Posted in HOLY SATURDAY, HOLY WEEK, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 4 April – O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile

Our Morning Offering – 4 April – Holy Saturday

O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

(This is the full, original text from an 1852 edition
of Fr Faber’s H ymnal “Jesus and Mary”
)

O come and mourn with me awhile,
O come ye to the Saviour’s side,
O come, together let us mourn,
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and foes deride?
Ah! Look how patiently He hangs,
Jesus, our Lord, is Crucified!

How fast His Hands and Feet are nailed,
His blessed Tongue with thirst is tied,
His failing Eyes are blind with blood,
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

His Mother cannot reach His Face;
She stands in helplessness beside.
Her heart is Martyred with her Son’s;
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

Seven times He spoke, seven words of love
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy, on the souls of men.
Jesus, our Lord, is Crucified!

What was Thy crime, my dearest Lord?
By earth, by heaven, Thou hast been tried,
And guilty found of too much love.
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

Found guilty of excess of love,
It was Thine own sweet Will that tied
Thee tighter far than helpless nails;
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

Death came and Jesus meekly bowed;
His failing Eyes He strove to guide
With mindful love to Mary’s face;
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

O break, O break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride,
His Pilate and His Judas were!
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

Come, take thy stand beneath the Cross,
And let the Blood from out that Side
Fall gently on thee, drop by drop;
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask and they will not be denied.
A broken heart, love’s cradle is,
Jesus, our Love, is Crucified!

O Love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act, your strength is tried
And victory remains with love,
Jesus, our Lord, is Crucified!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our M orning Offering – 28 March – What Can I Say? By St Anselm

Our Morning Offering – 28 March – Saturday in Passion Week

What Can I Say?
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Magnificent Doctor
Marian Doctor

My most merciful Lady,
what can I say about the fountains
which flowed from thy most pure eyes
when thou saw thy only Son before thee,
bound, beaten and suffering?
What do I know of the flood
which drenched thy matchless face,
when thou beheld thy Son,
thy Lord and thy God,
stretched on the Cross without guilt,
when the flesh of thy flesh
was cruelly butchered by wicked men?
How can I judge, what sobs,
troubled thy most pure breast,
when thou heard,
“Woman, behold thy son,”
and the disciple, “Behold, thy Mother,”
when thou received as a son,
the disciple, in place of the Master,
the servant, for the Lord?
Amen

From “The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm with the Proslogion.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The ANNUNCIATION, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 25 March – The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Quote/s of the Day – 25 March – The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Isaias 7:10-15 – Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/–

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee …”

Luke 1:28

And Mary said:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord:
b
e it done to me according to thy word.”
Luke 1:38

“… Answer the Angel quickly, then;
yes, through the Angel give your consent to your God.
Answer one syllable, receive the Word;
utter your own word and conceive that which is Divine .
Spek the word which is transitory
and embrace the Word which is everlasting!
…””

May the Blessed Virgin,
unique in her merits,
stand in the presence of her Creator
interceding always in our favour.
She will be radiant in the fullness of glory,
she who brought forth,
from her virginal womb,
the King of glory.

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) 

St Bernard (1091-1153)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The prayers of Mary,
have the force of command with Jesus Christ.
Hence, it is impossible for the Son
not to grant a grace
for which the Mother asks.”

St Antoninus (1389-1459)

Through Thee, to Us, Our Saviour Came
Sweet Lady of the Rosary
By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Through thee, to us, our Saviour came,
Through thee, to Him, we fain would go.
Our lives are marred by wrong and shame,
Yet, confidence in thee we know.
The friendship thou dost give to all
Who love thy name, shall ever be
Assurance thou wilt hear our call,
Sweet Lady of the Rosary!

Thou art our Strength upon the way,
Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide;
Our Beacon Light to show the day,
And lead us to the Saviour’s Side;
A Comforter in ev’ry pain
We find, O Mother blest, in thee,
And seek we, never, thee in vain,
Fair Lady of the Rosary!

