Devotions to The Blessed Virgin
THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Rosary is a form of prayer, at once mental and vocal, in which the fifteen chief mysteries of our faith are contemplated. To recite properly the Rosary the Our Father is said on every large bead and the Hail Mary on every small bead, each decade being terminated with “Glory be to the Father,” etc. Each decade is said in honor of some mystery which is set apart for ontemplation during the recitation of the prayers.
MANNER OF SAYING THE ROSARY
1. Hold the cross of the Rosary in the right hand and bless yourself with the cross, saying, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
2. Still holding the cross, say “The Apostles’ Creed.”
3. On the first large bead after the cross, say the Our Father; on the next three small beads, say the Hail Mary; a fter the third Hail Mary, say “Glory be to the Father,” etc.
4. Then say: “The first part of the Holy Rosary, the five Joyful Mysteries: The first Joyful Mystery; The Annunciation.”
5. While meditating on this mystery say the Our Father on the large bead just before the medal and the Hail Mary on the next ten small beads after the medal; adding after the tenth Hail Mary, “Glory be to the Father,” etc.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
Week-day Mysteries: The Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays and Thursdays; the Sorrowful on Tuesdays and Fridays; the Glorious on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This distribution holds in all seasons of the year.
Sunday Mysteries: The Joyful Mysteries are said on all Sundays from the first Sunday in Advent until Lent; the Sorrowful, on the Sundays in Lent; the Glorious, on the Sundays from Easter until Advent.
THE FIRST PART OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Five Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the angel Gabriel saluted our Blessed Lady with the title “full of grace,” and declared unto her the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Beg of her to obtain for us the virtue of humility in imitation of our Lord, who lowered Himself in taking the form of a servant. Our Father (once), Hail Mary (ten times), Glory be to the Father, etc. (once).
2. The Visitation
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin St. Elizabeth had conceived, went with haste into the mountains of Judea to visit her, and remained with her three months. Ask through the intercession of our Lady the Grace of perfect charity toward our neighbor. Our Father, etc.
3. The Nativity
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of her delivery was come, brought forth our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, at midnight, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inns at Bethlehem. Ask that we may be detached from all the things of earth in imitation of Him Who was born in a stable for our sakes. Our Father, etc.
4. The Presentation
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the most Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the Child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God with great devotion, received Him into his arms. Like Mary, who was submissive to the Jewish law, we should cultivate the virtue of obedience. Our Father, etc.
5. The Finding in the Temple
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought Him for the space of three days, and at length found Him in the Temple in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being then but twelve years old. Ask that we may ever seek Jesus with our whole heart, and that sin may never separate us from Him. Our Father, etc.
SALVE REGINA
HAIL, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O Queen of the most holy Rosary.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating on these mysteries in the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SECOND PART OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Prayer and Bloody Sweat of our Blessed Saviour in the Garden
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus was so afflicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, that His body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which ran trickling down in great drops upon the ground. Ask that we may sincerely Iament our sins which caused this great agony. Our Father, etc.
2. The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ was most cruelly scourged in Pilate’s house for our sins, and let us beg the grace to do penance and mortify our senses and unruly passions. Our Father, etc.
3. The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how those cruel ministers of Satan crowned our Lord with sharp thorns, and saluted Him in derision as King of the Jews. Let us fly the flatteries and vanities of this world and seek only the approval of God. Our Father, etc.
4. Jesus Carries His Cross
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord, being sentenced to die, bore with great patience the cross which was laid upon Him for His greater torment and ignominy. In bearing the crosses and trials of life we should remember this mystery, and try to imitate the wonderful patience which Christ displayed. Our Father, etc.
5. The Crucifixion
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Saviour, being come to) Mount Calvary, was stripped of His clothes, and His hands and feet most cruelly nailed to the cross in the presence of His most afflicted Mother. As He prayed for His executioners, so let us forgive those who injure and persecute us. Our Father, etc.; Hail, holy Queen, etc. as above.
THE THIRD PART OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Five Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible. May we be very steadfast in the profession and practice of our faith, of which this mystery is the foundation. Our Father, etc.
2. The Ascension
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord, forty days after His Resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels in the sight of His most holy Mother, and His apostles and disciples, to the great admiration of them all. Let us ask an increase of the virtue of hope and an ardent longing for heaven, our true home. Our Father, etc.
