Category: NOVENAS

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY TWO – 30 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE SECOND DAY – 30 November:
The Blessed Virgin’s Immaculate Conception

A simple short Novena DAY TWO here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/30/immaculate-conception-novena-day-two-30-november/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time (Pope Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
According to the definition of Pope Pius IX, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is that privilege by which she was preserved, in view of the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, from Original Sin in the first moment of her conception.

By solemnly proclaiming the Dogma of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the Church confirmed anew, the fundamental principles of Christianity which, in our times, are so frequently attacked, derided, or forgotten.
God reserved the solemn proclamation of this Dogma which seemingly, has no practical bearing on the Christian life, for our age, to recall to our mind the Doctrines resulting from it.

PRACTICE:
The most important of these Doctrines, is that of Original Sin, which today is rejected by many as a debasement of human nature and is forgotten by others, as having no practical influence on our moral state. By the promulgation of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church solemnly declares and defines, as an article of faith, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is conceived without the stain of Original Sin, by a special privilege and grace of God. If, then, Mary’s sinlessness is an exception, the general rule remains in force and all other human beings enter this world in the state of Original Sin.
Thus, by the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Church combats human pride and sensuality, the foremost vices of the age.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER
Mary, unsullied lily of heavenly purity,
I rejoice with thee
because, at thy conception’s earliest dawn,
thou wast full of grace
and endowed with the perfect use of reason.
I thank and adore the ever-blessed Trinity,
Who gave thee such high gifts.
I am overwhelmed with shame in thy presence,
to see myself so poor in grace.
O thou who wast filled with heavenly grace,
impart some portion of it to my soul
and make to me share the treasures
of thy Immaculate Conception.

Hail Mary, Glory Be …

LITANY of LORETO: Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY ONE – 29 November

Posted in LITANIES, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY ONE – 29 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE FIRST DAY – 29 November
Predestination of the Blessed Virgin Mary

To All the Faithful who, by themselves or with others, in Church or at home, with at least contrite hearts and devotion, shall make this novena:
(1) 300 days Indulgence for each of the nine days;
(2) a Plenary Indulgence on one day of the novena or of the eight days following it. (Pius IX, 5 January 1849.) Conditions – Confession, Communion and prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.
Whenever, in the following pages, an Indulgence is said to be granted “under the usual conditions,” these conditions are the same as above.
*Note – The above Indulgences may also be gained by making the novena at any other time of the year and are not attached to any prescribed formula of prayer. The same applies to all other Novenas in honour of the Blessed Virgin.

[A simple short Novena here AND REMEMBER * ABOVE APPLIES:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/29/immaculate-conception-novena-day-one-29-november/ ]

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November 1793).

MEDITATION:
Holy Church, our Mother, purposely gathered into the Season of Advent, everything which might contribute to assist us in preparing for the coming of the Redeemer. Purity of heart is the most necessary and helpful requirement for receiving God worthily and for participating in the fruits of our Redemption through Christ. To remind us of this, Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this primary Feast of purity, in Advent.

The Church, moreover, intends to remind us that the coming of Christ, our promised Redeemer, depended on the consent of the Blessed Virgin. The Redeemer could not appear before she was born, of whom He was to be born. The aurora must precede the rising sun. Thus also, Mary, the spiritual aurora, had to be conceived and born, before the appearance of the Sun of Justice in this world.

PRACTICE:
In Mary appeared the woman who was to crush the serpent’s head, who was to repair, by her willing co-operation with God’s designs, the damage wrought by the disobedience of our first parents and who was to become our Mother and mighty Advocate with God.

The designs of God concerning Mary were fully accomplished. God also has designs concerning us. Our life was planned by Him from all eternity and we were destined to co-operate with Him harmoniously and conscientiously, in working out our salvation. Have we corresponded with God’s designs? Did we not oppose them by yielding to our evil inclinations and passions? What a disparity between God’s intentions concerning us and our own co-operation, between His merciful designs and our cowardly resistance to them!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:
Behold, Virgin Immaculate,
at thy sacred feet I bow,
while my heart overflows with joy
in union with thine own
because, from eternity,
thou wast the Mother-elect
of the eternal Word
and was preserved stainless
from the taint of Adam’s sin.
Forever praised, forever blessed
by the Most Holy Trinity,
Who, in thy conception,
poured out upon thy soul,
the riches of that matchless privilege.
I humbly pray thee, most gracious Mother,
obtain for me the grace,
to overcome the bitter results of original sin.
Make me victorious over them
that I may never cease to love my God.
Amen

Hail Mary, Glory Be …

LITANY of LORETO:

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.*
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God,
unto us Thy servants
that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body
and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sadness
and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aspiration: O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Leo XIII, 25 March 1884).

