The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations/Novena for the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity
Novena
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY’S NATIVITY.
(Commencing August 30th).
Come, O Holy Ghost, &c., p. 566.
MOST holy Mary, Lady elect, predestined from all eternity by the Most Holy Trinity to be mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Fattier, foretold by the Prophets, sighed for by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living Temple of the Holy Ghost, Sun without blemish, because conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of Angels; humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy sweet Nativity: then with all our hearts we pray thee, Lady, vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, we may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
1. So now with nine angelic salutations here we hail thy coming, pondering the while upon the nine months thou didst pass within the cloister of thy Mother’s womb; and we tell thee of thine origin from David’s royal house, and how thou didst come forth to the light of heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother. Ave Maria.
2. We hail thee, heavenly Babe, white Dove of purity; who, despite the serpent, wast conceived free from the taint of Adam’s sin. Ave Maria.
3. We hail thee, brightest Morn; who, forerunner of the Heavenly Sun of Justice, didst first bring light to earth. Ave Maria.
4. We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin. Ave Maria.
5. We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapt in the darkness of idolatry. Ave Maria.
6. We hail thee, dread Warrior-Queen, who, in thyself a host, alone didst put to flight all hell. Ave Maria.
7. We hail thee, fair Soul of Mary, who from all eternity, wast Goa’s and God’s alone. Ave Maria.
8. We hail thee, dear Child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body; we honour the sacred swaddling-clothes wherewith they bound thee, the cradle wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born. Ave Maria.
9. We hail thee, most beloved Infant, decked with every virtue, immeasurably high above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Incarnate Word. Ave Maria.
PRAYER.
INFANT most lovely, who, by thy holy birth, hast comforted the world, made glad the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we pray thee, with all fervent love and gratitude, be thou spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirits to thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all the virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; let it ever be our comfort to call on that great name in all our troubles; be it our hope in danger, our shield in temptation and in death, with the name of thy Divine Son, our last comfort. Sit nomen Maries mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen . Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, ecstacy in the heart. Amen.
V. Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,
R. Hath brought joy to a whole world.
LET US PRAY.
GRANT to us thy servants, we beseech thee, Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to those, for whom the delivery of the Virgin was the commencement of salvation, this her votive festival may give increasing peace. Through, &c.
O God, &c., p. 569.