Blessed Mother

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Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Reparation for Blasphemy

Though the Virgin Mary is not God, she too is often insulted by unbelievers, and even by some who claim to love God! We Catholics cannot understand how someone could claim to love Jesus and not love the Mother He Himself loved so much. Yet since some people do just that, we, her children, might like to express our love for her to "make up" (so to speak) for the abuse and slander she endures. Since Jesus loves her so, He could only be pleased with the love we have for her. We love Mary for Jesus' sake, because He first loved her and gave her to us as our Mother.

Mary, my Immaculate Mother, I desire to offer you reparation for the offenses which your Immaculate Heart receives from the horrible blasphemies which are uttered against you. I offer you these praises to console you for so many ungrateful children who so not love you, and to console the Heart of your Divine Son Who is so deeply offended by the insults offered to you.

Receive, my Purest mother, this little act of homage. Make me love you more each day and look with pity on those blasphemers that they may not delay to cast themselves into your maternal arms. Amen.

V. Grant that I may praise you, O Holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be her Immaculate Heart.
Blessed be her Virginal Purity.
Blessed be her Divine Maternity.
Blessed be her Universal Mediation.
Blessed be her sorrows and her tears.
Blessed be the graces with which the Lord crowned her Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Glory be to Mary, Daughter of the Father,
Glory be to Mary, Mother of the Son,
Glory be to Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

My Mother, I love you for those who do not love you; I praise you for those who blaspheme you; I surrender myself to you for those who will not recognize you as their Mother.

(Repeat the portion in bold type five times)

AMDG et BVMH


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O Mary, Star of the Sea, my gentle Sovereign, our life and Queen of Peace, how great and how wonderful the day on which the Holy Trinity crowned thee Queen of heaven and earth, Dispensatrix of all graces, our most lovable Mother--what a triumph for thee! What happiness for the angels, for the saints, for the earth, for Purgatory! I know, O Mary, that those who love thee shall be saved, and that those who love thee greatly shall be holy and shall participate one day in thy glory in Heaven. I do not doubt thy clemency nor thy power; I fear my inconstancy in praying to thee. Obtain for me perseverance. O Mary, be thou my salvation. I feel my passions, the devil, the world. O Mary, hold thou me close to thee and to thy Jesus! Permit me not to fall; leave me not even for an instant, O Mother. It is consoling to cast the first glance upon thee in the morning, to walk under thy mantle during the day, to fall asleep under thy gaze at night. Thou hast smiles for innocent children, strength for struggling youth, light for working men and women, comfort for old age awaiting Heaven. O Mary, to thee I consecrate my entire life; pray for me now and in the final battle at the hour of my death. Receive thou my soul when it breathes its last, and leave me not until I kneel before thy throne in Heaven, to love thee for all eternity. O Mary, my Queen, my Advocate, my sweetness, obtain for me holy perseverance. Amen. Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

- from "Novena Prayers to Mary, Queen of Apostles"

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

Stabat Mater

At the cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing
All his bitter anguish sharing
Now at length the sword has passed

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son

Is there one who would not weep
'Whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain
In that mother's pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled
She beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent

For the sins of His own nation
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent

O sweet Mother! fount of love
Touch my spirit from above
Make my heart with yours accord

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord

Holy Mother, pierce me through
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified

Let me share with you His pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you
Mourning Him Who mourned for me
All the days that I may live

By the Cross with you to stay
There with you to weep and pray
Is all I ask of you to give

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request
Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very blood away

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh
Lest in flames I burn and die
In His awful judgment day

Christ, when You shall call me hence
Be Your Mother my defence
Be Your Cross my victory

While my body here decays,
May my soul Your goodness praise
Safe in heaven eternally.

AMDG et BVMH

Eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

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The Hail Mary of Our Sorrowful Mother

Hail, Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee. Tearful art thou amongst women, and tearful is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, give tears to us, Crucifiers of thy Son, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen

-St. Bonaventure

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant me ever to be able to call upon thy powerful name, since thy name is the help of the living and the salvation of the dying. Ah, most pure Mary, most sweet Mary, grant that thy name from this day forth may be to me the very breath of life. Dear Lady, delay not to come to my assistance whenever I call upon thee; for in all the temptations that assail me, in all the necessities that befall me, I will never leave off calling upon thee, ever repeating: Mary, Mary. What comfort, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness fills my soul at the sound of thy name, at the very thought of thee! I give thanks to our Lord, who for my sake hath given thee a name so sweet, so lovable, so mighty. But I am not content merely to speak thy name; I would utter it for very love of thee; it is my desire that love should ever remind me to name thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thy Nativity, O Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole universe; for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who by destroying the curse bestowed the blessing, and by abolishing death gave us life everlasting. (Troparion)

