousand times, for such singular
prerogatives; and all of us pray to you with humble devotion, to look at us with Motherly
love, by making our hearts more fruitful with the dew of Divine grace, and in addition, by
granting physical health, so that walking with satisfaction and joy in this Valley of Misery
and Labor, we may arrive, guided by your light, to enjoy with it forever in the heavenly
Court. Amen
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
SECOND DAY: The Presentation of Mary Most Holy
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall
bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one-year-old lamb for a burnt
offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. But if she cannot afford a
lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt
offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her,
and she will be clean. (Leviticus 12: 6,8)
Consideration
Let us consider how her parents Joachim and Anne. presented the Most Holy Mary in
the Temple, at her three years of age, such a little Child climbing the fifteen steps of the
high scale of the Temple without any one taking her hand; because her inflamed love
gave her wings to climb or fly: A miracle that the Holy Fathers and Doctors of the
Church have not ceased admiring. But with great joy this Sovereign Queen, and with
great love that she had for God, from the first moment of her being conceived, she
came to the Temple at a tender age to consecrate herself to God, with perpetual vow of
virginity, and to totally dedicate herself to Him who has given everything to her, and to
correspond to that enormous refinement, that she was awaiting that the Eternal Word
would be conceived in her womb, in order to restore the health of the fallen world. The
effects of this same love was that the life of this Child was totally devoted to highest
degree of contemplation in such a way that as St. Ephrem says, that the seraphim came
to learn and took from her lessons of prayer. She would spend several days without
eating, and when she ate, she would take the nourishment that was needed to keep
alive, and not that which would delight her taste. She slept out of necessity and not for
rest; and then, if her body slept, her soul kept watch in prayer. She was indeed the
amazement of the Priest who looked at her; the astonishment of the Angels that
admired her, and the sweet delight of God Himself who loved her so much.
Reflection
Mary, at such a very tender age, has gone up to such a highest level of virtue with the
grace of God; and you with the grace of God and Mary, you have not taken a step to
glory in so many years?
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Second Day Prayer
Most Holy Virgin, of miraculous virtues and abyss of perfection, you who wished at a
very tender age to be presented in the Temple for the sake of so much benefit and
health of the world. Present our souls in divine compliance, that even if the gift is little
and poor, not pure, we all have confidence that being a gift that comes from your most
pure hands, it will be, without doubt, acceptable to the Divine Eyes. Present all our
faults, so that the Infinite Mercy may forgive them. Present our illness and infirmities, so
that we receive remedy. Finally, present us in life and in death, so that the former may
be always conformed to, walking without setback through the steps of the Divine Law,
and the latter would be totally precious, holy and full of grace and be the start of eternal
glory. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
THIRD DAY: The Annunciation of the Most Holy Mary
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named
Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of
grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered
in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your
womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (Luke 1: 26 - 31)
Consideration
Let us consider the supreme pleasure and joy that the Queen of Angels felt seeing
herself being exalted to the highest dignity of Mother of God and maker of reparation for
the descendants of Adam. The Lord is with you, the angel told her, which the same as
saying: The Health is with you; because Mary is the means by which God shares it with
us, and the instrument, by which he cures us. The Most Powerful waited for her
consent; because on it would depend all the Health of the World. What joy! That our
health would depend on such a Holy Mother! Hence how could the Most Holy Mary not
give her consent? The virginal shame of this most Pure Young Lady was startled; on
seeing herself alone and being greeted by a person, who even if angelic in nature, was
in a form of a human person, but this very disturbance makes us understand the great
concern, that she had for our health, sacrificing the divine will for the desire that she had
to become an instrument of the redemption of mankind; Mediatrix between God and the
creatures, and Mother of Grace that she dispenses in great abundance to all; as if it
were conceived in her most Pure Heart.
Reflection
In the same way the virgins do not tremble when conversing with men, and the Queen
of the Virgins fears the words of the Angels.
