3 Prayers to Our Lady of the Head

On 12 August, Catholics observe the feast day of Our Lady of the Head, regarded as a protector against illnesses affecting the cognitive system and as an intercessor for students. The saint’s story dates back to the 13th century, when Juan Alonso de Rivas, a shepherd and former Crusader, is said to have discovered an image of the Virgin Mary at the summit of Pico de la Cabeza in Spain’s Sierra Morena.

When he came upon the image, Juan Alonso de Rivas reportedly heard a voice from heaven. It was Our Lady, who asked him to go to the town of Andújar and tell its residents about the apparition. She is also said to have asked him to bring the people a message of conversion and request the building of a large church on that site.

Below are 3 prayers dedicated to Our Lady of the Head:

1. Prayer to Our Lady of the Head to obtain a grace

Here I am, kneeling at your feet,
O Mother of Heaven and our Lady!
Touch my heart, so that I may always reject sin
and love the austere Christian life that you ask of your devotees.

Have mercy on my spiritual wretchedness!
And, O most tender Mother, do not forget either
the afflictions that trouble my body
and fill my earthly life with bitterness.

Grant me health and strength to overcome every difficulty that the world sets before me.
Do not allow my poor head to be tormented
by ailments that disturb the peace of my life.

Through the merits of your divine Son, Jesus Christ,
and through the love you dedicate to Him,
grant me the grace I now ask of you.

(The desired grace is requested.)

There, O powerful Mother, is my humble plea.
If you wish it, it will be granted.

Our Lady of the Head, pray for us.
Amen.

2. Prayer to Our Lady of the Head for protection against head illnesses

Hail, Immaculate One, Queen of Glory, Most Holy Virgin of the Head, in whose admirable title our hopes are founded, for you are Queen and Lady of all creatures. Refuge of sinners, pray for us.

This invocation, repeated thousands of times throughout the world, rises to the throne of glory where you are seated and returns to earth, bringing torrents of light and grace to poor sinners. Help me, then, O sweetest Lady of the Head. With the trust of a child, I beg you, through the merits of the sorrow you felt when you saw your Divine Son wearing a crown of thorns, to free me and all those close to me from any illness of the head.

I also ask you, O most powerful Virgin of the Head, to intercede with Good Jesus, your beloved Son, for those who suffer from these ailments, so that, once fully healed, they may glorify God and praise your maternal goodness.

Our Lady of the Head, pray for us.

3. Prayer of thanks to Our Lady of the Head

I kneel before you, Lady of the Head, to thank you each day for the blessings I have received in my life. In a time of distress, I prayed with faith and with all the strength of my soul that you would free me from the terrible headaches that prevented me from working, sleeping, studying, living in society, caring for my family and finding peace.

Thanks to you and to your Son, Jesus Christ, who knows how painful it is to wear a crown of thorns, I ask that you never let me lose faith when faced with any health problem, especially those connected with this suffering. Thank you, my beloved and devoted Our Lady of the Head. Always intercede for me. Amen.