Marian Devotion Resources
To Better Know & Love Our Blessed Mother
MAY 1
MARY: THE MOTHER OF GOD
“When the Blessed Virgin said yes, freely, to the plans revealed to her by the Creator, the divine Word assumed a human nature — a rational soul and a body — which was formed in the most pure womb of Mary. The divine nature and the human were united in a single Person: Jesus Christ, true God and, thenceforth, true man; the only begotten and eternal son of the Father and from that moment on, as man, the true son of Mary. This is why our Lady is the mother of the Incarnate Word, of the second person of the Blessed Trinity, who has united our human nature to himself for ever, without any confusion of the two natures. The greatest praise we can give to the Blessed Virgin is to address her loudly and clearly by the name that expresses her very highest dignity: ‘Mother of God’.” 7
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Brief but frequent prayers of love, such as:
“Mother of God, your petitions are most powerful.”
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Brief but frequent prayers of love, such as:
“Mother of God, your petitions are most powerful.”
MAY 2
MARY: THE MOST PERFECT CREATURE
“She who is full of grace, the object of God’s pleasure, exalted above all the angels and the saints, lived an ordinary life.
“Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth as well as suffering and tears. Before Gabriel communicates to her God’s plan, our Lady does not know that she has been chosen from all eternity to be the mother of the Messiah. She sees herself as a lowly creature. That is why she can acknowledge, with full humility, that ‘he who is mighty has done great things’ for her.”8
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Many glances of affection and many words of love,
when we see her image or picture in our home,
in the church, or anywhere.
“Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth as well as suffering and tears. Before Gabriel communicates to her God’s plan, our Lady does not know that she has been chosen from all eternity to be the mother of the Messiah. She sees herself as a lowly creature. That is why she can acknowledge, with full humility, that ‘he who is mighty has done great things’ for her.”8
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Many glances of affection and many words of love,
when we see her image or picture in our home,
in the church, or anywhere.
MAY 3
MARY AND THE BLESSED TRINITY
“Through the Incarnation of our Lord in her immaculate womb, Mary, the Daughter of God the Father, is also the Spouse of God the Holy Spirit and the Mother of God the Son.”9
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A “Hail Mary” each time the clock strikes another hour.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A “Hail Mary” each time the clock strikes another hour.
MAY 4
MARY AND THE BLESSED TRINITY
“It is only natural that the Church rejoice as one contemplates the modest home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We read in the hymn from Matins on the feast of the Holy Family: ‘It is pleasing to recall the humble house of Nazareth and its slender resources. It is pleasing to tell again in song Jesus’ hidden life.
Jesus grows up in hidden seclusion, to be trained in Joseph’s unpretentious trade. The loving mother sits beside her dear Son, the good wife by her husband, content if her loving attention can ease and comfort them in their weariness.’ ” 10
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A loving review of her life with Jesus, as we recite the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
Jesus grows up in hidden seclusion, to be trained in Joseph’s unpretentious trade. The loving mother sits beside her dear Son, the good wife by her husband, content if her loving attention can ease and comfort them in their weariness.’ ” 10
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A loving review of her life with Jesus, as we recite the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
MAY 5
MARY: HER IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
“How would we have acted, if we could have chosen our own mother? I’m sure we would have chosen the one we have, adorning her with every possible grace. That is what Christ did. Christ being all powerful, all wise, Love itself, his power carried out his will. . . . This is the clearest reason why our Lord granted his mother , from the very moment of her Immaculate Conception, all possible privileges. She was free from the power of Satan. She is beautiful, spotless and pure in soul and body.” 11
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The renewal of our baptismal vows.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The renewal of our baptismal vows.
MAY 6
THE ANNUNCIATION
MARY: THE FIRST TABERNACLE
“If you seek Mary, you will find Jesus. And you will learn a bit more about what is in the heart of God, who humbles himself, discarding all manifestations of his power and majesty to take the form of a servant. Speaking in human terms, we could say that God outdoes himself, because he goes much further than he needs to go in order to save us. The only way to measure what he does is to say that it cannot be measured; it comes from a madness of love which leads him to take on our flesh and bear the weight of our sins.” 12
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The Angelus recited punctually at noon and with great affection.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The Angelus recited punctually at noon and with great affection.
MAY 7
MARY: OUR MODEL IN ORDINARY LIFE
“We can’t forget that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their families, bring up their children, and take care of their houses. Mary sanctifies the ordinary, everyday things — what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives. What a blessed ordinariness, that can be so full of love of God.” 13
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Affectionate details of service and attention to those closest to us.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Affectionate details of service and attention to those closest to us.