Posted in ADVENT, NOVENAS

St Andrew’s Christmas Novena – Begins on St Andrew’s Feast Day – 30 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Just a reminder of this beautiful Catholic tradition

Prepare for the arrival of our King!

Posted in DOGMA, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, NOTES to Followers, NOVENAS

Reminder: The Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception begins on 29 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in honour of the Immaculate Conception
Begins 29 November
Feast 8 December

The Dogma was promulgated by Blessed Pius IX in 1854 in the Bull Ineffabilis Deus.
This Dogma is rejected by all Protestants including the Orthodox – another reason why we cannot interact with these the way some do and the Vatican II church endorses.

Let us Pray to our Mother, the Immaculate and Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Ninth Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Ninth Day

Extract 9 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“ Finally, on the day of the Feast, after Communion, we should offer ourselves for the service of this divine mother, by asking of her the grace of the virtue proposed in the Novena, or some other specia favour.,
And, it is well every year, to set apart, among others, some Feasts of the Virgin, to which we have the greatest devotion and tenderness and, to make a particular preparation for this, by dedicating ourselves anew and, in a more especial manner, to her service – choosing her for our Lady, Advocate and Mother.
Then we should ask pardon for our negligence in her service during the past year, promising her greater fidelity for the year that is to come.
In a word, let us pray her to accept us as her servants and obtain for us, a holy death.”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Eighth Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Eighth Day

Extract 8 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The servants of Mary are very attentive and fervent in celebrating the Novenas of her Feasts and, during these, the holy Virgin, full of love, dispenses to them innumerable and special blessings.
…[Forget not], on the Vigil of the Feast, to fast … ”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Seventh Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Seventh Day

Extract 6 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“Although the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary had not as yet been declared a Dogma of Faith, nevertheless, St Alphonsus maintained it firmly and highly commended those members of his Congregation who, on finishing their theological studies took a vow, if necessary, to give their blood and their life, in defence of this holy Doctrine.
He said, “although faith does not oblige us to accept this prerogative of the Blessed Virgin as a truth revealed by God, still, all that is wanting is the formal declaration of the Church.
Would that I had the happiness to live to see the definition of this Article of faith.” [Sadly we know that St Alphonsus died 67 years before Pope Pius IX declared the Dogma in 1854 in the Papal Bull “Ineffabilis Deus.”

… The Blessed Mother rewarded her faithful servant even here on earth, for the devotion he showed towards her.
It can truly be said that in all doubts, she was his Counsellor and, in all undertakings, his trusted Guide.”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Sixth Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Sixth Day

Extract 6 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“O men!” he exclaims in the Glories Of Mary “why do you not love Mary who is so loving and deserving of love and so faithful here on earth.
She obtains for us, an abundance of consolation and of grace and, in Heaven, eternal glory from her Divine Son.
O Mary, Mary, thou art more beautiful than all creatures; thou art, after Jesus, more lovable than anything man can love; thou meritest our esteem more, than all created beings; thou art dearer than all which can rejoice the human heart.
Have compassion on my poor heart; yes, poor indeed it is, for it does not love thee as much as it should.
But thou canst inflame me with thy holy love.
So then, O Virgin Mary, turn thy loving eyes toward me; look upon me, draw me to thee and next to God, make me love nothing but thee, O thou most tender and loving Mother of Jesus and my spiritual Mother!”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Fifth Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Fifth Day

Extract 5 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“It was our Saint who first introduced the custom of saluting the Blessed Virgin Mary after the visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
He never allowed an opportunity of recommending devotion to the Blessed Virgin slip by.
If anyone came to visit him or to seek advice, he always found an opportunity to introduce, into the conversation, a word or two in honour of the Mother of God.
“She is our Mother,” he would say, “she must bring us to Heaven, she must assist us in the hour of death. How unhappy we should be, did this exalted Queen of Heaven not intercede for us!”
This devotion he recommended with particular emphasis to the young.
A youth who had been accepted into the Congregation, desired to visit him before entering the Novitiate, in order to receive his blessing.
The first words our Saint addressed to him were:
“Strive earnestly to acquire a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Then, after he had blessed the youth, he continued: “My dear son, if you wish to persevere have great reverence for the Mother of God; if you fail to do so, you will lose your vocation.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of perseverance.
Call upon her in the morning when you arise and say to her:
“Most Holy Virgin, thou art my Mother and my Queen;
I recommend myself to thee;
assist me that I may not lose my God.
Obtain for me, O my Queen,
a great and constant love for God,
the grace to serve Him faithfully
in this Congregation to which He has called me
and finally, the happiness to die in the grace of God
and as thy faithful servant.”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Fourth Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Fourth Day

