Mary the Mother of the Son of God
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14-15
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. Isaiah 9:6-7
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman, Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38
Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail, Mary
Hail , Mary full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed, the Almighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel for he has remembered His promise of Mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. Amen
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the world Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen
Hail, Holy Queen
(Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you we do send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show to us the Blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen
Daily Miraculous Medal Prayer
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who has recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you. Especially the enemies of the church and those recommended to you. Amen
A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin
O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein your are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this necessity, there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to Thee, (3 times) Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (3 times)
Hail Mary of Gold
Hail Mary, white lily of the glorious and always serene Trinity. Hail brilliant rose of the garden of heavenly delights. O you, by whom God wanted to be born and by whose milk the King of Heaven wanted to be nourished, nourish our souls with effusions of Divine Grace. Amen
Daily Renewal of Total Consecration
Immaculata, Queen and Mother of the church I renew my consecration to you this day and for always, so that you may use me for the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus in the whole world. To this end I offer you all my prayers, actions and sacrifices of this day. Amen
THE ANGELUS
The angel of the Lord declared to Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
THE HAIL MARY
Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy word.
THE HAIL MARY
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
THE HAIL MARY
Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and Cross be Brought to the Glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this holy rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your request at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you. For the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my rosary. (Mention your request). I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God's Holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be greater benefit to my soul. I offer you this spiritual "bouquet of roses" because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer.
The Annunciation
PROMISE, Whoever shall devoutly recall to me the joy I felt upon uttering the words, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord" I will truly show him that I am his mother, and unfailingly I will succor him. (The Blessed Mother to St. Gertrude)
SEVEN DOLORS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
(Approved by Pope Pius VII in 1815)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Holy Spirit he came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and Blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Thy people Israel. And His father and mother marveled at what was said about Him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOUR OWN SOUL ALSO, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:25
From our Lord
The time is now ripe, I wish mankind to turn to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of My Mother. Let this prayer be uttered by every soul. Let this prayer dictated by My love as a supreme succor be approved and indulgenced, no longer partially and for a small portion of my flock, but for the whole universe, so that it may spread as a refreshing and purifying balm of reparation that will appease My anger. (Our Lord to Berthe Petit 1870-1943)
Prayers in Honor of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O God, come to my assistance
O, Lord make hast to help me
Glory be the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
1. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the Holy fear of God. (say the Hail Mary)
2. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. (say the hail Mary)
3. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. (say the Hail Mary)
4. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at the meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. (say the Hail Mary)
5. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. (say the Hail Mary)
6. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His body was removed of the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. (say the Hail Mary)
7. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. (say the Hail Mary)
Four Special Graces Promised to those Devoted to the Dolors of our Lady
PROMISES....According to St. Alphonsus Liquori, Our Lord reveled to St. Elizabeth of Hungary four special graces that are given to those who are devoted to the Dolors of his Holy Mother.
1. That those who before death invoke the Blessed Mother in the name of Her Sorrows, should obtain true repentance of all their sins.
2. That he would protect in their tribulations all who remember this devotion, and that He would protect them especially at the hour of death.
3. That he would impress upon their minds the remembrance of His Passion, and that they should have their reward for it in Heaven.
4. That He would commit such devout clients to the hands of Mary, so that She might obtain for these souls all the graces she wanted to lavish upon them.
SEVEN PROMISES TO THOSE WHO MEDITATE ON OUR LADY'S TEARS AND DOLORS
PROMISES...According to St. Bridget of Sweden(1303-1373) the Blessed Virgin grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's while meditating on her tears and dolors.
1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
7. I have obtained this grace from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.
THE THREE HAIL MARYS
Our Lady requested the daily recitation of three Hail Marys, and She revealed the following to St. Mechtilde
The first Hail Mary will be in honor of God the Father... Whose omnipotence raised my soul to high above every other creature that, after God, I have the greatest power in Heaven and on earth. In the hour of your death I will use that power of God the Father to keep any hostile power far from you.
The second Hail Mary will be in honor of God the Son...Who communicated His inscrutable wisdom to me. In the hour of your death I will fill your soul with the light of that wisdom so that all the darkness of ignorance and error will be dispelled.
The third Hail Mary will be in honor of God the Holy Spirit...Who filled my soul with the sweetness of His love and tenderness and mercy. In your last hour I will then change the bitterness of death into Divine sweetness and delight.
PROMISE...During an apparition to St. Gertrude, the Blessed Mother promised, "To any soul who faithfully prays the Three Hail Marys I will appear at the hour of death in a splendor of beauty so extraordinary that it will fill that soul with heavenly consolation."