MAY 8
MARY: MOTHER OF CHRIST
“Jesus Christus, Deus homo: Jesus Christ, God man. This is one of the ‘mighty works of God,’ which we should reflect upon and thank him for. He has come to bring ‘peace on earth to men of good will,’ to all who want to unite their wills to the holy will of God — not just the rich, not just the poor, but everyone: all the brethren. We are all brothers in Jesus, children of God, brothers of Christ. His mother is our mother .” 14
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Jesus himself, when we receive him in holy Communion.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Jesus himself, when we receive him in holy Communion.
MAY 9
MARY: WELCOMING THE SHEPHERDS
“You must look at the Child in the manger. He is our Love. Look at him, realizing that the whole thing is a mystery. We need to accept this mystery on faith and use our faith to explore it very deeply. To do this, we must have the humble attitude of a Christian soul.” 15
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Small hidden sacrifices,
especially those that go against the grain.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Small hidden sacrifices,
especially those that go against the grain.
MAY 10
MARY: PRESENTING JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
“She teaches us to have charity. Remember the scene of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. An old man, Simeon, said to Mary, ‘Behold: This child is destined to bring about the fall of many and the rise of many in Israel-and to be a sign, which people will refuse to acknowledge, so that the thoughts of many hearts shall be made manifest. As for your own soul, it shall have a sword pierce it.’ So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words: ‘Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.’ “16
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A pilgrimage to one of her shrines.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A pilgrimage to one of her shrines.
MAY 11
MARY: WELCOMING THE MAGI
“‘Going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother. Our Lady is always near her Son. The Magi are not received by a king on a high throne, but by a child in the arms of his mother. Let us ask the Mother of God, who is our mother, to prepare for us the way that leads to the fullness of love …. Her sweet heart knows the surest path for finding Christ.” 17
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to a poor person to communicate
our Lady‘s concern for that person.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to a poor person to communicate
our Lady‘s concern for that person.
MAY 12
MARY: HER FLIGHT TO EGYPT WITH JOSEPH AND THE CHILD JESUS
“The mystery of Mary helps us to see that in order to approach God, we must become little. Christ said to his disciples: ‘Believe me, unless you become like little children again, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’
“To become children, we must renounce our pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that we can do nothing by ourselves. We must realize that we need grace and the help of God our Father to find our way and keep to it.” 18
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to a lonely person to share the joy of trusting in God alone.
“To become children, we must renounce our pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that we can do nothing by ourselves. We must realize that we need grace and the help of God our Father to find our way and keep to it.” 18
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to a lonely person to share the joy of trusting in God alone.
MAY 13
MARY: HER HIDDEN LIFE WITH JESUS
“I like to go back in my imagination to the years Jesus spent close to his mother, years which span almost the whole of his life on earth. I like to picture him as a little child, cared for by Mary, who kisses him and plays with him. I like to see him growing up before the loving eyes of his mother and of Joseph, his father on earth. What tenderness and care Mary and the holy Patriarch must have shown toward Jesus, as they looked after him during his childhood, all the while, silently, learning so much from him. Their souls would become more and more like the soul of that Son, who was both man and God. This is why his mother , and after her St. Joseph, understand better than anyone the feelings of the heart of Christ; and the two of them are thus the best way, I would say the only way, to reach the Savior.” 19
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The effort of doing our ordinary work well, on time, with competence and finesse.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The effort of doing our ordinary work well, on time, with competence and finesse.
MAY 14
MARY: LOSING AND FINDING THE CHILD JESUS
“The Mother of God, who looked for her Son so anxiously when he was lost (through no fault of her own) and experienced such great joy in finding him, will help us retrace our steps and put right whatever may be necessary when, because of our carelessness or our sins, we have been unable to recognize Christ. With her help, we will know the happiness of holding him in our arms once more and telling him we will never lose him again.” 20
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A good, sincere, sorrowful confession of our sins and failures, in the sacrament of Penance.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A good, sincere, sorrowful confession of our sins and failures, in the sacrament of Penance.
MAY 15
MARY: AT CANA
“In the Gospel, St. John has recorded a wonderful phrase of our Lady. At the wedding of Cana she turned to the waiters and said: ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ That is what it is all about — getting people to face Jesus and ask him: ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ ” 21
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Prompt obedience, when we are called or asked to do some errand or some act of service.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Prompt obedience, when we are called or asked to do some errand or some act of service.