Extract 4 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“Besides the Communion on the day of the Feast, it is well to ask it more frequently of the spiritual Father on the days of the Novena. Father Seoneri said that we cannot honour Mary better, than with Jesus.
For she herself, as Father Crasset relates, ‘revealed to a holy soul that nothing dearer could be offered to her, than the Holy Communion, for there, Jesus Christ gathers in the soul, the fruit of His Passion.
Hence, it appears that the Virgin desires nothing from her servants, more than the Holy Communion, saying:
‘Come, eat the bread and drink the wine which I have prepared for you.’”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Third Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Third Day

Extract 3 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The honohr most dear to the Virgin, is the imitation of her virtues; wherefore, it is well, in every Novena, to propose to one’s self, some special virtue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly adapted to the mystery,
As for example, on the Feast of the Conception, purity of intention;
of her Nativity, the renewing of the spirit and the awakening from tepidity;
of her Presentation, detachment from something to which we are most attached;
of the Annunciation, humility in bearing contempt, &c;
of the Visitation, charity towards the neighbour, alms-giving, &c, or at least, the praying for sinners;
of the Purification, obedience to superiors
and finally, of the Assumption, the practice of detachment, and doing all things as a preparation for death, living as if everyday were to be the last.
In this way, the Novena will prove of great service.”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple – The Second Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The Second Day

Extract 2 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“But better than all others, are the practices in these Novenas, of internal mortifications – as abstaining from the indulgence of curiosity, either through the eye or the ear;
remaining retired and silent;
obeying, not answering with impatience;
bearing contradictions and other things of the sort, which may be used with less danger of vainglory and greater merit
and, for these, the permission of a director is not needed.
The most useful exercise is to propose, at the beginning, the amending of some fault into which we are most liable to fall.
And, to this end, it is well, at each of the visits above-named, to ask pardon for some past sin, renew the intention of avoiding it in future and implore the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in keeping this resolution.”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Novena in Honour of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

Feast Day of the Presentation is 21 November

The First Day

Extract 1 – On How to Prepare to Celebrate
a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1697-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The servants of Mary are very attentive and fervent in celebrating the Novenas of her Feasts and, during these, the holy Virgin, full of love, dispenses to them innumerable and special blessings. …
The devotions to be used for the Novenas are the following:
1st – Mental prayer, morning and evening, with a visit to the Most Holy Sacrament, with the addition of an “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and “Glory be to the Father,” repeated nine times.
2nd – Three visits to some image of Mary, thanking the Lord for the graces granted to her and, asking of the Virgin, everytime, some special favour and, at one of these visits, the prayer which is placed at the end of each of her Feasts, should be read.
3rd – Make many Acts of Love, … to Mary and to Jesus, for we can do nothing more pleasing to her, as she said to St Bridget, than to love her Son – “If you wish to become dear to me, love my Son Jesus”:
4th – Read everyday of the Novena, for a quarter of an hour, some book which treats of her glories.
5th – Make some external mortification … with fasting, or some abstinence at table from fruits or other agreeable food, at least in part; chewing also some bitter herb and on the Vigil of the Feast, fast on bread and water.
But all this must be done always with the permission of a spiritual Father. …”

The Novena Prayers

“Whoever is a little one, let him come to me” (Prov. 9:4).

Kindly and lovable art thou in thy splendour, O holy Mother of God!
Show me thy face. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy face is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness!
Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary…

O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal hast pleased Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary…

Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord.
Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues.
Hail Mary…

The Blessed Virgin speaks:
I have asked the Lord for one thing and this shall I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life that I may enjoy the delights of the Lord and visit His temple (Ps. 26:4).

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before Him (Ecclus. 24:14).

 V. Grant that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
 R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Let us pray. O God, Who has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary, herself the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost, should this day be presented in the temple, grant, we pray Thee, that through her intercession, we may be found worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory and that our special petition may be heard and granted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Nine – 6 October

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Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

NINTH DAY

Intention:
“The Spiritual Welfare
of our Children”

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Mother of the Infant Babe of Bethlehem,
and Our Mother, enkindle in our hearts
the spark of youthful innocence.
We know of thy great love for little children.
It was to innocent children
that thou deigned to appear,
revealing the Message of Fatima
and charging them with its propagation.
We know no better way
to show our regard for them,
dear Mother, than to offer our prayers
for all children everywhere.

Therefore, O Mother dear,
we ask thee to watch over all children
in all parts of the world,
to guard and protect their homes,
to preserve the schools wherein they learn
and to keep them from being tainted
by Godless education.
Direct them in their play
and in all their works
that they may grow in age,
wisdom and the love of God.
Grant too, Blessed Mother,
that the prayers of our children
may hasten the end of all wars of carnage
and devastation and grant unto this world
an era of just and lasting peace.
We pray that the world may return to Jesus,
thy Son, through Reparation to thy Immaculate Heart.