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Third Day Prayer
Most Pure Virgin, Mirror of Deity, Who, attracted by your beauty, came down from the
throne of His Glory, in order to enclose Himself in your Most Pure bosom, and to
reconcile, through you, with the eternal Father the p 10od creatures, who mourned with
the weight of innumerable miseries: I beg you Loving Mother, that we may not lost
through our fault, the grace that you granted us with your word. Because through the
love that you always had for us, you achieved the most sublime, which was making God
Man, and the least, by making man son of God, through grace, so that we may glorify
you with Him in Glory. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
FOURTH DAY: The Visitation of The Most Holy Mary
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she
entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's
greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a
loud voice she exclaimed "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you
will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As
soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for
joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
(Luke 1:39-45)
Consideration
Let us consider, how at the moment that the Holy Mary was elevated to be the Mother
of the Savior of the World, she divinely lavishes her treasures, she went to share them
with a Sick, granting him health. The road of approximately twenty-seven leagues (a
league is 4.8 kilometers), was very long and difficult, and uphill; but because of her
great love, it became pleasant, short and very plain; because the paths, that this Lady
traverses, for our good and health, do not appear to be filled with pricking thorns, but
enameled by white lilies and roses. She entered the house of her cousin Elizabeth, and
health entered in it too; because scarcely had the Child John heard the voice of Mary,
his soul that was infected by the plague of original sin was healed.
Reflection
Mary, proceeds with haste to give healing to a soul; and you, do you go in haste in order
to loss yours and that of others?
And finally, because you are the most sweet Mother bestow on us all your abundant
blessing, and grant us health of body and soul, so that we may celebrate you later on in
the Kingdom of Glory. Amen.
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour
Fourth Day Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, the only remedy of the afflicted and effective cure of the sick, you
who are quick to help that you do not wait that they come to pray to you: Look with your
eyes of mercy at those who walk overwhelmed and blind in the dangerous situations of
the world. All our steps have been until now been a disgrace and perdition for us. Each
one of us has followed his/ her path, not through yours: some through Lust; others
through Greed, and others through Pride. And because you are the compass and the
star that guides us, we stray from so many crooked paths, and achieve promptness for
good works; so that, walking with quick steps through the rough path of mortification, we
may become worthy to arrive with your light at the Heavenly Palace. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
FIFTH DAY: The Expectation of Mary
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged
to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant
through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet
did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But
after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place
to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel" (which means "God with us"). (Matthew
1: 18-23)
Consideration
Let us consider the tender anxieties and the burning affections of the Heart of the Most
Holy Mary, in order to discover in the world what would be the health of the World. The
instances seem to her centuries, and even having God with her, she did not stop
entertaining the strong desires of sharing Him who was born of Her Virginal Womb with
men. The Heavenly Princess spent long hours in fervent prayers, because her love was
so ardent, and her love is charity that looks at the neighbor, from here came her
anxieties that all the creatures may enjoy the Son of her womb, by sharing with the
Universe her light, like a brilliant sun and extending to all the rays of its immense clarity.
Without wishing to be alone the Virgin who had achieved so many benefits. She knew
with great vividness how important was the birth of Jesus for us, while was in a different
situation living without consolation and remedy. And even if she enjoyed having in her
womb the Eternal Word, Mary prefers the common good to her particular convenience;
because it was great for her to enjoy alone with God-Man; but with all this, she wishes
to share Him so that men may enjoy of the one who would give them health to the entire
humanity.
Reflection
Your Mother is so anxious to give you health in her Son, and you, wicked son, you are
so keen in killing yourself with sin?
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour
Fifth Day Prayer
Most loving Virgin, Model of most fervent Charity, who even if how much you love your
children, you never cease to love us, even if you see that we all had been despicable
and ungrateful: All of us repentant and sorrowful beg you, that since, out of pure
clemency you granted us the Son of your womb, and in Him all our happiness and
health; we hope in Him alone who is our life; may we mistrust the world that deceives
us; and may we live with strong hope, that through your kindness and love may we see
Him and be happy with Him forever. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
SIXTH DAY: The Purification of Mary Most Holy
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous
and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had
been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had
seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he
took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your
servant go in peace, according to your word, for my cyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and
glory for your people Israel." (Luke 2: 25-32)
Consideration
Let us consider the profound humility of Mary Most Holy, walking to the Temple, the
Queen of Heaven and Earth, for whom every carriage of the sun would not be a decent
chair. She goes to fulfill the law and the Mother of the Supreme Legislator wishing to
appear blemished, who is most pure Virgin before birth, during birth and after birth, and
surpasses in innocence Purity itself. She also offers to the Eternal Father her Beloved
Son as Divine Image, and as our likeness, that of the Word so that He may be pleased,
seeing His portrait, and that of our Nature, so that He may be moved with pity. And thus
on seeing Him Simeon exclaimed: Now, Lord, You can let Your servant go in peace,
because my eyes had seen your health. He saw it, and the whole world saw it, at the
expense of the Purity of Mary, so that with the shadows of being blemished the Mirror of
her Beauty would be more pleasing to God. Reflection She who is more pure than the
sun, purifies herself for you; and you with a thousand impurities refuse to purify your
soul?
