Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel
Lord, in this passing world our hearts are fearful
and our judgements uncertain.
Through Mary, the dwelling place of your Wisdom,
guide us in all we do and set our footsteps
on your way of peace.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen
(The history of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Good Counsel is available on several websites.)
The image of Our Lady of Good Counsel has been displayed at a shrine in Genazzano, near Rome, since 1467. It is reported to have travelled there miraculously from Scutari, Albania. Pope Leo XIII invoked Mary under this title and during his pontificate included the invocation of Mother of Good Counsel in the Litany of Loreto. Devotion to Our Lady under this title continues to draw pilgrims to Genazzano seeking Mary’s help in their needs.
In 1467, on the 25 of April, during celebrations for the feast of San Marco in Genazzano, Italy, a cloud was seen covering a 5th century church dedicated to Our Lady. Shortly after the cloud lifted, the townsfolk, summoned by the church bells, discovered a delicate fresco of Our Lady and the Child Jesus, it was painted upon a very thin piece of unsupported plaster, and floated in a small niche of the church. Later it was revealed the image had been transported by angels from Scutari, Albania, because the region was coming under Islamic control.
Today the image still survives, after 500 years, undamaged by earthquakes and war, and it is said a fine thread can be passed on all sides, demonstrating the image remains miraculously suspended.
Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy on us. (Christ have mercy on us.)
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. (Christ graciously hear us.)
God, the Father of heaven, (have mercy on us.)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)
God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Trinity, one God, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renouned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary.
Queen of the family,
Queen of Peace,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
(spare us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
(graciously hear us O Lord.)
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
(have mercy on us.) Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
(That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. (Amen.)
(Photo: Alamy)
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