Our Lady of Fatima, we beseech thee
to inflame our hearts
with the love of Reparation
and protection of the souls of our children.. Amen

We pray our Daily Rosary now
with the same Intention:
“The Spiritual Welfare of our Children”

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Eight – 5 October

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Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

EIGHTH DAY

Intention:
“The Conversion of Sinners”

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Refuge of the human race,
thou have given unto us the means
of destroying the menace of atheism
and godless lives.
Thy Promise of conversion
for those unfortunate victims
of false beliefs, has instilled joy and hope
into the nations of the earth.
We grieve for those who are victims of such vice.
Grant, we beseech thee. Oh Mother,
that grace and faith
may come to those separated
from thy Son by error and discord.
We fail, if we heed not thy Message of Fatima.
We know thy wishes and,, therefore,
we promise to make
Reparation to thy Immaculate Heart,
through the Most holy Rosary
and the Five First Saturdays,
that sinners may hear the Word of God
and keep it.

Our Lady of Fatima, Refuge of the human race,
inflame our hearts with the love of Reparation.
Amen

We pray our Daily Rosary now
with the same Intention:
“The Conversion of Sinners.”

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Seven – 4 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

SEVENTH DAY

Intention:
“Forgiveness of Sin”

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Refuge of Sinners,
to whom else will we turn
in our sorrow for sin, if not to thee.
From whom shall we find comfort
and consolation, in the shame of our sins,
except from thee?
Lead us back, dear Mother of Love,
to the path of righteousness
which leads to the Sacred Heart of thy Divine Son.
We have sinned often, oh dear Mother
and the remembrances
of the errors of our ways troubles us.
It shall be no more.
We know that thy protecting care,
will find peace and hope for us
and the remission of our sins.
We know too that as with Mary Magdalene of old,
thy Son shall welcome us with a loving smile
because, you have always pleaded for us.
Amen.

Our Lady of Fatima, Refuge of sinners,
inflame our hearts with
the love of Sorrow, Repentance, Penance and Reparation.

We pray our Daily Rosary now
with the same Intention:
“Forgiveness of Sin”

Posted in IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Six – 3 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

SIXTH DAY

Intention:
“Purity of Body and Soul”

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Virgin most pure,
have compassion on those
who are prone to the allurements of impurity.
Give us, we beseech thee,
strength to overcome our weaknesses
and courage in the struggle against sin.
We know it is thy ardent wish
that we renew our pledge of holy purity.
Oh, Immaculate Heart of Mary,
we consecrate to thee here and now,
without reserve,
our eyes, ears, tongues, hearts–
our whole beings.
We promise that, with thy help,
we shall be steady in our purpose to serve thee,
with undefiled chastity.
Give us the courage to resist all temptations
and to avoid all things
which may be the occasion of sin.
Amen.

Our Lady of Fatima, Virgin most pure,
enflame our hearts with the love of Purity
and Reparation for sin.

We pray our Daily Rosary now
with the same Intention:
“Purity of Body and Soul”

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Three – 30 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

THIRD DAY: Intention:
“The True Peace of Christ”

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Mother of Jesus and Our Mother,
we pray that the hope and promise
made by thee at Fatima,
will soon be realised.
We know it is thou ardent wish and desire
that there be peace in the world
and it is only through Reparation
to thou Immaculate Heart
that such can be accomplished.
Thou has told us thy wish
in the Message of Fatima –
Reparation through the Rosary
and the practice of the First Saturdays.
We beg of thee, Oh Mary Immaculate
that, through thy pleadings,
our prayers and example
may show the world,
the road to the true peace
which the world itself cannot give.
Bless, we beseech thee, our country
and inspire us and our leaders
to receive, understand and promote
that glorious Message
delivered by thee at Fatima.

Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace,
inflame our hearts with the love
of “The True Peace of Christ.”
Amen

We pray our Daily Rosary now
with the same Intention:
“The True Peace of Christ.”

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Two – 29 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

SECOND DAY

Intention:
Greater love and appreciation
for the Holy Rosary

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,
teach us to love those little beads.
In every trial, tribulation and sorrow,
they have been a source of comfort
to all who trust in thee.
We are happy in the possession of our Rosaries.
May thy Rosary,
O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
ever strengthen us in all our weaknesses,
be our peace in time of affliction,
comfort in all matters of doubt,
courage in time of temptation
and a source of consolation
throughout all our days on the earth.
May it be our strong influence,
in success or in failure.
In all things, may we live in peaceful union
with thee through the medium
of thy Holy Rosary.
Amen.

Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Rosary,
inflame our hearts with the love
of thy Most Holy Rosary.

We pray our Daily Rosary
with the same Intention:
“Greater love and appreciation for the Holy Rosary”

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day One – 28 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947

FIRST DAY

Intention: 

Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary,
inspire me to grieve sincerely,
for the sins
which weigh heavily upon the souls of men.

Sorrowfully I recall the bitter and harsh punishments
heaped upon thy Divine Son,
when He was cruelly scourged at the pillar,
unmercifully crowned with thorns.
I recall His sad journey to Calvary, His Crucifixion
and ignominious death on the Cross.
Yet, they were but the instruments of pain.
It was my sins which really caused
His Precious Blood to be shed.
His excessive love willed
that He should suffer for my salvation.
Thus, I will give my little love
to make amends and atone for a thoughtless
and unappreciative world.

Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary,
thy who suffered and shared with Him
each pain caused and inflicted by our sins,
intercede for us that we may be privileged
to unite our hearts with thine in an effort
to make reparation for our sins
and the sins of ungrateful mankind.
Amen.

Our Lady of Fatima
inflame our hearts with the love of Reparation.

Pray your Daily Rosary after each Day’s Novena Prayer  with the same Intention.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Ninth Day – 14 August – Mary in Heaven, the Help of Christians on Earth

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY NINE :
Mary in Heaven,
the Help of Christians on Earth

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
Mary’s succour as Mother of mercy is not confined to individuals.
She is the protectress and helper of the whole Church.
All over the earth, wherever we cast our glance, in the records of the history of times, long past and those of recent occurrence, we find testimony of the graces and benefits, obtained through her intercession.
The feasts celebrated by the Church, throughout the year, what are they but evidences of gratitude, offered to the Queen of Heaven for the oftentimes, miraculous delivery from war, pestilence and other great afflictions?
Hence she is rightly invoked as the “Help of Christians.”

Practice: In our days, too, storms and dangers threaten the Church.
Let us, therefore, by calling on Mary for help, do our part toward shortening the days of visitation and trial.
Let us not confine our petitions, to her, within the narrow limits, of our own personal needs but let us join in the cry for assistance ascending to the Mother of mercy, throughout all Christendom.
Let us daily, for Holy Church, send up our petition to Mary’s heavenly throne: “Help of Christians, pray for us!”

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Nine

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God,
Mary, Queen of Heaven!
Forget us not!
Thou art the help of Christians;
lighten our tribulations
and help us with motherly intercession
at the throne of thy Divine Son.
With Holy Church,
I join in the petition to thee:
“Holy Mary, aid the miserable,
assist the desponding,
strengthen the weak,
pray for thy people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for the devout mothers,
woman and consecrated woman.
Let all who have recourse to thee
experience the efficacy of thy succour!”
And my holy Mother and Queen,
forget not, my special petition …………….

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Eighth Day – 13 August – Mary, the Queen of Mercy

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY EIGHT:
Mary, the Queen of Mercy

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
Mary is, then, a Queen and what a consolation to know it!–
a Queen always mild and gentle, always willing to confer benefits upon us.
Hence the Church teaches us, to call her the Mother of mercy.
The pious and learned Poet and Writer, Jean Charlier de Gerson (1363-1429) says:
“God’s dominion comprises Justice and mMrcy. He divided it, retaining the administration of Justice for Himself and relinquishing, in a certain sense, the dispensation of mercy to Mary, by conferring through her hands, all graces He grants to mankind.”
H,ow consoling, then, the assurance that our merciful Mother is so mighty and so loving a queen!

Practice: So great is the tenderness of Mary’s maternal heart: “that never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help and sought her intercession, was left unaided. How many prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, ascend daily to the throne of this our exalted and merciful protectress!
There is not a cry of an afflicted, struggling and suffering soul that she does not graciously hear. Join, therefore, confidently in the prayer of Holy Church, “Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy.” Approach her with filial trust.
Neglect not to honour her yourself and do all in your power, to lead others to do her honour.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Eight

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary!
Holy Church teaches me
that despite the glory to which thou wast exalted,
thou didst not forget thy miserable clients
and that, in Heaven,
thy mercy is still greater
than it was during thy life on earth.
Therefore, I come to thee
and trustingly lay at thy feet,
all my needs, miseries and petitions.
My Queen, my Mother,
turn not thy gracious eyes from me.
Remember me to thy Divine Son;
cease not to pray for me
and take me under thy protection,
so that I may finally have
the happiness to see and praise thee
in thy glory forever and ever.
And once more, at thy feet,
I beg thee to hear and grant,
my special petition …………………….

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Seventh Day – 12 August – Mary’s Joy in Heaven

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY SEVEN:
Mary’s Joy in Heaven

Preparatory Prayer
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
According to Holy Scripture and the Doctrine of the Church, there are, in Heaven, various grades of glory and joy, according to the rank and merit of the Saints.
They attain this higher grade of glory and joy, by the increase of their ability to enjoy the happiness of Heaven.
Their intellect is enabled to contemplate, more profoundly, the incomprehensible Essence of God.
Their power of perception, is augmented so that they may more readily recognise and admire, the splendour of the Angels, Saints and heavenly mansions.
Their will is enabled to be united, in a higher degree with God. From this we may conclude that Mary’s joy in Heaven transcends all human conception.
Her heavenly glory and reward consists in the perfect adaptation of her whole being, to the enjoyment of God and of eternal happiness

Practice: Look up, Christian soul, to this great and brilliant Queen of Heaven.
She is your gentle Mother and assures you of her help and the diadem she wears upon her brow is a proof that she has the power to help you.
Do not, therefore, refuse the hand of this mighty ally in Heaven, for she will lift you from the depths of your misery, from the dangers of temptation and lead you strong and victorious, into the Presence of her Divine Son.
Thus, you will enter into a new and supernatural life in Christ, to share in the grace-laden Mysteries of His Light, Passion and Triumph.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Seven

O Great and glorious Queen of Heaven, Mary!
I beseech thee, by that exalted throne
upon which God has raised thee,
above all Angels and Daints;
let me one day, appear amongst them,
to join them in their praise of thee.
Obtain for me the grace
of never ceasing to honour thee,
as thou dost deserve to be honoured,
and thereby, to become worthy
of thy mighty protection in life and death.
I beseech thee too, O holy Mother,
for the granting of this, my special petition:
…………………………………

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence: (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Sixth Day – 11 August – Mary Crowned in Heaven

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, Day Six:
Mary Crowned in Heaven

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
Mary’s glory received its culmination by her coronation as Queen of Heaven and earth.
It was meet that in her, should be fulfilled, the words of Holy Scripture: “Come from Libanus, my Spouse, come, thou shalt be crowned” (Cant. 4:81) and, that her own prophetic words, “He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble” (Luke 1:52) should be exemplified in her.
For it was reasonable and becoming that she, who once with Jesus, wore the crown of shame and contempt, should now share with Him, the crown of immortal glory.
It was but fair and just that, the immaculate being, who was chosen above all inhabitants of heaven and earth, to be the true and worthy Mother of God, should now be solemnly installed over all creatures in Heaven and on earth, as the Queen of Angels and men and that, to her, should be offered homage, praise and honour, by the blessed spirits and by the souls of the Saints.
But the crown which she received,is not one made of gold and precious stones, it is composed of the virtues with which Mary, in faithful co-operation with Divine grace, embellished herself.
It consists, too, of all the homage and glory, which she receives, as Queen of Heaven.
The most precious gem, in this crown, is the filial love and gratitude, Jesus shows toward His Mother in Heaven.

Practice: Indeed, “eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man,” what the heavenly Father has prepared in the mansions of eternal bliss, for His beloved Daughter, the Son for His Blessed Mother, and the Holy Ghost, for His chosen Spouse.
She is now Queen of Heaven and earth – of Heaven, for she is the Queen of all Angels and Saints; of earth, for as Mother of God, she is the Mother of all mankind, the mediatrix between the Redeemer and the redeemed.
You, too, may contribute a gem toward the crown of your heavenly Mother, by paying her filial homage, imitating her virtues and preserving, for the love of her, your innocence and purity of heart and body.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Six

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary!
I beseech thee, through the everlasting
crown of glory with which God
has crowned thee, Queen of Heaven and earth;
obtain for me, through thy mighty intercession,
the grace to persevere in virtue to the end,
so that finally,
I may attain the crown of bliss
prepared by God.
for those that love Him.
I beseech thee too, glorious Queen and Mother,
for this my special petition ………………

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – The Fifth Day, 10 August – Mary’s Glorious Entrance into Heaven

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY FIVE

The Fifth Day:
Mary’s Glorious Entrance into Heaven

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
Joy greater, than human heart can conceive, fills the heavenly spirits when a soul enters Heaven, to receive its reward. What jubilant transports, then, must those have been, with which they hailed the entrance into heavenly bliss of the most pure and holy Virgin, the Mother of the Son of God, body and soul, transfigured in glory!
And she is and shall be, for all eternity, their mistress and Queen!
What an ineffable joy, too, for the Blessed Virgin, to behold the countless numbers of Angels, to admire their beauty, their purity, their intense love of God!
But as the feeble light of a candle disappears before the splendour of the sun’s rays, thus are these choirs of Angels, obscured by the ineffable glory of her Divine Son, coming to welcome His Mother.
Who can describe this moving meeting?
What a superabundant reward for love and suffering!
What an ocean of joy and bliss, when the Son of God presented His Mother before the throne of His heavenly Father, Who greeted her as His Beloved Daughter!
What a joy to behold the Holy Ghost, Whose pure Spouse she had been, even on earth!
These transports of bliss baffle all attempts at description.

