Category: MARIAN PRAYERS

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION

Our Morning Offering – 16 May – O Purest of Creatures by Fr Faber

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Our Morning Offering – 16 May – “The Month 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 MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 15 May – OUR DUTIES TO MARY

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Thought for the Day – 15 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

Chapter V
OUR DUTIES TO MARY

i. You must still learn, my son, how to seek God as Mary did.
You must lean upon her powerful aid and be ever doubtful of your own strength, for fear of being enmeshed here below in your passions.
Everyday you should rise above yourself with new thoughts and tender your desires to Heaven, toward the Heaven in which you see Mary your Queen, near Jesus the King and in the midst of the Court of Angels.
Alas! Often our weakness will force us to descend into this vale of tears!
It is then, above all, it will be necessary to make an effort
to raise the voice in frequent supplication to Mary, who is the mother of mercy, so that she may tell her merciful Son how our soul lacks the wine of fervour, how it has need of the perfume of piety, in order to be able to praise Him as one should praise God.
Because He alone, in truth, hastens to succour those who, in order to please Him ,have scorned the world and those, who are, for His sake scorned by the world because of His Name and His holy Gospel.

ii. It is often important indeed, to know of a refuge in which one may hide oneself against storms, in the presence of tempests, of tribulation.
There is no spot, no place more secure, no port more tranquil, than the bosom of Mary.
So, there is no runner more rapid to support us against the blows of the enemy, than an ardent prayer, rising from the plain to the well-armed stronghold of the Virgin Mary. This stronghold is the same one in which Jesus entered, to be clothed therein with a body like unto an armour, so as to chase afar the prince of darkness.
Enter you too, within that fortress so as to be sheltered from those who assail you.
Remain under the mantle of the Virgin Mary; you will be protected by the arms of a mother.
The prayer of Mary puts to flight the.destructive rabble of evil enemies: her aid snatches us from imminent peril.
Near her, he who wavers, finds support and he who is abandoned, assistance.
It is a benefit, a very great benefit, for you, if you know how to
show yourself worthy in this regard and, at the same time,
strive attentively to please the Virgin Mary in everything.
You will thus merit her graces here below and His glory on
high, in the company of the Saints.
Attach yourself to her and do not leave her until she has granted you her blessing, so as to lead you to Heaven.

iii. Prayer:
O Mary, I Entrust Myself to Thine Heart

O Mary, O mistress filled with clemency,
in the name of pure love and affection,
I remain at thy feet.
I beg thee, give to my heart,
an increase of confidence.
Fear pursues me and doubt gnaws at me;
despair assails me in the midst of temptations:
only one thing is still able to console me –
it is that, I have sought
to be harkened by thee, O Mother,
I entrust myself to thine heart.

(By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Monastic Enchiridion, Chapter IV)

Translated by Fr & Dr Célestin Albin de Cigala (1865-1928)
Faculty of Paris (1947)
Doctor of Theology and Philosophy

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

Our Morning Offering – 15 May – St John Bosco’s Most Holy Virgin, Help of Christians

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Our Morning Offering – 15 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians
By St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to thy feet
imploring thy perpetual aid.
If earthly mothers cease not
to remember their children,
how canst thou,
the most loving of all mothers, forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore thee
thy perpetual aid in all my necessities,
in every sorrow and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for thy unceasing assistance
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak,
cure the sick,
convert sinners.
Grant through thy intercession,
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked thee on earth
we may love and eternally thank thee in Heaven.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MOTHER of GOD, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 14 May – Alma Redemptoris Mater, Loving Mother of the Redeemer

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Our Morning Offering – 14 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Loving Mother of the Redeemer
By Blessed Herman Contractus
of Reichenau OSB (1013–1054)

Loving Mother of the Redeemer!
Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep
and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him
Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive
and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy
which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last,
let we thy mercy see.

Alma Redemptóris Mater,
quæ pérvia cæli
Porta manes, et stella maris,
succúrre cadénti,
Súrgere qui curat pópulo:
tu quæ genuísti,
Natúra miránte,
tuum sanctum Genitórem
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave,
peccatórum miserére.