MAY 16
MARY: AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
“We find her on Calvary, at the foot of the cross, praying. This is nothing new for Mary. She has always acted like this, in fulfilling her duties and looking after her home. As she went about the things of this earth, she kept her attention on God.” 22
Let us offer to our Mother today:
An act of contrition, said many times, asking
her to offer our sorrow for our sins to Jesus crucified.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
An act of contrition, said many times, asking
her to offer our sorrow for our sins to Jesus crucified.
MAY 17
MARY: THE SORROWING MOTHER
“Our Lady is there listening to the words of her Son, united to him in his suffering, when he cried out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ What could she do? She united herself fully with the redemptive love of her Son and offered to the Father her immense sorrow, which pierced her pure heart like a sharp-edged sword.” 23
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The mortification of keeping quiet about any pain or discomfort, any inconvenience or disappointment, uniting it with her pain as she stood by her crucified Son.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The mortification of keeping quiet about any pain or discomfort, any inconvenience or disappointment, uniting it with her pain as she stood by her crucified Son.
MAY 18
MARY: THE CO-REDEMPTRIX
“It is with good reason that the popes have called Mary co-redemptrix. ‘So fully, in union with her suffering and dying Son, did she suffer and nearly die; so fully, for the sake of the salvation of all souls, did she abdicate the rights of a mother over her Son, and immolate him, insofar as it was in her power, to satisfy the justice of God, that it can rightly be said that she redeemed mankind together with Christ.’ This gives us a deeper understanding of that moment in the Passion of our Lord on which we shall never tire of meditating: Stabat autem iuxta crucem Iesu mater eius, ‘There, standing by the cross of Jesus, was his mother.'” 24
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Five small hidden sacrifices in honor of the five major wounds of our Lord.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Five small hidden sacrifices in honor of the five major wounds of our Lord.
MAY 19
MARY: HER FAITH
“If our faith is weak, we should turn to Mary. St. John tells us that it was because of the miracle that Christ performed, at his mother ‘s request, at the marriage feast at Cana, that ‘his disciples learned to believe in him.’ Our Mother is always interceding with her Son, so that he may attend to our needs and show himself to us in such a way that we can cry out, ‘You are the Son of God!’ ” 25
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The “Memorare” for the person in our family who most needs the help of our Lady.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The “Memorare” for the person in our family who most needs the help of our Lady.
MAY 20
MARY: OUR HOPE
“Our Lady, a full participant in the work of our salvation, follows in the footsteps of her son: the poverty of Bethlehem, the everyday work of a hidden life in Nazareth, the manifestation of his divinity in Cana of Galilee, the tortures of his passion, the divine sacrifice on the cross, the eternal blessedness of paradise.
“All of this affects us directly, because this supernatural itinerary is the way we are to follow. Mary shows us that we can walk this path with confidence. She has preceded us on the way of imitating Christ; her glorification is the firm hope of our own salvation. For these reasons we call her ‘our hope, cause of our joy.’ ” 26
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A smile when we do not feel like smiling.
“All of this affects us directly, because this supernatural itinerary is the way we are to follow. Mary shows us that we can walk this path with confidence. She has preceded us on the way of imitating Christ; her glorification is the firm hope of our own salvation. For these reasons we call her ‘our hope, cause of our joy.’ ” 26
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A smile when we do not feel like smiling.
MAY 21
MARY’S PRAYER
“Let us ask the Blessed Virgin to make us contemplatives, to teach us to recognize the constant calls from God at the door of our heart. Let us ask her now: Our Mother, you brought to earth Jesus, who reveals the love of our Father God. Help us to recognize him in the midst of the cares of each day. Stir up our mind and will so that we may listen to the voice of God, to the calls of grace.” 27
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit to Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
MAY 22
MARY: EVER VIRGIN
“The purity, humility, and generosity of Mary are in sharp contrast to our wretchedness and selfishness. To the extent that we realize this, we should feel moved to imitate her. We too are creatures of God, and if we strive to imitate her fidelity, God will surely do great things in us. Our small worth is no obstacle, because God chooses what is of little value so that the power of his love may be more manifest.” 28
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The prayer “Blessed be your purity”
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The prayer “Blessed be your purity”
MAY 23
MARY: QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES
“If we take our Lady’s hand, she will make us realize more fully that all men are our brothers — because we are all sons of that God whose daughter, spouse, and mother she is. Our neighbors’ problems must be our problems. Christian fraternity should be something very deep in the soul, so that we are indifferent to no one. Mary, who brought up Jesus and accompanied him through his life and is now beside him in heaven, will help us recognize Jesus as he crosses our path and makes himself present to us in the needs of others.” 29
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A kind word, a friendly conversation, a helping hand to persons with whom we live or work.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A kind word, a friendly conversation, a helping hand to persons with whom we live or work.
