If you follow me on Twitter , you know that Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been very much on my mind here lately. Any time I have my mind unoccupied, my thoughts drift toward her. I think I am being led by the Holy Spirit to do novena to her.

I'd like to offer two things: 1) the story of my love for Our Lady of Perpetual Help 2) thoughts on a novena to OLPH.

May of 1991 until May of 1992 was the most turbulent year of my life. I was seminarian and I had graduated from college seminary. But I was really doubting my vocation to the priesthood. making a long story short, I still felt like the Lord wanted me to be a priest. After three months of struggling, I packed my car and headed to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC to begin my graduate studies for the priesthood.

Somewhere in Georgia, I was praying the rosary as I drove. I had a feeling that that rosary was dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. For the duration of the drive I kept praying rosaries that were dedicated to her. As I prayed and reflected more, I consecrated my entire year to her prayers.

After 18 hours of driving, I arrived at the seminary and got my room assignment and key. I took my first load of bags to the third floor, unlocked the door, and entered a stark room. It was a typical dorm room: no curtains, no carpet, just the odor of an institution. The only thing in the room was a tiny little icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I was stunned. I brought my bags in, closed the door and offered prayers of both thanksgiving and petition. On the first day of classes, I ducked into the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a quick prayer before classes started. I walked into the east door and, to my right, there was the shrine to OLPH. It was much more than coincidence.

It was a long and painful year as I struggled to discern the Lord's will for my life. But I believe the Blessed Mother's protection and guidance led me to His will. There are times when I feel her patronage guiding me, but I have not felt her patronage as strongly as I do now since those days in Washington.

Because I am feeling it so strongly, I feel I need to pray a novena. Many people have been so kind as to send different prayers to me, but none of them seem to express what I'm feeling. If you'll indulge me, I am writing a prayer that I will offer for 9 consecutive days followed by three Hail Mary's. If it is helpful to you, I ask that you join me:

I think Jenny Pixler did a great job with her song Be With Us, Mary. It seems like a good way to conclude the novena.