The Virgin Mary has several Marian advocations , one of them being the Virgin of Mercy or Our Lady of Mercy, whose figure was taken to be the guardian of protection and Patron Saint of prisoners and for difficult times, for which it is common to raise a prayer to Our Lady of Mercy , and she will attend to those most in need.
Prayer to the Virgin of Las Mercedes
Our Lady of Mercy has become an important symbol within Spanish culture, whose veneration has spread from Catalonia to much of the world, reaching the Americas with the Spanish invasion and taking deep root in the devotion of millions of people. If you'd like to learn about prayers, you can check out Ho'oponopono Prayers.
It is common, then, for more and more faithful devotees to offer prayers to Our Lady of Mercy each day, requesting her support and protection in facing difficult times, unexpected circumstances, and other conflicts. For the Catholic Church, she represents a very popular icon among Marian devotions , which is why she is often venerated and offered gifts, either to thank her for a favor received or to request one.
The semiotic composition that contains the image of the Virgin of Las Mercedes , that is, the number of symbols that comprise her entire figure, must evoke benevolence in the first place, an element that her clothing must represent, composed of a white tunic, with a scapular on her chest, containing the sign of Mercy.
In some depictions, she is shown wearing chains, which is why she was named the patron saint of prisoners or those deprived of their liberty. Other elements she often carries include a scepter and a crown, along with an image of the Christ Child, although she is also sometimes depicted alone.
The prisoners are asking for a prayer to the Virgin of Las Mercedes so that justice may be done in their cases and they may have a prompt freedom, or also so that she may protect them while they are in prisons and other detention centers.
Due to her benevolent nature, this Virgin is also called the Merciful Virgin in many regions , and serves as Patron Saint in various places around the world, in addition to Spain , in countries such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Argentina, Costa Rica, United States, Chile, El Salvador, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.
How is prayer done?
To know how to pray to Our Lady of Mercy, we must first be aware that when we pray, we are establishing an intimate contact with God the Father, but, since we cannot do so directly, we carry out that spiritual connection through our Mother, Our Lady of Mercy.
According to religious teachings, these deities of the Church and other Saints serve as a sensory bridge. Through prayer to Our Lady of Mercy , a transcendental power is activated by consciously praying to her, making communication much more effective and imbued with holiness.
Another aspect to consider when praying to Our Lady of Mercy is that it should be done with respect and extreme dedication, since the intention is that through prayer, you can overcome the conflicts you are facing in your life.
By offering a prayer to Our Lady of Mercy , you can thank her for your health and well-being, or likewise, ask her for a special favor that will benefit you, either personally or your family, friends, close acquaintances, among others, taking advantage of the spiritual and Almighty development that opens up like a window of communication with God.
Once you make this a habit, you will feel your life filled with profound spirituality, free from worries and experiencing deep peace. This prayer to Our Lady of Mercy can be done alone or with friends and family.
Having highlighted the importance of this prayer, we now offer some steps or tips to make your prayer to Our Lady of Mercy an effective and satisfying prayer according to your needs.
Steps to pray
The first step in performing a prayer to Our Lady of Mercy is to choose a place within your home or another location where you reside or find yourself, a place that enjoys peace and good energy, and where the person praying can remain serene and safe from interruption.
One must be aware that when we pray, implore, or supplicate, it is the way to connect spiritually with our inner selves, with our whole being, and to establish a direct connection with our Mother, the Virgin of Las Mercedes , and with her as mediator, also with God.
Being the patron saint of prisoners, prisoners or convicts, you can ask in the middle of the prayer story, for the protection of a family member or loved one who is in that situation. In the same way, for the detainee himself, the prayer to the Virgen de Las Mercedes serves as a way to express his concern, unburden himself with the problems that disturb him and even as a way of reflecting.
It is through the recitation of prayers that devout Catholics profess their faith in God , with petitions and invocations, which are made collectively and individually, whether in the commemoration of festivities and ceremonies, as in the case of the Day of the Virgin of Mercy , which is celebrated on September 24 of each year.
The faithful followers of this Marian devotion offer a prayer to Our Lady of Mercy as part of the celebration ritual, taking the opportunity to thank her or ask for a favor. The most common petitions are for imprisoned relatives, people with delicate health, those living in precarious conditions, and those experiencing food shortages, among others.