Marian Antiphon Traditionally said from Advent to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.
Blessed Herman is the Author of the Salve Regina, the Veni Sancte Spiritus and the Alma Redemptoris Mater amongst others.

Posted in MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 13 May – The GRANDEURS and GLORIES of MARY

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Thought for the Day – 13 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

Chapter IV
The GRANDEURS and GLORIES of MARY

i. Who is she who rises from the emptiness of this world steeped in the delights of Paradise?
O Mary, greater than the heavens, thou hast the world under thy feet and thou art seated close to God, on the throne of honour which Jesus gave to thee.
Thy mercy which surpasses all mercy, draws me to thee, for thou art ever the aid and consolation of those who suffer.
I have need, O Mother, of being consoled and fortified. More than that, I have need of the grace of thy Son because I know, without it, I can accomplish nothing.
Thou art able, O my Mother, if thou wish, to lift me up and help me with thy powerful succour.
Thou canst comfort me with thine abundant consolation.
I feel myself engulfed by temptation, so I run to thee, since I feel that, near to thee, I shall find help as well as pity.

ii. And if I may approach thy majesty and greet thee with reverence and honour, I feel that I must approach thee with love.
There is no praise which I can offer thee; rather, I am forced to present to thee, supplication.
He who wishes to come near thee irreverently, will be confounded, therefore, I wish to come to thee, O Mother, with confidence, with respect, with humility, so as to merit thy clemency and thine aid.
Yes, it is with respect, with love and confidence I come, O Mary, to offer to thee, in my turn, the salutation the kneeling Angel offered thee.
I offer it to thee, arms extended and hands upraised, I offer it to thee, thousands and thousands of times and I beg everyone to offer it for me because, I know of nothing sweeter that I may give.

iii. Prayer: O Mother, More Beloved than All Mothers

O Mother, more beloved than all mothers,
O Mary, if sometimes I have forgotten thee,
I regret and weep for it today.
But thou, oh! do not forget me,
thou who alone brought forth Mercy
by giving birth to Jesus.
Kneeling, I salute thee,
I bow before thee, I join my hands
and prostrate myself,
so that thou may listen
with greater love to my prayer.
I say, before thee and I wish ever to repeat it:
“Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee;
thou art blessed among all women
and Jesus, the fruit of thy womb, is blessed!”

(By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Soliloquy of the Soul, Chapter XXIII)

Translated by:
Fr & Dr Célestin Albin de Cigala (1865-1928)
Faculty of Paris (1947)
Doctor of Theology and Philosophy

Posted in HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Ven Servant of God John A Hardon

Our Morning Offering – 13 May – A Hymn to Mary the Virgin By St Robert Bellarmine

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Our Morning Offering – 13 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

A Hymn to Mary the Virgin
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church.

Virgin adored and clothed with the sun,
grant me thine aid.
Virgin most beautiful, mystical rose,
take abode in my heart.
Virgin most chaste, all undefiled,
grant me true peace.
Virgin deserving of all honour and praise,
give me thy love.
Virgin elect and full of all grace,
lead me to God.
Virgin most blessed, star of the sea,
dispel the storms besetting me.
Virgin most virtuous, holy and sweet,
show me the way.
Virgin illustrious, with thy burning light,
enlighten thou my mind.
Virgin more precious than jewels or gold,
make reparation for me.
Virgin most worthy of all praise,
mother, daughter and immaculate spouse.
Virgin and Mother,
make me more pleasing to Jesus thy Son.
Virgin most innocent of any stain or fault,
make me more worthy of God.
Virgin enriched with every gift and grace,
obtain the remission of my sins.
Virgin most pure, grant me to enjoy
the bliss of heavenly love.
Virgin, thou lily among thorns,
I pray thee for the grace of a happy death.
Virgin more rare than the rarest dream,
bring joy to my heart.
Virgin so great, there is none like thee on earth,
bring peace to my soul.
Virgin most true, loving Mother too, Virgin Mary.
Amen