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord, being seated on the right hand of God, sent, as He had promised, the Holy Ghost upon His apostles, who, after He ascended, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and supplication with the blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the fulfillment of His promise. May the Holy Ghost enkindle in our souls the fire of divine charity. Our Father, etc.
4. The Assumption
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin, some years after the Resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world unto Him, and was by Him assumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy angels. Let us every day beg our blessed Lady to obtain for us the grace of a happy death. Our Father, etc.
5. The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin
MEDITATION: Let us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin Mary, with great jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, was crowned by her Son with the brightest diadem of glory. May we be always found faithful in our devotedness to the Queen of the most holy Rosary. Our Father, etc.; Hail holy Queen, etc.
Among the many indulgences attached to this devotion is that of 5 years and 5 quarantines each time five decades are said. For this the use of a blessed rosary is not required. Neither is it necessary that the five decades be said at one time; it is sufficient that they be finished within the same day.
Numerous other indulgences may be gained by those who use blessed rosaries, or who belong to the Rosary Confraternity.
The meditation on the different mysteries may precede, accompany or follow the vocal prayers; but it should be closely connected with them.
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin
| LORD, have mercy on us. | ||
Christ, have mercy on us.
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Lord, have mercy on us.
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Christ, hear us.
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Christ, graciously hear us.
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God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
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God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
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God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
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Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
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Holy Mary, |
Pray for us. | |
Holy Mother of God,
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Holy Virgin of virgins,
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Mother of Christ,
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Mother of divine grace,
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Mother most pure,
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Mother most chaste,
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Mother inviolate,
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Mother undefiled,
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Mother most amiable,
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Mother most admirable,
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Mother of good counsel,
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Mother of our Creator,
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Mother of our Saviour,
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Virgin most prudent,
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Virgin most venerable,
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Virgin most renowned, |
Pray for us. | |
Virgin most powerful,
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Virgin most merciful,
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Virgin most faithful,
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Mirror of justice,
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Seat of wisdom,
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Cause of our joy,
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Spiritual vessel,
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Vessel of honor,
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Vessel of singular devotion,
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Mystical rose,
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Tower of David,
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Tower of ivory,
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House of gold,
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Ark of the covenant,
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Gate of heaven,
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Morning star,
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Health of the weak,
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Refuge of sinners,
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Comforter of the afflicted,
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Help of Christians,
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Queen of angels,
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Queen of patriarchs,
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Queen of prophets,
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Queen of apostles,
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Queen of martyrs,
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Queen of confessors,
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Queen of virgins,
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Queen of all saints,
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Queen conceived without original sin,
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Queen assumed into heaven,
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Queen of the most holy Rosary,
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Queen of peace,
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
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| V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, | ||
| R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
Let us Pray
POUR forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius VII. Sept. 30, 1817.)
Liturgical Prayers to the Blessed Virgin
ALMA REDEMPTORIS
MOTHER of Christ! hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep, and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive, and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.
AVE, REGINA
HAIL! O Queen of heav’n enthron’d!
Hail! by angels mistress own’d!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world’s true Light was born.
Glorious Virgin! joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see.
Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.
AVE, MARIS STELLA
HAIL, thou star of ocean
Portal of the sky!
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord most high!
Oh! by Gabriel’s Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva’s name reversing,
Establish peace below.
Break the captives’ fetters,
Light on blindness pour;
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us incarnate
Did not thee despise.
Virgin of all virgins!
To thy shelter take us;
Gentlest of the gentle!
Chaste and gentle make us.
Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor,
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.
Through the highest heaven,
To the almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII. Nov. 27, 1887.)
ANTIPHONS
O HOLY Mary, Virgin of virgins, Mother and daughter of the King of kings! bestow upon us thy consolation, that through thee we may deserve the reward of the heavenly kingdom, and reign with the elect of God unto all eternity.
O HOLY Mary, most compassionate of all the compassionate, and holiest of all the holy, make intercession for us. Through thee, O Virgin, may He receive our prayers, Who, born for us of thee, reigneth above the skies; that so, of His loving kindness, our sins may be cleansed away.
O GLORIOUS Mother of God, Mary, ever virgin, who alone wast found worthy to bear the Lord of all, and though a virgin, to nurse the King of angels; be graciously mindful of us, we beseech thee, and pray to Christ for us, that we, being upheld by thy care, may deserve to attain to heavenly kingdoms.