In the same way, they ask the Virgin to give them spiritual strength, so that they can endure what is happening to them, and their intersection before Almighty God, to get out of this situation as soon as possible.
When you pray to the Virgin Mary under her Marian title of Our Lady of Mercy , as with other Virgins, you also establish a connection with the host of angels and archangels who serve the great Queen of Heaven. You are also asking for the combined help of all the saints, God the Father Almighty, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, all expressed in one God.
Prayer
Oh Most Pure Mother!, Virgin of Las Mercedes, you who can do everything,
Great guardian of prisoners and abandoned causes.
Most Holy Mother of Jesus and Mother of all of us,
I ask you to listen to my requests, divine radiance that illuminates the skies and the seas,
that you protect the lives of the homeless through your divine blessing,
Thank you for being our guide in repenting our sins.
Today I come to you, to ask you with repentance and humility,
Give us strength, protection and salvation to all your children, especially those most in need.
May you work for the prompt help, through your divine interception, of
(the person requires the favor is named),
so that he does not stray from the path that you taught us through your word,
I ask you, Oh great lady, to take away her anguish and calm her despair,
accompany him with your divine presence in the difficult moments he lives,
Give him your protection and make him forget all sadness and suffering with your immense love.
Oh Holy Divine Virgin!, I ask you to comply with my requests and wishes,
that with faith, fear and much devotion, today I make you,
I invoke you, O Blessed Virgin of Mercedes! Amen.
Note: The name of the person from whom the request is made must be repeated 3 times.
Prayer for the protection of prisoners
Being the patron saint of prisoners or deprived of liberty, they constantly say a prayer to the Virgin of Las Mercedes, whether they are detainees or their families to ask for their safety within prisons, acceleration in the processes or their prompt release. .
Oh, Blessed Virgin!, Santa Maria de las Mercedes,
That for men she was Mercedes of God, Mother of her son Jesus Christ,
You are the Queen and Sovereign of the world and of everything that has been created in it,
that you do not despise any of your children, nor do you leave abandoned,
make us see the world and everything created,
make us see the reign of your Divine Son, Jesus Christ,
which is synonymous with justice, love and truth.
Oh Holy Immaculate Mother!, Virgin of Las Mercedes,
you who have the power to do many things,
that you are the patron saint and protector of prisoners and
who always intercede before lost causes,
I ask you to hear my pleas, O holy benevolent and loving Mother,
Most Holy Mother of Jesus, King of Kings, Mother of us all,
divine light of the seas and the firmament, protect us with your divine blessing
especially to prisoners, helpless and unfortunate,
I humbly ask you to help us repent of our sins,
through the noble heart of sweet Mary, grant strength and salvation to your children,
work for the prompt release of (said the name of the person),
That through your divine intersection they return to the path of good,
The same one that you taught us through your holy word,
Relieve their anguish and calm their despair by offering them comfort,
Accompany them with your divine presence in these difficult times,
Shelter them under your sacred mantle, full of love,
Make them forget their sadness and heartbreak.
Oh Holy Divine Virgin!, I ask you on this day to be the guardian of my desires,
and fulfill everything that I come to ask you today with great devotion,
I appeal to your good heart, Oh Blessed Patron Virgin of Mercedes. Amen!
Note: the person for whom you are requesting the favor is named three times.
Prayer to ask for your protection
The following prayer to Our Lady of Mercy is recited to ask for her protection and guidance during difficult times, adversity, serious illnesses, and other dangers that may arise in daily life. For other prayers, see the article " Prayer to Saint Pancras."
Oh! Holy Virgin of Mercedes, you who are a Mother,
we beg you today on behalf of our children, and also for the children of others,
we invoke your name my Mother, so that you increase our faith and trust,
because only you can do it, Oh great lady of Las Mercedes!,
intercede before God the Father on behalf of the humble,
so that we always enjoy the blessing of God, our Lord, Amen!
O gracious Lady, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Today I come before you to plead for my family, my children and my husband,
and even for all those who are requesting your protection,
for the families that today are in need of your consolation, advice and your holy word.
Open their hearts, my Mother, so that they do not divert their paths from the path of good,
blessed are you among all women, O holy Mother of Jesus,
I thank you for your sacrifices, more pray for us sinners,
bless us and protect us always, and forever, until the end of our lives, Amen!
