“She hath opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her hand to the poor.”—Prov. xxxi. 20. The whole life of our blessed Mother shows how ever dear to her has been the alleviation of the miseries that surround us. Everything in her proves to us how justly the Church gives to her the title of Help of Christians. Mary’s desire to console us in our miseries is so immense, so vehement, that scarcely have we resolved to address ourselves to her mercy than she immediately flies to our relief. If Mary is already inclined and prompt to aid us, even when we do not pray to her, what may we not expect from her when we lay our miseries before her, to beseech her to deliver us from them? The Church urges us to apply unceasingly to her, to observe faithfully the pious practices which are authorized to be observed in her honor. With this view the Church has established a great number of feasts in the course of the year, to show her children that they cannot pay too much honor to the Mother of God. Happy is he whose love for Mary is ever growing; he is enjoying in time one of the choicest blessings of eternity. Let us then follow in the spirit of our holy Church, and have frequent recourse to the bounties of the divine Mother. If we would only remember how anxious our dear Mother is to assist and help us, how eagerly we would turn to her in all our sorrows and joys. O holy Virgin, Help of Christians, come to our aid in the midst of the miseries by which we are surrounded! We entreat thee, then, O Mother of goodness, to supply our insufficiency and to bless our labor. Imprint thy love in all hearts, so that having loved and honored thy Son upon earth, we may go to praise Him eternally in heaven. Prayer. Most loving Mother, no suppliant ever had recourse to thee in vain! Whatever our needs, thy ear is ever open to our cry. Thou art the Help of Christians! O good and powerful Mother, come to our aid, and deliver us from all our troubles. Show thyself our Mother, intercede for each one of us that we may lead a Christian life, and hereafter reign with Christ throughout eternity. Amen. Sixteenth Day. Our Lady of Mercy.