Thy praises, Mary, we would sing,
And all our faculties employ,
That unto thee our hearts might bring
A glory-crown of love and joy.
Bless thou each humble effort made
In thy regard and grant that we,
May by thy influence be swayed,
Our Lady of the Rosary!

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The ANNUNCIATION

Our Morning Offering – 25 March – Blessed Shall be Her Name

Our Morning Offering – 25 March – The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed Shall be Her Name
Anonymous Author

Praise we the Lord this day,
This day so long foretold,
Whose promise shone with cheering ray
On waiting saints of old.

The prophet gave the sign
That those with faith might read;
A Virgin, born of David’s line
Shall bear the promised Seed.

Ask not how this should be,
But worship and adore;
Like her whom Heaven’s majesty
Came down to shadow o’er.

She meekly bowed her head
To hear the gracious word,
Mary, the pure and lowly maid,
The favoured of the Lord.

Blessed shall be her name
In all the Church on earth,
Through whom that wondrous Mercy came,
The Incarnate Saviour’s Birth.

Jesus, the Virgin’s Son,
We praise You and adore,
Who are with God the Father One
And Spirit evermore.
Amen

Posted in LENT 2026, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 17 February – My Beloved Redeemer, Prayer for the Flight into Egypt By St Alphonsus

Our Morning Offering – 17 February – Feast of the Flight into Egypt

My Beloved Redeemer
Prayer for the Flight into Egypt (Excerpt)
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

My beloved Redeemer,
I have many times driven Thee out of my soul
but now I hope, that Thou
have again taken possession of it.
I beseech Thee,
do Thou bind it to Thyself
with the sweet chains of Thy love.
Oh, do Thou make Thyself loved,
make Thyself loved by all the sinners
who persecute Thee,
give them light,
make them know the love
Thou hast borne them
and the love Thou deserves,
since Thou goes wandering over the earth
as a poor Infant,
weeping and trembling with cold
and seeking souls to love Thee!
O Mary, most holy Virgin,
O dearest Mother
and companion of the sufferings of Jesus,
do thou help me always
to carry and preserve thy Son
in my heart,
in life and in death!
Amen.

Posted in LENT 2026, MARIAN PRAYERS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face, The Seventh Day – 15 February

Lenten Preparation Novena
in Reparation to the Holy Face
Day Seven

All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Thy help,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

THE SEVENTH DAY:

Lord Jesus!
After contemplating Thy features,
disfigured by grief pain,
after meditating upon Thy Passion
with compunction and love,
how can our hearts fail to be inflamed
with a holy hatred of sin,
which even now, outrages Thy Adorable Face!
Lord, suffer us not to be content
with mere compassion
but grant us grace to closely follow Thee
in this Calvary,
so that the opprobrium destined for Thee
may fall on us,
0 Jesus, that thus, we may have a share,
small though it may be,
in expiation of sin.
Amen

Mary, our Mother, intercede for us.

Saint Joseph pray for us.
Through the merits of Your Precious Blood
and Your Holy Face, O Jesus,
grant us our petition ………………
Pardon and mercy.

Amen

Hail Mary, Queen of Our Hearts, Our Mother
Prayer in Honour of Mary
By St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716)

Hail Mary,
Daughter of God the Father!
Hail Mary,
Mother of God the Son!
Hail Mary,
Spouse of the Holy Spirit!
Hail Mary,
Temple of the Most Holy Trinity!
Hail Mary, our mistress,
our wealth, our mystic rose.
Queen of our hearts, our Mother,
our life, our sweetness
and our dearest hope!
We are all Thine
and all we have is thine.
O Virgin, blessed above all things,
may thy soul be in us,
to magnify the Lord,
may thy spirit be in us,
to rejoice in God.
Place thyself, O faithful Virgin,
as a seal upon our hearts,
that in thee and through thee,
we may be found faithful to God.
Grant, most gracious Virgin,
that we may be numbered
among those, whom thou art
pleased to love, to teach and to guide,
to favour and to protect, as thy children.
Grant that with the help of thy love,
we may despise all earthly consolations
and cling to heavenly things,
until through the Holy Spirit,
thy faithful spouse and through thee,
His faithful spouse,
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us
for the glory of the Father.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – Awaiting Baby Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of Our Lady of Expectation

Awaiting Baby Jesus
Traditional Catholic Advent Prayer

My heart is beating,
filled with joy,
awaiting Mary’s Baby Boy.
For with this Child, we embrace
the birth of God’s
most precious grace.
Baby Jesus, soon to come!
For us comes the Promised One.
Baby Jesus, God’s own Son,
Thou will be the Chosen One
to lead Thy flock unto salvation.
Our eternal life awaits.
The birth of Jesus brings us nearer
Heaven’s Holy Gates.
Sing with joy
and count the days,
for soon to come,
the Lord we’ll praise.
Rejoice that Jesus
will soon arrive,
the Messiah and our faith alive.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 December – The Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Quote/s of the Day – 15 December – The Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35 –Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Holy light on earth’s horizon.
Star of hope to those who fall.
Light amid a world of shadows.
Dawn of God’s design for all.”

Thou alone and Thy Mother,
are in all things fair,
there is no flaw in Thee
and no stain in Thy Mother.

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Gracious Lady,
thou art a Mother and Virgin,
thou art the Mother
of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer,
thou art too, truly Mother
of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through thy love,
thou hast co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
thou art Mother and Virgin,
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ.
Thou art the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
Thou art, forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came Life,
yes, through thee, O Mother of God.

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

From Heaven, the Glorious Virgin
helps us here below and, by her all-powerful prayer,
she drives out all the evils and endows all the graces.
For all those who pray to her
from the bottom of the heart,
it is their protection for the present life
and for the future life. …
Certainly, she will receive that which she beseeches,
this beloved Mother, she whose very chaste body
was the way in which the Son of God
came to wash away the defilements of the world.

St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist. (1108-1159)

Free from the concupiscence which has disturbed
our human nature, she was like a snow-white lily,
sparkling in the sunlight.
Her mortal life was a continuous ascent
towards the highest peak of holiness.
… her daily correspondence with God’s gifts
was as remarkable as her dignity.
… The most chaste Virgin Mary,
is a model for our imitation.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUEENSHIP of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – Deign, O Immaculate Virgin

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Octave Day of the Feast

Deign, O Immaculate Virgin
By St Paschasius Radbertus (785–865)

Deign, O Immaculate Virgin,
Mother most pure,
to accept the loving cry of praise
which we send up to you
from the depths of our hearts.
Though they can but add little to your glory,
O Queen of Angels,
you do not despise, in your love,
the praises of the humble
and the poor.
Cast down upon us a glance of mercy,
O most glorious Queen,
graciously receive our petitions.
Through your immaculate purity
of body and mind,
which rendered you so pleasing to God,
inspire us with a love of innocence and purity.
Teach us to guard carefully the gifts of grace,
striving ever after sanctity, so that,
being made like the image of your beauty,
we may be worthy to become the sharers
of your eternal happiness.
Amen

Posted in IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Mary, the Source of Peace

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Source of Peace

Mary, my most sweet Mother, in your Immaculate soul there reigned that true peace which is nourished by God’s grace and by complete obedience to His Will.
Obtain for me from your Son, Jesus, victory over my evil inclinations and resignation to the sufferings of life and to death itself.
Then, following your holy example, may I also be able to acquire the interior peace which will one day be perfect and everlasting in Heaven.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/18/thought-for-the-day-18-may-mary-the-source-of-peace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/18/thought-for-the-day-18-may-mary-the-source-of-peace-2/

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 14 December – O Gloriosa Virginum – St Venantius Fortunatus

 Our Morning Offering – 14 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Advent III Gaudete Sunday and Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception – Today is also the Feast day of dear St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Poet, Hymnist, Writer. Another “Golden Words”

O Gloriosa Virginum
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)

O Glorious Virgin, ever blest,
Sublime above the starry sky,
Who nurture from thy spotless breast
To thy Creator didst supply.

What we had lost through hapless Eve,
The Blossom sprung from these restores,
And, granting bliss to souls that grieve,
Unbars the everlasting doors.