By thy Nativity, O most pure Virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness; Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. And we, thy people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Mother of God, the Nourisher of our Life. (Kontakion)

Litany of the Holy Infant Mary
(for private use only)

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 Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us

Holy Infant Mary, pray for us
Infant Mary, Daughter of God the Father, pray for us, etc.
Infant Mary, Mother of God the Son,
Infant Mary, Spouse of God the Holy Spirit,
Infant Mary, possessed by the Divine Spirit from the beginning of your ways,
Infant Mary, beautiful as the morn,
Infant Mary, brilliant as the Sun,
Infant Mary, terrible as an army in battle array,
Infant Mary, our Mistress,
Infant Mary, our Mother,
Infant Mary, powerful in weakness,
Infant Mary, great in littleness,
Infant Mary, treasure of grace,
Infant Mary, tabernacle of Divine Love,
Infant Mary, masterpiece of God's omnipotence,
Infant Mary, delight of thy holy parents,
Infant Mary, Queen of Angels,
Infant Mary, shoot of the Patriarchs,
Infant Mary, foretold by the Prophets,
Infant Mary, procuring salvation to infants,
Infant Mary, resource of all mankind,
Be merciful to, and hear us, O Infant Mary.
Be propitious to, and intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By thy Immaculate Conception, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By thy Sacred Nativity, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By thy glorious Presentation, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By thy infancy, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By thy childhood, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.
By all thy virtues, intercede for us, O Infant Mary.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.


Pray for us, O Holy Infant Mary,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Grant, O Lord, that we who honor the infancy of the Mother of Thy Divine Son, may, through her intercession, arrive at that bliss promised to those only who become as little children for love of Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.

AMDG et BVMH

Eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady

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Novena to the Holy Infant Mary

Holy Child Mary of the royal house of David, Queen of the angels, Mother of grace and love, I greet you with all my heart. Obtain for me the grace to love the Lord faithfully during all the days of my life. Obtain for me, too, a great devotion to you, who are the first creature of God's love.
Hail Mary...

O heavenly Child Mary, who like a pure dove was born immaculate and beautiful, true prodigy of the wisdom of God, my soul rejoices in you. Oh! Do help me to preserve the angelic virtue of purity at the cost of any sacrifice.
Hail Mary...

Hail, lovely and holy Child, spiritual garden of delight, where, on the day of the Incarnation, the tree of life was planted, assist me to avoid the poisonous fruit of vanity and pleasures of the world. help me to engraft into my soul the thoughts, feelings and virtues of your divine Son.
Hail Mary...

Hail, admirable Child Mary, Mystical Rose, closed garden, open only to the heavenly Spouse. O Lily of paradise, make me love the humble and hidden life; let the heavenly Spouse find the gate of my heart always open to the loving calls of His graces and inspiration.
Hail Mary...

Holy Child Mary, mystical dawn, gate of heaven, you are my trust and hope. O powerful advocate, from your cradle stretch out your hand, support me on the path of life. Make me serve God with ardor and constancy until death and so reach and eternity with you.
Hail Mary...

Blessed Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our loving Mother, by the heavenly graces you lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my supplications. In the needs which press upon me from every side and especially in my present tribulation, I place all my trust in you. O holy Child, by the privileges granted to you alone and by the merits which you have acquired, show that the source of spiritual favors and the continuous benefits wich you dispense are inexhaustible, because your power with the Heart of God is unlimited.

Deign through the immense profusion of graces with which the Most High has enriched you from the first moment of your Immaculate Conception, grant me, O Celestial Child, my petition, and I shall eternally praise the goodness of your Immaculate Heart. Amen.

(IMPRIMATUR In Curia Archiep Mediolani; die 7-XII-1931, Can Cavezzali, Pro Vic. Gen.. Suore di Carita. S. Sofia 13, Milano 20122)

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Saint Gertrude's Prayer to Our Lady

Hail, Fair Lily of the ever-peaceful and glorious Trinity! Hail, effulgent Rose of the Heavenly Court, of whom the King of Heaven willed to be born and by whose milk He was nourished! Do thou nourish our souls with effusions of the Divine influences." Amen.

