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Pray to the Fourteen Efficacious Holy Helpers in Times of Adversity and Difficulties
Pray to the Fourteen Efficacious Holy Helpers in Times of Adversity and Difficulties
Pray to the Fourteen Efficacious Holy Helpers in Times of Adversity and Difficulties
 
 
 
 


The left wing of the Glottertal Altarpiece; Germany; 15th century; devotion of the 14 Holy Helper (left to right): Saints George, Cyriacus, Erasmus of Formiae, Blaise, Acacius, Giles, Vitus


A GROUP OF SAINTS INVOKED WITH SPECIAL CONFIDENCE because they have proven themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties, are known and venerated under the name Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Devotion to these fourteen as a group spread in response to the Black Plague which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. It attacked without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours; many died without the last Sacraments. Brigands roamed the roads, people suspected of contagion were attacked, animals died, people starved, whole villages vanished into the grave, social order and family ties broke down, and the disease appeared incurable.

The pious turned to Heaven, begging the intervention of the saints, praying to be spared or cured. This group devotion began in Germany--the Diocese of Wurzburg having been renowned for its observance. Pope Nicholas V attached indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the 16th century.



 
 
 
 
 


The left wing of the Glottertal Altarpiece; Germany; 15th century; devotion of the 14 Holy Helper (left to right): Saints George, Cyriacus, Erasmus of Formiae, Blaise, Acacius, Giles, Vitus
A GROUP OF SAINTS INVOKED WITH SPECIAL CONFIDENCE because they have proven themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties, are known and venerated under the name Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Devotion to these fourteen as a group spread in response to the Black Plague which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. It attacked without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours; many died without the last Sacraments. Brigands roamed the roads, people suspected of contagion were attacked, animals died, people starved, whole villages vanished into the grave, social order and family ties broke down, and the disease appeared incurable.

The pious turned to Heaven, begging the intervention of the saints, praying to be spared or cured. This group devotion began in Germany--the Diocese of Wurzburg having been renowned for its observance. Pope Nicholas V attached indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the 16th century.


The right wing of the Glottertal Altarpiece; (left to right): Saints Denis, Pantaleon, Margaret of Antioch, Barbara, Catherine, Eustace, and Christopher. http://www.christianiconography.info
 
 


Saint Christopher and Saint Giles were invoked against the plague itself.

Saint Denis was prayed to for relief from headache; Saint Blaise for ills of the throat; Saint Erasmus (Elmo), for abdominal maladies, Saint Barbara for fever, and Saint Vitus against epilepsy.

Saint Pantaleon is the patron of physicians, Saint Cyriacus was invoked against temptation on the deathbed, and Saints Christopher, Barbara, and Catherine (of Alexandria) for protection against a sudden and unprovided for death.

Saint Giles is prayed to for a good confession, and Saint Eustace as healer of family troubles. Domestic animals were also attacked by the plague, and so Saints George, Elmo, Pantaleon, and Vitus were invoked for their protection.

Saint Margaret of Antioch is the patron of safe childbirth.



 
 


The right wing of the Glottertal Altarpiece; (left to right): Saints Denis, Pantaleon, Margaret of Antioch, Barbara, Catherine, Eustace, and Christopher. http://www.christianiconography.info


Saint Christopher and Saint Giles were invoked against the plague itself.

Saint Denis was prayed to for relief from headache; Saint Blaise for ills of the throat; Saint Erasmus (Elmo), for abdominal maladies, Saint Barbara for fever, and Saint Vitus against epilepsy.

Saint Pantaleon is the patron of physicians, Saint Cyriacus was invoked against temptation on the deathbed, and Saints Christopher, Barbara, and Catherine (of Alexandria) for protection against a sudden and unprovided for death.

Saint Giles is prayed to for a good confession, and Saint Eustace as healer of family troubles. Domestic animals were also attacked by the plague, and so Saints George, Elmo, Pantaleon, and Vitus were invoked for their protection.

Saint Margaret of Antioch is the patron of safe childbirth.

 
 
 


The right wing of the Glottertal Altarpiece; (left to right): Saints Denis, Pantaleon, Margaret of Antioch, Barbara, Catherine, Eustace, and Christopher. http://www.christianiconography.info
 
 

 
 



The legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers are replete with the most glorious examples of heroic firmness and invincible courage in the profession of the Faith, which ought to incite us to imitate their fidelity in the performance of the Christian and social duties.

If they, with the aid of Gods grace, achieved such victories, why should not we, by the same aid, be able to accomplish the little desired of us?

God rewarded His victorious champions with eternal bliss; the same crown is prepared for us, if we but render ourselves worthy of it.
God placed the seal of miracles on the intrepid confession of His servants; and a mind imbued with the spirit of faith sees nothing extraordinary therein, because our divine Saviour Himself said,

"Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in Me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater than these shall he do." (Saint John 14:12)

In all the miraculous events wrought in and by the saints, there appears only the victorious omnipotent power of Jesus Christ, and the living faith in which His servants operated in virtue of this power.

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com
 
 
 



The legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers are replete with the most glorious examples of heroic firmness and invincible courage in the profession of the Faith, which ought to incite us to imitate their fidelity in the performance of the Christian and social duties.

If they, with the aid of Gods grace, achieved such victories, why should not we, by the same aid, be able to accomplish the little desired of us?

God rewarded His victorious champions with eternal bliss; the same crown is prepared for us, if we but render ourselves worthy of it.
God placed the seal of miracles on the intrepid confession of His servants; and a mind imbued with the spirit of faith sees nothing extraordinary therein, because our divine Saviour Himself said,
"Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in Me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater than these shall he do." (Saint John 14:12)

In all the miraculous events wrought in and by the saints, there appears only the victorious omnipotent power of Jesus Christ, and the living faith in which His servants operated in virtue of this power.

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com

In some parts of the world an extra "helper" is added by invoking the Holy Virgin Mary as our Lady Help of Christians (Auxilium Christianorum).
 
 

 
Fourteen Holy Helpers with their attributes in a cloud, including a kneeling woman with her child, in the chapel Adelwil in New Church, near Lucerne in Switzerland House for Dolder, CH-Beromuenster; https://www.heiligenlexikon.de




INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS

FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen


NOVENA TO THE HOLY HELPERS

FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS, select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to thee in my needs, (mention needs) for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena.

Help me by thy intercession to placate Gods wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven, there to praise for ever God, Who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen



 
 
 
 
 


Fourteen Holy Helpers with their attributes in a cloud, including a kneeling woman with her child, in the chapel Adelwil in New Church, near Lucerne in Switzerland House for Dolder, CH-Beromuenster; https://www.heiligenlexikon.de


INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS

FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen


NOVENA TO THE HOLY HELPERS

FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS, select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to thee in my needs, (mention needs) for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena.
 
 
 

 
Fourteen Holy Helpers with their attributes in a cloud, including a kneeling woman with her child, in the chapel Adelwil in New Church, near Lucerne in Switzerland House for Dolder, CH-Beromuenster; https://www.heiligenlexikon.de
 
Help me by thy intercession to placate Gods wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven, there to praise for ever God, Who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen

PRAY THE LITANIES TO THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
 
 
 
Pray to the Fourteen Efficacious Holy Helpers in Times of Adversity and Difficulties
 

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OUR FATHER

Our Father, Who Art In Heaven
Hallowed By Thy Name.
Your Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Liberate us from all temptation[*]
And deliver us from all evil. Amen



[*] Liberate us is in keeping with the original Latin text.
       God usually does not "lead us" to temptation (unless we are tested),
       but gives us the grace to overcome and/or resist it
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HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art though among women,
And blessed is the fruit
Of thy womb, Jesus.
 
Holy Mary, Mary of God
Pray for us sinners
Now, and in the hour
Of our death. Amen


 
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APOSTLE'S CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty Creator of Heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the [work and grace of the] Holy Ghost,[*]
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into the Dead.[**]
On the third day, He rose again;
He ascended into Heaven,
And sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
 
I believe in the Holy Ghost,[*]
The Holy Catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins.
The resurrection of the body,
And life everlasting. Amen


[*] Holy Ghost: may be substituted with the current Holy Spirit.
[**] the Dead: "inferi", the underworld or the dead in Latin.
CLOSE
DE PROFUNDIS

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall abide it.
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and because of Thy law,
I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath waited on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost[*],
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

[*] Holy Ghost: may be substituted with the current Holy Spirit.
CERRAR
SIGUIENTE
PADRE NUESTRO

Padre Nuestro, que estas en los Cielos
Santificado sea Tu Nombre;
Venga a nosotros tu Reino;
Hgase Tu Voluntad
en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada da;
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
Como tambin nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden,
No nos dejes caer en la tentacin,
y lbranos del mal. Amén
 
CERRAR
SIGUIENTE
AVE MARA

Dios te salve, Mara, llena eres de gracia;
El Seor es Contigo;
Bendita T eres entre todas las mujeres,
Y bendito es el fruto
De tu vientre, Jess.
 
Santa Mara, Madre de Dios,
Ruega por nosotros pecadores,
Ahora y en la hora
De nuestra muerte. Amn
 
CERRAR
CREDO

Creo en Dios, Padre Todopoderoso,
Creador del cielo y de la tierra.
Creo en Jesucristo, Su nico Hijo, Nuestro Seor,
Que fue concebido por obra y gracia del Espritu Santo,
Naci de la Santa Mara Virgen;
Padeci bajo el poder de Poncio Pilato,
Fue crucificado, muerto y sepultado,
Descendi a los infiernos,
Al tercer da resucit de entre los muertos,
Subi a los cielos
Y est sentado a la derecha de Dios, Padre Todopoderoso.
Desde all ha de venir a juzgar a los vivos y a los muertos.

Creo en el Espritu Santo,
La Santa Iglesia Catlica,
La comunin de los santos,
El perdn de los pecados,
La resurreccin de la carne
Y la vida eterna. Amn
 
 
CERRAR
DE PROFUNDIS

Desde lo hondo a Ti grito, Seor; Seor, escucha mi voz;
Estn Tus oidos atentos a la voz de mi splica.

Si llevas cuenta de los delitos, Seor, quin podr resistir?
Pero de ti procede el perdn, y as infundes respeto.
Mi alma espera en el Seor.

Espera en su palabra; mi alma aguarda al Seor,
ms que el centinela la aurora. Aguarda Israel al Seor.

Como el centinela la aurora; porque del Seor viene la misericordia.
la redencin copiosa; y l redimir a Israel de todos sus delitos.

Gloria al Padre, al Hijo y al Espritu Santo,
como es desde el principio, es ahora y ser por los siglos de los siglos. Amn