Novena to the Virgin of Las Mercedes
To pray the novena to the Virgin, begin with the prayer of the sign of the Holy Cross, followed by “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!". Next, a prayer is recited as an introduction that says as follows:
Jesus Christ,
You who are great and real,
Maker of heaven and earth,
I respect you for being who you are and above all objects,
I regret with all my heart to have bothered you;
and I swear never to sin again.
Separate me Lord from all the occasions in which I can offend you,
Allow me to confess and do my penance.
I offer you Lord my life and my work, to repair all my sins,
Trusting in your infinite mercy and kindness to forgive them,
I ask this in the name of your most precious blood, passion and death,
Grant me the grace to be able to amend myself, and be eternally at your service,
from this day until the end of my life. Amen!
Opening prayer for every day
Before beginning the prayers of this novena to Our Lady of Mercy , one must say a prayer that is to be recited every day:
Oh! Blessed Virgin of Mercedes,
Great redeemer of captives and sovereign of Heaven and Earth,
On my knees I come before your altar to ask you for help and blessing, Oh my holy Mother!
Never abandon us, and pray to the Lord our God for us,
Continue your trade as Patron and advocate of lost causes.
In your loving and benign protection we trust,
since you have always delivered us from evil, now attend to our pleas
and review the need that we present to you in this novena, Amen!
Day 1
On the first day of the novena, the following prayer should be prayed:
O holy Virgin of Las Mercedes:
You who are Mother of God and our Mother,
Do not forget us, your children,
that we have faith in you and in your infinite goodness,
recognizing day by day the heavenly of your holy Glory, Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 2
On the second day of the celebration of this novena to Our Lady of Mercy , the following prayer should then be recited:
Oh benevolent Virgin of Las Mercedes:
In the name of the grace that encloses your Glorious conception,
Keep your children pure in body and soul,
And give strength to our hearts,
to resist the provocations of our enemies. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 3
On the third day of the novena, the following prayer should be offered to Our Lady of Mercy :
Virgin of Las Mercedes, Holy Mother of God and of men,
By the grace of your redeeming interception,
that you professed before the world in defense of your son, Jesus Christ;
save us from our souls being damned,
to suffer martyrdom for all eternity. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 4
For the fourth day of the novena to the Virgin, the following prayer should be recited:
Oh most holy Virgin of Mercedes!
That in body and soul, you ascended to heaven,
To be named Sovereign of the Earth and defender of Christians;
We await the coming of your reign over all of us,
Which is the guarantee we have of our glory in heaven. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 5
On the fifth day of the novena, the participant or participants must exclaim the following prayer:
Oh Holy Mother, Virgin of Las Mercedes,
You who are the salvation of all the bad guys,
The Mother of those who return to God for the forgiveness of their sins.
We recognize ourselves sinners and with all our soul, we ask for forgiveness.
Intercede before the Lord to obtain his grace and mercy. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 6
On the sixth day of the novena, this will be the prayer to recite:
Oh great Lady, Virgin of Las Mercedes,
Whom the Church has called “Health of the sick”,
So heal all our diseases,
In your protection we hope that you give us the health of the body,
and of your mercy that you grant us the health of the soul,
shelter us, oh great lady before the Supreme Judge. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 7
During the commemoration of the seventh day, the prayer to be recited will be:
Oh Virgin of Mercy, Queen of Heaven,
you who bring relief to the afflicted,
don't let sadness disturb us,
nor that we are dominated by sin.
Grant us holy joy to our souls,
and console those who invoke you in expectation of your goodness. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 8
On the eighth day of the novena to Our Lady of Mercy , the following prayer is said:
Oh Holy Mother, Virgin of Las Mercedes,
Those who have the joy of dying by your side,
they treasure the hope that you are present at the hour of their death,
and that when leaving this earthly plane,
your faithful devotees count on the grace of the sacraments,
do not allow so many Mothers to be deprived of them,
since on the last day, your holy look will be the relief for their pains. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
Day 9
To conclude the novena, the following prayer should be offered to Our Lady of Mercy :
Oh great Sovereign, Virgin of Las Mercedes,
That with your great power, you can free captives from prisons,
Do not allow the blessed souls to suffer long in Purgatory.
Make them soon see the Kingdom of light and peace,
At the side of your holy son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who is our Savior, the same as you, Oh Mother and Queen. Amen!.