(The Blessed Virgin Mary revealed to Saint Gertrude: "To the one who greets me thus, I will appear at his death in the bloom of such beauty that he shall enjoy a fortaste of heavenly comfort and sweetness")

Anima Mariae

Soul of Mary, sanctify me.
Heart of Mary, inflame me.
Hands of Mary, support me.
Feet of Mary, direct me.
Immaculate eyes of Mary, look upon me.
Lips of Mary, speak for me.
Sorrows of Mary, strengthen me.
O Mary, hear me
In the wound of the Heart of Jesus, hide me.
Let me never be separated from thee.
From my enemy defend me.
At the hour of death, call me.
And bid me come to thine Immaculate Heart
That thus I may come to the Heart of Jesus
And there with the saints praise you
For all eternity. Amen

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Hail All-holy Immaculata, ever blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; full of grace, Queen of Heaven and earth, Advocate of sinners and our heavenly Mother. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou, O Daughter, by the Lord the Most High God, above all women upon the earth, and most blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast brought forth Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls.

Holy Mary, Daughter of God the Father, Mother of God the Son, Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity, pray for us sinners, and send forth the grace from thy Immaculate Heart's Flame of Love to the whole human race, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Enraptured by the splendor of thy heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into thine arms, O Immaculate Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in thy most loving Heart appeasement of our ardent desires and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.

Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness with which God has filled thee above every other mere creature, from the first moment of thy conception until the day on which He crowned thee Queen of the Universe.

O Crystal Fountain of Faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths. O Fragrant Lily of all Holiness, captivate our heart with thy heavenly perfume. O Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave to hell. O Well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart in this year dedicated to thee (1954).

Bend tenderly over our aching wounds, convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the Holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In thy name, resounding harmoniously in Heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers and that the nations are one family upon which there may shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.

Receive O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications and obtain for us that one day, happy with thee, we may repeat before thy throne that hymn which is sung today around thy altars . . . "Thou art all beautiful O Mary, thou art the glory, thou art the joy, thou art the honor of our people." Amen

- Official Prayer of the Marian Year 1953-1954

AMDG et BVMH

+J.M.J+

Another little-known image of Mary:

Santa Maria Vecchia: (Holy Mary in old age)

Somewhere in the Monte Cassino country one can visit a little shrine, in excellent condition although six centuries old, dedicated to Maria Vecchia (Mary in old age).

It seems that this Madonna has often bestowed favors on men of the sea, for the walls of the chapel are lined with toy boats; here and there an oil painting depicts a shipwreck. The ceiling is colored in Virgin-blue and the wall surface in pure white. "The seating capacity is not over fifty," estimates Father Kusman, Marianist war chaplain, who recently stumbled upon this hidden gem and immediately offered the holy Sacrifice there before the usual congregation of aging women. "I felt strangely calm when during the Mass I glanced at the six-foot image of our Blessed Lady pictured as an aging woman."

The Mother of Jesus did, in fact, attain to a considerable age. Some Mariologists claim that she achieved the age of seventy-two. The Franciscan Crown consists of seventy-two Aves to signify the nuber of years in Mary's life.

Certainly the Blessed Virgin advanced towards the age of sixty or seventy. yet, ordinarily in Catholic imagination (art and poetry) there is never any question of old age for the Mother of God. She is always young, always beautiful, always graceful, always as amiable as in the days of the Visitation or of Christmas. So much so, that with the art critics the well-known Marian conceptions of Murillo are often indiscriminately named Assumption or Immaculate Conception, though the Assumption took place in her extreme old age, and the Immaculate Conception is most fittingly symbolized by the freshness of early youth.

If the infirmity of old age be considered one of the consequences of original sin, then we can readily understand theologically (and not only artistically) why Mary's physical beauty should not be subject to the corruption of deterioration of age.

In a certain sense these extremes really do meet not only in the life our our Blessed Mother, but in our own lives as well: advance in age goes on for even the youngest of us; and at any time it is not advance in age that really counts, but advance in grace and virtue. This is, we may sincerely believe, the only kind of advance that concerned the Blessed Virgin whose life was ever and only measured by the maxim "Be it done unto me according to Thy word."

In like manner - and here is the lesson - the true servant of Mary, to use a beautiful paragraph of Father Chaminade, "becomes a little child, according to the expression and spirit of the Gospel, and experiences the peace and happiness of that age. What he is doing today, what he will do tomorrow, where he will pass his life and how long it will last, nowise disquiet him; he has but one thing at heart - to do always and everywhere the holy will of God."

[Taken from Imitate Your Blessed Mother, by Peter A. Resch, S.M., S.T.D. (St. Meinrad, IN: Grail, 1946: 60-61).]

AMDG et BVMH