O HOLY Mother of God, who didst worthily deserve to conceive Him Whom the whole world cannot contain, cleanse away our sins by thy loving intercession, that we who have been redeemed, may through thee be able to ascend to the seat of perpetual glory, where, with Him, thy Son, thou reignest forever.
HOLY Mary, be thou a help to the helpless, a strength to the fearful, a comfort to the sorrowful; pray for the people, plead for the clergy, make intercession for all women vowed to God; may all feel thine assistance who keep thy holy remembrance.
Daily Prayers to the Blessed Virgin
PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS TO BE SAID BEFORE A PICTURE OR STATUE OF OUR BLESSED LADY
MOST holy and immaculate Virgin! O my Mother! thou who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the advocate, hope, and refuge of sinners! I, the most wretched among them, now come to thee. I honor thee, great Queen, and give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past; most of all do I thank thee for having saved me by thy help from hell, which I had so often deserved. I love thee, Lady most worthy of all love, and, by the love which I bear thee, I promise ever in the future to honor thee, and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love. In thy intercession I put all my trust, all my hope of salvation. Receive me as thy servant, and cover me with the mantle of thy protection, thou who art the Mother of mercy! And since thou hast so much power with God, implore Him to deliver me from all temptations, and obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them. From thee I ask a true love of Jesus Christ, and the grace of a happy death. O my Mother! by thy love for God I beseech thee to be at all times my helper, but above all at the last moment of my life. Cease not thy supplications until thou seest me safe in heaven, there for endless ages to bless thee and sing thy praises. This is my hope. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX. Sept. 7, 1854.)
PRAYER OF ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
MOST holy Mary, my Lady, to thy faithful care and special keeping and to the bosom of thy mercy, today and every day, and particularly at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and my body; all my hope and consolation, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life I commit to thee, that through thy most holy intercession and by thy merits all my actions may be directed and ordered according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.
(Ind. of 200 days, once a day. — Leo XIII. Mar. 15, 1890.)
SALVE REGINA
In the Morning
HAIL, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
V. Make me worthy to praise thee, holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
V. Blessed be God in His saints.
R. Amen.
SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM
In the Evening
WE fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God! despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
V. Make me worthy to praise thee, holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
V. Blessed be God in His saints.
R. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day. — Pius VI. April 5, 1786.)
THREE OFFERINGS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
1.
HOLIEST VIRGIN, with all my heart I honor thee above all the angels and saints in Paradise as the daughter of the eternal Father, and to thee I consecrate my soul and all its powers. Hail Mary, etc.
2.
HOLIEST VIRGIN, with all my heart I honor thee above all the angels and saints in Paradise as the Mother of the only-begotten Son, and to thee I consecrate my body with all its powers. Hail Mary, etc.
3.
HOLIEST VIRGIN, with all my heart I honor thee above all the angels and saints in Paradise as the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and to thee I consecrate my heart and all its affections, praying thee to obtain for me from the ever Blessed Trinity, all the graces which I need for my salvation. Hail Mary, etc.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX. June 18, 1876.)
ACTS OF CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
For Members of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St. John Berchmans
HOLY Mary, Mother of God and Virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron, and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonor thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, for each recitation. — Pius X.
Nov. 17, 1906.) By St. Francis de Sales
HOST Holy Mary, virgin Mother of God, I (full name), most unworthy though I am to be thy servant, yet encouraged by thy motherly care for me and longing to serve thee, do, in the presence of my guardian angel and all the court of heaven, choose thee this day to be my queen, my advocate, and my mother, and I firmly purpose to serve thee evermore myself and to do what I can that all may render faithful service to thee.
Therefore, most devoted Mother, through the Precious Blood thy Son poured out for me, I beg thee and beseech thee, deign to take me among thy clients and receive me as thy servant forever.
Aid me in my every action, and beg for me the grace never, by word or deed or thought, to be displeasing in thy sight and that of thy most holy Son.
Think of me, my dearest Mother, and desert me not at the hour of death. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, for each recitation. — Pius X. Nov. 17, 1906.)
Particular Devotions to the Blessed Virgin
EXERCISES IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN DOLORS
BID me bear, O Mother blessed!
On my heart the wounds impressed,
Suffered by the Crucified.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day, to those who, with contrite heart, shall say the Hail Mary seven times, and, after each Hail Mary, the stanza, as above. — Pius VII. Dec. 1, 1815.)
EJACULATIONS
O MARY, sorrowful Virgin and Mother of all Christians, pray for us.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Pius X. June 27, 1906.)
Mother of love, Mother of sorrows and of mercy pray for us.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius X. May 30, 1908.)
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL, OR OF THE SCAPULAR
O ALL-BLESSED, immaculate Virgin, ornament and glory of Mount Carmel, thou who dost look with most gracious countenance on those who have been clothed with thy venerable livery, look kindly also on me and take me under the mantle of thy maternal protection. Strengthen my weakness with thy might; enlighten the darkness of my heart with thy wisdom; increase in me faith, hope, and charity. So adorn my soul with races and virtues that it may be always dear to thy divine Son and thee. Assist me during life, comfort me in death with thy most sweet presence, and present me as thy child and faithful servant to the most Holy Trinity, that I may be enabled to praise and extol thee in heaven forever. Amen. Hail Mary (three times), Glory be to the Father, etc. (once).
(Ind. of 200 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. Jan. 16, 1886.)
PRAYER TO OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
MOST holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, our most tender Mother and powerful help of Christians, we dedicate ourselves entirely to thy most sweet Jove and holy service. We consecrate to thee our minds with all their thoughts, our hearts with all their affections, our bodies with all their senses and powers, and we promise to desire always to work for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of souls. Meanwhile do thou, O incomparable Virgin, who hast always been the help of the Christian people, continue to show thyself such, especially in these days. Humble the enemies of our holy religion, and frustrate their evil purposes. Enlighten and strengthen bishops and priests, and keep them ever united in obedience to the Pope, their infallible master. Preserve incautious youth from irreligion and vice. Promote holy vocations and increase the number of God’s ministers, that by means of them the kingdom of Jesus Christ may be preserved among us, and extended to the farthest boundaries of the earth.
We pray thee also, most sweet Mother, to look at all times with compassion upon the young and thoughtless, exposed to so many dangers, and upon poor sinners and the dying; be for all a sweet hope, O Mary, Mother of mercy and gate of heaven.
Also we pray thee for ourselves, O great Mother of God. Teach us to copy thy virtues and especially angelic modesty, profound humility, and ardent charity; so that by word and example we may, as far as is possible in our state of life, present in the midst of the world a living image of blessed Jesus thy Son, and may cause thee to be known and loved, and so may succeed in saving many souls.
Obtain for us, O Mary our helper, that we may be all gathered under thy maternal mantle, that in temptation we may invoke thee promptly and confidently; in short, that the thought of thee, so good, so loving, and so dear, and the remembrance of the love which thou bearest to thy clients, may be such a support to us, as to render us victorious over the enemies of our souls in life and in death, so that we may become thy crown in beautiful paradise. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time.—Leo XIII. March 10, 1900.)
EJACULATION TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Mother of perpetual help, pray for us.
(Ind. of 100 days, each time. — Pius X. Jan. 29, 1914.)
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
MOST glorious Virgin, selected by the eternal councils as Mother of the eternal Word made man, treasury of divine grace and advocate of sinners, I, the most unworthy of thy servants, have recourse to thee, that thou mayest be my guide and counsellor in this valley of tears; obtain for me, by the mast Precious Blood of thy divine Son, the pardon of my sins, the salvation of my soul, and the means necessary to secure it. Obtain the triumph of the holy Church over her enemies, and the propagation of the reign of Jesus Christ all over the world. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. Nov. 23, 1880.)
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF VICTORY
O VICTORIOUS Lady! thou who hast ever such powerful influence with thy divine Son in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of divine grace, they may return to the unity of the true faith, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
INDULGENCED EJACULATIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
1. Mary.
(Ind. of 25 days, each time. — CLEMENT XIII. Sept. 5, 1759.)
2. Mary, Virgin Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.
(Ind. of 50 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. March 29, 1894.)
3. Mary our hope, have pity on us.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius X. Jan. 8, 1906.)
4. Holy Mary, deliver us from the pains of hell.
(Ind. of 100 days, each time. — Pius X. Jan. 22, 1914.)
5. My Mother, my trust.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Benedict XV. Sept. 6, 1915.)
6. Our Lady of the most Holy Sacrament, pray for us.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time, before the Blessed Sacrament exposed. — Pius X. Jan. 10, 1906.)