O Gate, through which hath passed the King.
O Hall, whence Light shone through the gloom;
The ransomed nations, praise and sing
Life given from the Virgin womb.

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen

O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the Hymn: Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera. It was composed by St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) the Bishop of Poitiers.
In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the Hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to O Gloriósa Vírginum.
It is sung in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Roman Breviary.
It is said that St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was always singing this Hymn. His mother sang it to him as a baby,and even on his death bed after receiving Extreme Unction, he intoned the Hymn.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 13 December – O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

Our Morning Offering – 13 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

O Purest of Creatures,
Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,
The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!
Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we
Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,
And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;
And the tempest-tossed Church,—
all her eyes are on thee;
They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,
For the empire of sin—it had never been there;
None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.
And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,
And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;
His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,
He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The ANNUNCIATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – ‘Be ever my advocate with God …’

Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ––Within the Octave – Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee …”

Luke 1:28

You must know that when you
‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you!
Do not think that she is one of those rude women
of whom there are so many, on the contrary,
she is utterly courteous and pleasant.
If you greet her, she will answer you right away
and converse with you!

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

May the Blessed Virgin,
unique in her merits,
stand in the presence of her Creator
interceding always in our favour.
She will be radiant in the fullness of glory,
she who brought forth,
from her virginal womb,
the King of glory.

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) 

And thou, Immaculate Virgin Mary,
my only joy, be thou my protectress
and my consoler!
Be ever my advocate with God
that I may put into practice,
my good resolutions
.”

St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

O Mary, Mother of God
By St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted,
O Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of the universe,
thou art above all the saints,
the hope of the elect
and the joy of all the blessed.
It is thou who hast reconciled us with God;
thou art the only refuge of sinners
and the safe harbour of those
who are shipwrecked;
thou art the consolation of the world,
the ransom of captives,
the health of the weak,
the joy of the afflicted
and the salvation of all.
We have recourse to thee
and we beseech thee
to have pity on us.
Amen.

OUR LADY SPEAKS HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-december-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Posted in MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – Our Lady of Guadalupe,Mystical Rose By St Pius X (500 Days Indulgence)

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
By St Pius X (1835-1914)

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose,
make intercession
for the holy Church,
protect the Sovereign Pontiff,
help all those who invoke thee in their necessities,
and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary
and Mother of the true God,
obtain for us from thy most holy Son
the grace of keeping our faith,
sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life,
burning charity and the precious gift
of final perseverance.
Amen

This prayer was approved and enriched with an Indulgence of Five Hundred Days by St Pius X at an Audience held on 15 August, 1908 and was included in the official edition of Approved Indulgenced prayers (1950).
Raccolta number 389, 500 days Indulgence, St Pope Pius X Audience, 15 August 1908.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, The ANNUNCIATION, THE ASSUMPTION, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – O Gloriosa Femina, O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

O Gloriosa Femina
O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Father o the Church

O Glorious Maid, exalted far
Beyond the light of burning star,
From Him who made thee, thou hast won
Grace to be Mother of His Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve
Thy holy Scion did retrieve:
The tear-worn sons of Adam’s race
Through thee have seen the heavenly place.

Thou wast the gate of Heaven’s high Lord,
The door through which the Light hath poured.
Christians rejoice, for through a Maid
To all mankind is life conveyed!

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.

This Hymn was used for Lauds in the Sarum Breviary for the Feasts of the Immaculate Conception, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation, the Assumption and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The above is the original text of this Hymn as it appears in The English Hymnal (1906), where it is listed as a Morning Office Hymn for Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Chant Tone: “O Gloriosa Domina” Gregorian Chant, Mode II, traditional.

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 10 Decenber – INVIOLATA! INVIOLATE!

