Blessed be God/Devotions For The Months Of The Year
DEVOTIONS FOR THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR
JANUARY
The Holy Name of Jesus
ANT. Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.
- V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
- R. Henceforth now and forever.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who didst make Thy only-begotten Son the Saviour of the human race, and didst command Him to be called Jesus, grant propitiously that Him Whose holy Name we venerate on earth, we may behold in the glorious vision of heaven. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer. “O Good Jesus!”
O GOOD JESUS! O most tender Jesus! O most sweet Jesus! O Jesus, Son of Mary the Virgin, full of mercy and kindness! O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy, have pity on me! O most merciful Jesus, I entreat Thee by that Precious Blood of Thine, which Thou didst will to pour forth for sinners, to wash away all my iniquities, and to look upon me, poor and unworthy as I am, humbly asking pardon of Thee, and invoking this Holy Name of Jesus. O Name of Jesus, sweet Name! Name of Jesus, Name of joy! Name of Jesus, Name of strength! Nay, what meaneth the Name of Jesus but Saviour? Wherefore, O Jesus, by Thine own holy Name, be to me Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be lost — me, whom Thou didst create out of nothing. O good Jesus, let not my iniquity destroy what Thy almighty goodness made. O sweet Jesus, recognize what is Thine own, and wipe away from me what is not of Thee! O most kind Jesus, have pity on me while it is the time of pity, and condemn me not when it is the time of judgment. The dead shall not praise Thee, Lord Jesus, nor all those who go down into hell. O most loving Jesus! O Jesus, most longed for by Thine own! O most gentle Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let me enter into the number of Thine elect. O Jesus, salvation of those who believe in Thee; Jesus, Son of Mary the Virgin, pour into me grace, wisdom, charity, chastity, and humility that I may be able perfectly to love Thee, to praise Thee, to enjoy Thee, to serve Thee, and make my boast in Thee, together with all those who invoke Thy Name, which is Jesus. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day. — Pius IX. Nov. 26, 1876.)
Salutation and Response
PRAISED be Jesus Christ.
- R. Amen (or) Forever.
- V. Praised be Jesus and Mary.
- R. Today and forever.
(Ind. of 100 days, each time. — Pius X. June 26, 1913.)
See Devotions to the Holy Name. Page 357.
FEBRUARY
The Holy Family
ANT. Jesus went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.
- V. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord.
- R. They shall praise Thee forever and ever.
Let us Pray
O LORD Jesus Christ, Who, becoming subject to Mary and Joseph, didst hallow the life of the home by singular virtues, grant by the help of both that we may be instructed by the example of Thy Holy Family, and have fellowship with it forever. Who livest and reignest for all ages of ages. Amen.
Ejaculations
JESUS, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe out my soul in peace with you!
(Ind. of 300 days, each time, for all three. — Pius VII, Aug. 26, 1814.)
Daily Prayer before a Picture of the Holy Family
O MOST loving Jesus, Who by Thy surpassing virtues and the example of Thy home life didst hallow the household in which Thou didst choose to live while on earth, mercifully look down upon this family, whose members, humbly prostrate before Thee, implore Thy protection. Remember that we are Thine, bound and consecrated to Thee by a special devotion. Protect us in Thy mercy, deliver us from danger, help us in our necessities, and impart to us strength to persevere always in the imitation of Thy Holy Family, so that, by serving Thee and loving Thee faithfully during this mortal life, we may at length give Thee eternal praise in heaven.
O Mary, dearest Mother, we implore thy assistance, knowing that thy divine Son will hearken to thy petitions.
And do thou, most glorious patriarch, St. Joseph, help us with thy powerful patronage, and place our petitions in Mary’s hands, that she may offer them to Jesus Christ.
Prayer in Honor of the Holy Family
GRANT us, O Lord Jesus, faithfully to imitate the examples of Thy Holy Family, so that in the hour of our death, in the company of Thy glorious Virgin Mother and St. Joseph, we may deserve to be received by Thee into eternal tabernacles.
(Ind. of 200 days, once a day. — Leo XIII. Feb. 6, 1893.)
MARCH
St. Joseph
ANT. A faithful man will be much praised and he who is guardian of his Lord will be glorified.
- V. Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph.
- R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who hast predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine eternal Son and His Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster-father of Thy Son, we beseech Thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that Thou wouldst make us worthy of his intercession and grant us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph
O JOSEPH, virgin father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us daily to the Son of God, that, armed with the weapons of His grace, we may fight as we ought in life, and be crowned by Him in death.
(Ind. of 100 days, twice a day. — Pius X. Nov. 26, 1906.)
Prayers for special feasts in March. Page 202.
APRIL
The Holy Ghost
ANT. Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
- V. Send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created.
- R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
O HOLY SPIRIT, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, heart and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X. June 5, 1908.)
Veni, Creator Spiritus
COME, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest,
And in our hearts take up Thy rest;
Come, with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
||: To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O Comforter, to Thee we cry;
Thou heavenly Gift of God most high;
Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love,
||: And sweet Anointing from above.
Drive far away our deadly foe,
And peace for evermore bestow;
If Thou be our preventing Guide,
||: No evil can our steps betide.
Praise we the Father and the Son,
And Holy Spirit, with Them One;
And may the Son on us bestow
||: The gifts that from the Spirit flow.
MAY
The Blessed Virgin Mary
ANT. Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun?
- V. As the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds.
- R. And as the flower of the roses in the days of spring.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, didst bestow on mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us through whom we were made worthy to receive the Author of life, Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
The Crown of Twelve Stars
ALL praise and thanksgiving be to the ever Blessed Trinity, Who hath shown unto us Mary, ever Virgin, clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a mystic crown of twelve stars.
- R. Forever and ever. Amen.
Let us praise and give thanks to God the Father Who elected her for His daughter.
- R. Amen. Our Father, etc.
Praise be to God the Father, Who predestined her to be the Mother of His Son.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Father, Who preserved her from all stain in her conception.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Father, Who on her birthday adorned her with His choicest gifts.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Father, Who gave her Joseph for her pure spouse and companion.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father, etc.
Let us praise and give thanks to God the Son, Who chose her for His Mother.
- R. Amen. Our Father, etc.
Praise be to God the Son, Who became incarnate in her womb, and abode there nine months.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Son, Who was born of her and was nourished at her breast.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Son, Who in His childhood willed that Mary should teach Him.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Son, Who revealed to her the mysteries of the Redemption of the world.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father, etc.
Let us praise and give thanks to God the Holy Ghost, who made her His spouse.
- R. Amen. Our Father, etc.
Praise be to God the Holy Ghost, Who revealed to her first His name of Holy Ghost.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Holy Ghost, through Whose operation she became at once Virgin and Mother.
- R. Amen. Holy Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Holy Ghost, through Whom she became the living temple of the Most Holy Trinity.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, etc.
Praise be to God the Holy Ghost, by Whom she was exalted in heaven high above all creatures.
- R. Amen. Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
For the Holy Catholic Church, for the propagation of the faith, for peace among Christian princes and for the uprooting of heresies, Jet us say: Hail, Holy Queen, etc.
(Ind. of 100 days, each time. — Gregory XVI. Jan. 8, 1838.)
Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
By St. John Berchmans
HOLY MARY, Mother of God and virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron, and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonor thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, for each recitation. — Pius X. Nov. 17, 1906.)
JUNE
The Sacred Heart
OFFERING TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
MY LOVING Jesus! out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness, I [N.] give Thee my heart and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee, and with Thy aid I purpose never to sin again.
- V. Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us,
- R. Inflame our hearts with love of Thee.
Let us Pray
LORD, we beseech Thee, let Thy Holy Spirit kindle in our hearts that fire of charity which our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, sent forth from His inmost Heart upon this earth, and willed that it should burn with vehemence. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, every time. — Pius VII. March 20, 1815.)
Memorare to the Sacred Heart
REMEMBER, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought its mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushed beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests.
Prayer of St. Gertrude to the Sacred Heart
SANCTITY of the Heart of Jesus, consecrate my heart; providence of the Heart of Jesus, watch over my heart; unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus, strengthen my heart; purity of the Heart of Jesus, purify my heart; obedience of the Heart of Jesus, subjugate my heart; amiability of the Heart of Jesus, make Thyself known to my heart; divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus, captivate my heart; riches of the Heart of Jesus, do ye suffice for my heart; floods of grace and blessing that flow from the Heart of Jesus, inundate my heart. O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy, my peace, my repose in this world and in the next. O Heart of Jesus! adored in heaven, invoked on earth, feared in hell, reign over all hearts, reign throughout all ages, reign forever in celestial glory. Amen.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O MOST Sacred Heart of Jesus, pour down Thy blessings abundantly upon Thy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff, and upon all the clergy; give perseverance to the just, convert sinners, enlighten unbelievers, bless our parents, friends and benefactors, help the dying, free the souls in Purgatory, and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X. June 16, 1906.)
JULY
The Precious Blood
ANT. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us a kingdom to our God.
"V. God hath graced us in His beloved Son.
"R. In Whom we have redemption through His Blood.
Let us Pray
ALMIGHTY and eternal God, Who didst appoint Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and didst will to be appeased by His Blood, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so honor this, the price of our Redemption, and, by its virtue, be so defended from the evils of our present life on earth, as to enjoy its fruit in heaven forevermore. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offerings in Reparation for Outrages to the Precious Blood of Jesus
1. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the propagation and exaltation of my dear Mother the holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of her visible head, the holy Roman Pontiff, for the Cardinals, Bishops, and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of the sanctuary.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, Who hath saved us with His Blood!
2, Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the peace and concord of kings and Catholic princes, for the humiliation of the enemies of the holy faith, and for the happiness of all Christian people. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
3. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for the repentance of unbelievers, for the uprooting of heresy, and for the conversion of sinners. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
4. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all my kindred, friends, and enemies; for the poor, the sick, and wretched, and for all for whom Thou, my God, knowest that I ought to pray, or wouldst have me pray. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
5. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all who, this day, are passing to the other life; that Thou wouldst save them from the pains of hell, and admit them quickly to the possession of Thy glory. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
6. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all those who love this great treasure, for those who join with me in adoring it and honoring it, and who strive to spread devotion to it. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
7. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy well-beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all my wants, spiritual and temporal, in aid of the holy souls in Purgatory, and chiefly for those who most loved this Blood, the price of our Redemption, and who were most devout to the sorrows and pains of most holy Mary, our dear Mother. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc.
Glory be to the Blood of Jesus, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Pius VII. Sept. 22, 1817.)
Ejaculatory Offering of the Precious Blood
ETERNAL Father! I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of holy Church.
(Ind. of 100 days, each time. — Pius VII. Sept. 22, 1817.)
AUGUST
The Most Pure Heart of Mary
ANT. My heart hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, because He that is mighty hath done great things for me.
- V. And His Mother kept all these words.
- R. In her heart.
Let us Pray
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for the Holy Ghost, grant in Thy mercy that we who devoutly venerate that most pure heart may be enabled to live according to Thy heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to the Heart of Mary
O HEART of Mary, Mother of God, and our Mother, heart most worthy of love, object of the complacency of the most Holy Trinity and deserving of all the veneration and tenderness of angels and of men, thou art most like the Heart of Jesus, of which thou art the most perfect image. O heart full of goodness and compassion for our miseries, vouchsafe to thaw the ice of our hearts, and make them to be entirely turned to the Heart of our divine Saviour. Pour into them the love of thy virtues; inflame them with that blessed fire with which thou continually burnest. Shut up within thyself the holy Church; guard it and be always its sweet asylum and its tower of strength against all the incursions of its enemies. Be thou our way to Jesus, and the channel by which we receive all the graces necessary for our salvation. Be thou our succor in our wants, our support in our afflictions, our comfort in temptations, our refuge in persecutions, our aid in all dangers, but specially in the last combat of our life at the hour of death, when all hell will be unchained against us to snatch our souls away in that most dreadful moment on which our eternity depends. Oh, then, most tender Virgin, make us feel the sweetness of thy maternal heart, and the greatness of thy power with the Heart of Jesus, and open to us in that same fountain of mercy a secure refuge, that we may come to bless Him with thee in paradise forever and ever.
May the divine Heart of Jesus and the pure heart of Mary be known, praised, blessed, loved, honored and glorified always and everywhere. Amen.
(Ind. of 60 days, once a day. — Pius VII. Feb. 1, 1816.)
Ejaculation
Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX. Sept. 30, 1852.)
SEPTEMBER
Our Lady of Sorrows
ANT. There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother and His Mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Salome and Mary Magdalen.
- V. Woman, behold thy son.
- R. Son, behold thy mother.
Let us Pray
O GOD, at Whose Passion, according to the prophecy of holy Simeon, a sword of grief pierced the most sweet soul of glorious Mary, virgin and mother, grant in Thy mercy that we who honor the memory of her sorrows may obtain the happy fruit of Thy sufferings. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Prayers in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
- V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
- R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc.
1. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate thee, in the grief thy tender heart underwent when the holy old man Simeon prophesied to thee. Dear Mother, through that afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary, etc.
2. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate those afflictions which thy most sensitive heart endured during the flight into Egypt and the dwelling there. O beloved Mother, by that afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of liberality, specially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary, etc.
3. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that intense distress which thine anxious heart experienced in the loss of thy dearest Jesus. O beloved Mother, by that deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary, etc.
4. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate the consternation which thy maternal heart experienced when thou didst meet Jesus bearing His cross. O beloved Mother, by that deep distress of thy tender heart, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary, etc.
5. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that martyrdom which thy generous heart endured in witnessing the last agony of Jesus. O beloved Mother, by that martyred heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary, etc.
6. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that wound which thy mournful heart endured from the lance which tore the side of Jesus and wounded His most lovely Heart. O beloved Mother, by thy heart then pierced through, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary, etc.
7. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate thee, for the anguish felt by thy loving heart when Jesus’ body was laid in the sepulchre. Dear Mother, by all the bitterness of desolation thou didst then know, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary, etc.
- V. Pray for us, most sorrowful Mother.
- R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now, and at the hour of our death; through whose most holy soul in the hour of Thine own Passion the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Pius VII. Jan. 14, 1815.)
Short Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Her Desolation
HAIL, Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee; tearful art thou amongst women, and tearful is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, give tears to us, crucifiers of thy Son, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
OCTOBER
The Queen of the Holy Rosary
ANT. The holy Mother of God is become beautiful and amiable in the delights of her virginity: whom, on seeing her flourishing among the roses and the lilies of the valley, the daughters of Sion declared most blessed, and queens praised.
- V. Thou art become beautiful and amiable.
- R. In thy delights, O holy Mother of God.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Whose only-begotten Son by His life, death and Resurrection hast purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on the mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary
O VIRGIN Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the Holy Rosary, through St. Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days. — Pius X. March 15, 1907.)
NOVEMBER
The Souls in Purgatory
ANT. My soul is athirst for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the face of the Lord?
- V. May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord.
- R. With Thy saints forever, because Thou art merciful.
Let us Pray
O GOD, to Whom it belongs always to have mercy and to spare, be gracious to the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the remission of all their sins, that, being freed from the bonds of death, they may enter into life eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
De Profundis for the Faithful Departed
(Psalm CXXIX)
OUT of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness;
and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night, let
Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquities.
(Ind. of 100 days. — Pius VI. March 18, 1781.)
- V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
- R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
- V. May they rest in peace.
- R. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, each time, applicable only to the dead. — Pius X. Feb. 13, 1908.)
DECEMBER
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Anthem, Versicle, and Prayer in Honor of the Immaculate Conception
ANT. This is the rod in which was neither knot of original sin, nor rind of actual guilt.
- V. In thy conception, O Virgin! thou wast immaculate.
- R. Pray for us to the Father, Whose Son thou didst bring forth.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son, we beseech Thee, that as by the foreseen death of that same Son, Thou didst preserve her from all stain, so too thou wouldst permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, every time. — Pius IX. March 31, 1876.)
Prayer to Our Lady Immaculate
MOST holy Virgin, who wast pleasing to the Lord and became His Mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on the wretched who implore thy powerful patronage. The wicked serpent, against whom was hurled the first curse, continues fiercely to attack and ensnare the unhappy children of Eve. Do thou, then, O Blessed Mother, our queen and advocate, who from the first instant of thy conception didst crush the head of the enemy, receive the prayers which, united with thee in our single heart, we implore thee to present at the throne of God, that we may never fall into the snares which are laid out for us, and may all arrive at the port of salvation; and, in so many dangers, may the Church and Christian society sing once again the hymn of deliverance and of victory and of peace. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X. Jan. 11, 1905.)
Ejaculations
IN Thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate; pray for us to the Father, Whose Son, Jesus Christ conceived of the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring forth.
(Ind. of 100 days, every time. — Pius VI. Nov. 21, 1793.)