Note: as a complement, three Hail Marys must be prayed, and then, make the request for the favor that is required, closing with the prayer for every day.
The Virgin of Las Mercedes and Santeria
The devotion to Our Lady of Mercy was introduced as a religious practice during colonial times, with the arrival of the Spanish in the Americas. At that time, part of the conquest involved the indoctrination of the original inhabitants in the Catholic faith.
This indoctrination also applied to the enslaved Black people brought from Africa , with the intention that they perform the jobs that the Indigenous people didn't know how to do, or simply refused to do. The Black Africans were required to stop practicing Santería , their original religion.
However, in order to maintain their religion, the African slaves devised a way to preserve their culture by deceiving their Spanish masters, pretending to pray to their Catholic Saints, when in reality they continued to worship their own, in the case of the Virgin of Las Mercedes , the name of their deity being Obatalá.
Within Santería and the Yoruba religion, Obatalá is the creator god of the Earth, according to this mythology, as well as the creator of humankind and the master of their thoughts. Followers of this religion call their gods Orishas , and in the case of Obatalá, he is the Orisha who represents justice, purity, and truth; he also governs peace on Earth.
Through the synchronicity of Obatalá , in the religion, he is assigned the name Alá Bá . During the time of slavery, the faithful devotees of Obatalá had to pray to him through the image of the Virgin of Mercy , beginning to dress in white in his honor, from that time onward, in accordance with its meaning of purity.
Prayer to the Virgin of Las Mercedes Obatalá
Oh Holy Immaculate Virgin of Mercy Obatalá,
you who have power over all impossible things,
guardian of the inmates, and Benevolent and loving Mother,
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, who is King of Kings,
celestial light that illuminates the skies and seas,
Today I come to you so that you attend to my pleas.
With your divine blessing you protect all the helpless,
offering your help and your guide for those of us who repent of our sins.
Today I come to you with sincere repentance and humility,
to ask your sweet heart to give us the necessary strength,
to seek the salvation that we need your children,
praying for your divine intersection so that (say the name of the person on whose behalf the request is made)
so that he does not deviate from the path or from your teachings.
Remove from us all anguish and restlessness,
Accompany us with your most excellent presence in difficult times,
Shelter me under your shelter and protection to end our sadness and suffering,
I ask you to be a protector, O Holy Divine Virgin,
With faith and devotion I make these requests to you, Blessed Virgin of Mercedes Obatalá. Amen!.
Note: The name of the person making the request is repeated 3 times.
The Virgin of Mercedes in America
Since her arrival in the Americas, the figure of Our Lady of Mercy has gained the favor of many Catholic believers and faithful, who see her as a promoter of God 's love for all humankind. She is especially venerated by those who have been victims of injustices committed by man against man.
The Spanish people have expressed their honor that Spain was the region chosen by the Virgin Mary for her first apparition. Consequently, her veneration has spread to other parts of the continent, where believers, devout followers, and other devotees gather with their families to venerate her image, giving thanks for favors received and asking for her continued protection and guidance.
The devotion to Our Lady of Mercy has spread to countries in the Americas such as Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Peru and the Dominican Republic , where she is even the National Patron Saint, among many other countries, which commemorate her date and carry out various activities within the framework of the date of September 24 of each year.
Cult of the Virgin in the Dominican Republic
The Virgin of Las Mercedes is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic, and as such, the entire town is committed to commemorating her Day, which is on September 24 of each year, decorating the streets and religious spaces such as churches and chapels, where it is exhibited his lofty image. Even the commemoration of this important day is carried out in prisons, taking into account that she is the patron saint of prisoners.
That is why it is usual to see on that day, how the prisons, also carry out activities together with the relatives of the detainees. Part of the program to celebrate the Virgin, are prayers and prayers for the prompt release of those deprived of liberty, as well as for the protection of their loved ones.
Worship of the Virgin in Venezuela
In Venezuela, the Virgen de Las Mercedes is the patron saint of many of the states and municipalities of that country. Regions such as Lobatera, Mercedes de Caucagua and Zea, as well as the Eastern and Western states of the country, celebrate her Day every September 24.
As in other countries, commemorative acts are also held for that date inside the prisons, where those deprived of liberty pray to the Virgin Mary in her dedication as the Virgin of Mercedes, so that there is agility in their processes and be able to be released.