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

INVIOLATA!
INVIOLATE!
Unknown Author
(11th Century)

Thou art inviolate, undefiled
and chaste, O Mary.
Thou has become the resplendent
Gate of Heaven,
O loving and dearest Mother of Christ,
Accept our devout acclamations
in praise of thee.
That our minds and bodies
may be pure,
Devoted hearts and lips
now implore thee.
Through thy sweet sounding prayers,
Gain us pardon forever.
O kind one, who alone
didst remain inviolate.
Amen

The Hymn Inviolata has been claimed by the Carmelite Order, as a Traditional Hymn originating within their ranks. The Hymn is also used by Dominican Friars in the chanting of Compline. Its origins trace to the 11th Century. It appears in Hymnals from 1860 to 1920.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – ‘O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35 – Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

O Mary,
Conceived without sin,
pray for us
who have recourse to thee
.”

You have guarded the integrity
of the temple [of your body];
you have kept your tabernacle free from all sin,
so that the Father becomes your guest,
the Holy Ghost overshadows you
and the Only-begotten Son Incarnate
is born of you.

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

O Mother blest!
And chosen Shrine
wherein the Architect Divine,
Whose Hand contains the earth and sky
vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie;
Blest in the message Gabriel brought;
blest in the work, the Spirit wrought;
Most blest, to bring to human birth,
the long desired of all the earth!

St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Poet, Theologian, Father

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 9 December– Tota Pulchra Es, Maria

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

Tota Pulchra Es, Maria
You Are All Beautiful, Mary
Unknown Author – 4th Century

You are all beautiful, Mary,
and the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you give honour to our people.
You are an advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most intelligent,
Mother most merciful.
Pray for us,
Plead for us,
To the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tota pulchra es, Maria.
Et macula originalis non est in Te.
Tu gloria Ierusalem.
Tu laetitia Israel.
Tu honorificentia populi nostri.
Tu advocata peccatorum.
O Maria, O Maria,
Virgo prudentissima.
Mater clementissima.
Ora pro nobis.
Intercede pro nobis.
Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.

This prayer used by the Church since the 4th Century for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Purity of the Blessed Virgin. It takes some text from the book of Judith and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7. Many composers have set this prayer to music over the centuries.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – Immaculate! Immaculate! By Fr Faber

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate! Immaculate!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

O Mother! I could weep for mirth,
Joy fills my heart so fast;
My soul today is Heaven on earth,
O could the transport last!
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

When Jesus looks upon thy face,
His Heart with rapture glows
And in the Church, by His sweet Grace,
Thy blessed worship grows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,—
Immaculate! Immaculate!

The Angels answer with their songs,
Bright choirs in gleaming rows
And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs
And Heaven with bliss o’erflows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!”
It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 27 November – Prayer to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Our Morning Offering – 27 November – Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Patronages : … Special graces, miracles of healing, for conversions, for believers.

Our Blessed Lady and her Miraculous Medal are the solution to the difficulties we are facing. Now, more than ever, we need our Blessed Mother’s comfort and protection. Now, more than ever, we need to discover her peace. Now, more than ever, we need to know that our Mother is with us.

Prayer to Our Lady
of the Miraculous Medal

Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,
we unite ourselves to thee
under thy title of Blessed Mother,
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
May this medal be, for each one of us,
a sure sign of thy motherly affection for us
and a constant reminder
of our filial duties towards thee.
While wearing it, may we be blessed
by thy loving protection
and preserved in the grace of thy Son.
Most powerful Virgin,
Mother of our Saviour,
keep us close to thee,
every moment of our lives
so that like thee, we may live and act
according to the teaching
and example of thy Son.
Obtain for us, thy children,
the grace of a happy death,
so that in union with thee
we may enjoy
the happiness of heaven forever.
Amen

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD the FATHER, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, ON the SAINTS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints – Salutis Aeternae Dator, Giver of Life, Eternal Lord

Our Morning Offering – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Salutis Aeternae Dator
Giver of Life, Eternal Lord
By St Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

Lauds Hymn for All Saints

Giver of life, eternal Lord,
Thy own redeemed defend.
Mother of grace, thy children save
And help them to the end.

Ye thousand, thousand Angel hosts,
Assist us in our need.
Ye Patriarchs, with the Prophet choir,
For our forgiveness plead.

