The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations/Novena for the Feast of the Purification
Novena
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION
(Beginning January 24th).
MOST holy Mary, bright mirror of all virtues, the forty days after thy delivery were no sooner past than thou, though the purest of all virgins, didst will to be presented in the Temple to be purified; Oh, help us, then, by imitating thee, to keep our hearts unstained by sin, that so we too may be made worthy one day to be presented to our God in heaven. Hail Mary.
2. Virgin most obedient, at thy presentation in the Temple, thou didst willingly offer the accustomed sacrifice of women; enable us so to follow thy example, that we may make ourselves a living sacrifice to God, by practising every virtue. Hail Mary.
3. Virgin most pure, thou didst despise the reproach of men whilst observing the precept of the law; ask for us grace always to keep our hearts pure, whatever the world may think of us. Hail Mary.
4. Virgin most holy, by offering thy Son, the Divine Word, to his eternal Father, thou didst make heaven glad; present our poor hearts to God, that by his grace they may be kept free from mortal sin. Hail Mary.
5. Virgin most humble, in consigning Jesus into the arms of the holy Simeon, thou didst fill his spirit full of heavenly joy; consign our hearts to God, that he may fill them full of his Holy Spirit. Hail Mary.
6. Virgin most diligent, in ransoming thy Son Jesus according to the law, thou didst co-operate in the salvation of the world; ransom our poor hearts from the slavery of sin, that they may be ever pure in the sight of God. Hail Mary.
7. Virgin most meek, on hearing the prophecy of Simeon, foretelling thy sorrows, thou didst humbly resign thyself to the good pleasure of thy God; make us always resigned to the dispositions of his Providence, and enable us to bear all troubles with patience. Hail Mary.
8. Virgin most compassionate, when thou didst fill the soul of Anna the prophetess with light, by means of thy Divine Son, thou didst magnify the mercies of God, in that she recognised Jesus as the Redeemer of the world; enrich our spirit too with heavenly grace, that we may joyfully reap in full measure the fruits of our Lord's redemption. Hail Mary.
9. Virgin most resigned, although thou didst feel thine own soul transfixed with sorrow, foreseeing all the bitter Passion of thy Son, yet knowing the grief of Joseph thy spouse for thy sufferings, thou didst console him with holy words; pierce through and through our souls with true sorrow for our sins, that we may one day come to rejoice with thee in everlasting bliss, partakers of thy glory. Hail Mary.