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

THE EIGHTH DAY – 6 December
The Image of the Immaculate Conception

A simple short Novena DAY EIGHT here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/immaculate-conception-novena-day-eight-6-december/
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. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
Christian art often represents the Immaculate Conception as follows:
The Blessed Virgin appears standing on a globe, about which is coiled a serpent holding an apple in its mouth. One of Mary’s feet rests upon the serpent, the other is placed on the moon. Her eyes are raised toward heaven; her hands are either joined in prayer, or she holds a lily in her right and places the left on her breast. Her dress is white; her ample mantle is of blue colour. A crown of twelve stars encircles her head. These emblems typify, in a most striking manner, Mary’s power and glory. “And a great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Apoc. xii. 1).

PRACTICEL
The representation of the Immaculate Conception is very instructive.
(1) Mary appears standing on the globe. This signifies that being human, she belongs to the earth and yet, is exalted above the world and sin; also, that she trampled under foot earthly possessions, vanities and joys.
(2) A serpent is coiled about the globe, bearing an apple in its mouth. This reminds us of the fall of our first parents and of the consequences of their sin.
(3) Mary’s foot rests on the serpent, indicating that she never was under Satan’s dominion but was preserved from sin in the first moment of her existence.
(4) Mary stands on the moon. The moon, on account of its changes, is an emblem of inconstancy. We see it at Mary’s feet, to be reminded that we ought to be constant in faith and virtue.
(5) Mary wears a crown, to indicate that she is a Queen. The crown is composed of twelve stars – she is the Queen of Heaven.
(6) Mary’s dress is white, to denote her spotless purity and innocence.
(7) She folds her hands in prayer, reminding us to imitate her example.
(8) Or she holds a lily in her right hand, to indicate her virginity and chastity and the sweet odour of her virtues.
(9) Mary’s mantle is blue, which colour is emblematic of royalty. Its folds are ample, to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure refuge in all dangers and necessities.

Therefore let us invoke her intercession in the words of Holy Church:
“We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions but in thy mercy,
deliver us from all danger,
O glorious and Ever Virgin Mary!”

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:
O Spotless sun! O Virgin Mary!
I congratulate thee.
I rejoice with thee because,
in thy conception,
God gave thee grace,
greater and more boundless,
than He ever shed on all His Angels
and all the Saints, together with all their merits.
I am thankful and I marvel
at the surpassing beneficence
of the Ever-Blessed Trinity,
Who conferred on thee this privilege.
O make me correspond with the grace of God
and never abuse it.
Change this heart of mine –
make me now begin to amend my life.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

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

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

THE SEVENTH DAY – 5 December
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Chastity

A simple short Novena DAY SEVEN here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/90957/
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. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
Holy Scripture and the Fathers agree, in the statement that the Blessed Virgin Mary made the vow of perpetual virginity. For when the Archangel Gabriel brought God’s message to the Immaculate spouse of St Joseph, that she was to become the Mother of the Most High, she asked, “How shall this be done, for I know not man?” (Luke 1: 34.)
Indeed, Mary would not have been, in the full and most excellent sense of the word, the “Virgin of virgins,” had she not, from her own free choice, vowed her virginity to God.
During the whole Christian era there have been heroic souls who made the vow of perpetual chastity, consecrating themselves to God.
Trusting in the powerful protection of the Immaculate Virgin, they persevered, in their resolve to bear this priceless treasure, before God’s throne, despite the dangers of the world, the temptations of concupiscence and the assaults of hell and, with the help of the Queen of Virgins, they achieved a triumphant victory!

PRACTICE:
Since the fall of Adam our senses are in rebellion against the law of God. “I see another law in My members, fighting against the law of My mind and captivating Me in the law of sin” (Rom 7: 23). Chastity is the virtue which causes us the greatest struggles.
St Augustine says: “The fiercest of all combats, is the one for the preservation of chastity and, we must engage in it, everyday!”
Fierce as this combat is, the aid which Mary gives her children to achieve victory, is all-powerful.
She sustains them by her maternal love and protection.
Those who lead a chaste life receive the Divine Spirit, are happy in this life and will receive a special crown in Heaven.

Among the means for the preservation of chastity, the following are especially recommended:
The assiduous and constant practice of self-denial;
the frequentation of the Sacraments;
the daily invocation of Mary for her aid and protection;
scrupulous avoidance of the occasions of sin.
St Chrysostom writes: “He errs who believes that he can overcome his sensual propensities and preserve chastity, by his own efforts. God’s mercy must extinguish nature’s ardour.”
Have recourse to the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin and rest assured, you will obtain this mercy!

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 Immaculate,
rising morn of purity,
I rejoice with thee,
gazing in wonder upon thy soul,
confirmed in grace,
from the very first moment of thy conception
and rendered inaccessible to sin.
I thank and magnify the Ever-Blessed Trinity,
Who chose thee, from all our race,
for this special privilege.
Holy Virgin, obtain for me,
utter and constant hatred of all sin,
and let me rather die,
than ever again fall into sin.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

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

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

THE SIXTH DAY – 4 December
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Refuge

A simple short Novena DAY SIX here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/04/immaculate-conception-novena-day-six-4-december/
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 1793).

MEDITATION:
We carry the precious treasure of sanctifying grace in a frail vessel. Our inclination to evil remains with us and continues to impel us to that which is forbidden.
On whom shall we call for aid? Call on Mary! She is conceived without sin. She, the lily among thorns, who never lost God’s friendship. She, is our advocate!
Let her, who was found worthy to become the Mother of our Redeemer, inspire you with trust and confidence.
The Church invokes her as the refuge of sinners and, under no other title, does she show her love for us more convincingly and, her power with God, more efficiently.

PRACTICE:
We may trust confidently in Mary’s intercession and aid, in all temptations and trials, if we but have recourse to her. Therefore, St John Damascene writes:
“Come to my aid, O Mother of my Redeemer!
Thou art my help, my consolation in life.
Come to my aid and I shall escape. unscorched.
from the fire of temptation;
amongst a thousand I shall remain unharmed;
I shall brave the storms of assault unwrecked.
Thy name is my shield,
thy help my armour,
thy protection my defence.
With thee, I boldly attack the enemy
and drive him off in confusion;
through thee, I shall achieve a triumphant victory.”
In all temptations, therefore, let us have recourse to Mary and through her intercession we shall overcome 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:
Mary Immaculate, most brilliant star of purity,
I rejoice with thee
because thy Immaculate Conception
has bestowed upon the Angels in Paradise,
the greatest joy.
I thank and bless the Ever-Nlessed Trinity,
Who enriched thee with this high privilege.
O let me, too, one day enter into this heavenly joy,
in the company of Angels,
that I may praise and bless thee,
world without end.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

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

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

THE FIFTH DAY – 3 December
Hail Mary! Full of Grace

A simple short Novena DAY FIVE here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/immaculate-conception-novena-day-five-3-december/
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. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
Man’s relationship to God, as His child, was severed by sin. The beautiful image of God imprinted on man’s soul, was disfigured by it. But with the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a being full of grace, an object of God’s supreme complacency, entered this world.
After the lapse of four thousand years God, in His wisdom, power, and love, for the first time again created a human being, in that state, in which He had originally created our first parents. Mary, from the first moment of her existence was, in virtue of the sanctifying grace, infused into her soul, most intimately united with God and endowed with the most precious gifts of Heaven.
Because she was predestined to become the Mother of the Redeemer of mankind, it was fitting that she should unite in herself all the gifts becoming to such an ineffable dignity. Hence, she surpassed in grace and holiness, all other created beings and was Consecrated a worthy temple of the Incarnate Word. Therefore, she was saluted by the Angel as “full of grace” and the Church, in our behalf, addresses the Almighty: “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 the death of that 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.”

PRACTICE:
The world considers men according to their rank and station, their wealth and knowledge.
God recognises in them but one difference, that caused by the presence or absence of sanctifying grace in their soul. A soul in the state of sanctifying grace is God’s friend; without it, His enemy. A man dying in the state of sanctifying grace is sure of eternal bliss.
Therefore, we ought to prize this grace, above all else and do everything in our power, to preserve it.
St Leo exhorts us, “Recognise, O man, thy dignity! As thou hast received Divine grace, beware of returning to your former sinful condition by a wicked life!”

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, bright moon of purity,
I rejoice with thee
because, the mystery of thy Immaculate Conception
was the beginning of salvation for the race of man
and the joy of the whole world.
I thank and bless the ever-blessed Trinity,
Who thus did magnify and glorify thee
and I beg of thee,
to obtain for me the grace,
so to profit by thy dear Son’s Passion and Death,
that His Most Precious Blood
may not have been shed upon the Cross in vain
but that, after a holy life,
I may reach Heaven in safety.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

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

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

THE FOURTH DAY – 2 December
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Without Actual Sin

A simple short Novena DAY FOUR here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/02/90764/
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. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
The Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, is the most blessed daughter of the eternal Father, the real and true Mother of the Divine Son, the elect spouse of the Holy Ghost. But in the world, in what condition do we behold her? She dwells not in a splendid palace; she is not surrounded by a retinue of servants, ready at every moment to do her bidding; she is not exempt from trials and suffering. On the contrary, she is poor; she lives in obscurity and suffered so much on earth that, without shedding her blood, she merits to be styled – the Queen of Martyrs.
Her heart was transfixed with the sword of sorrow. Mary is not exempt from tribulations and adversity but one thing God does not permit to touch her, – SIN.
Hence Holy Church applies to her the words, “Thou art all fair, O my love and there is not a spot in thee” (Cant iv 7).

PRACTICE:
Although we were not preserved from sin like Mary, yet God, in His ineffable goodness and mercy, granted us the grace to be cleansed from sin and to be clothed with the garment of sanctifying grace in Baptism.
No treasure of the world can be compared with this prerogative.
But as we bear this grace in a fragile vase, we must be most careful to protect and preserve it in ourselves and others, from all danger.
Let the Blessed Virgin Mary be our example.
Well knowing the inestimable value of the grace conferred upon her, she guarded it with the greatest care.
Although exempt from concupiscence and “full of grace,” she was so distrustful of herself, as if she were in continual danger.
How much more, then, must we use precaution, to preserve in ourselves and in others, this treasure of grace, since we feel in ourselves constantly, the law of the flesh which resists the law of the spirit and urges us onto evil, whilst the world and the devil, never weary in placing snares for us, in order to accomplish our ruin.
Therefore, let us have recourse to Mary and invoking her aid, bravely resist all temptations!

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:
Mirror of holy purity,
Blesed Mary, Virgin Immaculate,
great is my joy while I consider that,
from thy Immaculate Conception,
the most sublime and perfect virtues
were infused into thy soul
and, with them all, the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
I thank and praise the Most Holy Trinity,
Who bestowed on thee these high privileges.
I pray thee, gentle Mother,
obtain for me grace to practise virtue
and to make me worthy
to become partaker of the gifts
and graces of the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

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