MAY 24
MARY: HELP OF CHRISTIANS
“Yes, we are still pilgrims, but our Mother has gone on ahead, where she points to the reward for our efforts. She tells us that we can make it. If we are faithful, we will reach home. Not only is the Blessed Virgin our model, but she is also the Help of Christians. And as we besiege her with our petitions — ‘Show that you are our Mother’ — she cannot help but watch over her children with motherly care.” 30
Let us offer to our Mother today:
In addition to the mysteries of the day, one more part (five decades) of the Holy Rosary.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
In addition to the mysteries of the day, one more part (five decades) of the Holy Rosary.
MAY 25
MARY: OUR MOTHER
“Find out for yourself by personal experience the meaning of Mary’s maternal love. It is not enough just to know that she is our Mother, and to think and talk about her as such. She is your Mother and you are her child. She loves you as if you were her only child in this world. Treat her accordingly. Tell her about everything that happens to you; honor her and love her. No one will do it for you or as well as you.” 31
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Many affectionate thoughts and prayers, by saying “Mary, my mother” each time we pause in our work.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Many affectionate thoughts and prayers, by saying “Mary, my mother” each time we pause in our work.
MAY 26
MARY: THE WAY TO JESUS
“Mary does the immense favor of bringing to the cross, of placing face to face with the example of the Son of God, those who come close to her and contemplate her life. It is in this confrontation that Christian life is decided. And here Mary intercedes for us so that our behavior may lead to a reconciliation of the younger brother — you and me — with the firstborn Son of the Father.
“Many conversions, many decisions to give oneself to the service of God have been preceded by an encounter with Mary. Our Lady has encouraged us to look for God, to desire to change, to lead a new life.” 32
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Teaching someone how to say the Holy Rosary.
“Many conversions, many decisions to give oneself to the service of God have been preceded by an encounter with Mary. Our Lady has encouraged us to look for God, to desire to change, to lead a new life.” 32
Let us offer to our Mother today:
Teaching someone how to say the Holy Rosary.
MAY 27
MARY: MOTHER OF FAIR LOVE
“This is what explains Mary’s life — her love. A complete love, so complete that she forgets herself and is happy just to be there where God wants her, fulfilling with care what God wants her to do. That is why even her slightest action is never routine or vain but, rather, full of meaning. Mary, our Mother, is for us both an example and a way. In the ordinary circumstances in which God wants us to live, we have to try to be like her.” 33
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The resolution to say, before going to sleep every night, three Hail Marys.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The resolution to say, before going to sleep every night, three Hail Marys.
MAY 28
THE ASSUMPTION
MARY: TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN
“Mary has gone to heaven in both body and soul, and the angels rejoice. I can imagine, too, the delight of St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, who awaited her in paradise. Yet what of us who remain on earth? Our faith tells us that here below, in our present life, we are pilgrims, wayfarers. Our lot is one of suffering, of sacrifices, and privations. Nonetheless, joy must mark the rhythm of our steps. ‘Serve the Lord with joy’ — there is no other way to serve him.” 34
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A smile when someone corrects us or misjudges us.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A smile when someone corrects us or misjudges us.
MAY 29
MARY: THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN
“She lives now and is protecting us. She is there [in heaven], body and soul, with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. She is the same person who was born in Palestine, who gave herself to God while still a child, who received the message from St. Gabriel the Archangel, who gave birth to our Savior, and who stood beside him at the foot of the Cross. In her, all ideals become a reality. But we should never think that this sublime greatness of hers makes her inaccessible to us. She is the one who is full of grace and the sum of all perfections . . . and she is also our Mother.” 35
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The “Hail Holy Queen” at each hour.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The “Hail Holy Queen” at each hour.