St Robert Bellarmine’s Hymn to Mary the Virgin:
Among St Robert’s extant writing, there is a short poem of twenty stanzas which he composed in the nature of a Litany to the Blessed Virgin.
The text was first published in Italian some fifty years ago and to the best of the writer’s knowledge, has never been translated into English.
Each verse-line begins with the name “Virgin,” joined to a title and petition to Our Lady, starting with the letter “A” and going down the Italian alphabet to “V”
Thus the first seven verses begin with the invocation: “Vergine adorna … Vergine Bella …Vergine casta … Vergine degna … Vergine eletta … Vergine felice … Vergine gradita …”
A translation to this tribute to the Virgin Mother reads as above: – Fr John A Hardon SJ (1914-2000).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 12 May – Hail, O Mary, Mother of God By St Cyril of Alexandria

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Our Morning Offering – 12 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which God
Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
who enclosed the One
Who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher
of hell, came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory
of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, The IMITATION of MARY

Thought for the Day – 11 May – VIRTUES and TASKS of a GOOD SERVANT of MARY

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Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

Chapter III
VIRTUES AND TASKS OF
A GOOD SERVANT OF MARY

i. Do you always wish to do what is pleasing to Mary?
Be humble, patient, chaste, reserved in everything, full of mildness, an interior man, filled with zeal, little versed in exterior matters, recollected.
Read often, write often but most often, pray.
The service of Mary should seem, neither long nor laborious but, on the contrary always delightful, always full of happiness, always eager.
To serve with your heart and mind, such a mistress, is always a work pious and useful for salvation.
The most lowly offerings are acceptable to her, as equivalent to the most solemn, when they are proffered with love, with spontaneity and with devotion.
She knows how little we are able to give and she requires not the impossible from her children.
A merciful sovereign and queen of mildness, she is, above all, a mother. As a mother, she knows only how to be compassionate to the little and the poor, she who has given to the world, Mercy in Jesus.

ii. Learn then to call upon Jesus in everything and you will be aided, both in perils of the soul and of the body.
Have Jesus always in your heart, in happiness, and you will never be overcome by human distress.
Say the Hail Mary often – you will find joy and peace in it – no prayer is more beautiful than the Our Father – none is sweeter and gentler, than the Hail Mary.
Pray as the Angel prayed before Mary – work as a faithful servant works and you shall have, your crown and mansion in Heaven.
He who knows how to nourish his soul with prayer, he who knows how to pray with the sacred texts, will never know aridity in devotion.
Strive thus constantly, to honour the Names of Jesus and Mary in your heart and with your lips.

III. Wherever you may go, or wherever you may be, implore Jesus and call upon Mary.
Have, as a rule of life and, as a help in time ot need, this pious invocation –
“Guide, O my Lord, always guide my way in Thy presence.”
He who bears Jesus and Mary in his heart, always works well, always conducts himself well.
Sing these two Names, sing them in your heart, sing them with your lips, sing them with your hands.
Let your looks seek them, let your eyes implore them, let your arms embrace them, let your knees adore them.

iv. Prayer: O Mary, O Mother Full of Mercy,

O Mary, O Mother full of mercy,
receive close to thee,
thy servant wandering without consolation,
in the midst of his trials.
Look, O my Queen, look at my affliction
and open to me, thine heart full of consolation.
Here I am, praying and saying in my distress
that I shall not cease, nor leave thee,
until thou hast had pity on me.
I know, O Mother,
thine incomparable sweetness,
I know the maternal flame of thy noble heart,
I know the fullness of love which fils it
and that I may have full hope in thee.
I take refuge with thee too, O my Mother,
so that in joy as in sorrow,
I may receive thy watchful succour
and listen to thy maternal consolation.

