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Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians
274. The Raccolta (1910).

MOST powerful Virgin, loving help of the Christian people, what thanks are not due to thee from us for the help thou didst give to our fathers, who, when threatened by the infidel Turk, invoked thy maternal aid by devoutly reciting the Rosary. From heaven thou didst behold their danger, thou didst hear their pitiful voices, thou didst lend a favourable ear to the humble prayer suggested by the great Pontiff, St Pius V, and didst promptly run to their assistance. Grant, O dear Mother, that the present and long continued groanings of the holy Spouse of CHRIST may penetrate to thy throne; may they again move thy compassion and arouse thee afresh to free her from the powerful enemies who surround her.

And so from every corner of the earth there rises to thy throne that precious prayer to make thee propitious now, as then, in our present calamity. Perchance our sins hinder, or at least retard, their effect. Therefore, dearest Mother, obtain for us true sorrow for them, and a firm purpose to be ready rather to face death than return to sin. Intolerable is the thought that through our fault the aid we so desperately need should be denied or delayed. Arise then, dear Mother, yielding to the prayers of the Catholic world, and beat down the pride of those wretched men who in their insolence outrage GOD, and would have that Church destroyed against which, by the infallible word of CHRIST, the gates of hell shall never prevail. Let it once more be seen that where thou dost arise to protect her the victory is assured, that though it may be delayed it is certain in the end; for so we are taught by the faith, which bids us hope through thee to be mercifully heard by GOD. Amen.