OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

The original statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor was brought from France to the pioneer Ursuline convent in New Orleans. When the British Army threatened New Orleans in 1815, the Urslines and the relatives of the American soldiers implored the help of Our Lady of prompt Succor. The subsequent American victory caused General Andrew Jackson to visit the convent to thank the Sisters for their prayers. Our Lady of Prompt Succor was later designated by Papal degree as special patroness of the State of Louisiana.

Commemoration of Saints Paul, Hermit, and Maurus, Abbot.

ENTRANCE HYMN

Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate the feast in honor of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary, upon which the angels rejoice and praise the Son of God. Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER

O most gentle Jesus, You have entrusted the treasury of Your mercy to Your Mother Mary. May she shield us from all evil of body and soul; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

O God, it is a joy for us to celebrate yearly the feast of Your blessed confessor Paul. May we who commemorate his birthday also imitate his example. Through Our Lord . . .

Let the blessed Abbot Maurus intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Eccli. 24: 23-31)

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL (Cant. 6:3; Judith 13:22)

You are all-beautiful and sweet, O daughter of Sion; fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army in battle array. V. The Lord has blessed you by His power, because by you He has brought our enemies to nought.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Luke 1:28)

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (John 2:1-11)

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: "They have no wine." And Jesus saith to her: "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters: "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: "Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast." And they carried it.

And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: "Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Jer. 18:20)

Remember, O Virgin Mother, to speak good things in our behalf before the face of God, so that He may turn away His anger from us.

SECRET PRAYER

O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary, let this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and forever. Through Our lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN

Ever-Virgin Mary, most worthy Queen of the world, you who brought forth Christ, the Lord and Savior of all mankind, pray for our peace and safety.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

O Lord, help us by the prayers of Your Immaculate ever-Virgin Mother Mary. Her loving care has already brought us lasting blessings; may she shield us from all dangers and unite us in heart and mind; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .