A prayer for favor in the hour of death: Mary, Day 316

A prayer for favor in the hour of death

St. Alphonsus offers a powerful, beautiful prayer to Our Lady, asking for her presence when in his final struggle.

Mary, comforter of the afflicted, console a poor creature who entrusts himself to you. The remorse of a conscience overburdened with sins fills me with distress. I’m in doubt about whether I’ve sufficiently grieved for them. I see that all my actions are soiled and defective. Hell awaits my death in order to accuse me; the outraged justice of God demands satisfaction. My Mother, what will become of me? If you don’t help me, I’m lost. What do you say: Will you assist me?

Compassionate Virgin, console me. Through your prayers, obtain for me true sorrow for my sins. Obtain for me strength to change and to be faithful to God for the rest of my life. Finally, when I’m in the last agonies of death, Mary, my hope, don’t abandon me. Then, more than ever, help and encourage me, so that I won’t despair at the sight of my sins, which the Evil One will then place before me.

My Lady, forgive my audacity. Come yourself to comfort me with your pres- ence in that last struggle. This favor you have granted to many; grant it also to me. My boldness is great, but your goodness is greater, for it goes in search of those who are most miserable to console them. On this I rely.

For your eternal glory, let it be said that you’ve snatched a wretched creature from hell, to which he was condemned, and that you’ve led him to your king- dom. Yes, sweet mother, I hope to have the consolation of remaining always at your feet in heaven, thanking and blessing and loving you eternally.

—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . .  .

Perhaps I may have considered before which of my loved ones I hope will be present when I depart this life. Have I asked Mary to be present as well, and to intercede for me at that difficult time?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: Mary, entreat your beloved Son, in his goodness, to grant me the grace to die clinging to your feet, and to breathe forth my soul in his wounds, say- ing, “Jesus and Mary, I give you my heart and my soul.”

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