Thanks to the evangelization of the Venezuelan people by the Catholic friars, the devotion to the Virgin of Las Mercedes spread throughout the country, and it is because of this that so many peoples commemorate their festivities with great faith and love.
The miracles of the Virgin of Las Mercedes
Many miracles are constantly attributed to the Virgen de las Mercedes, not counting those that do not have any record. The main applicants for her favors and miracles are prisoners and people who are going through great hardship. Through prayer to the Virgin of Las Mercedes, they keep their hope alive that help will arrive one day very soon.
Those deprived of their liberty consider it a miracle that they do not let themselves be afflicted by being in prison conditions, and they derive that strength from the power of prayer, which keeps their faith alive towards God and the Virgin of Mercy.
One of the best-known miracles was her apparition to Mr. Pedro Nolasco , one of her most faithful devotees, who in gratitude and with the help of King James I, founded the Celestial, Royal and Military Order of Mercy, at the request of the Holy Virgin, to help the innocent prisoners of the Muslims.
Cancer Cure Miracle
The story of the miracle of cancer being cured through prayer to Our Lady of Mercy was recounted by a priest named Vicente Salto. This account took place in Peru , specifically in the community of Porto Viejo , where a devout follower of Our Lady of Mercy was diagnosed with cancer.
As part of her treatment, the woman was to undergo chemotherapy as soon as possible, as recommended by her doctor. The patient was reluctant to begin the treatment and fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary for her health and her intercession with God so that He might grant her the grace of healing.
They say that when she arrived in the city of Quito for her medical consultation, after completing her check-up, the exams yielded a pleasant surprise, since the cells damaged by the cancer had disappeared and the faithful devotee was cured. As in the case of this Lady, there has been the testimony of others, who, led by her great faith and devotion, have managed to be cured in their entirety.
The Virgin and the fire in Paitento
In 1587, an adventurer named Cavendish attacked the port of Paitento and the entire region, setting fire to houses and even the town's chapel. Suddenly, amidst the flames, emerged the figure of a brave man who saved the image of Our Lady of Mercy from the fire that was consuming the chapel's structure.
This event was taken by the locals as a miracle of the Virgin, because nothing more was known of that man who risked his life to save the Virgin, and yet, after his feat he left as clear his greatest manifestation of love and faith before God.
Another miracle of the Virgin
The image of the Virgin of Las Mercedes would be the victim of a new attempt at destruction in the Paitento region , when Jorge Anson , a pirate of Anglo-Saxon origin, arrived at this famous port , who on September 24, 1741, stole the figure of the Virgin, taking it with him on his ship.
They say that during the crossing of his trip, the sea began to form large waves, increasing its waves with great force. Frightened by the events, that pirate shot the image of the Virgin, and she bled. Shocked by this, the pirate ordered that the Virgin be thrown into the sea.
According to the story, the statue of the Virgin Mary washed ashore at the port, where it was found by a group of fishermen. No one intervened to rescue it; only the force of the waves carried it ashore. The entire town considered this a miracle, believing that Our Lady of Mercy had saved herself from the evil pirate.
History of the Virgin of Las Mercedes
The story of this noble Virgin dates back to 1218, when on August 1st, she appeared to Peter Nolasco, presenting herself as Our Lady of Mercy . In that first apparition, the Mother of God asked the believer to create a religious order in her honor, whose purpose would be to provide assistance to innocent prisoners.
During the time when Spain was experiencing fierce conflicts between Saracen pirates and Muslims, Our Lady of Mercy appeared in the country. The fierce battles were fought along the Mediterranean coast, from where prisoners were taken to North Africa. These circumstances led Don Pedro to ask King James I for help , and with his support, he was able to found the Celestial, Royal, and Military Order of Mercy.
This order was intended to provide assistance to prisoners who had requested help through prayer to Our Lady of Mercy , asking her to intercede for their prompt release. After the order was established, Catholic faithful began to ask the Virgin for help not only for prisoners but also for all those in distress.
Just as we pray for the less fortunate, who suffer humiliation, especially those who have fallen from grace despite being innocent and deserving of God's protection and love. Many countries celebrate this tradition three times a year, changing the saint's clothing on each occasion: the first on August 3rd, then on September 24th, and finally during the Christmas holidays. If you are interested in more articles, we invite you to read " Prayer to Obatalá."