Practice: Although we are unable to have an adequate perception of Mary’s glory in Heaven, by which she is raised above all Angels and Saints, yet, it is in our power, to do one thing – we can rejoice at the glory of our Blessed Mother and join the heavenly spirits and the Saints, in paying homage to her.
Let us resolve to do this and never to forget that Mary attained to the largest share of her Divine Son’s glory because, she was foremost in sharing His sufferings. Let this encourage us to bear our cross, to bear it with our Saviour, even to the height of Calvary, there to die with Him.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Five

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary!
I beseech thee through the preparation
with which thou wast glorified by God–
by the Father ,as His most Beloved Daughter,
by the Son, as His Immaculate Mother
and by the Holy Ghost,
as His most pure Spouse, in Heaven;
obtain for me the grace
to share, to some extent, this,
thy glory and, therefore,
to live so that I may deserve it.
And too most Blessed Mother,
this, my special Petition: ………………….

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in NOVENAS, QUOTES on DEATH, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – The Fourth Day – 9 August – Reasons for the Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY FOUR

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Reasons for the Bodily Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

Meditation: The wages of sin is death. Now, as the Blessed Virgin, from the first moment of her existence was preserved from all sin and even from original sin, it necessarily follows that death could have no permanent dominion over her and that, her body would not be permitted to see corruption.

  1. This sinless body had been the medium by which the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was the conqueror of death, had been formed. How, then, could such a highly privileged body, a pure and virginal body, be permitted to pass through corruption and decay?
  2. As Mary had yielded up her sacred person to be a dwelling-place for the Lord of Heaven, it seems fitting that this same Lord, in His turn, should give the Kingdom of Heaven to her as her resting-place. St Bernard expresses this sentiment as follows: “When Our Lord came into this world, Mary furnished Him with the noblest dwelling on earth, the temple of her virginal womb. In return, the Lord,on this day, raises her up to the highest throne in Heaven.”

Practice:
If You desire to look forward to death, without fear and to expect your dissolution with confidence, follow the Apostle’s injunction, “Therefore, whilst we have time, let us do good works, to all men” (Gal. 6:10). Avoid sin, perform good works, be patient in affliction and strive to expiate the punishment due to your sins by voluntary acts of penance, thus reducing your inclination to sin. Therefore, offer up to God, every morning, in a spirit of penitence, all your labours, trials and sufferings.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Four

Glorious Virgin
and Mother of God, Mary!
I beseech thee through the ineffable glory,
thou didst make for thy departure
from this world by a life of retirement,
full of merits and virtue,
dedicated to God alone;
obtain for me the grace,
of, following thy example,
that I may detach my heart from this world
and patiently bear affliction and adversity,
carefully avoid sin
and always strive to advance
in the love of God.
Obtain for me too, I beg thee Holy Mother,
this my special petition ……………………

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence: (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in INDULGENCES, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Third Day, The Empty Tomb – 8 August

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY THREE

The Third Day:
The Empty Tomb

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church, writes:
“St Thomas was not with the other Apostles when the Blessed Virgin died but arrived in Jerusalem on the third day after that event.
Ardently desiring to see once more and to venerate the sacred body which had given flesh and blood to his Beloved Master, the grave was opened for this purpose. The body could nowhere be seen and a delicious perfume filled the empty tomb.
The Apostles then became convinced, that as God had preserved the body of Mary free from sin before, in and after the Birth of His Son, He was pleased, likewise, after her death, to preserve that same body from corruption and, to glorify it in Heaven.”

A Council held in Jerusalem, in the year 1672, declared:
“It is beyond all doubt, that the Blessed Virgin is not only a great and miraculous sign on earth because she bore God in the flesh and yet remained a virgin but, she is also, a great and miraculous sign in Heaven because she was taken up to Heaven, with soul and body.
For although her sinless body was enclosed in the tomb, yet, like the body of Our Lord, it arose on the third day and was carried up to Heaven.”

Although the Doctrine of the bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven, was not defined by the Church as an Article of Faith in the strict sense, yet, the learned Pope Benedict XIV rdeclares, “It would be presumptuous and blameworthy in anyone, to call into doubt or to question, this beautiful and consoling belief of ages.”