MAY 30
MARY: THE CHANNEL OF GRACE
“Her power before God is such that she can obtain anything that we ask for, and, like any mother, she wants to answer our prayers. Like any mother, also, she knows and understands our weaknesses. She encourages us and makes excuses for us. She makes the way easy for us, and even when we think there is no possible solution for our worry, she always has one ready to offer us.” 36
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit or a conversation with a friend or relative whom we want to encourage to go to Confession.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
A visit or a conversation with a friend or relative whom we want to encourage to go to Confession.
MAY 31
THE VISITATION
MARY SINGS OF THE LOVE OF GOD
“God is interested in even the smallest events in the lives of his creatures — in your affairs and mine — and he calls each of us by name. This certainty that the faith gives enables us to look at everything in a new light. And everything, while remaining exactly the same, becomes different, because it is an expression of God’s love. Our life is turned into a continuous prayer, we find ourselves with good humor and a peace that never ends, and everything we do is an act of thanksgiving running through all our day. ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,’ Mary sang, ‘and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.'” 37
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The Holy Rosary said with concentration and affection.
Let us offer to our Mother today:
The Holy Rosary said with concentration and affection.
This litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary was composed during the Middle Ages. The place of honor it now holds in the life of the Church is due to its faithful use at the shrine of the Holy House at Loreto. It was definitely approved by Sixtus V in 1587, and all other Marian litanies were suppressed, at least for public use. Its titles and invocations set before us Mary’s exalted privileges, her holiness of life, her amiability and power, her motherly spirit and queenly majesty.
The principle that has been followed in their interpretation is the one enunciated by the same Pius IX: ‘God enriched her so wonderfully from the treasury of His divinity, far beyond all angels and saints with the abundance of all heavenly gifts, that she…should show forth such fullness of innocence and holiness, than which a greater under God is unthinkable and which, beside God, no one can even conceive in thought.’
Hence, whatever virtue and holiness is found in angels and saints must be present in Mary in an immeasurably higher degree.
THE LITANY OF LORETO
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 Mary, | Pray for us. |
Holy Mother of God, | Pray for us. |
Holy Virgin of Virgins, | Pray for us. |
Mother of Christ, | Pray for us. |
Mother of the Church, | Pray for us. |
Mother of Divine Grace, | Pray for us. |
Mother most pure, | Pray for us. |
Mother most chaste, | Pray for us. |
Mother inviolate, | Pray for us. |
Mother undefiled, | Pray for us. |
Mother most amiable, | Pray for us. |
Mother most admirable, | Pray for us. |
Mother of Good Counsel, | Pray for us. |
Mother of our Creator, | Pray for us. |
Mother of our Savior, | Pray for us. |
Mother of mercy, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most prudent, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most venerable, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most renowned, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most powerful, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most merciful, | Pray for us. |
Virgin most faithful, | Pray for us. |
Mirror of justice, | Pray for us. |
Seat of wisdom, | Pray for us. |
Cause of our joy, | Pray for us. |
Spiritual vessel, | Pray for us. |
Vessel of honor, | Pray for us. |
Singular vessel of devotion, | Pray for us. |
Mystical Rose, | Pray for us. |
Tower of David, | Pray for us. |
Tower of ivory, | Pray for us. |
House of gold, | Pray for us. |
Ark of the Covenant, | Pray for us. |
Gate of Heaven, | Pray for us. |
Morning star, | Pray for us. |
Health of the Sick, | Pray for us. |
Refuge of sinners, | Pray for us. |
Comforter of the afflicted, | Pray for us. |
Help of christians, | Pray for us. |
Queen of angels, | Pray for us. |
Queen of patriarchs, | Pray for us. |
Queen of prophets, | Pray for us. |
Queen of apostles, | Pray for us. |
Queen of martyrs, | Pray for us. |
Queen of confessors, | Pray for us. |
Queen of virgins, | Pray for us. |
Queen of all saints, | Pray for us. |
Queen conceived without original sin, | Pray for us. |
Queen assumed into Heaven, | Pray for us. |
Queen of the Holy Rosary, | Pray for us. |
Queen of families, | Pray for us. |
Queen of peace, | Pray for us. |
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 Mother of God, | That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
Let us pray- Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
THE ANGELUS
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord,
R. Be it done to me according to Thy word.
Hail, Mary, etc. …
[With the following words, bow your head out of reverence for the mystery of the Incarnation.] V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, etc. …
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
R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord,
R. Be it done to me according to Thy word.
Hail, Mary, etc. …
[With the following words, bow your head out of reverence for the mystery of the Incarnation.] V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, etc. …
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
CANTICLE OF MARY / THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
For He has looked with favour on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
In every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel
For He has remembered His promise of mercy,
The promise He made to our fathers,
To Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
My Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
For He has looked with favour on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
In every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel
For He has remembered His promise of mercy,
The promise He made to our fathers,
To Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
CHILDREN’S PRAYER TO MARY
Dear Mother of Jesus, look down upon me
As I say my prayers slowly
at my mother’s knee.
