Tag: Our Blessed Mother Mary

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary

Post author By Lisa-Marie Glive
Post date May 30, 2024

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

SEPTEMBER 29TH TO OCTOBER 7TH - THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

DAY 1

A PLEA FOR REPARATION

"Do you wish to offer yourselves to God to endure all the sufferings that He may be pleased to send you, as both an act of reparation for the sins with which He is offended and an act of supplication for the conversion of sinners?"
— Our Lady of Fatima

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who appeared at Fatima to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta to ask for the conversion of a sinful world, I beg thee for the grace to grieve sincerely over my own sins and over those that weigh so heavily upon the souls of men, sins that crushed thy Divine Son beneath the Cross and then nailed Him to it upon the heights of Calvary.

O Advocate of Sinners, compenetrate my heart with true contrition and an intense gratitude and love for so good a God. In union with thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, I offer my poor heart, such as it is, with all its miseries, its weakness and good desires, in reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – thy Son and our God – for the many sins, outrages, blasphemies, sacrileges, and offenses by which He is so grievously offended.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 2

FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS

“If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything to change their lives.”

"Confession is a sacrament of mercy. Therefore, one must approach the confessional with confidence and joy. Without confession there is no salvation." — Jacinta

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima confided to three little children the anguish and pain of a true mother’s heart with the plea, “Let them offend Our Lord no more for He is already much offended,” obtain for sinners the grace of repentance. Mindful of our own sinfulness and unworthiness, graciously accept our desire to pray and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners.

O Refuge of Sinners, obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. A word from thee will obtain grace and forgiveness for all.

Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus and cease to offend God, already so much offended, and thus avoid eternal punishment. Turn thine eyes of mercy towards us so that henceforth we may love God with all our heart while on earth and enjoy Him forever in Heaven.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 3

DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY AND WORLD PEACE

“Jesus wishes to use you in order to make me known and loved. He wishes to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart in the world. I promise salvation to those who embrace it; and these souls will be beloved of God like flowers arranged by me to adorn His throne.” — Our Lady of Fatima

“Tell everybody that God grants us His graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that they should ask her for them, that the Heart of Jesus wants the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be honoured along with Him, that they should ask the Immaculate Heart of Mary for peace because God has placed it in her keeping.” — Jacinta

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima made known to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta God’s request for devotion to thy Immaculate Heart to obtain peace in the world, restore in our souls that “tranquility of order” of which Saint Augustine speaks. We do not seek rest from our labors or the cessation of turmoil in our surroundings, but that true interior peace of which thou art Queen.

O Queen of Peace, restore harmony in our families, order in our society, so ravaged by the evils of sin. Through thy powerful intercession with the Prince of Peace, Who assumed our human nature in thy virginal womb, obtain for us perseverance in virtue, patience in trial, courage in persecution, zeal for His glory, enthusiasm in loving and serving our God, and confidence in the public defense of His Holy Name and of His divine and natural laws.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 4

THE HOLY ROSARY

“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” — Lucia

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who revealed thyself at Fatima to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta as “Our Lady of the Rosary,” renew in my heart the joy of true devotion to thee.

May the contemplation of the mysteries contained in the Life, Passion, and Glory of thy Divine Son be for me strength in weakness, assurance in doubt, courage in suffering, and gratitude in joy.

O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in these times of trial and confusion, obtain for me, by the Precious Blood of thy Son, pardon for my sins, the salvation of my soul, and the necessary means to secure it. Protect my family from the dangers that surround us and keep us secure under thy protection. Grant that the Holy Catholic Church may triumph over her enemies, and that the Kingdom of Christ may be propagated on earth.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 5

PURITY AND MODESTY

“To be pure in body is to keep chastity. To be pure in soul is not to commit sins, not to look at what one should not see . . .”

“Fashions that will greatly offend Our Lord will appear. People who serve God should not follow fashions. The Church has no fashions. Our Lord is always the same.”

“The sins that lead more souls to Hell are the sins of the flesh.” — Jacinta

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who revealed thyself at Fatima to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta as “Our Lady of the Rosary,” renew in my heart the joy of true devotion to thee.

May the contemplation of the mysteries contained in the Life, Passion, and Glory of thy Divine Son be for me strength in weakness, assurance in doubt, courage in suffering, and gratitude in joy.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 6

PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND RULERS

“Pray much for priests! Pray much for religious! Priests should only occupy themselves with the affairs of the Church. Priests should be pure, very pure. The disobedience of priests and religious to their superiors and to the Holy Father greatly offends Our Lord.”

“Pray much for those who govern! Woe to those who persecute the religion of Our Lord! If the government left the Church in peace and gave freedom to the holy Faith, it would be blessed by God.” — Jacinta

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima entrusted to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta a merciful solution to the moral crisis of our times, look with compassion upon those who govern our souls and those who rule over our nation. A serious rendering of their grave responsibilities will be requited by Almighty God of these spiritual and temporal leaders for all those placed in their charge.

O Mother of the Eternal High Priest and Divine Victim, obtain for His priests the grace to apply to themselves the words they say every day at the altar, “This is my Body, this is my Blood,” recalling interiorly, “I am no longer myself, I am Jesus, Jesus crucified. I am, like the bread and wine, a substance no longer itself, but by consecration another.” And obtain for our civil leaders a love and veneration for the divine and natural laws that, guided by them, they may rule your people in righteousness.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 7

THE VISION OF HELL

“Our Lady showed us a great sea of fire which seemed to be under the earth. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke, now falling back on every side like sparks in a huge fire, without weight or equilibrium, and amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repulsive likeness to frightful and unknown animals, all black and transparent.” — Lucia

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima showed Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta a brief – but terrifying – glimpse of Hell, preserve us from its ravishing flames, “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell.”

How generous was their response to thy maternal plea to “Pray, pray much, and sacrifice for sinners, for many souls go to Hell because there is no one to offer sacrifices and pray for them.”

O Mother of Mercy, in thee God clothed Himself in our humanity that He might redeem us from sin and open for us the gates of Paradise. The immeasurable suffering of His Passion and Death should evince from our souls a love commensurate with the abandon with which He shed His Precious Blood, and yet we persist in our sins. Shake us from our spiritual lethargy by this vision of Hell and move us to heed thy motherly plea to amend our own lives and pray for sinners.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 8

THE ERRORS OF RUSSIA

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war [World War I] is going to end: but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI [World War II]. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that He is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world . . .” — Our Lady of Fatima

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima predicted to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta that unless men converted and thy requests were fulfilled, worse calamities would befall, show thyself a mother to us in these perilous times.

The “errors of Russia” – atheistic Communism with all of its inherent and consequential immorality – had not even manifested themselves when you spoke, but have indeed “spread throughout the world.”

O Mary, Help of Christians, the heart of such a mother cannot fail but be moved with compassion at the sight of thy children suffering under the yoke of Communism. But what sorrow must be thine on seeing the vast majority of men accepting those errors which you warned them against! In these times of such brazen impiety, show thy power with the signs of thy former victories, and look with mercy upon the Church of thy Son, sorely oppressed in this mighty conflict.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 9

THE TRIUMPH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

“. . . if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the faith will always be preserved, etc. . . .” — Our Lady of Fatima

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who at Fatima in 1917 warned the world through Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta of a terrible chastisement, and in 1973 in New Orleans wept with the abandon of a heartbroken mother, how truly devastating must be the sight of the world in our own days! What moral aberrations have been embraced in the years since you wept! Thou art truly the Mother of Sorrows!

But thou art also that “woman clothed with the sun” chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of His Only-Begotten Son and espoused by God the Holy Ghost. Thy “Fiat” launched the work of redemption, thy intercession, the first public miracle of the Son of God, and in thy company the Apostles received the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. Fill our souls with a total and unwavering confidence in the fulfillment of thy prophesy at Fatima: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph!”

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

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Novenas prayers

Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date March 4, 2024

Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel

FEAST DAY: APRIL 26

Prayed from April 18 to April 26.

Memorare of Our Lady of Good Counsel

(to be prayed each day)

Concluding prayer for each day: Remember, O Immaculate Mary, Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, that it has never been heard of in any age that such as had recourse to thee, imploring thy help and seeking thy powerful intercession, were ever rejected or refused or abandoned. Inspired with the like hope and confidence, I fly to thee, O Mary, Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, and my Mother; before thy shrine I come, casting myself on my unworthiness. O Mother of the Eternal Word made Flesh, obtain for me, through the whole course of my life, all the graces and blessings I more require, from the Sacred and Adorable Heart of Jesus, my Savior, O Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, reject not my petitions, but mercifully hear and answer me. Amen. ________________________________________

Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

O Mary, my mother, I humbly beseech you to counsel me as I begin this novena of prayerful petition. I fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God. You are the defense of all Christians, the Seat of Wisdom, the Mother of Good Counsel. You know, most Holy Virgin, how much I require your all-powerful aid. Guard me from the evils that afflict me; heal my wounds; relieve my wants and miseries. Obtain for me strength and courage to bear the trials and temptations of life. O Virgin most prudent, help me to persevere until death in the love of God.