(Thomas à Kempis, The Valley of Lilies,ChapterXIII)

Posted in MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The ANNUNCIATION, The INCARNATION

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – Blessed Shall be Her Name

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Our Morning Offering – 11 May – “The Month 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 Thee and adore,
Who are with God the Father One
And Spirit evermore.
Amen

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the POPE

Quote/s of the Day – 10 May – St Antoninus

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 May – St Antoninus OP (1389-1459) Archbishop of Florence

“In the case, in which,
the Pope would become a heretic,
he would find himself,
by that fact, alone
and, without any other sentence,
separated from the Church.
A head separated from a body
cannot, as long as it remains separated,
be head of the same body
from which it was cut off.
A Pope, who would be
separated from the Church by heresy,
therefore, would,
by that very fact itself,
cease to be head of the Church.
He could not be a heretic
and remain Pope
because, since he is outside of the Church,
he cannot possess the keys of the Church.”

“Whoever imagines himself without defect
has an excess of pride.
God alone is perfect!”

“To ask favours without interposing Mary
is to attempt to fly without wings!”

“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)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 10 May – O Mother Blest By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 10 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

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 DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD the FATHER, Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on JOY, The ANNUNCIATION, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The IMITATION of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 9 May – OUR DUTIES TO MARY

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Thought for the Day – 9 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947
Translated from the French
Dr Célestin Albin de Cigala (1865-1928)

PART ONE
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Chapter II
OUR DUTIES TO MARY

i. Choose, O my son, Mary for mother, for advocate and for model, before all things.
Greet her everyday with the Angelic Salutation. This salutation pleases her above all others.
If sometimes, the devil tempts you and turns you from your duties as a devout servant of Mary, do not permit that to stop you from invoking her always.
Think always of Mary; repeat the name of Mary, over and over.
Honour Mary; glorify Mary in everything; prostrate yourself before Mary; give yourself again to Mary.
Live with Mary; meditate with Mary; rejoice with Mary; weep with Mary; work with Mary; watch with Mary; act with Mary; rest with Mary.
With Mary, bear Jesus in your arms; live at Nazareth with Mary.
Go to Jerusalem, go with Mary; search, as Mary did, for Jesus.
Remain near the Cross with Mary, weep for Jesus; weep for Him with Mary; with Mary bury Jesus in the tomb; rise with Jesus and with Mary.
Rise to Heaven with Jesus and with Mary! Live always with Mary in life and in death.

ii. If you know how to think and act in this way, you will advance rapidly in perfection.
Mary will protect you with all her power and, Jesus will hear you in His gentle mercy.
What we do is very little. It is nothing. Nevertheless, if we do it with Mary, we shall rise, little by little, to God our Father.
We shall always find, consolation and joy, near Him.
Happy is he, who knows how to keep Jesus and Mary near him always, as hosts of his table, consolers in his troubles, aid in his danger, counsel in his doubt, protectors at his death.
Happy is he who, considering himself as a wayfarer in this world and, as a stranger, keeps Jesus for a Companion and Mary for a hostess.

iii. Prayer:
Ave Maria, Full of Grace!

O Mother, I come to you filled with hope.
I come to you recalling the exultant joy
which the Archangel Gabriel once brought to you,
when, falling on his knees before you,
he saluted your virginity, saying respectfully:
Hail, Mary, the Lord is with thee!
This greeting I say to you again,
O Mother, with the heart,
and, if I could, with the voice of all the faithful,
so that thus all creatures may sing with me
from the depth of their souls and their being:
Ave Maria, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
thou art blessed, O Mother, among all women
and Jesus the fruit of thy womb,
is blessed on earth and in Heaven,
today and always.

(By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Soliloquy of the Soul, Chapter XVIII)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 9 May – Hail to Thee, Forever Virgin,Mother of God,

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Our Morning Offering – 9 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Hail to Thee, Forever Virgin,
Mother of God,
By St Methodius of Olympus (Died c311)

Hail to thee forever-Virgin
Mother of God,
our unceasing joy!
for unto thee do I again return. . . .
Hail, thou fount of the Son’s Love for man. . . .
Wherefore, we pray thee,
the most excellent among women,
who boast in the confidence
of thy maternal honours
that thou wouldst, unceasingly,
keep us in remembrance.
O holy Mother of God,
remember us, I say,
who make our boast in thee
and who, in august hymns
celebrate thy memory
which will ever live
and never fade away.
Amen