I love thee, O Lady
and please willest thou bring
All little children
To Jesus our King.
As I say my prayers slowly
at my mother’s knee.
I love thee, O Lady
and please willest thou bring
All little children
To Jesus our King.
HAIL, HOLY QUEEN / SALVE REGINA
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, 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 vale 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 merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed are you among all women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.
MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful;
O Mother of thy Word Incarnate despise not my petitions,
but in thy clemency hear and answer me.
Amen.
that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful;
O Mother of thy Word Incarnate despise not my petitions,
but in thy clemency hear and answer me.
Amen.
OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK
Virgin, most holy, Mother of the Word Incarnate, Treasurer of graces, and Refuge of sinners, I fly top your motherly affection with lively faith, and I beg of you the grace ever to do the will of God.
Into your most holy hands I commit the keeping of my heart, asking you for health of soul and body, in the certain hope that you, my most loving Mother, will hear my prayer.
Into the bosom of your tender mercy, this day, every day of my life, and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body.
To you I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to your will and that of your Divine Son. Amen.
Into your most holy hands I commit the keeping of my heart, asking you for health of soul and body, in the certain hope that you, my most loving Mother, will hear my prayer.
Into the bosom of your tender mercy, this day, every day of my life, and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body.
To you I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to your will and that of your Divine Son. Amen.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA
O Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the most holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose,
make intercession for holy Church,
protect the sovereign Pontiff,
help all those who invoke you in their necessities,
and since you are the ever Virgin Mary
and Mother of the true God,
obtain for us from your most holy Son
the grace of keeping our faith,
of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life
of burning charity, and the precious gift
of final perseverance. Amen.
make intercession for holy Church,
protect the sovereign Pontiff,
help all those who invoke you in their necessities,
and since you are the ever Virgin Mary
and Mother of the true God,
obtain for us from your most holy Son
the grace of keeping our faith,
of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life
of burning charity, and the precious gift
of final perseverance. Amen.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary.
O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce thy sacred name, or even only think of thee. I thank God for having given thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely pronouncing thy name: let my love for thee prompt me ever to hail thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.
O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce thy sacred name, or even only think of thee. I thank God for having given thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely pronouncing thy name: let my love for thee prompt me ever to hail thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.
OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ANGELS
August Queen of Heaven!
Sovereign Mistress of the angels!
Thou who from the beginning
hast received from God
the power and mission to crush the head of Satan,
we humbly beseech thee
to send thy holy Legions,
that, under thy command
and by thy power,
they may pursue the evil spirits,
encounter them on every side,
resist their bold attacks
and drive them hence into the abyss of eternal woe.
Amen
Sovereign Mistress of the angels!
Thou who from the beginning
hast received from God
the power and mission to crush the head of Satan,
we humbly beseech thee
to send thy holy Legions,
that, under thy command
and by thy power,
they may pursue the evil spirits,
encounter them on every side,
resist their bold attacks
and drive them hence into the abyss of eternal woe.
Amen
REGINA CAELI / O QUEEN OF HEAVEN
V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regina caeli (in Latin)
V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.
Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regina caeli (in Latin)
V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.
Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM
We fly to your patronage,
O Holy Mother of God,
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
But deliver us from all danger,
O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
O Holy Mother of God,
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
But deliver us from all danger,
O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
(Also called “Marian Consecration” or “Entrustment to)
What is Consecration to Jesus through Mary? Consecration to Jesus is an absolutely beautiful exercise to increase your spirituality and ability to truly serve our Lord Jesus Christ. The basic premise set forth by St. Louis Marie de Montfort is simply that Jesus came into the world through Mary and that for us to always be assured of being close to Jesus, even closer than ever before, we should go through Mary.
Consecration means to set aside for a sacred purpose. Mary’s life was set aside for the sole purpose of serving our Lord. By following her example, we, too, can completely give ourselves to Christ in a fundamental way that consecrates us to Him. We give our lives to Him in service and love. We consecrate ourselves in order to be more devoted to the Lord and His Blessed Mother. It helps us grow in holiness and increase our faith, hope, and love. There are many different methods of Consecration from simple prayers to a month+ long process with readings and reflections. The overall goal is to a time of prayerful focus on drawing closer to Jesus than ever before.
An easy gesture, especially during the month of May, is to start every morning with a prayer of Consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary – which can be prayed even if you have never been through a method or program of consecration.
There are many different types of prayers that would fit, including:
Or this one by St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa):
Check out these popular methods/programs for Consecration:
True Devotion to Mary with Preparation for Total Consecration by St. Louis de Montfort
St. Louis de Montfort is well-known for his devotion to Mary and his “Total Consecration” is really the main method for consecration and what many newer processes use as inspiration and research. This is a beautiful, deep, prayerful, and, some may say, intense look into Marian devotion and consecration. If you have completed consecration using other methods, such as the somewhat “easier” “33 Days to Morning Glory,” and are interested in renewing your consecration, this would be an excellent book/program to try next. The Catholic Company has great resources, linked HERE. Or, you may be able to find all the resources you need, including the readings from the book online, at fisheaters.com, linked HERE.
33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC – https://watch.formed.org/33-days-to-morning-glory-1
Videos by Fr. Michael Gaitley and the Retreat Companion workbook are available on Formed. You would only need to borrow or purchase the “33 Days to Morning Glory” book or e-book. We just had a group from St. Gabriel and St. Bridget complete Consecration to Jesus through Mary through the 33 Days to Morning Glory process together in 2019, but this is something you can do on your own at any time. Picking a Marian Feast Day as your Consecration Day is a recommended idea and then Starting 34 days before. This is a great introduction to Marian Consecration if you are not familiar.
What is Consecration to Jesus through Mary? Consecration to Jesus is an absolutely beautiful exercise to increase your spirituality and ability to truly serve our Lord Jesus Christ. The basic premise set forth by St. Louis Marie de Montfort is simply that Jesus came into the world through Mary and that for us to always be assured of being close to Jesus, even closer than ever before, we should go through Mary.
Consecration means to set aside for a sacred purpose. Mary’s life was set aside for the sole purpose of serving our Lord. By following her example, we, too, can completely give ourselves to Christ in a fundamental way that consecrates us to Him. We give our lives to Him in service and love. We consecrate ourselves in order to be more devoted to the Lord and His Blessed Mother. It helps us grow in holiness and increase our faith, hope, and love. There are many different methods of Consecration from simple prayers to a month+ long process with readings and reflections. The overall goal is to a time of prayerful focus on drawing closer to Jesus than ever before.
An easy gesture, especially during the month of May, is to start every morning with a prayer of Consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary – which can be prayed even if you have never been through a method or program of consecration.
There are many different types of prayers that would fit, including:
My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you;
and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good Mother, as I am your own,
keep me, guard me, as your property and possession.
Amen.
and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good Mother, as I am your own,
keep me, guard me, as your property and possession.
Amen.
Or this one by St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa):
“Mary, give me your heart: so beautiful, so pure so immaculate; your Heart so full of love and humility that I May be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life and love Him as you love Him and serve Him in the distressing guise of the poor.”
Check out these popular methods/programs for Consecration:
True Devotion to Mary with Preparation for Total Consecration by St. Louis de Montfort
St. Louis de Montfort is well-known for his devotion to Mary and his “Total Consecration” is really the main method for consecration and what many newer processes use as inspiration and research. This is a beautiful, deep, prayerful, and, some may say, intense look into Marian devotion and consecration. If you have completed consecration using other methods, such as the somewhat “easier” “33 Days to Morning Glory,” and are interested in renewing your consecration, this would be an excellent book/program to try next. The Catholic Company has great resources, linked HERE. Or, you may be able to find all the resources you need, including the readings from the book online, at fisheaters.com, linked HERE.
33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC – https://watch.formed.org/33-days-to-morning-glory-1
Videos by Fr. Michael Gaitley and the Retreat Companion workbook are available on Formed. You would only need to borrow or purchase the “33 Days to Morning Glory” book or e-book. We just had a group from St. Gabriel and St. Bridget complete Consecration to Jesus through Mary through the 33 Days to Morning Glory process together in 2019, but this is something you can do on your own at any time. Picking a Marian Feast Day as your Consecration Day is a recommended idea and then Starting 34 days before. This is a great introduction to Marian Consecration if you are not familiar.