Events

NOVENA: In preparation for the Feast of the Purification

I. Bright mirror of all virtues, holiest Mary, forty days had scarcely elapsed from thy delivery when thou, though the purest of all virgins, didst will, according to the law, to be presented in the temple to be purified: grant that we, like thee, may keep our hearts unstained by sin, that so we, too, may be made worthy to be presented to our God in the temple of his glory.
Hail Mary, etc.

II. Virgin most obedient, at thy presentation in the temple thou didst will, like other women, to offer the wonted sacrifice: obtain for us that we, too, following thy example, may learn how to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God, by practicing every virtue.
Hail Mary, etc.

III. Virgin most pure, in observing the precept of the law, thou didst care little that men should account thee unclean: ask for us grace to keep our hearts forever pure, however blamable the world may think us.
Hail Mary, etc.

IV. Virgin most holy, in offering thy divine Son to his eternal Father, thou didst gladden all the court of heaven: present our poor hearts to God, that He, by his grace, may keep them ever free from mortal sin.
Hail Mary, etc.

V. Virgin most humble, in placing Jesus in holy old Simeon’s arms, thou didst fill his soul with heavenly joy: give our hearts into God’s holy keeping, that He may fill them with His Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc.

VI. Virgin most zealous, by redeeming thy Son, Jesus, according to the law, thou didst co-operate in the salvation of the world: ransom now our poor hearts from the slavery of sin, that so they may be ever pure before the face of God.
Hail Mary, etc.

VII. Virgin most meek, on hearing the prophecy of Simeon foretelling thy woes, thou didst promptly bow to the good pleasure of God: enable us also to bear all troubles with patience and resignation to His divine will.
Hail Mary, etc.

VIII. Virgin most compassionate, when through thy divine Son thou didst fill the soul of Anna the prophetess with light, thou didst make her magnify the mercies of God by recognizing Jesus as the Redeemer of the world: enrich our souls with heavenly grace, that we may largely share the fruit of the divine redemption.
Hail Mary, etc.

IX. Virgin most resigned, who didst feel thy soul transfixed with sorrow when in spirit thou didst foresee all the bitter passion of thy Son, and, knowing the grief of Joseph, thy spouse, for all thy sufferings, didst with holy words console him: pierce through and through our souls with true sorrow for our sins, that we may one day have the consolation to be made partakers of thy glory in heaven.
Hail Mary, etc.

Then say the Litany of Loretto:
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.*
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
And afterward:
V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit.
R. That he should not see death until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Let us pray:

Almighty, everlasting God, we pray Thy majesty, that as Thine only begotten Son was presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so thou wouldst enable us to present ourselves before thee with clean hearts. Amen