Our Lady of Lourdes ( a ‘Niner’ chaplet)

A ‘niner’ chaplet is a simple and convenient devotion. The beads can be kept in the pocket or in the car and used at any time – though obviously not whilst driving! Beads may be strung together to form a small circlet or lie as a single string. The prayers used with many chaplets are often quite complicated, lengthy and numerous. The ‘niner’ takes its name from the fact that it only has nine beads and these have easily remembered prayers attached: on each of the first set of three beads say one ‘ Our Father’, on he second set of three beads uses the ‘Hail Mary’ and on the third sets uses the ‘Glory be to the Father.’ The simple repetition of these familiar prayers is a simple and effective way of placing Goad at the centre of your thoughts as you pray. A ‘niner’ may be a vehicle for petition for someone in need or for a personal request. The little chaplet may be used as an offering of thanks for a blessing received or as a small act of reparation for a sin committed or a wrong done to another. As an act of reparation the chaplet might then direct our hearts to seek sacramental confession; as an act of thanksgiving we are led to see our true relationship with God as grateful children.

'Niner' Chaplet - Our Lady of Lourdes

At one end of the string is usually a Crucifix and at the other a medal of the saint in whose honour the chaplet has been strung. May of the saints have ‘niners’ composed in their honour. This one focuses upon the simplicity of lourdes with its message of healing. The method of saying this chaplet is also very simple. You might start at the Crucifix as you say ‘In the Name of the Father … etc.’ and end at the medal when you offer a prayer to that saint. A more traditional way is to start at the medal invoking the help of the saint and conclude on the Crucifix saying the Apostles Creed.

The Chaplet Prayers

Commence on the medal of Our Lady of Lourdes, saying:

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy,

Healer of the sick, refuge of sinners,

Consoler of the afflicted,

You know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings;

Look upon me with mercy.

At your appearance in the grotto of Lourdes you made it a privileged sanctuary where you dispense your favours,

And where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come therefore with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession.

My loving Mother, ensure my request ( here make your petition).

I will try to imitate your virtues so that I may one day share your company and bless you in eternity. Amen

Pater noster X3

Ave Maria X3

Gloria Patri X3

Conclude upon the crucifix saying:

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Basilica in the 19th century

Prayer of Monsieur Estrade, a witness of the apparitions.

Mother my hair is white and I am near the grave. I do not dare to look upon my iniquities and more than ever do I feel the need of taking refuge under the cloak of thy mercy and pity. When at the last great hour I have to appear before thy Divine Son, vouchsafe to be my protectoress and to remember that thou has seen me on my knees and believing, beneath the sacred vault of thy Grotto at Lourdes, when thou didst reveal thyself to Bernadette and through Bernadette to me.

The Grotto in the 19th century

Prayer of Pope John Paul II at the Grotto of Lourdes, 15th August 2004

Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman, Blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era, We join in your song of praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and the full liberation of humanity.

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word, Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit, attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience and to his manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living! Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve, Be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, woman of faith, First of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.