It is a very heartbreaking situation for parents when their beloved child pursues a life of sin rather than of virtue, especially when they have tried their best to raise them as good Catholics. Many parents find themselves in this predicament.
St. Monica provides us a wonderful example of persevering in prayer for a straying child. For years she besought our merciful Lord for the conversion of her wayward child, St. Augustine. Even though the conversion did not happen for years, she persevered in prayer and lived to rejoice at Saint Augustine’s conversion. Just think: St. Augustine became a bishop, a great saint and is a Doctor of the Church! There is hope for everyone!
You can ask the wonderful intercession of Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ, to bring your wayward son or daughter to God.
Before we present the Saint Anne Prayer for a Wayward Child, we share a beautiful traditional Litany of St. Anne:
Litany of St. Anne
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
St Anne, Mother of the Virgin Mary, pray for us.
St Anne, Spouse of St Joachim, pray for us.
St Anne, Ark of Noah, pray for us.
St Anne, root of Jesse, pray for us.
St Anne, fruitful vine, pray for us.
St Anne, joy of the angels, pray for us.
St Anne, hope of the patriarchs, pray for us.
St Anne, vessel of sanctity, pray for us.
St Anne, mirror of obedience, pray for us.
St Anne, mirror of patience, pray for us.
St Anne, mirror of devotion, pray for us.
St Anne, support of the Church, pray for us.
St Anne, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
St Anne, mother of virgins, pray for us.
St Anne, help of Christians, pray for us.
St Anne, gate of salvation, pray for us.
St Anne, guide of pilgrims, pray for us.
St Anne, consolatrix of the afflicted, pray for us.
St Anne, health of the sick, pray for us.
St Anne, help of all who invoke you, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O blessed St Anne.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray. O God, Who by Thy grace, wast pleased to choose blessed Anne to be the mother of the Virgin Mary, mercifully grant that we who celebrate her praises may be assisted by her prayers to Thee, Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
St. Anne Prayer for a Wayward Child (Prayer for Conversion of a Child)
O holy mother, St. Anne, so rich in graces! Thou wilt never leave unheard the pleadings and tears of a mother who invokes thee for a wayward child. Thou knowest my grief and the anguish of my heart.
Look down with thy maternal eyes upon this poor erring child, and bring him/her back upon the way of salvation, that he/she may again serve God faithfully and thus obtain eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray the Hail Mary three times.
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