Forerunner blest and thou who still
Dost Heaven’s dread keys retain.
Ye glorious Apostles all,
Unloose our guilty chain.

Army of Martyrs, holy Priests,
In beautiful array;
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste,
Wash all our stains away.

All ye who high above the stars
In Heavenly glory reign,
May we through your prevailing prayers
Unto your joys attain.

Praise, honour, to the Father be,
Praise to His only Son;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
While endless ages run.
Amen

St Rabanus Maurus (776-856) Benedictine Abbot and Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer – 4 February – author of Veni Creator Spiritus (The Golden Sequence) – https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/04/saint-of-the-day-4-february-saint-rabanus-maurus-osb-776-856/

Posted in HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PURGATORY

Our Morning Offering – 2 November – O Turn To Jesus, Mother! Turn

Our Morning Offering – 2 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – All Souls Day and Our Lady of Suffragette

O Turn To Jesus, Mother! Turn
To Our Blessed Lady for the Souls in Purgatory (1940)
By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat (1814-1863)

O turn to Jesus, Mother! turn,
And call Him by His tenderest Names;
Pray for the Holy Souls that burn
This hour amid the cleansing flames.

Ah! they have fought a gallant fight;
In death’s cold arms they persevered
And after life’s uncheery night,
The harbour of their rest is neared.

In pains beyond all earthly pains,
Favourites of Jesus! there they lie,
Letting the fire wear out their stains
And worshipping God’s purity.

Spouses of Christ they are, for He
Was wedded to them by His blood
And Angels o’er their destiny
In wondering adoration brood.

They are the children of thy tears;
Then hasten, Mother! to their aid;
In pity think, each hour appears,
An age while glory is delayed.

See, how they bound amid their fires,
While pain and love their spirits fill;
Then with self-crucified desires,
Utter sweet murmurs and lie still.

Ah me! the love of Jesus yearns
O’er that abyss of sacred pain,
And as He looks, His Bosom burns
With Calvary’s dear thirst again.

O Mary! let thy Son no more
His lingering Spouses thus expect,
God’s children to their God restore
And to the Spirit His elect.

Pray then, as thou hast ever prayed;
Angels and Souls, all look to thee;
God waits thy prayers, for He hath made
Those prayers, His law of charity! Amen

(Verses 3 and 4 not on image)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 31 October – O Mother Blest

Our Morning Offering – 31 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels”

O Mother Blest
By St Alphonsus Maira Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughn C.SS,R, (1827 – 1908 )

O Mother blest, whom God bestows
On sinners and on just,
What joy, what hope thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste,
Mary thou art fair,
Of all mothers, sweetest best,
none with thee compare.

O heavenly Mother, mistress sweet!
it never yet was told
that suppliant sinner left thy feet,
unpitied, unconsoloed.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste, …

O Mother, pitiful and mild,
Cease not to pray for me;
For I do love thee as a child,
And sigh for love of thee.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

Most powerful Mother, all men know
Thy Son denies thee nought;
Thou askest, wishest it, and lo!
His power thy will hath wrought.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

O Mother blest, for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,
To love that God who first could deign
To show such love for me.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste,
Mary, thou art fair.
Of all mothers, sweetest, best,
None with thee compare.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on HOPE

Our Morning Offering – 29 October – Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen

Our Morning Offering – 29 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels”

Salve Regina
Hail Holy Queen

[An Indulgence of 300 days–1925]


By Blessed Herman of Reichenau (1013–1054)

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 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.

This line, below, by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

℣ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
℟ that we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.

[An Indulgence of 300 days–1925]

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Salve Sancta Parens – Hail Holy Parent!

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Saturday of the Blessed Virgin – Salve Sancta Parens

Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

She is the eldest daughter of the Great King.
If you enjoy her favour,
she will introduce you
to the Monarch of the Universe.
No-one has so great an interest with Him than Mary,
who was the occasion of His coming down from Heaven
to become man, for the redemption of mankind.