(Here mention your requests)

O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, Mother of Good Counsel, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 2

O most Holy Virgin, Cause of our joy, you were chosen by the Blessed Trinity to be the Mother of the Word made Flesh. You alone were conceived Immaculate; you always remained faithful to the indwelling Holy Ghost. Every moment of your life you were "full of grace." O Mary Immaculate, I gratefully acknowledge the countless joys you have gained for me the happiness I have found in my Faith; the contentment in prayer; the security of your protection. As I make known my petitions in this novena, I promise always to revere you as the Treasure of divine grace. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 3

O Mary, Refuge of sinners, you are our life, our sweetness, our hope. It has never been heard that anyone ever sought your help and was rejected. Amid the uncertainties of life I turn to you; with aching heart I seek your comfort and counsel. No one can ever number the favors you have granted; the tears you have dried, the needs you have supplied, the sickness you have cured, the petitions you have answered. O Mother of Mercy, hear my prayers and grant my requests. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 4

O Virgin most renowned, you are our advocate at the Throne of Mercy. By your intercession with your Divine Son you have saved us from the punishment we deserve for our sins. You have obtained for us mercy and pardon. To you I turn, imploring your aid. O gentle and loving Mother. Pity me in my misery; help me in my needs; give me good counsel. To you I pour forth my petitions in this novena, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 5

O Virgin Mary, Queen of Martyrs, I thank you for the consolation you have given me in times of sorrow and anxiety. I bring to mind the great suffering you so patiently endured. In the Temple as you offered your Divine Son, you heard the words of the prophet: "Your own soul a sword of sorrow shall pierce." Standing at Calvary you compassionated your dying Son. The lance which opened His Sacred Heart was the sword which pierced your soul. I am deeply sorry for my sins which caused your Son to suffer such a cruel Passion and Death. O compassionate Mother, help me in my hours of suffering and tribulation; counsel me to unite my sufferings with the Cross of Christ; teach me to draw from His Passion the strength to bear my cross daily and so to atone for my sins. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 6

O Mother of Good Counsel, Star of the Sea, to you I turn for light to guide my uncertain steps through life. Throughout the world, in every land, your picture is venerated. Your gracious image is given an honored place in countless homes. So many people, in prayerful petition, have obtained from you good counsel. O Virgin most faithful, renew in my heart the joy of true devotion to you. May your counsel enlighten the darkness of my mind and safeguard me from the misery of sin. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 7

O Mother most admirable, I recall the wondrous gifts of grace and healing which have occurred at your shrine in Genazzano. For five hundred years there has been the constant testimony of grateful clients. To countless multitudes who have knelt before your picture, health has been restored, afflictions have been removed, peace of mind restored, faith has been strengthened, repentance for sin granted. Beloved Mother of Good Counsel, be mindful of the favors you have granted to others. Listen to the prayers I humbly pour forth. Protect me from the dangers that surround me; keep me secure under your protection. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 8

O most glorious Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, I rejoice that I can call upon your protection. Your great desire is to be my counsellor in the urgent matter of my eternal salvation. Kindly receive me, O Consoler of the Afflicted; awaken in me a spirit of true repentance; entice me towards perfection; comfort me in my sorrows; remove from me all doubts; draw me nearer to your Divine Son. Today I implore you to heed my prayers. Obtain from Jesus pardon for my sins. Show yourself a mother unto me; counsel me to become a true child of yours. May He, through you, receive my prayer Who, for love of me became your Son. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

DAY 9

O most glorious Queen of Heaven and earth, with joy I gaze upon your renowned picture. In your arms you lovingly enfold the Divine infant, your head turned tenderly towards Him. Safely He nestles in the protections of your embrace. From Him you draw all knowledge and counsel. In union with all who venerate you at your shrine in Genazzano, I gratefully praise God for the gift of this picture. While I mention my petitions in this novena, I promise to heed your counsel and to be fully reconciled to God's Will. I shall always strive to prove myself to be a true child of yours. O Help of Christians, give me your counsel; in life and in death assist me, O Merciful Mother. O Mary, most Blessed Virgin, may the blessing of your Son come upon me. 3 x Hail Mary's.... Concluding Prayer

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Novenas prayers

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date November 22, 2023

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 12

Prayed from December 4 to December 12.

Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(to be prayed each day)

Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.

O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favour....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 2

O Mary conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful children who call upon you under the glorious title of Guadalupe. Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always: May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 3

O Mary, most sorrowful, whose Immaculate Heart, was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway. Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you. This I ask you, my dear Mother....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

m>Amen

DAY 4

Dearest Mother of Guadalupe, I beg you for a fortified will to imitate your divine Son’s charity, to always seek the good of others in need. Grant me this, I humbly ask of you....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 5

O most holy Mother, I beg you to obtain for me the pardon of all my sins, abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on, and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 6

Mary, Mother of vocations, we beg you to multiply priestly vocations and fill the earth with religious houses which will be light and warmth for the world, and safety in stormy nights. Beg your Son to send us many holy priests and religious. This we ask of you, O Mother....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 7

O Lady of Guadalupe, we beg you that parents live a holy life and educate their children in accordance with the true Catholic faith; that children obey and follow the directions of their parents; and that all members of the family pray and worship together. This we ask of you, O Mother....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 8

O Lady of Guadalupe, with my heart full of the most sincere veneration, I prostrate myself before you, O Mother, to ask you to obtain for me the grace to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 9

O God, you have been pleased to bestow upon us unceasing favours by having placed us under the special protection of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant us, your humble servants, who rejoice in honouring her today upon earth, the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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prayers

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date January 23, 2023

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

FEAST DAY: FEBRUARY 11

Preliminary prayer to be said each day:

Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings; deign to cast upon us a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.

(Mention your request)

Through gratitude for your favours, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, Virgin and Mother, Queen of Heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and in virtue of this title preserved from original sin, we kneel before you as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in you that as we contemplate your glorious appearance at Lourdes, you will look with mercy on our present petition and secure for us a favourable answer to the request for which we are making this novena.

(Mention your request)

O brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God. Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 2

Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart. Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 3

"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now hear our fervent prayer and grant us, we beseech you, the petition we so earnestly seek.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 4

O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we your wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the angels and saints and to your own, that the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified in heaven and on earth. Our Lady of Lourdes, as you looked down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her rosary in the Grotto, look down now, we beseech you, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted you by your Divine Son, sweet Mother of God, give to each of us all that your motherly heart sees we need and at this moment look with special favour on the grace we seek in this novena.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 5

O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favourably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favour we seek in this novena.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 6

O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favour we so earnestly seek in this novena.

(Mention your request)

O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in your hair and the roses of earth at your feet, look with compassion upon us today as you did so long ago on Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 7

O Almighty God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we humbly beseech You that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favour upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with Him for us that the favour we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 8

O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes. As Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth from the earth, as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favour we seek in this novena.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY 9

O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favour we seek at this time, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard. O Mother of My Lord, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date November 28, 2022

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 12

Prayed from December 3 to December 11, the Eve of the Feast Day.

Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(to be prayed each day)

O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favour....

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 2

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 3

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

m>Amen

DAY 4

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 5

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 6

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 7

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 8

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

DAY 9

(Here mention your requests)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Novena to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date November 23, 2022

Novena to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 8

RECITED DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 29TH TO DECEMBER 7TH (EVE OF THE FEAST DAY)

O Mary, Most Holy, conceived without sin and all pure before the sight of the Most High God, we beseech Thee to have mercy on us and on our nation.

Look with loving eyes upon the plight of your children who implore Your powerful protection. The wicked serpent continues to wage war against God, against You and against the Holy Catholic Church and every good thing in society. The devil lays snares of confusion and deceit to lead souls along the path of perdition. The culture of death continues to attack the sanctity of life, marriage and the family.

Yet, from the very instant of Your conception, You, our Blessed Mother, Our Queen and Our Advocate, crushed the head of the diabolical enemy. At this moment, receive this prayer that we present to You before the throne of God. May we never fall into the snares of the devil; may we always follow the path of virtue and true courage toward our true home in Heaven. May the Holy Catholic Church obtain victory over the forces of evil and may the peace of Christ come down upon our souls, our nation and all peoples.

Obtain for us, O Virgin Most Pure, the grace of angelic purity which was Your favourite virtue. Grant us purity of heart so that we will seek God alone in all things. Provide for us the grace of purity of intention so that every thought, every word and every action in our daily lives be directed to the greater glory of Your Divine Son.

Obtain for us a participation in Your spirit of prayer, in Your humility and in Your self-denial. May we truly live the Fatima message of prayer, penance and conversion. May we recover through penance that innocence lost by sin and become more faithful and more united to the Will of God.

O Dear Mother, grant us unlimited Hope amid the current situation in our nation. Grant us an increasing love of Truth amid the lies and confusion of our times. Obtain for us from Your Divine Son greater Faith and growing Charity toward God and toward others.

Through Your grace and assistance, may we seek in all things the glory of God, the salvation of souls, and what is best for our beloved nation.

Hear our pleas, O Mother of Mercy, and hasten the triumph of Your Immaculate Heart as you promised in Fatima over 100 years ago. And may You, the Immaculate Conception, crush once and for all the head of the wicked serpent and his followers. Amen

To be recited for nine consecutive days.

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Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date September 26, 2022

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary

SEPTEMBER 28TH TO OCTOBER 6TH - EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

A PLEA FOR REPARATION

Prayer

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 2

FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS

Prayer

O Refuge of Sinners, obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. A word from thee will obtain grace and forgiveness for all.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 3

DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY AND WORLD PEACE

Prayer

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 4

THE HOLY ROSARY

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who revealed thyself at Fatima to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta as “Our Lady of the Rosary,” renew in my heart the joy of true devotion to thee.

May the contemplation of the mysteries contained in the Life, Passion, and Glory of thy Divine Son be for me strength in weakness, assurance in doubt, courage in suffering, and gratitude in joy.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 5

PURITY AND MODESTY

Prayer

O Mary Immaculate, who revealed thyself at Fatima to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta as “Our Lady of the Rosary,” renew in my heart the joy of true devotion to thee.

May the contemplation of the mysteries contained in the Life, Passion, and Glory of thy Divine Son be for me strength in weakness, assurance in doubt, courage in suffering, and gratitude in joy.

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 6

PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND RULERS

Prayer

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 7

THE VISION OF HELL

Prayer

How generous was their response to thy maternal plea to “Pray, pray much, and sacrifice for sinners, for many souls go to Hell because there is no one to offer sacrifices and pray for them.”

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 8

THE ERRORS OF RUSSIA

Prayer

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

DAY 9

THE TRIUMPH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Prayer

(Here mention your request)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.

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Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date September 16, 2022

Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

FEAST: SEPTEMBER 28

This novena can be prayed at any time throughout the year, but is usually prayed from September 19 to September 27.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

Dearest Holy Mother Mary, you undo the knots that cripple your children. Extend your merciful hands to me. I entrust to you today this knot and all the negative consequences that it imposes on my life.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to caress your beloved children because they are moved by divine love and the immense mercy that exist in your Immaculate Heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life. You know very well how weak I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I place into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

[Mention your request here]

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my greatest hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my poverty, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains.

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 2

Mary, Beloved Mother, mediatrix of all grace, I give to you today my heart, recognizing that I am a sinner in need of your help. I entrust into your hands this knot which keeps me from reflecting the glory of God.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 3

Meditating Mother, Queen of heaven, in whose hands the treasures of the King are found, turn your merciful eyes upon me today. I entrust into your holy hands this knot in my life and the debilitating resentment it has caused in me.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 4

Dearest Holy Mother, you are generous with all who seek you, have mercy on me. I entrust into your hands this knot which robs the peace of my heart, paralyzes my soul and keeps me from going to my Lord and serving Him with my life.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 5

Mother, Undoer of Knots, so generous and compassionate, I come to You today to once again entrust this knot in my life to you and to ask the divine wisdom to undo, under the light of the Holy Spirit, this snarl of problems.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 6

Queen of Mercy, I entrust to you this knot in my life and I ask you to give me a heart that will patiently wait until you undo it.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 7

Mother Most Pure, I come to you today to beg you to undo this knot in my life and free me from the snares of evil.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 8

Virgin Mother of God, overflowing with mercy, have mercy on your child and undo this knot in my life.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

DAY 9

Most Holy Mary, our Advocate, Undoer of Knots, I come today to thank you for undoing this knot in my life.

You know very well the suffering it has caused me. Thank you for coming, Mother, with your long fingers of mercy to undo this knot in my life; you receive me in your arms and make it possible for me to receive once again the divine grace. Mary, Undoer of Knots, dearest Mother, I thank you for undoing the knots in my life. Wrap me in your mantle of love, keep me under your protection, and enlighten me with your peace! Amen

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

[Mention your request here]

Hear my plea.

Keep me, guide me, and protect me, o safe refuge!

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen

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Novena & Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date August 29, 2022

Novena & Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows

FEAST: SEPTEMBER 15

This page contains:

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows

Petitions to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary

The Seven Graces

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

The Prophecy of Simeon
The Flight into Egypt
The Loss of the child Jesus in the Temple
The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Way to Calvary
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
The Piercing of the Side of Jesus and His Descent from the Cross
The Burial of Jesus

Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows

These prayers are to be recited each day after the Novena.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are 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

Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace

O, mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonized on the cross; by the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathizing with your sorrows and offering you my petition with childlike trust.

Dear Mother, since your Son refuses you nothing, ask of His Sacred Heart to mercifully grant what I ask, through the merits of His sacred passion, along with those of your sufferings at the foot of the cross.

Mother most merciful, to whom shall I go in my misery if not to you who pities us poor sinful exiles in this valley of tears? In our name, offer Jesus but one drop of His most precious blood, but one pang of His loving heart. Remind Him that you are our sweetness, our life and our hope, and your prayer will be heard. 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 by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your clemency, hear and answer me. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE FIRST SORROW OF MARY — THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON

Most Sorrowful Mother, grief filled was your heart when, on offering your divine Son at the temple, Holy Simeon foretold that a sword would pierce your soul. There and then you knew you would suffer with Jesus.

Queen of Martyrs, let me unite my heart to yours in this pain, and ask you the grace to keep the thought of my death in mind, so I may always avoid sin.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 2

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE SECOND SORROW OF MARY — THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

Most sorrowful Mother, Your mother’s heart brimmed over with sorrow at the hate of Herod for your innocent Son. To save Him from the king’s jealousy, you had to flee with Him to Egypt. Your heart also suffered at seeing the suffering of your holy spouse, Saint Joseph, at the prospect of taking the divine babe and you, his delicate spouse, into the wilderness and the unknown.

Queen of Martyrs let me unite my heart to yours in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to avoid those who wish me evil, above all evil to my soul. Let me avoid temptations and never leave the difficult but royal road to heaven.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 3

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE THIRD SORROW OF MARY — THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

Most sorrowful Mother, grief, sorrow and anxiety filled your immaculate heart when you found you were separated from your Son on leaving Jerusalem.

For three days He remained lost to you and to your holy spouse. For three days you sought Him who was the light of your life. And for three days you failed to find Him.

Let me join you in this pain, O Queen of Martyrs, and obtain for me the grace to never lose Jesus through sin, but to stay united to Him by the help of His grace. If I have the misfortune of falling, may I never doubt His mercy and always return through the Sacrament of Confession, which He instituted.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 4

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE FOURTH SORROW OF MARY — THE MEETING OF MARY AND JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY

Most sorrowful Mother, who can fathom the grief of your heart when you saw your Son fall, wounded and bleeding under the crushing weight of the cross, on the way to Calvary?

Queen of Martyrs, let me unite my heart to yours in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to bear patiently whatever cross God may see fit to send me.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 5

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE FIFTH SORROW OF MARY — THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS

Most sorrowful Mother, standing by the cross of Jesus, your heart was one great knot. And yet, you did not sit, you did not even lean, but stood as you watched Him suffer for the sins of the whole world–for my sins. Like Abraham, you offered the sacrifice standing up, consciously and willingly. In your case, you offered it for me, and for every sinner. Still, unlike Abraham, you stood and watched Him die. In your case, your perfect Son was not spared.

Queen of Martyrs, let me join you in this sorrow, and obtain for me the grace to fight against temptation and sin at the cost of effort, suffering and even life. When my turn comes, grant me, Mother, by your Jesus’ death and your sacrifice, the grace to die in His holy Grace–the grace of a happy death.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 6

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE SIXTH SORROW OF MARY — THE PIERCING OF THE SIDE OF JESUS AND HIS DESCENT FROM THE CROSS

Most Sorrowful Mother, when your Son’s body was lowered from the cross and laid in your arms, sorrow filled your heart.

Though now this sorrow had a note of relief, how painful it was for you to gaze on that body, formerly the seat of perfect life, health and beauty, gruesomely scarred, pale and lifeless.

Mother, Queen of Martyrs, let me join my heart to yours in this grief, and obtain for me to receive Jesus into my soul before I die, so I may join Him in heaven forever.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 7

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE SEVENTH SORROW OF MARY — THE BURIAL OF JESUS

Most sorrowful Virgin, sorrow again filled your heart when the sacred body of your Son was taken from your arms, and placed in a cold grave. Yet you did not doubt that He would rise again.

Queen of Martyrs, let me join you in your sorrow, and grant me your own deep, trusting faith in the word of your Son. Let me trust that even in suffering, even when all seems lost, with Jesus there is always a way out.

Obtain for me too, a sincere sorrow for all my sins, a burning love for my God, a tender devotion to you, so that one day, I may die in His grace and, with Him, rise to eternal life.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

DAY 8

EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, SEPTEMBER 14

Sweet Mother of Sorrows, Providence wished that Saint Helena, like you the mother of a king, find the cross of your Son and lavish honours on this relic of relics.**

Grant, me Sorrowful Queen and Mother that, like Saint Helena, I always honour the symbol of our salvation, the cross. And like the Church, may I hold it high, display and wear it with gratitude and pride.

Above all, may I unite my sufferings to that of Jesus on the cross, and carry my crosses not in shame but in faith, love and patience as He did.

The Church teaches that suffering thus carried and united to His, is never in vain, but a powerful, redemptive prayer.

May I always believe it, so my life will always have meaning.

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

**(Saint Helena did this while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 326 A.D. To celebrate this fact, the Catholic Church established the feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.)

DAY 9

EVE OF THE FEAST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF SORROWS

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me kindly, and awaken in my heart a tender sympathy for Our Lord’s sufferings.

Grant me a sincere detestation of my sins, so that free from undue affection for the passing joys of earth, I may set my sights higher on the eternal joys of heaven.

May all my thoughts and all my actions be directed towards this one great goal. Honour, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen

Hail Mary...
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular grace...
Memorare...

Petitions to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary

V. Incline unto my aid, O God!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!
Glory be...

I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that grief suffered by thy tender heart at the prophecy of the aged Holy Simeon. O dearest Mother, through this thy afflicted heart, implore for me the virtue of humility and the Gift of the Fear of God.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of those distressing fears which thy affectionate heart endured on the flight to Egypt and during thy sojourn there. O dearest Mother, through this thy anxious heart implore for me the virtue of generosity, particularly for the poor, and the Gift of Piety.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that anxiety which thy worried heart endured in the loss of thy beloved Child Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly troubled heart, implore for me the virtue of chastity and the Gift of Knowledge.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that horror with which thy mother's heart was stricken when meeting Jesus, bearing the Cross. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly oppressed heart, implore for me the virtue of patience and the Gift of Fortitude.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that martyrdom which tortured thy magnanimous heart at the death-agony of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy martyred heart, implore for me the virtue of temperance and the Gift of Counsel.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of the anguish inflicted upon thy tender heart by the thrust of the lance that opened the side of Jesus and pierced His Most Adorable Heart. O dearest Mother, through this vicarious transfixion of thy own heart, implore for me the virtue of brotherly love and the Gift of Understanding.
Hail Mary...
I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that agony of soul which racked thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this extreme torment that filled thy burdened heart, implore for me the virtue of zeal and the Gift of Wisdom.
Hail Mary...

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Most Sorrowful!

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray

O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, whose soul was pierced by the Sword of Sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may be our advocate at the throne of Thy Mercy, now, and at the hour of our death. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen

The Seven Graces

The Blessed Virgin Mary grants to souls who honour Her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditating on Her tears and Dolors. The devotion was passed to us by Saint Bridget.

I will grant peace to their families.
They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
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.
I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother.
I have obtained (this grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, 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.

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Novena for the Nativity of Our Lady

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date August 26, 2022

Novena for the Nativity of Our Lady

FEAST: SEPTEMBER 8

Click here and become a Rosary Rally Captain for Our Lady!

Prayer to start the Novena each day

V. O God, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

Heavenly Child, lovable Mary, the Eternal Father delights in your birth, for He beholds in your coming into this world one of His creatures who is so perfect that she will become the worthy Mother of His divine Son.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the heavenly Father, the pardon of my sins, and an abiding sorrow for them.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Click here and become a Rosary Rally Captain for Our Lady!

DAY 2

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Son of God delights in your birth, for He beholds the one chosen to be His Mother, and oh! such a beloved Mother.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining from your divine Son the grace to be born again spiritually to a holy life, perfectly conformed to yours, so that I may merit to obtain eternal glory.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 3

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, lovable Mary, the Eternal Word takes delight in your birth, for He sees the source of His Immaculate Blood.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Word made Flesh, the grace to find in this Divine Blood the eternal happiness of my soul.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 4

O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Redeemer, promised to mankind from the beginning of the world, takes delight in your birth, for He sees the one who is destined to become the Co-redemptress of souls by uniting her tears to the Blood shed on the Cross to save mankind.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 5

Resplendent Lily of Paradise, lovable Mary, the Holy Spirit takes delight in your birth for He sees in you the soul never stained by sin, which would forever be His worthy Temple.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Holy Spirit His divine love and final perseverance.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 6

Most Beautiful Branch of the tree of David, most admirable Mary, whose birth was such a consolation to St. Joachim and St. Anne who were delighted to be the parents of so holy a child, may your birth be the consolation of my soul, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the world and detachment from all the things of this earth.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 7

Resplendent Morning Star, lovable Mary, your birth was the cause of great joy to the angels, for they beheld in you the Mother of the Redeemer of the world, who by His Death would repair the loss sustained by the fall of rebellious angels in paradise.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the infernal enemy, deliverance from all his snares, and the grace to be associated in glory with the angels in heaven.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 8

Brilliant Aurora of Heaven, lovable Mary, your birth brought great consolation to the souls of the saints detained in limbo, for it announced the approach of the Sun of Justice, Jesus Christ, who would enlighten their darkness and then conduct them to paradise.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, and obtain for me from God, patience in all adversities, a perfect and constant conformity to His most holy will.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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DAY 9

Mediatrix between God and mankind, admirable Mary, by your birth you perfected the joy of all the children of Adam, who, through you, have received the Author of Grace, for He has made you the treasurer of all the graces which are imparted to us.

May your birth be a special cause of joy to my soul by obtaining for me from God, eternal salvation and all the graces necessary to obtain it.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions... (State your intentions)

Hail Mary...

Prayer

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray

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Prayer in Honour of the Queenship of Mary

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date August 18, 2022

Prayer in Honour of the Queenship of Mary

FEAST: AUGUST 22

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“Since the great Virgin Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of the King of Kings, the Church justly honors her, and wishes that she be honored with the glorious title of Queen,” — St. Alphonsus de Liguori.

Blessed Pope Pius IX said of Mary: “Turning her maternal Heart toward us and dealing with the affair of our salvation, she is concerned with the whole human race. Constituted by the Lord Queen of Heaven and earth, and exalted above all choirs of Angels and the ranks of Saints in Heaven, standing at the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, she petitions most powerfully with Her maternal prayers, and she obtains what she seeks.”

In his 1954 encyclical, Ad Coeli Reginam, Pope Pius XII established the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Universal Church.

In so doing, the Holy Father was officially giving sanction to a devotion that had existed from the earliest centuries of the Church to the sovereign Mother and Queen of heaven and earth and Mediatrix of all graces.

Because of her eminence, the Blessed Virgin Mary is entitled to the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any creature, for she is the glorious Queen of the universe.

"We commend that on the festival there be renewed the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon this there is founded a great hope that there may arise an era of happiness that will rejoice in the triumph of religion and in Christian peace,” the Holy Father writes.

“Therefore, let all approach with greater confidence more than before, to the throne of mercy and grace of our Queen and Mother to beg help in difficulty, light in darkness and solace in trouble and sorrow…

“…Whoever, therefore, honors the lady ruler of the Angels and of men—and let no one think themselves exempt from the payment of that tribute of a grateful and loving soul—let them call upon her as most truly Queen and as the Queen who brings the blessings of peace, that She may show us all, after this exile, Jesus, who will be our enduring peace and joy.

Prayer in Honour of the Queenship of Mary

O Mary Immaculate Queen, look down upon this distressed and suffering world. You know our misery and our weakness. O thou who art our Mother, saving us in the hour of peril, have compassion on us in these days of great and heavy trial.

Jesus has confided to you the treasure of His grace, and through you He wills to grant us pardon and mercy. In these hours of anguish, therefore, your children come to you as their hope.

We recognize your Queenship and ardently desire your triumph. We need a Mother and a Mother's Heart. You are for us the luminous dawn which dissipates our darkness and points out the way to life. In your clemency obtain for us the courage and the confidence of which we have such need.

Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, You Who did crown with glory in Heaven the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Savior, grant that all her children on earth may acknowledge her as their Sovereign Queen, that all hearts, homes, and nations may recognize her rights as Mother and as Queen.

Mary Immaculate Queen, triumph and reign! Amen

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Novena to Our Lady of Assumption

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date July 26, 2022

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption

FEAST: AUGUST 15

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Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life for body and soul. You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body. As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, grant us renewed confidence in the victory of life over death. Amen

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

DAY 1

Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen of Heaven and earth.

We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we honour you.

We are confident that you watch over our daily lives and we ask that you intercede for us now.

(Mention your request)

We are comforted by our faith in the coming Resurrection and we look to you for prayers and comfort.

After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 2

Mary, Assumed into Heaven, we venerate you as the Queen of Heaven and earth.

As you tasted the bitterness of pain and sorrow with your Son on earth, you now enjoy eternal bliss with Him in Heaven.

Loving Queen, intercede for us in our needs.

(Mention your request)

We praise Jesus for giving us such a loving mother.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 3

O Mother, Assumed into Heaven, because you shared in all the mysteries of our Redemption here below, Jesus has crowned you with glory.

With your most glorious and powerful intercession, help us O loving Mother and present to Jesus our request.

(Mention your request)

O Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 4

O Dearest Mother Mary, Assumed into Heaven, God placed you at His right hand that you may intercede for his little ones as the Mother of God.

In the midst of all the saints you stand as their Queen and ours — dearer to the Heart of God than any creation. You pray for your children and grant us every grace won by our loving Savior on the Cross.

Please intercede for us in our needs and ask Jesus to grant our request if it be for the good of our souls.

(Mention your request)

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 5

O merciful and loving Mother, may your glorious beauty fill our hearts with a distaste for earthly things and an ardent longing for the joys of Heaven.

May your merciful eyes glance down upon our struggles and our weakness in this vale of tears.

Hear then loving Mother, our request and plead to Jesus for us.

(Mention your request)

Crown us with the pure robe of innocence and grace here, and with immortality and glory in Heaven.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 6

Mary, our dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive our poor hearts with all their freedom and desires, all the love and all the virtues and graces with which they may be adorned.

All we are and all we might be, all we have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, we have received from God through your loving intercession.

Help us dear Mother to surrender to God all that we have, including our petitions.

(Mention your request)

Our Lady and Queen, into your gentle hands, we entrust all, that it may be returned to its noble origin.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 7

Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that we are and bind us to Jesus with the bonds of love so that we may be yours forever and may be able to say in all truth: "I belong to Jesus through Mary".

Our Mother, Assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe, ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain for us what we ask, if it be for the glory of God and the good of our souls.

(Mention your request)

Our Mother, assumed into Heaven, we love you. Give us a greater love for Jesus and for you.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 8

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, we rejoice that you are the Queen of Heaven and Earth. You have given your holy fiat to God and became the Mother of our Savior.

Obtain peace and salvation for us through your prayers, for you have given birth to Christ our Lord, the Savior of all mankind.

Intercede for us and bring our petitions before the Throne of God.

(Mention your request)

Through your prayers, may our souls be filled with an intense desire to be like you, a humble vessel of the Holy Spirit and a servant of the Almighty God.

Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Amen

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DAY 9

O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity.

Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity.

Teach us how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven. Make us realize that death is the triumphant gate through which we shall pass to your Son and that someday our bodies shall rejoin our souls in the unending bliss of heaven.

From this earth, which we tread as pilgrims, we look to you for help.

In honour of your Assumption into Heaven, we ask for this favor.... (Mention your request)

At the hour of our death, lead us safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of God for all eternity together with you.

Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date July 5, 2022

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular

FEAST: JULY 16

One day, a long time ago, walking the streets of Rome, three outstanding men of God bumped into one another. Friar Dominic of Guzman was recruiting members for the Order of Preachers, later known as the “Dominicans,” which he had founded. Brother Francis of Assisi, the Poverello, had just brought together some men to serve what he called Lady Poverty. The third, Friar Angel, had come from Mount Carmel in Palestine, and was called to Rome because he was a great preacher.

Illuminated by the Holy Ghost, the three recognized one another, and during the conversation made many prophecies. Saint Angel, for example, predicted God would give Saint Francis the stigmata. And Saint Dominic prophesied:

“One day, Brother Angel, the Blessed Mother will give your Carmelite Order a devotion that will be known as the Brown Scapular, and to my Order of Preachers a devotion that will be called the Rosary. And one day she will save the world through the Rosary and the Scapular.”

On the spot where that meeting took place, a chapel was built which exists in Rome to this day. 1

Mother and Splendour of Carmel

It was on the celebrated Mount Carmel, on the coast of Palestine, that Saint Elias, the “Prophet of Fire,” saw the little cloud that, in a period of great drought, was a forerunning sign that a redeeming rain would fall upon the parched earth.

Pilgrims at the grotto of St Elias, Mt Carmel Pilgrims at the grotto of St Elias, Mount Carmel, near Haifa, Israel Through a supernatural intuition he figured that the simple cloud, in the form of a human footprint, symbolized that blessed woman, later mentioned by Prophet Isaiah in chapter 7, verse 14 (“Behold a virgin will conceive, and bear a child . . . .”), who would be the Mother of the Redeemer.

From her virginal bosom would come He who, washing with His blood the earth dried out by sin, would open the life of grace for mankind.

According to tradition, the Order of Carmel, of which Mary is the Mother and splendour, was born from the followers of Elias and his successors.

And, in Isaias’ words, “[T]he glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron” (Is. 35:2).

From Palestine, the hermits of Mount Carmel moved to Europe, laying down roots in several countries, including England, where Saint Simon Stock lived.

Saint Simon Stock: Noble and Holy

Saint Simon was born in 1165 in the castle of Harford, in Kent, England, thanks to the prayers of pious parents who were both very virtuous and from the highest nobility. Some authors believe they were related to the royal family.

His mother consecrated him to the Blessed Mother before he was born. Before breastfeeding him, in gratitude for her happy delivery and asking special protection for her son, the young mother would offer him to the Virgin Mary and say three Hail Marys on her knees. What a beautiful attitude by such a noble lady!

The boy learned to read at a very tender age. Like his parents, he began to pray the Little Office of Our Lady, and soon also the Psalter. At the age of seven, the young genius started to study fine arts at Oxford College and was so successful that his professors were surprised. At that time he also received his First Communion and consecrated his virginity to the Blessed Mother.

Persecuted by his envious older brother, and heeding an interior voice that gave Saint Simon a desire to leave the world, at the age of twelve he left home and found refuge in a forest where he lived entirely alone for twenty years in prayer and penance.

The Carmelite Order

Our Lady appears to St Simon Stock, by Lawrence OP, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Our Lady then manifested to Saint Simon her wish that he join some monks who were to come to England from Mount Carmel in Palestine, “especially because those religious had been consecrated to the Mother of God in a special way.” Simon thus left his solitude and, obeying another order from Heaven, studied theology and received Holy Orders.

Our Lady and St Simon Stock Representation of Our Lady giving the scapular to St Simon Stock He devoted himself to preaching until 1213, when two Carmelite friars finally arrived. He was then able to receive the habit of the Order in Aylesford.

In 1215, as the fame of Saint Simon’s virtues reached the ears of Saint Brocardo, Latin General of the Carmelite Order, he wished to make Simon lieutenant general of the Order. In 1226, Saint Brocardo appointed Saint Simon vicar-general of all Carmelite provinces in Europe.

Saint Simon had to face a real storm unleashed against the Carmelites in Europe, which the devil raised with men supposedly zealous for Church laws. On various pretexts, those men wanted at all cost to suppress the entire Order. But the pope issued a bull declaring the existence of the Carmelite Order to be legitimate and in accordance with the Lateran decrees, and allowed it to continue to establish new houses in Europe.

In 1237, Saint Simon participated in the General Chapter of the Order in the Holy Land. In 1245, in a new chapter, he was elected the sixth prior-general of the Carmelites.

The Great Promise

YOU WILL NOT GO INTO THE FIRE OF HELL

If the papal bull had momentarily placated the wrath of the enemies of Carmel, it did not stop it completely. After a period of calm, the persecution started again with more intensity.

Devoid of human aid, Saint Simon resorted to the Blessed Mother with all the sadness of his heart, asking her to help his beleaguered Order and to send a sign of her alliance with it.

In the morning of July 16, 1251, he was begging in earnest the Mother of Carmel for her protection, reciting a beautiful prayer he had composed, Flos Carmeli. 2 As he reported to his secretary and confessor, Father Peter Swayngton:

"Suddenly the Virgin appeared to me with a great retinue, and, having the habit of the Order in her hand, told me, “Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire . . . . It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace. Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular will not suffer eternal fire." 3

That most special grace was immediately distributed in places where the Carmelites were established and confirmed by many miracles to such an extent that the enemies of the Brothers of the Most Holy Virgin of Mount Carmel were silenced.

Saint Simon attained old age and extremely high holiness, working many miracles, and also receiving the gift of tongues. He surrendered his soul to God on May 16, 1265.

The Sabbatine Privilege

FREE OF PURGATORY ON THE FIRST SATURDAY AFTER DEATH

In addition to this special grace of eternal salvation, connected with the Scapular, Our Lady gave another, which became known as the Sabbatine Privilege. The following century, on March 3, 1322, she appeared to Pope John XXII, communicating to those who wear her scapular, “As a tender mother, I will descend into Purgatory on the Saturday after their death and will deliver them and bring them to the holy mountain, into the happy sojourn of life everlasting.” 4

What are the specific promises of Our Lady?

1. Whoever dies clothed with the Scapular, will not suffer the fire of Hell.

What did Our Lady mean with these words? First, on making this promise, Mary does not mean that a person who dies in mortal sin will be saved. Death in mortal sin and condemnation are the same thing. Mary’s promise undoubtedly translates into these words, “Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular, will not die in mortal sin.” To make that clear, the Church often adds the word “piously” to the pledge, “He who dies piously will not suffer the fire of Hell.” 5

2. Our Lady will free from Purgatory the person wearing her Scapular on the first Saturday after his or her death.

Although this privilege is often interpreted literally, that is, the person will be freed from Purgatory on the first Saturday after his or her death, “everything that the Church has officially stated on several occasions to explain these words, is that those who fulfill the conditions of the Sabbatine Privilege, through the intercession of Our Lady, will be freed from Purgatory shortly after death, and especially on Saturday.” 6

In any case, if we are faithful in observing the words of the Blessed Mother, she will be much more faithful in observing her own, as shown in the following example:

During the preaching of some missions, a young man who was touched by grace decided to quit his life of sin and receive the Scapular. Some time later he lapsed again into disorderly passions and became even worse. Nevertheless, he kept wearing the holy Scapular.

Being the mother that she is, the Most Holy Virgin struck him down with a serious illness. During his illness the young man dreamed that he found himself before the most just tribunal of God, Who condemned him to eternal damnation for his perfidy and his wretched life.

In vain did the hapless young man argue with the Supreme Judge that he was wearing the Scapular of His Holy Mother.

“And where are the customs that match this Scapular?” God asked him.

Not knowing what to answer, the unfortunate young man turned to Our Lady.

“I cannot undo what my Son has done,” she answered.

“But, Madam!” The young man exclaimed, “I will change!”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes.”

“Live then.”

At that point the patient awakened frightened to death by what he had seen and heard, and resolved thenceforth to wear Mary’s Scapular with greater seriousness. Indeed, he was healed and joined the Order of Premonstratensians. And after an edifying life, he surrendered his soul to God, as the chronicles of the Order narrate. 7

The Scapular and Fatima

IS THE SCAPULAR RELATED TO FATIMA IN ANY WAY?

Yes. After the last appearance of Our Lady at Cova da Iria, the seers saw three different scenes. In the first, the Mother of God appeared as Our Lady of the Rosary, standing by Saint Joseph and holding the Child Jesus on her lap. Then, she appeared as Our Lady of Sorrows, by the painful Christ on His way to Calvary. And finally, she appeared in glory, crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth, as Our Lady of Carmel, with the Scapular in her hand.

“Why do you think Our Lady appeared with the Scapular in that last vision?” Lucia was asked in 1950.

“That’s because Our Lady wants everyone to wear the Scapular,” she replied.

“And this is why the Rosary and the Scapular, the oldest, most privileged, universal and valuable Marian sacramentals are more important today than in any past period in history.” 8

Origin and Historical Evolution of the Scapular

Both the Scapular (from the Latin scapulae, shoulders), and the monastic habit and liturgical vestments developed from lay clothing.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel and the brown Scapular Statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Church of Holy Mary of Carmel in Traspontina in Rome, Italy Over time, the monastic Scapular evolved until the twelfth century when it attained its present form, becoming an integral part of almost all monastic habits, including the Carmelite one. But it did not have the meaning that it later acquired, as we shall see.

With the development of the First Orders (monks or friars), there arose the Second Orders (nuns), and then the Third Orders or Oblates, formed by single or married lay people living with their families.

Members of the Third Orders were bound to the First Orders by vows or promises according to their state, and participated in the spiritual benefits of the Order.

These Third Order members received a simpler religious habit, which they wore every day or, more commonly, only on Sundays and religious feast days.

Later came the Confraternities for lay people unable to join the Third Orders.

According to Father María Simón Besalduch, the Confraternity of Our Lady of Carmel is as old as the Scapular.

Footnotes:

1. Cf. John Haffert, Maria na sua promessa do Escapulário (Edições Carmelo, Aveiro, Portugal, 1967), 265–266.
2. In Latin, that beautiful prayer says, “Flos Carmeli, Vitis florigera, Splendor Coeli, Virgo puerpera, Singularis; Mater mitis, sede viri nescia. Carmelitis da privilegia, Stella maris!” (Flower of Carmel, blossoming vine, Splendor of Heaven, incomparable and singular Virgin! O loving and ever virgin Mother, give Carmelites the privileges of thy protection, of Star of the Sea!).
3. Monsignor Paul Guérin, Les Petits Bollandistes (Bloud et Barral, Paris, 1882), 592.
4. Father Simón Ma. Besalduch, OCD, Enciclopedia del Escapulario del Carmen (Luis Gili Editor, Librería Católica Internacional, Barcelona, 1931), 243-293.
5. John Haffert, supra note 1, at 34.
6. Id. at 112.
7. Father Simón Ma. Besalduch, OCD, supra note 4, at 167.
8. John Haffert, supra note 1, at 269, 272.

Article courtesy of AmericaNeedsFatima.org. Written by Plinio Maria Solimeo, June 20, 2016

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Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date July 4, 2022

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

FEAST: JULY 16

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9

Three Day Novena

NINE DAY NOVENA

First Day

O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us!

Show us that you are our Mother! (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Second Day

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion.

May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Third Day

O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. May we always wear it with honour by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues.

Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Fourth Day

When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Fifth Day

O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God's people. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Sixth Day

With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Seventh Day

O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Eighth Day

You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Ninth Day

O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children.

We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death.

Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony!

Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help!

Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Saviour, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children.

Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls! (Mention your request here)

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

THREE DAY NOVENA

Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven.

Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity.

(Mention your request here)

There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times). Amen

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Articles

Jacinta’s Visions and Prophecies

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date June 6, 2022

Jacinta's Visions and Prophecies

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Private Revelations

During and after the apparitions, in the short time Francisco and Jacinta spent on earth, they had several private revelations – especially Jacinta. Below are a few excerpts of the principal revelations to Jacinta.

About the Pope and oppressed peoples

To Lucia:

“….I saw the Holy Father in a very large house, kneeling before a table, with his face in his hands, crying. Outside the house were many people, some of whom cast stones at him, others cursed him and said many ugly words. Poor Holy Father! We have to pray a lot for him.”

“…Don’t you see so many roads and so many ways filled with people crying with hunger and having nothing to eat? And the Holy Father in a church before the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying? And so many people praying with him?”

On war, sin and peace

To Lucia:

“You know, Our Lord is very sad because Our Lady told us He should not be offended anymore because He was already much offended, but nobody paid attention. People continue to commit the same sins."

"Wars are nothing but punishments for the sins of the world."

"Our Lady can no longer hold back the arm of her beloved Son from the world. It is necessary to do penance. If people change their ways, Our Lord will still avail the world; but if they do not, the chastisement will come."

"If men do not change their ways, Our Lady will send the world a punishment the like of which has never been seen. It will fall first . . . upon Spain."

Jacinta also spoke of "great world events that would take place around 1940."

On priests and rulers

When Jacinta was moved to Lisbon to be treated at Dona Estefania Hospital, she was lodged at an orphanage in the care of Mother Maria Godinho who carefully took down the seer’s words.

To Mother Godinho:

"… pray much for sinners! Pray much for priests! Pray much for religious! Priests should only occupy themselves with the affairs of the Church. Priests should be pure, very pure. The disobedience of priests and religious to their superiors and to the Holy Father greatly offends Our Lord."

"My godmother, pray much for those who govern! Woe to those who persecute the religion of Our Lord! If the government left the Church in peace and gave freedom to the holy Faith, it would be blessed by God."

On sin, fashions and marriage

To Mother Godinho:

"The sins that lead more souls to hell are the sins of the flesh."

"Fashions that will greatly offend Our Lord will appear. People who serve God should not follow fashions. The Church has no fashions. Our Lord is always the same."

"The sins of the world are very great."

"If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything to change their lives."

"Men are lost because they do not think of the death of Our Lord and do not do penance."

"Many marriages are not good; they do not please Our Lord, and they are not of God."

On Christian virtue

To Mother Godinho:

"…do not walk in the midst of luxury. Flee from riches. Be very fond of holy poverty and silence.

"Have much charity even for those who are bad. Speak ill of no one and flee from those who do so. Be very patient, for patience leads us to heaven. Mortification and sacrifices greatly please Our Lord."

"Confession is a sacrament of mercy. Therefore, one must approach the confessional with confidence and joy. Without confession there is no salvation."

On Fashions

To Mother Godinho:

“The sins which cause most souls to go to hell are the sins of the flesh.” Directly enlightened from above, this perfectly innocent, barely ten-year-old girl repeats what Saint Alphonsus Liguori says, that it is sins against chastity “that fill hell with souls.”

When Mother Godinho asked Jacinta if she understood what it meant to be “pure,” she answered, “I do. To be pure in body is to keep chastity. To be pure in soul is not to commit sins, not to look at what one should not see...”

The other, rather prophetic statement of Jacinta, is: “Fashions will much offend Our Lord.”

It is well to recall here that modesty is the outer defense of chastity, the walls that defend the castle, as well as the gardens that adorn the palace.

The correct question, when it comes to fashion, is not what is the extreme limit at which one is allowed to arrive, but how can one’s attire more clearly manifest love of modesty and of the virtue of purity.

Article courtesy of AmericaNeedsFatima.org. Written by America Needs Fatima, July 30, 2013.

Tags Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints & Heroes, The Fatima Message

Articles

The Return of the Queen: A Sign of Great Hope

Post author By Anna Theodosis
Post date May 26, 2022

The Return of the Queen: A Sign of Great Hope

“Statue de Notre-Dame de Boulogne déplacée à travers la France à l’occasion du mouvement du Grand Retour, dans la Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer.”, by Velvet, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, Cropped from original.

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Travel back in your mind 1,500 years to a charming port city on the English Channel in northern France. It is the year 636 A.D. and a small boat without sails, oars, or sailors floats into the harbor of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

As the townspeople gather around it, they discover that the boat contains an innocuous treasure: a wooden statue of Our Lady holding the Child Jesus in her left hand. She has an air of divine majesty, yet is calm and maternal. Our Lady’s statue is solemnly carried into the chapel and the newly christened shrine of Notre Dame de Boulogne became one of the most well-known and visited shrines in Christendom. Her feast day is February 20, and is celebrated locally in Boulogne on October 22.

Medieval chroniclers wrote about the many miracles of Our Lady of Boulogne. A chronicle of the life of the holy King of France, Saint Louis IX, includes several references to the miraculous cures obtained through the intercession of Our Lady of Boulogne. She was especially powerful towards sailors and expectant mothers.

England Invades

In 1544, disaster came to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Henry VIII, King of England, declared war on France and sent a fleet with 47,000 troops across the Channel. One of the first cities he attacked was Boulogne, laying siege to it on July 18. Boulogne, although a walled city with very strong defenses, was manned by only 2,000 soldiers. The city surrendered on September 14, 1544.

The invading Protestant army sacked the city. Statues, altars, relics of saints and other sacred objects were hacked to pieces and burned in the streets in an orgy of hatred for the Catholic Faith. Worst of all, the statue of Our Lady of Boulogne was dragged out of the church, mocked and insulted and taken back to England as a trophy of victory. They transformed Our Lady’s medieval shrine into an armory.

The English finally surrendered Boulogne on April 25, 1550, and shortly afterwards returned the statue of Our Lady. The church and city were rebuilt and restored over the following decades and Our Lady’s shrine reacquired much of its original splendor.

Huguenots Attack

The same Revolutionary virus that had infected Europe was preparing bloody rebellion and religious civil war in France with the Huguenots, the French Protestant sect.

During the night of October 11, 1567, hundreds of Huguenot soldiers secretly broke into the church of Our Lady of Boulogne. They wrecked the church and tore out the miraculous statue. Tying a rope around her neck, they dragged her through the muddy streets until they reached the main gate of the old town. There they mocked and blasphemed her.

But when they tried to chop Our Lady into pieces, a miraculous force protected her. They hit her over and over again with swords and hammers, but the statue, as if made of steel, suffered no damage. The miracle infuriated the Protestants even more, and they threw the statue into a great bonfire. Again, Our Lady was miraculously preserved intact amidst the flames. The Huguenots took the statue out of the city and they threw her down a well.

By the following spring, order was restored to the port city. A local Catholic woman, knowing the whereabouts of the miraculous statue, secretly retrieved it and took it to her house. On September 26, 1607, to the acclamations of large crowds of faithful, Our Lady solemnly reentered Boulogne.

Devestation of the French Revolution

The French Revolution began in 1789 with tragic consequences for France and Our Lady of Boulogne.

On November 10, 1793, after the Revolutionaries in Boulogne finished celebrating in a former church the so-called “Feast of the goddess of Reason,” they began an orgy of destruction. Full of hate for the Catholic Faith, they piled numerous statues, paintings, vestments, and relics in the city square and destroyed everything in a giant bonfire.

A mob of thugs armed with picks and screaming the Marseillaise dragged Our Lady of Boulogne to the main square. The sans-culottes put a red Phrygian cap on Our Lady’s head, symbol of the French Revolution, and began to mock and blaspheme her. When they tired of this, they burned her in a great bonfire, dancing like savages in celebration for the victory of “reason” over “superstition.” port city. A local Catholic woman, knowing the whereabouts of the miraculous statue, secretly retrieved it and took it to her house. On September 26, 1607, to the acclamations of large crowds of faithful, Our Lady solemnly reentered Boulogne.

Not satisfied with the destruction of the miraculous statue, in 1798 the revolutionary government completely demolished the shrine. Devotion to Our Lady of Boulogne, who for more than eleven centuries had served as a symbol of the mutual love between the French people and the Mother of God, came to an end.

Or did it? Did Our Lady abandon the France that had abandoned her? Or, seeing her children do penance and return to the true Faith, would she make a Grand Return just as she did after the previous disasters, first under the English and then under the Huguenots?

A New Statue, A New Shrine

Shortly after the end of the French Revolution, the Catholics of Boulogne decided to make a copy of the original statue of Our Lady of Boulogne from memory, and the devotion to Our Lady of Boulogne began once again.

“Tympan de l’église ND de Boulogne (diocèse de Nanterre)”, by Thomon, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Father Benoît-Agathon Haffreingue, a priest from Boulogne-sur-Mer, decided to rebuild the ruined church. On May 1, 1827, he laid the first stone of the new shrine of Our Lady of Boulogne, which was completed thirty-nine years later on August 24, 1866. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims poured into Boulogne each year. Devotion to Our Lady of Boulogne surpassed what it had been even before the French Revolution.

France and Europe had much more suffering ahead of them. The Franco-Prussian war and the First World War utterly devastated France. It was during the Second World War, however, that Our Lady of Boulogne worked her greatest miracle: the Grand Retour or the “Grand Return.”

Origins of the Grand Return

In the summer of 1938, Boulogne hosted a Marian Congress. To prepare the faithful for this national event, two priests decided to make four copies of the original statue of Our Lady of Boulogne and take them on a great tour of the towns and parishes of the diocese. Christened the “Fiery Path,” it was a success far exceeding expectations. In ten weeks the four statues covered more than 1,500 miles and made 466 stops at parishes.

After the close of the Marian Congress, some clergy led by Father Gabriel Ranson, a Jesuit, decided to continue this “Fiery Path” of Our Lady around France until the next Congress, to be held in the summer of 1942 in Le Puy, in southern France. In the fall of 1939 and the spring of 1940, he and a handful of young laymen took Our Lady of Boulogne to northeastern France where they visited many parishes, as well as battlefields from the First World War.

After a very successful Congress, Our Lady of Boulogne continued her tour of France to Lourdes. She arrived there on September 7, 1942, eve of the Nativity of Our Lady, greeted by a massive crowd of pilgrims. With her triumphal entry into Lourdes, it seemed that Our Lady’s great tour of France would come to a close.

Precisely at this moment, Pope Pius XII made a direct appeal to the Mother of God. On December 8, 1942, feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Supreme Pontiff consecrated the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The following year, on March 28, 1943, the French bishops solemnly renewed this consecration. This day was also the beginning of what came to be known as the Grand Return of Our Lady of Boulogne.

The Grand Return Begins

The bishop of Tarbes, where Lourdes is located, had the idea of sending the statue of Our Lady of Boulogne to each of the parishes of his diocese in pilgrimage. During each stop, the faithful would renew the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After passing through his diocese and others across France, Our Lady would make her final return to Boulogne, hence the name “Grand Return.”

The response was so great that the organizers decided to send all four copies of Our Lady of Boulogne around France on four different itineraries. With the letter of approval from Pope Pius XII in May, the four began their great tour of France, which would continue without stopping for five years straight.

Each statue traveled with a group of about a dozen or so young men, all volunteers, led by two or three priests. They placed the statue on a very simple wheeled carriage, pulled by men the whole way from village to village. These men and the whole crowd often processed barefoot in a spirit of penance. When Our Lady arrived at the local parish, an honor guard would carry her into the church. The priest would preach a sermon on Our Lady of Boulogne and the meaning of the Grand Return, and they would hear confessions.

“Procession du Grand retour de Notre-Dame de Boulogne à Yvetot, prise le 10/08/1946”, by Bertrandgorge, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Then the all-night vigil would begin, with villagers taking one or often many hours during the night. At midnight, Mass would begin. Each person received a copy of the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Pope Pius XII. The whole congregation would pray the consecration aloud and each one would sign it and place it at the feet of Our Lady, along with other written intentions.

With World War II underway, the intentions were often simple requests for the safe return of a father, husband, brother, or son from a prison camp or working as a forced laborer in Germany. Many asked for the conversion of a family member. Everyone asked Our Lady to save France.

The all-night vigil continued until the following morning. In the morning, the priest celebrated a Mass of farewell. A large crowd of villagers gathered once again to escort the Blessed Virgin all the way to the next town, where a crowd of faithful had already gathered, and the sequence began again.

Conversions, Penance, Graces

Most remarkable about the Grand Return was the unprecedented avalanche of graces, especially of conversions and penance. Thousands upon thousands of atheists, communists, freemasons, and fallen-away Catholics converted on the spot when they saw Our Lady enter their village.

One bishop described the effect on the faithful: “The passing of Our Lady in my diocese is the most extraordinary contemporary religious event of our times, and the most significant. Crowds of people rose up, motivated and enthusiastic. In fact, the confessionals and communion rails were besieged during the holy vigils, while the recitation of the mysteries of the rosary kept the faithful praying in the churches. In some parishes, there were tremendous conversions like never seen before on the missions.” 1

Parish priests also testified to the effect of the Grand Return. “I was a bit uneasy about the welcome that my very indifferent parish would give to Our Lady. People around me said that the welcome would be mediocre…Three kilometers from [our village of] Nantiat, we see the delegation of this parish, my parish. And I was moved to tears when I saw how big it was: men and young men, women; the whole crowd did not hesitate to kneel upon the wet ground, with arms in the form of a cross, to greet our illustrious Visitor…Truly the Holy Virgin has sent a breath of grace on this not very religious community.” 2

Another prelate testified: “Last Saturday, at around 2 pm, the Virgin arrived at [our] parish of Basville. For centuries no doubt, ever since the beginning of the world maybe, no king, no queen, no princess so royal or so powerful had ever visited us. Truly, this evening was at the least a return to Christianity, a general conversion, a call of my people to Our Mother and Queen…Yes, I think that if the Bishops send us a Virgin every year, in ten years the people of France will convert to Jesus Christ through Mary.”. 3

One observer wrote the following: “It is like the atmosphere at Lourdes. We would dare say that it is stronger than Lourdes in a certain sense. The pilgrim of Lourdes is transplanted out of his element into an ambience that is so impregnated with the supernatural that nothing appears difficult to him, neither the rosary in his hand nor prayer with the arms in the form of a cross, nor to kneel in the dirt. These gestures of faith, Our Lady of Boulogne makes us do them where we live, in our street, under the attentive gazes of our neighbors, of people whom we know. We are no longer worried about what they think, and they don’t dare laugh or criticize.”. 4

When the Grand Return arrived in Marseille, she passed through a neighborhood known for its support for communism. As she passed by a bar in which some communists were gathering for a meeting, several came out to investigate the commotion. The passing of the white Virgin had such an effect on them that they converted on the spot and joined the procession.

In some cities such as Verdun, Bauvais, and Reims associations of so-called “free-thinkers” tried to organize counterdemonstrations against the scheduled appearances of Our Lady of Boulogne. In each case the plan backfired. So many people came out for Our Lady and so few “free-thinkers” showed up that it made them look ridiculous. In Reims, after a big propaganda campaign, the “freethinkers” were only able to gather 12 people against 35,000 who turned out for Our Lady. 5

Return to God, to the Church, to the Medieval Faith

A Benedictine monk who had a role in the Grand Return, Father Jean-Marie Beaurin, published a book in 1945 titled The Arc of Our Alliance. He described the Grand Return as a prophetic movement and compared what was happening to the French nation with the apostasy, suffering, and conversion of the Jews of the Old Testament. After the abomination of desolation, the ingratitude, the declarations of the Popes and the apparitions of Our Lady, and finally the wrath of God, France was returning to the Faith of Clovis, Saint Remigius, Saint Louis, and Saint Joan of Arc.

This rebirth of the Faith that followed the Grand Return was not a Catholicism impregnated with the modern spirit. Father Beaurin described the spirit of the Grand Return as a rebirth of the medieval Faith and the spirit of the Crusades.

“Boulogne-sur-Mer, cathedral Notre-Dame, the Vierge de Boulogne”, by Dguendel, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

The Bishop Paul Rémond of Nice affirmed this about the Grand Return: “It is not a triumphal cortege, comprised of processions, or of grandiose manifestations… It is much greater than that: the Grand Return is a testimony of filial affection and thanksgiving to our benefactress in Heaven. It is a passing mission, a conquering crusade.”

Shortly after World War II ended, the Grand Return began to spread across the world, to Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Canada, and even as far away as Ceylon, Madagascar, and China. In Italy, hundreds of cities were visited by pilgrim statues of Our Lady in the same manner as the French Grand Return. On May 11, 1947, more than 100,000 people gathered in Milan to welcome the traveling Madonna with unprecedented devotion and Catholic fervor.

End of the Grand Return

In short, the Grand Return was both a mission and a crusade. It represented the beginning of a rebirth of the French Medieval Catholicism with its crusading spirit and the rejection of the French Revolution and all its errors.

Everything about the Grand Return seemed to indicate that it was the means that Divine Providence chose to re-Christianize France, and through the first-born daughter of the Church, the whole world.

Tragically, this never happened.

On August 29, 1948, the four traveling statues converged at the shrine of Boulogne-sur-Mer for the last time, effectively ending the Grand Return. Why did this movement—the biggest public manifestation of piety in history—end so prematurely?

Partially, because the Catholic faithful did not correspond to the grace of the Grand Return as they should have. Millions of Frenchmen returned to the Faith, but millions of others did not.

In addition, the majority of French bishops and lower clergy did not receive and promote the Grand Return as they should have. Many were believers in false “ecumenism” and disliked processions or public acts of piety. Others supported the Modernist, progressivist, and even socialist tendencies found in Catholic Action, Jeunesse ouvrière chrétienne (Young Christian Workers), the Liturgical Movement, and the Worker Priest Movement and therefore did not look kindly on traditional Catholic spirituality in general, much less a Marian crusade like the Grand Return.

Cardinal Achille Liénart of Lille (whose open support for socialist causes earned him the nickname “the red bishop”) summarized the general attitude of a large portion of the clergy. He did not ban the Grand Return outright from his diocese but wrote a cold letter to the organizers: “I think that this long voyage which began in Lourdes in 1943 and which, no doubt, has done great good, should not continue indefinitely. In order to protect its effectiveness and vigor, you should not transform it into a permanent institution. I wish therefore the return of this statue without delay to Boulogne from where she came.” 6

Why We Hope for a Future "Grand Return"

But that is not the end of the story. More than anything, the story of Our Lady of the Grand Return should give us boundless hope for the future.

Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira learned about the Grand Return during his trip to Europe in 1952. As a slave of Our Lady according to the method of Saint Louis de Montfort, he was keenly interested in the story of Our Lady of the Grand Return.

It was obvious that the world did not convert even after the horrors of the Second World War. As a devotee of Our Lady of Fatima, he was convinced that another even more terrible chastisement would come. Drawing on the words of Our Lady of Fatima and the writings of Saint Louis de Montfort, Professor Plinio hypothesized that this chastisement would be characterized by confusion in the Church and a terrible persecution of Catholics.

After suffering this terrible chastisement, an “era of peace” would begin as Our Lady of Fatima predicted. This “Reign of Mary” cannot come without many, many conversions. Total conversions, in the same line as Saint Paul. Conversions not just of individuals, but of whole nations.

We need a very special grace from Our Lady, one that would be analogous to that of Pentecost for the Apostles. Just as it was impossible for the Apostles to go out and convert all nations without the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, we will not have the strength to build the Reign of Mary without a very special grace. And it will be completely unmerited, just as Pentecost was unmerited by the Apostles, who had fled Our Lord during the Passion. Saint Louis de Montfort alludes to this grace of conversion in his writing. Professor Plinio developed a whole theory about it and named this future grace the Grand Return.

More than anything, the Grand Return is our great hope for the future. We have hope that Our Lady will pardon us, cure us, convert the world, and inaugurate the Reign of Her Immaculate Heart. Most important of all, we must all stay at our post, fighting with all we have, until that D-Day of Our Lady comes.

Footnotes:

1 L. Devineau, Dans le Sillage de la Vierge, Société St. Paul: 1963, p. 36.
2 L. Devineau, p. 62.
3 L. Devineau, p. 64.
4 Louis Pérouas, “Le Grand Retour de Notre-Dame de Boulogne à travers la France (1943-1948): Essai d’interprétation.” In Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions, No. 56/1, 1983, p. 42.
5 L. Devineau, p. 26.
6 Louis Pérouas, “Le Grand Retour de Notre-Dame de Boulogne à travers la France (1943-1948): Essai de reconstitution.” L’espace et le Sacré. Vol. 90, No. 2 of Annales de Bretagne et des pays de l’Ouest, 1983, p. 178.

Article courtesy of the TFP and AmericaNeedsFatima.org. Written by James Bascom, July 13, 2021.

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