Prayer to the Madonna della Mercede to be recited today for help

O Most Holy Virgin of Mercy, You who out of pity for the miserable Christian slaves, came down from Heaven, enjoining S. Pietro Nolasco to found a religious Order which, with a heroic vow, awaited their liberation, deh! may the state of many who lie under the hardest slavery, that of sin, move you with pity. Liberate them, O Holy Virgin, and grant them the freedom of the children of God! Threatened, as we are, by slavery itself, let your piety shine for us too, O Most Holy Virgin of Mercy! You who know our insufficiency in the hard struggles against the common enemy, rush to our aid, strengthen our wavering will, give us victory. Our hopes are placed on you, our Most Holy Mother. We expect the final triumph from you to reach Heaven and dissolve a song of glory and thanks to You who are its Queen. Amen.