St John the Merciful (c552-c 616)

It seems unbelievable
that a man should perish
in whose favour Christ said to His Mother:
‘Behold thy son’,
provided that he has not turned a deaf ear
to the words, which Christ addressed to him:
‘Behold thy Mother
!’”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Twice Mother of Mercy
By St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

O Mary,
thou art twice Mother of Mercy
because thou hast been made
Mother of our most merciful Saviour,
and, furthermore because,
thou hast given to us
so many signs
of thy maternal care and love.
Turn upon us, we beseech thee,
thy glance of compassion
and grant, that we may always
live free from sin,
which is the only impediment
to receiving the fruits
of the Divine Mercies.
Amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION

Our Morning Offering – 25 October –

Our Morning Offering – 25 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and a Saturday just for Our Lady

Most Holy Virgin, My Consolation
By St Germanus of Paris (c490-576)

Most Holy Virgin!
Who art the greatest consolation
which I receive from God,
thou, who art the heavenly dew
which assuages all my pains,
thou, who art the light of my soul
when it is enveloped in darkness,
thou, who art my guide
in unknown paths,
the support of my weakness,
my treasure, in poverty,
my remedy, in sickness,
my consolation, in trouble,
my refuge, in misery
and the hope of my salvation,
hear my supplications,
have pity on me,
as becomes the Mother
of so good a God
and obtain for me
a favourable reception
of all my petitions
at the Throne of Mercy.
Amen

St Germanus of Paris (c490-576) “Father of the Poor” 
HIS LIFE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-st-germanus-of-paris-c-496-576-father-of-the-poor/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – Look Down, O Mother Mary! By St Alphonsus

Our Morning Offering – 21 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels”

Look Down, O Mother Mary!
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Transl, Fr Edmund Vaughan, CSSR in 1863

Look down, O Mother Mary!
From thy bright throne above;
Cast down upon thy children
One only glance of love.

And if a heart so tender
With pity flows not o’er,
Then turn away, O Mother!
And look on us no more.

See how, ungrateful sinners,
We stand before thy Son;
His loving heart upbraids us
The evil we have done.

But if thou wilt appease Him,
Speak for us—but one word;
Thou only canst obtain as
The pardon of our Lord.

O Mary, dearest Mother!
If thou wouldst have us live,
Say that we are thy children,
And Jesus will forgive.

Our sins make us unworthy
That title still to bear
But thou art still our Mother,
Then show a Mother’s care.

Open to us thy mantle,
There stay we without fear,
What evil can befall us
If, Mother, thou art near?

O sweetest, dearest Mother!
Thy sinful children save;
Look down on us with pity,
Who thy protection crave.

Posted in IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

Our Morning Offering – 20 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Mater Admirabilis / Mother Most Admirable

O Purest of Creatures,
Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,
The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!
Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we
Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,
And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;
And the tempest-tossed Church,—
all her eyes are on thee;
They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,
For the empire of sin—it had never been there;
None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.
And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,
And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;
His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,
He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CONSECRATION Prayers, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – Act of Consecration and Reparationto the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and The Holy Angels” and Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (the name she gave herself when Lucia asked her name).

Act of Consecration and Reparation
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of Heaven and Earth
and tender Mother of men,
in accordance with thy ardent wish
made known at Fatima,
I consecrate to thee, myself, my brethren,
my country and the whole human race.
Reign over us and teach us
how to make the Heart of Jesus reign
and triumph in us and around us,
as It has reigned and triumphed in thee.
We wish to atone for the many crimes
committed against Jesus and thee.
We wish to call down upon our country
and the whole world,
the peace of God in justice and charity.
We promise to imitate thy virtues,
by the practice of a Christian life
without regard to human respect.
We resolve to receive Holy Communion
on the first Saturday of every month
and to offer thee five decades
of the Rosary on this day,
together with our sacrifices
in the spirit of reparation and penance.
Amen.

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Mary, the Mother of God, on the Feast of the Maternity of Our Lady

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Mother of God

Most Holy Mary, not only were you raised to the dignity of Mother of God but, you carried out His holy Will, heroically on all occasions.
Obtain for me, from your divine Son, Jesus, the grace to co-operate always and at all costs, with His designs for me, both in life and in death, amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci