Novena For Sexual Assault Survivors (Anytime)

Repeat the following Novena prayers every day for 9 consecutive days.

Prayer of Healing for Victims of Abuse

Praise to you, Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
source of all consolation and hope.
By Your Son’s dying and rising
He remains our light in every darkness,
our strength in every weakness.

Be the refuge and guardian of all
who suffer from abuse and violence.
Comfort them and send healing
for their wounds of body, soul, and spirit.
Rescue them from bitterness and shame
and refresh them with Your love.
Heal the brokenness in all victims of abuse
and revive the spirits of all who lament this sin.

Help us to follow Jesus in drawing good from evil, life from death.
Make us one with You in Your love for justice
as we deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life.

Giver of peace, make us one in celebrating your praise,
both now and forever.

Amen.

Prayer for Those Sexually Abused

Dear God, I can no longer bear this pain alone.
You know every feeling and secret locked in my heart.
It is time, Lord, to open my heart
and share my sufferings
with those who can help me.
Even though I may not understand why this has happened to me,
may I take comfort in the fact that I am not to blame,
and realize that I am not the only person
who has been abused in this way.

Guide me to find the faith and help I need
to gain confidence in mind and body,
develop trust in others,
and experience hope for a happy, healthy life.
Lord, I know that with Your love,
my physical and emotional wounds will be healed.

Amen.

Mother Mary

One night as I lay trembling,
Overwhelmed with all my fears,
I said a prayer to Mary.
And I said it most sincere.
"Please help me, Mother Mary,
For I don’t know what to do.
So I’m writing down my worries,
And I’m bringing them to you."
Then in my mind’s eye I saw,
Our Lady...
She looked at me with sadness,
As she reached her hand to mine,
So I handed her my worries,
Which she crumbled in her palm,
And I felt the trembling lessen,
As she helped restore my calm.
Then my Heavenly Mother
Opened wide her mantle blue,
She wrapped it all around me,
For protection, this I knew,
And though no words were spoken,
Mary managed to convey,
Whenever I would need her,
She was just a prayer away.

[The source of these prayers is unknown.]