Welcome to the Novena Blog Tour in honor of Our Lady of Charity, and the book that celebrates Mary under her special patronage: Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me to Grow in Faith and Love, by María Morera Johnson.

Here you can pray the novena — this is Day 9 — the finish line!  You can also find links to the book, and to Maria’s blog, and to a podcast that we did together last spring about this wonderful title of Mary — Our Lady of Charity — as well as past episodes with Maria, too!

PLUS: You could win a free gift! Please leave a comment here today — as one commenter will be selected at random to win a free copy of María’s book, Our Lady of Charity. Yay! Yay! Yay!

(And, hey, if you are just joining us and want to learn about this novena, go ahead and find day one here.)

Today’s feast and the liturgical calendar
So today, September 8, is usually known as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the liturgical calendar. However, when you go to Mass today, the Mass that will be celebrated here in the U.S. will be the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. That’s okay, many feast days have to take a back seat to what might be listed for the Sunday Mass schedule. On any other day of the week in other years, you’d see Mary’s nativity listed on the missal page.

It’s still Mary’s birthday and we are still celebrating her with this special novena!

Our Lady of Charity
Mary is, of course, venerated in many countries, and in the case of Cuba, her birthday is celebrated under the patronage of Our Lady of Charity. Similar to what my friend, Lisa Hendey, shared on Day 4 of the novena,  I first learned of this patronage via my friendship with María Morera Johnson. And thanks to that friendship, I have visited Our Lady of Charity’s shrine in Miami, the Ermita de la Caridad, more than once with Maria.

So it is my privilege to join in the novena for this happy occasion. (Don’t forget to leave a comment!) More below!

The Novena Prayer – DAY 9

My statue of Our Lady of Charity sits atop my desk in my office.

PRAY:
+ Now and at the hour of our death we are vulnerable and in danger of eternal damnation. Intercede for us,

oh Holy Mother of God, that we never lose God’s favor.In this difficult life may we find in you the maternal protection we need, and an Advocate at the hour of our death.

O beloved Virgen Mary, my Mother, I consecrate myself to you today: my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, in other words, my whole being. I am yours, Oh Mother of Mercy, guard me and defend me as your son/daughter. Amen.

[Ask for your petition here]

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. +

Important links:

María Johnson’s book, Our Lady of Charity. And her other books.

María Johnson’s website

Here’s that Among Women podcast about Our Lady of Charity with María Johnson:

Or find my interview with Maria about Our Lady of Charity on the Among Women podcast via this link.

Other episodes of Among Women with María Johnson:

AW 146: The Power of a Praying Friend
AW 197: Badass Buddies and Pope Selfies
AW 230: Wonder Women

Our Lady of Charity, pray for us!