Saint John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, notably known as the Curé of Ars, is a saint that I have drawn from many times in my writings. His simple yet profound sayings have impacted me in the course of my life, most especially the last twelve years or so. I was first introduced to him in 2006, then in 2009, I was reintroduced through a small booklet with many of his quotes contained in it. If you are unfamiliar with this great French saint, I would encourage you to read more about him. To read my other post about him and the Blessed Mother, read that one here.
St. John Vianney was asked once how long he loved Our Lady, his response, “I loved her almost before I could know her.” If I was a betting man, I imagine many of the saints would say the same exact thing about the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, for today’s “Mondays with Mary”, here is a Marian Prayer written by the Curé of Ars –
O most holy Virgin, Mary, who evermore stands before the most holy Trinity, and to whom it is granted at all times to pray for us to your most beloved Son; pray for in all my necessities; help me, protect me, and obtain for me the pardon of all my sins. Help me especially at my last hour; and when I can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then encourage me, make the sign of the cross for me, and fight for me against the enemy. Make in my name a profession of faith; favor me with a testimony of my salvation, and never let me despair of the mercy of God. Help me to overthrow the tempting enemy.
When I can no longer say: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I place my soul in your hands,” I ask you to say it to me; when I can longer hear human words of consolation, comfort me. Leave me not before I have been judged, and if I have to atone for my sins in purgatory, pray for me earnestly; and admonish my friends to procure for me a speedy enjoyment of the blessed vision of God. Lessen my sufferings, deliver me speedily, and lead my soul into heaven with you: that, united with all the elect, I may there bless and praise my God and you for all eternity. Amen. (Split into two paragraphs for easier reading).
O, Most Blessed Virgin Mary…Pray for Us
Saint John Vianney…Pray for Us
Categories: Mariology
TOM PERNA 
I’m still not convinced we should be praying to Mary rather than God in the name of his son.
I have written about this in the past. You can locate those writings on “Mondays with Mary” page. Not really sure what you mean “by praying to Mary rather than God in the name of his son” because Jesus is God, he is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. If you choose, you can pray directly to God the Father and God the Son.
You should also look up 1 Kings 2 – I have written about this in the past as well. If you believe that Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic Kingdom, that he is the New David, you will then understand that a Davidic King, Solomon, placed his Mother as his Queen (read 1 Kings 2). He venerates her, coronates her, and then allows his mother to bring the request of his brother to him (intercession). Other Davidic Kings did the same thing with their mothers as their queens. This follows suit – Christ is the New David, Mary is then the New Queen Mother of the Kingdom of God – where she can intercede and bring our prayers and requests to him. Mary is not an obstacle. She is always leading us closer to Christ. If God trusted Mary (and St. Joseph) to form Jesus’ humanity (his human mind and wisdom) then maybe you can also trust her as well. God Bless!
What a beautiful prayer – thank you for sharing it! I felt great peace as I prayed it … Such a relief of worldly burdens when you ask for help and mercy for things outside of your control and then hand your future and all it holds over to the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the unfathomable divine mercy of Jesus. I’m grateful for the very eloquent way that St. Vianney did this!
I have known this prayer by heart for over 30 years. It is a great prayer for anyone to say, especially since we know not the day or the hour of our departing. This is very fitting for people who are terminlly ill. When I say this prayer with them and leave them a copy of it to keep, it is amazing how it can change their demeanor. It is like their last vestige of hope, and seems to bring them peace. Of course, it is nothing like the Eucharist, but it can aid and abet them multiple times through the day and night.