Practice: Let us rejoice at the thought of the glorious resurrection of our dear Mother. Let us unite ourselves in spirit with the Apostles in Heaven and with Holy Church, to congratulate her on this extraordinary privilege.
But let us also rejoice at the thought of our own resurrection. True, it shall not take place immediately after death but. it is, therefore, not the less certain and it depends on us, to make it glorious and blessed.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Three

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary!
As thy sacred body, after death,
was preserved from corruption
and, united with thy sinless soul,
was borne to Heaven by the Angels;
obtain for me the grace
that my life and death be holy,
so that on the Day of Judgement,
I may arise to glory everlasting.
Obtain for me too, I beg thee,
the granting of this my special petition:
……………………………
Amen

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Second Day – 7 August

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption DAY TWO

The Second Day: At Mary’s Deathbed and Tomb

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:

Ancient legend relates that, led by Heaven, all the Apostles, except St Thomas, Wwho joined them a little later, assembled at the Blessed Virgin’s deathbed. After she had breathed forth her pure spirit, her sacred remains were prepared for the grave by wrapping the body in new white linen and decking it with flowers . Meanwhile ,the Apostles, assembled in another room, sang Psalms and Hymns, in praise of their departed Mother. The Apostles, all the disciples and the faithful dwelling in Jerusalem, followed the blessed remains to the grave chanting Psalms and Hymns. Arriving in the valley of Josaphat, the body was gently placed in a sepulcher of stone, not far from the Garden of Olives. After the entombment ,the Apostles and crowds of the faithful, lingered near the sacred spot in prayer, meditation and chanting of Psalms in which Angels’ voices were heard to mingle.

Practice: Join in spirit with the Apostles and faithful in their prayer and meditation at the grave of our Blessed Mother. Contemplate and review her whole life. Could a course like hers have terminated more appropriately than with so beautiful, painless and tranquil a passing away? Prepare yourself, even now, for your departure from this life. Do not postpone the settlement of your affairs, spiritual and temporal, until the last uncertain hours. Above all, remove now, or as soon as possible, all doubts, anxieties and irregularities of conscience because, delay is dangerous and leads to impenitence and because, in the last hours, the powers of hell usually assail the departing soul with all their might.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Two

Glorious Virgin,
who for thy consolation
didst deserve to die comforted
by the sight of thy dear Son Jesus
and in the company of the Apostles and Angels,
pray for us, that at that awful moment we, too,
may be comforted by receiving Jesus
in the most holy Sacrament
and may feel see nigh,
when we breathe forth our soul.
Obtain for me too, I beseech thee,
this my special petition ………………..
Amen

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence . (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN NOVENAS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – The First Day

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Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – DAY ONE

First Day: Mary’s Death Was Without Pain

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was conceived without original sin. She never dimmed by actual sin, the lustre of sanctifying grace which beautified her soul.
Nevertheless, she had to pass through the dark prtal of death, before she was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven.
She had not been endowed with the privilege of immortality, with which God had invested our first parents in paradise.
It was meet that she should be like unto her Divine Son in everything, even in death.
But as she had drained, the bitter cup of suffering during her whole life and especially, when standing beneath the Cross, her death was to be free from pain and suffering.
She quietly passed away, yielding up her spirit, in a yearning desire to be united forever, with her Divine Son in Heaven.

Practice:
If you have dispossessed your heart of all unruly attachment to the goods and enjoyments of this earth, you, too, may hope for a happy and tranquil transition, from this land of exile, to your home in Heaven.
Therefore, if you are still attached to the transitory things of this life, disengage your heart from them now.
The voluntary renouncement of earthly goods, alone is meritorious before God.
The separation from them, enforced by the strong hand of death, is of no supernatural value.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day One

O Most benign Mother Mary!
I rejoice that by thy happy and tranquil death,
the yearning of thy heart was appeased
and thy life, so rich in merit and sacrifice,
received its crown.
I rejoice that after passing from this life,
thou, O most loving Mother,
was made the glorious and powerful
Queen of Heaven
and dost exercise thy influence as such,
for the benefit of thy frail, exiled children on earth.
Obtain for me, I beseech thee,
this my special petition ………………..
and a happy death
that I may praise and glorify
thy might and kindness,
forever in Heaven.
Amen

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. – (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in DOGMA, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, THE ASSUMPTION, To JESUS through MARY

Reminder – The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – Begins tomorrow

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The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption
Begins 6 August in preparation
for the Feast on 15 August – a Holy Day.

“We never give more honour to Jesus
than when we honour His Mother,
and we honour her,
simply and solely,
to honour Him all the more perfectly.
We go to her only as a way
leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son.” s

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Please join us as we pray a Novena in reverence and filial devotion
to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Assumed into Heaven, our Queen and our Mother Mary.

We pray in preparation for the great Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Body and Soul as defined and declared as Dogma on 1 November 1950, by Pope Pius XII.
Thus he solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby, the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the Glory of Heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the Apostles.

Our Novena will include a brief Meditation with practical reflection, a preparatory prayer by St Alphonsus Liguori and the daily prayer each morning for nine days. See you here!