(From “Oration on Simeon and Anna”)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 8 May – Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle

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Our Morning Offering – 8 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle,
Refuge of Sinners
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the Hope, the Refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate thee, great Queen
and I thank thee for the many graces
thou hast bestowed upon me, even unto this day,
in particular, for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often deserved by my sins.
I love thee, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve thee willingly forever
and to do what I can to make thee loved by others.
I place in thee all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as thy servant
and shelter me under thy mantle,
thou, who art the Mother of Mercy.
And since thou are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least, obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From thee, I implore, a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through thee, I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by thy love for Almighty God,
I pray thee to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until thou shalt see me safely in Heaven,
there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies,
throughout all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amen

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HEART, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 7 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Thought for the Day – 7 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

PART ONE
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Chapter I
The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

i. Many young girls, says the Author of Wisdom, have amassed riches but thou, O Mary, thou surpass them all greatly.
Children, be faithful imitators of Jesus and perfect imitators of Mary.
It matters a great deal, it matters for your salvation, for the honour of Jesus and the glory of Mary, that you always be devout in your prayers, sober in your words, discreet in your looks.
In brief, be scrupulously disciplined in all your deeds.

ii. Do you wish to praise Mary worthily; do you wish to praise her in all magnificence?
Be simple, like the simple children of God, without deception, without envy, without criticism, without murmuring and without any suspicion.
Support all adverse things with charity, with great patience and great humility.
For Jesus, for Mary and, in order to imitate the Saints, watch here below, watch and be yourselves saints!
To one who knows how to offer his life to the Divine Trinity, all which is bitter here on earth appears sweet and all which seems heavy, appears very light.
Such is the fruit of the remembrance of Mary and Jesus.

iii. Prayer: When the Heart Says: Ave Maria!

O Mary, O sweet Mother of my Jesus,
I beg you, deign to open to thy poor servant,
both thy maternal compassion and thy love,
laden with sweetness.
Pour into my heart, one drop of thy tenderness
so that I may love thee with a pure heart,
thee, O Mother, the sweetest of all mothers,
so that I may imitate thee and Jesus.
Listen to me, Mother, listen to me, Mary,
kneeling I salute thee: Ave Maria!
The sky rejoices and the earth smiles
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Satan flies afar and all hell shudders
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
The world seems small and the flesh trembles,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Sadness flees and happiness reigns,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Lukewarmness disappears and love reappears
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Devotion grows and compunction is born,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Hope gushes forth and consolation increases,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
The whole soul rekindles and love grows tender,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
So rich and so great is the sweetness of this prayer
that it could not be expressed in words.
Thus, again I kneel before thee,
O Mary, O Virgin, O Mother
filled with goodness and I say to thee,
over and over, with reverence and devotion:
Hail, Mary, Hail!
Receive this pious salutation and with it receive me,
O Mother, within your bosom.

(Thomas à Kempis– Discourse XXV)

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 6 May – SOLILOQUIES OF THE SOUL

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Thought for the Day – 6 May – Extracts fromThe Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

SOLILOQUIES OF THE SOUL

—Thomas à Kempis

Read, O my son, or rather, chant while reading,
These sweet versicles in honour of Mary.
Take them as a viaticum for the soul;
Take them as one does a staff for a journey.
Read often and re-read with devotion while praying.
May Jesus and Mary be for you, in life,
At all times, in every place, your sole company,
For fear that you may wander alone or unguided,
Shedding without, the perfumes from within.
You will find here a treatise on Mary, brief,
But a treatise full of sweetness for meditation.
And a treatise full of strength, to protect you well.
Meditate on it often and often, pray too,
Saying with a full heart:
Hail, Mary!

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 6 May – The Memorare By St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 6 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

The Memorare
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Mellifluous Doctor

REMEMBER,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled
to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by 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 the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions
but in thy mercy
hear and answer me.
Amen

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 5 May – Regina Caeli Laetari

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Our Morning Offering – 5 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Regina Caeli Laetari
Eastertide from Holy Saturday
until Trinity Sunday
(in case you forget to replace the praying
of the Angelus).

Anthem to the Blessed Virgin

Regina Caeli Laetari
Queen of Heaven Rejoice!

O Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
For He Whom thou didst merit to bear, Alleluia.
Hath risen as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary! Alleluia.
R. For the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray

O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
hast vouchsafed to make glad
the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee,
that, through the intercession
HIs Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may attain the joys of eternal life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

There is a venerable tradition connected with this joyous Anthem. It is related that a fearful pestilence raged in Rome, during one of the Easters of the Pontificate of St. Gregory the Great. In order to propitiate the anger of God, the holy Pope prescribed a public procession of both people and clergy, in which was to be carried the portrait of our Blessed Lady painted by St Luke.

The procession was advancing in the direction of Saint Peter’s and as the holy Picture, followed by the Pontiff, (it is said that he processed with bare feet), was carried along, the atmosphere became pure and free from pestilence. Having reached the bridge which joins the City with the Vatican, a choir of Angels was heard singing above the Picture and saying: “Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven, Alleluia! for He Whom thou deservedst to bear, Alleluia! hath risen, as He said, Alleluia!” As soon as the heavenly music ceased, the saintly Pontiff took courage, and added these words to those of the Angels: “Pray to God for us, alleluia!”

Thus was composed the Paschal Anthem to our Lady. Raising his eyes to heaven, Gregory saw the destroying Angel standing on the top of the Mole of Hadrian and sheathing his sword.

In memory of this apparition, the Mole was called the Castle of Saint Angela and on the dome was placed an immense statue representing an Angel holding his sword in the scabbard.

( “The Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIII, by a brief, Injuntae nobis, 14 September 1724, amended by the Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, 20 February 1933, granted a Plenary Indulgence, once a month, to all the faithful who, everyday, in the morning (6.00), at noon and in the evening at sunset (6.00), shall devoutly say, the Angelus Dominie, with the Hail Mary, three times, or at Eastertide the Regina Caeli, on any day when, being truly penitent, after Confession and Communion, they shall pray for peace and union among Christian Princes, for the extirpation of heresy and for the triumph of Holy Mother Church. Also an indulgence of ten years, on all the other days in the year, every time they shall devoutly say these prayers.”)

Regina caeli, laetare, Alleluia.

Qua quem meruisti portare, Alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, Alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia.
R. Qua surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia.

Oremus

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui,
Domini nostri, Jesu Christi,
mundum laetificare dignatus es, praesta,
quaesumus, ut per ejus
Genitricem Virginem Mariam
perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae:
per eumdem Christum, Dominum nostrum.
Amen

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MOTHER of GOD

It’s 1 May, Tis the Month of Our Mother, the Sweet Month of May

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It’s 1 May
Let us Rejoice in our Mother Mary!
The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“Bright Mother of our Maker, Hail!
Thou Virgin ever blest,
the Ocean’s Star by which we sail
and gain the port of rest!”
(Anonymous 8th Century Latin Hymn)

Visits to the Altar of Our Lady
On the Love of Mary for Her Children
(Imprimatur, 1867)

Mary loves us because we are her children. A loving and tender Mother is never wearied by the importunities of her little ones and Mary, who is the most loving and tender of all mothers, will never weary of hearing and answering our petitions.
The one great thing which she desires, for all her children is that they should become like her Son Jesus. He is the only Child Who never disobeyed her or grieved her.
It is for His love that she loves us.
How great must be His love for us, when He inspires Mary with such a love! The best return we can make Him is to have a perfect trust and confidence in His Blessed Mother.
Those who are not devout to Mary cannot really understand the great Mystery of the Incarnation and do not love Jesus as they should – for, if they loved Him, they would love His Mother too, even a tiny bit as much as He loves her.

Let us try, then, during this Month of May, to become more like Jesus.
Let us consider what spiritual grace we need most, in order to attain this great end and let us ask it with confidence everyday.
Let us also try to induce others, to honour Mary, by special devotion to her during this most beautiful month.

Tis the Month of Our Mother,
the Sweet Month of May!
Unknown Author
An Old French Hymn

The blessed and beautiful days,
When our lips and our spirits,
are glowing with love and with praise.

Refrain:
All Hail! to thee, dear Mary,
the guardian of our way;
To the fairest of Queens,
Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.

Oh! what peace to her children,
mid sorrows and trials to know,
that the love of their Mother,
Hath ever a solace for woe.

And, what joy to the erring,
The sinful and sorrowful soul;
That a trust in her guidance,
will lead to a glorious goal.

Let us sing then, rejoicing
that God hath so honoured our race,
as to clothe with our nature,
Sweet Mary, the Mother of Grace.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER

Our M orning Offering – 12 April – What Can I Say? By St Anselm

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Our Morning Offering – 12 April – 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Our Morning Offering – 11 April – O Mother of Sorrows ,Stand by Me in My Last Agony

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Our Morning Offering – 11 April – Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady of Sorrows

O Mother of Sorrows,
Stand by Me in My Last Agony
By St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

O Mother of Sorrows,
by the anguish and love
with which thou didst stand
at the Cross of Jesus,
stand by me in my last agony.
To thy maternal heart
I commend the last three hours of my life.
Offer these hours to the Eternal Father
in union with the agony of our dearest Lord,
in atonement for my sins.
Offer to the Eternal Father
the Most Precious Blood of Jesus,
mingled with your tears on Calvary,
that I may obtain the grace
of receiving Holy Communion
with the most perfect love and contrition,
before my death
and that I may breathe forth my soul
in the adorable Presence of Jesus.
Dearest Mother, when the moment
of my death has at last come,
present me as your child to Jesus.
Ask Him to forgive me for having offended Him,
for I knew not what I did!
Beg Him to receive me into His Kingdom of Glory
to be united with Him forever.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle, Refuge of Sinners By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent,

Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle,
Refuge of Sinners
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the Hope, the Refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate thee, great Queen
and I thank thee for the many graces
thou hast bestowed upon me, even unto this day,
in particular, for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often deserved by my sins.
I love thee, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve thee willingly forever
and to do what I can to make thee loved by others.
I place in thee all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as thy servant
and shelter me under thy mantle,
thou, who art the Mother of Mercy.
And since thou are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least, obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From thee, I implore, a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through thee, I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by thy love for Almighty God,
I pray thee to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until thou shalt see me safely in Heaven,
there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies,
throughout all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The ANNUNCIATION, The INCARNATION

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

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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 FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 9 March – 3 Saints

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 March – St Gregory of Nyssa (c335–c395) Bishop, Father of the Church – St Frances of Rome (1384-1440) Widow – St Dominic Savio (1842-1857)

“It is most laudable, in a married woman,
to be devout but, she must never forget
that she is a home-keeper.
And sometimes, she must
leave God at the Altar
to find Him in her household affairs.”

St Frances of Rome (1384-1440)

“What could be more wretched for God,
than to take the form of a slave?
What lowlier for the King of the Universe,
than to share our human nature?
The King of kings, the Lord of lords,
the Judge of the world, pays taxes to Caesar …
Consider the excessiveness of His voluntary poverty!
Life tastes death; the Judge is dragged before the court;
the Master of the lives of us all submits to a magistrate;
the King of the Heavenly Powers
does not escape the hands of torturers!
This is the pattern, says the Apostle Paul,
against which His humility is measured.”

St Gregory of Nyssa (c335–c395)
Bishop, Father of the Church
(Brother of St Basil the Great)

QUOTES and MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-march-st-gregory-of-nyssa/

O Mary, I Give You My Heart
By St Dominic Savio (1842-1857)

O Mary, I give you my heart.
Grant me to be always yours.
Jesus and Mary,
be ever my friends
and, for love of you,
grant me to die, a thousand deaths
rather than to have the misfortune
of committing a single mortal sin.
Amen

St Dominic Savio (1842-1857)
QUOTES here:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-march-st-dominic-savio/

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Hail to Thee, Forever Virgin, Mother of God

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Saturday of the Blessed Virgin – Salve Sancta Parens

“Hail, full of grace!”

Luke 1:28

“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.”

Hail to Thee, Forever Virgin,
Mother of God,
By St Methodius of Olympus (Died c311)

Hail to thee forever-Virgin
Mother of God,
our unceasing joy!
for unto thee do I again return. . . .
Hail, thou fount of the Son’s love for man. . . .
Wherefore, we pray thee,
the most excellent among women,
who boast in the confidence
of thy maternal honours
that thou wouldst, unceasingly,
keep us in remembrance.
O holy Mother of God,
remember us, I say,
who make our boast in thee
and who, in august hymns
celebrate thy memory
which will ever live
and never fade away.
Amen

(From “Oration on Simeon and Anna”)

“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)

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART Quotes, INDULGENCES, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 15 February – Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Pray for Us!

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 February – Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners

Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Pray for Us!

(Indulgence 300 days)

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

(1943 Raccolta – Indulgence 300 days)

“Mary will certainly save repentant sinners
who have recourse to her
but she cannot pay any attention to hardened sinners, who pray to her with their lips,
while their hearts remain steeped in sin.
We must have complete confidence in her
but, we must also have a sincere intention
of raising ourselves under her protection,
from the slavery of sin,
to the friendship of God.”

“Mary, my merciful Mother,
you see how wretched I am
and how often I have fallen.
I wish to reform and sanctify myself
but I am not able without your powerful assistance, the weakness of my nature
is an insurmountable obstacle.
Come to my aid, O Mother of mercy.
Obtain for me, forgiveness f
rom your Divine Son.
Obtain for me too, the grace
of a complete change of heart,
so that I may be truly your child
here upon the earth and share
in your glory in Heaven.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DOCTORS of the Church, HYMNS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES

Our Morning Offering – 15 February – O Mother Blest By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 15 February – Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners

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 Hail MARY!, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Hail! all Hail! Great Queen of Heaven, Notre Dame de Lourdes

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Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Apparition of the Immaculate Conception at Lourdes

Hail! all Hail! Great Queen of Heaven,
Notre Dame de Lourdes
Unknown Author
First Published in 1905

Hail! all Hail! great Queen of Heaven,
Hail sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes,
‘Neath whose care our weary exile,
Is from countless ills secured.

Refrain:
Then let men and angels praise thee,
Fount of grace to all assured,
While in gladsome strains we are singing,
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes.

Blessed thou above all others,
Mary Mistress of the spheres,
Star of hope, serenely beaming
Through this darksome vale of tears.
Refrain

Happy angels joy to own thee,
O’er their choirs exalted high,
Throned in blissful light and beauty,
Empress of the starry sky.
Refrain

As the fount is still unsealing
Its pure treasures softly fair,
May each drop be fraught with healing,
Dearest Mother, at thy prayer.
Refrain

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 9 February – Hail, O Mary, Mother of God By St Cyril of Alexandria

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Our Morning Offering – 9 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – Feast of St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation”& “Seal of all the Fathers” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church.

Adapted from a sermon preached by St Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, presiding as representative of the Holy See at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, in 431. In refuting Nestorianism, he is called “Doctor of the Incarnation.”

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which God
Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
who enclosed the One
Who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher
of hell, came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory
of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Posted in Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN PRAYERS, Of FATHERS, GRANDfathers, GRANDparents, Of PARENTS & FAMILIES of LARGE Families, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, The HOLY FAMILY

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – On Wedmesdays, Catholics make a special devotion to St Joseph by going to Mass on the 1st Wednesdays of 9 consecutive months and offering their Communions in his honour and for the salvation of the dying.

A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph

O holy Joseph,
thou faithful Spouse
of the Blessed Mother,
thou who didst protect her
and her Divine Child with such care
and didst devote thy whole life to them;
I beseech thee to be also my
and my children’s protector
and advocate, with Jesus,
thy adopted Son.
Obtain for me the grace
to fulfil my duties to my children,
as thou and Mary have done to Jesus.

St Joseph Pray for all our Fathers
and for our spiritual Fathers
of Holy Mother Church
Amen.