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Sixth Day Prayer
Most humble Virgin, Mother of Purity itself. Celestial world that includes the immensity
of God Himself and because of your great love for us, you put yourself on the level of
the unworthiness of other women. We beg you to make us so humble that we may not
become unworthy of your mercies, and that we may perform exactly the Divine Law,
that we may never separate ourselves from it. Purify our souls, infected by the horrible
plague of so many sins. Purify the atmosphere that surrounds us, so that it may not kill
us because You have given us Your Son the Health of the world, let not Your Clemency
regret of giving Him to us until the last hour, so that we may accompany You in the
Temple of Glory. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
SEVENTH DAY: The Solitude of Mary Most Holy
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple
whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the
disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
(John 19:25-27)
Consideration
Let us consider Mary Most Holy alone at the foot of the Cross, looking at the only Son of
her womb His natural beauty worn out, without any healthy part in that Divine Body.
Placed on infamous scaffold, He Who alone is true God; the Creator of the whole
universe treated as the worst of all the mortals: And in the end, God Himself put to
death by the hands of the most cruel of men, whom He had endowed with infinite
goodness and favors. What sighs would this most sorrowful Dove not give out? What
sobs for such anguished Princess! And seeing this, does Mary still live? Yes, says St.
Anselm, Mary still lives, because the Divine Providence wanted that she should suffer
much for men, that she would die not only once but many times; and she did not only
live, says St. Ambrose, but considered that tragedy with pleasure, be amazed, by
knowing the reason why, even if it pierced her loving heart seeing her Son dying on a
Cross, she was filled with joy and pleasure, seeing that in this manner He would obtain
the health of the World.
Reflection
How much did Mary who is sinless suffer! What a pity! And nothing could I do not even
for Mary! What a shame!
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Seventh Day Prayer
Most Sorrowful Virgin, the epitome of great sorrows, and condensed representation of
the most cruel pains, whose immense pain, in the death of the most Innocent Jesus, is
impossible to affirm, because we alone are the villainous architects of the Cross:
Prostrate at your divine feet, converted into speechless statutes because of our sorrow,
we are sorry one and a thousand times, for having been the cause of your sorrows. And
we implore you to look at us with maternal affection, because we cost you so much
pains, grant us true sorrow for having offended your Son, so that through your
intercession, we may find well-disposed that severe and always just Judge, whom our
sins have angered, but your tears have appeased; so that your afflictions may not
increase with our offenses; relieve us in our infirmities and labors in this life, by giving us
the health of body and soul, and may we rest with you in the joys of Glory. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
EIGHT DAY: The Assumption of Mary Most Holy
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of
his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an
earthquake and a great hailstorm. A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a
woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars
on her head. (Rev 11:19-20)
Consideration
Let us consider, how when the time has come, in which the merits of Mary Most Holy
have already reached their proper summit, God not wanting her not to die, so that she
would walk through the same paths as her Son Jesus, but the heat of the fever did not
end with her life, neither did she have bodily infirmity that caused her pain, fatigue,
torment and sorrow. She died not in the hands of Death, but under the impulse of love,
wounding her the Sun of her beloved Son with so vehement and active fire, which had
dissolved her totally like a Sovereign kid. She deposited her soul in the hands of the
Lord, and on the third day, like Jesus Christ, united with her blessed Body accompanied
by the Immaculate Lamb, the Angels, Seraphs and all the celestial courts, with all kinds
of festive manifestations, soft music, and sweet songs, she went up to the Palace of
Glory, to give joy with her presence to those most happy spirits who, on seeing her were
left spellbound and enraptured. The Venerable Maria de Agreda says that when the
Lady died, many miracles were performed on earth, the sick were healed through her
Sovereign intercession: of which we can all be assured even of more effective and
powerful ones now that she is living in Blessedness.
Reflection
Because Mary lived loving God, she died for His love. For whose love will you die? Woe
to you! If it is not for the love of Mary or for God.
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Eight Day Prayer
Most loving Virgin who, confined in the prison of the earth for the healing and benefit of
the creatures, breathed out your most pure spirit, at the force of the most powerful fire,
going up to heaven in the hands of your Son. Through that indescribable joy that you
felt when you were welcomed by that joyful group, we beg you continue in us the task
as a Mother, that you performed when you lived with men. Look Mary, Our Lady, when
the sun sets, sinners weep louder. Look at us sad and helpless sick, by allowing some
of your beautiful rays, to enlighten our understanding and enflame our cold heart, and
dispel the darkness, in which we live, so that we may be worthy to die in your hands,
and accompany you in the eternal joys. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
NINTH DAY: The Crowning of Mary Most Holy
Act of Contrition, and the Daily Opening Prayer
Scripture Passage
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for
he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all
generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and
holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to
generation. (Luke 1: 46-50)
Consideration
Let us consider the ineffable joy Mary Most Holy had when, seated on the Throne of
Glory she was crowned by the Three Divine Persons: By the Eternal Father for being
His most worthy Daughter, by the Son for being His loving Mother, and by the Holy
Spirit for being His most beloved Spouse. The Angels, Seraphs and the Blessed
acclaimed her as Queen. And seated at the side of her Son, above all the Courts of
Heaven, she started to enjoy the Blessedness as its Queen. The magnitude of the Glory
that Mary Most Holy merited is indescribable, because she does not only surpass that of
all the Blessed but, as Arnold said, it is the same as that of her Son. All of which,
including everything that is given in honor of her virtues, also serves as consolation and
hope for men to whom she herself says: You must know my children that the glory that I
now possess and on which I now rest, is mine: Mine are all the joys, but they are mine
in such a way, as if they were yours. I wish and I desire that all of you enjoy them, and I
will do with my intercession, that all my devotees participate of the same glories. This
she does and will do until the end of the world; because seeing the immensity of good
that she is enjoying under the title of our Mother and Advocate, she will present to her
Son our petitions; who not only through her intercession, but because He has her in His
presence will neither dare to deny us, nor delay delivery of our petitions.
Reflection
Mother Most Powerful in heaven, how are you going to deny what I ask you with
confidence?
Continue meditating for a quarter of an hour.
Ninth Day Prayer
Most glorious Virgin, Heaven of heaven itself, a complement to the Glory of God and
Throne of the Blessed Trinity, I am immensely glad that you are exalted above all the
Saints and the Courts of Hell. I beg you, because you are at the side of the Supreme
King flooded with light, to look after your orphan children who live in the world, and we
present to you, as Our Mother, so much works that bother us; so many miseries and
evils that suffocate us, we ask you to have pity on our loneliness and sadness; and
preserve our life for your regard, by increasing in our hearts the aids of grace, until we
rest with you in the glory. Amen.
Pray five (5) Hail Marys in honor of the five letters of the most sweet name of MARIA
and the Concluding Prayer.
Daily Closing Prayer
Sovereign Empress of heaven and earth, Mary, Mother of God, inexhaustible sea of
health, on whom all your children and devotees pinned their greatest consolation, all of
us prostrate before your holy altars, we offer you our humble gift and brief tribute of the
holy novena, and we would like to have an ardent love and fervent devotion, with which
the Seraphs in glory praise you, and all the Saints praise you, and the just on earth, so
that it may be pleasing before your eyes, and for the great benefits that we owe you.
For all these we all give you endless thanks, confident that with your clemency, our sins
may not hinder the love that you always have for us.
Never stop looking at us Our Lady; if your eyes look at us, it is impossible that they will
stop helping us. Watch over the Supreme Pontiff, take care of the universal benefit of
the Church, the promotion of the Holy Catholic Faith, the eradication of heresies, and for
all the souls in Purgatory who from thy prison of fire implore your patronage. And finally,
because you are our most sweet Mother bestow on us all your abundant blessing and
grant us health of body and soul, so that we may celebrate you later on in the Kingdom
of Glory. Amen
