The Blessed Virgin Mary

I do not promise to make you happy in this life,

but in the next.

-Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Bernadette

I'm happier with my crucifix on my bed of pain

than a queen on her throne.

-St. Bernadette Soubirous

O Jesus and Mary,

Let my entire consolation in this world be

to love you and to suffer for sinners.

-St. Bernadette Soubirous

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette for the first time on 11th February, 1858. Our Blessed Mother appeared a total of 18 times to Bernadette. During one of the apparitions, Our Lady asked Bernadette to dig the ground and a spring was found there. She also requested a chapel to be built at the apparition site. Our Lady revealed herself to Bernadette as “The Immaculate Conception”. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers at the age of 22. She died at the age of 35 after suffering long-term illness.

1. Express Novena of St. Teresa of Calcutta–Memorare
2. Immaculate Heart of Mary
3. Madonna and Child
4. Chaplet of Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Spirit
5. Chaplet of the Crown of Twelve Stars of Our Lady of Mercy
6. The Virgin of the Burning Bush
7. Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

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Background:

St Bernard’s Memorare was used as an “express one-day” novena by St Mother Teresa to our Blessed Mother Mary for the grace of urgent favours. She repeated the prayer nine times, often aloud and with her accompanying Nuns and helpers.

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.

The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.

Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. /Behold the handmaid of the Lord,/ she says, /be it done to me according to your word./

-St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Intercessory Prayer:

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly onto you O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate,

Despise not my petitions… (State your request… )
but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

(Memorare was written by St Bernard)

Mary Queen of Heaven, Pray for Us * St Bernard: Pray for Us

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Background:

Any form of veneration of the Blessed Virgin is always directed to her person. Hers is a heart which has been pierced, and hers is a heart that has pondered -the wonders and mysteries of her Son, the Incarnate Word. But not just pondered, but treasured! (Luke 2:51) Let us treasure all that has been given to us by our Lord; all the blessings, all our talents, and even Our Lady. And when we are troubled, let us unite our heart to Mary's, as she too has suffered pain and loss. Her heart was pierced with sorrow (Luke 2:35), but that sorrow turned to joy, and with our faith, trust and hope in the Resurrection, so too will ours.

Intercessory Prayer:

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer.

As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today.

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.

Prayer of Consecration to Mary:

O my Queen and Mother,

I give myself entirely to you.

To show my devotion to you I consecrate to you this day my eyes, ears, mouth, heart,

and whole being without reserve.

Therefore, good Mother,

since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your

property and possession. Amen.

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Background:

The Madonna and Child or The Virgin and Child is often the name of a work of art which shows the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. The word Madonna means "My Lady" in Italian. Artworks of the Christ Child and his mother Mary are part of the Roman Catholic tradition. Paintings known as icons are also an important tradition of the Orthodox Church and often show Mary and the Christ Child.

Central to religious art and iconography, depictions of the Virgin Mary date back to 2nd century. Yet, it wasn’t until AD 431, when the Council of Ephesus officially designated Mary as the “Mother of God” that she was given a prominent place in church altar decorations.

Intercessory Prayer:

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, intercede for me.

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Intercessory Prayer:

Opening Prayer:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Sequence of Pentecost (optional)

12 Mysteries of the Espousal of the Holy Spirit with the Blessed Virgin Mary:

1. The Immaculate Conception

   “And the Spirit of God moved over the waters . . .” (Gen 1:2)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

2. Mary's preparation to be the Mother of Jesus, expressed in her Presentation

   “Turn, O Daughter, and see . . . so shall the King desire your beauty” (Ps 45:12)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

3. The Espousal of Mary and Joseph

   “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” (1 Sam 16:13)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

4. The Annunciation

   “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say.” (Lk 1:38)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

5. The Visitation

   “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

6. The Hidden Life of Nazareth

   “Mary pondered all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Lk 2:51)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

7. The Wedding at Cana

   “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

8. Mary becomes the Mother of all believers at the Foot of the Cross

   Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple “Behold your mother.” (Jn 19:26)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

9. The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

   “All present were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4)
   Hail Mary – Glory Be

10. The Assumption

    “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you to all truth.” (Jn16:13)
    Hail Mary – Glory Be

11. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

    “Behold, a great sign appeared in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun.” (Rev 12:1)
    Hail Mary – Glory Be

12. Mary's enduring intercession, protection, and presence to her children

    “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! . . . Amen, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:17)
    Hail Mary – Glory Be

CLOSING PRAYERS:

The Veni Creator Spiritus (Optional)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord Jesus Christ, from the Cross You breathed forth Your Spirit, after You had entrusted Your Mother to the Beloved Disciple. Thank You, Lord, for these precious gifts. Standing with St. John the Beloved, I also accept these graces. May Your Holy Spirit enter into my spirit, into my heart, into my relationships, into every aspect of my life; I welcome Your Holy Spirit to be my constant companion and guide. I receive the Virgin Mary as my Mother and my Queen. I accept her into all that is my own. May she dispose all that is in me so that, by her intercession and by the work of the Holy Spirit, Your life and likeness may be formed in me. Amen.

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V. Let us praise and give thanks to the most holy Trinity, who has given us to Mary, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
R. Now and forever, Amen.

V. O most holy Virgin of Mercy!
R. Queen of heaven and earth, you neither abandon nor reject anyone, kindly look upon us with your eyes of mercy. Obtain for us from your Divine Son the forgiveness of our sins, so that we may honour you both, here on earth and later in the heavenly homeland. Amen.

God our loving Father, we praise you for the wonders you have accomplished in Mary, our Mother. Grant that we may be your faithful children.
(Our Father; Glory Be.)

The first distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the Father's highly favoured one.
(Hail Mary)

The second distinction of your crown of glory; O Queen of heaven, is being the Mother of God the Son.
(Hail Mary)

The third distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit.
(Hail Mary)

The fourth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being immune from the stain of original sin.
(Hail Mary)

O most merciful God the Son, in all our needs grant us the grace to be able to call upon Mary, our Mother of Mercy, with strong hope.
(Our Father; Glory Be.)

The fifth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is to be the handmaid of the Lord.

The sixth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the most eminent and totally unique member of the Church.
(Hail Mary)

The seventh distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the sublime daughter of Zion.
(Hail Mary)

The eighth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the Mother of all Christ's members.
(Hail Mary)

O God the Holy Spirit, grant us the grace to be able to respond with childlike love to all the gifts that we have received from Mary.
(Our Father; Glory Be.)

The ninth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being the teacher and model of all virtues.
(Hail Mary)

The tenth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being associated with the Lord at the foot of the Cross.
(Hail Mary)

The eleventh distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is being assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
(Hail Mary)

The twelfth distinction of your crown of glory, O Queen of heaven, is that you are exalted by the Lord as Queen of all creation.
(Hail Mary)

V. Let us greet Mary, who has done great things for us and say:
R. Hail, Mother of Mercy,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Redemptress of captives.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
You are the joy of Israel,
You are the honour of our people.

V. O blessed Virgin, the Lord has clothed you with holiness
R. Mother of God, intercede for us.

V. Let us pray.
God the Father of mercies, You sent Your Son into the world
As Redeemer of the human race;
Grant that we who honour His Mother
as Our Lady of Mercy
may faithfully protect
and seek to spread to all peoples
the true liberty of Your children,
which Christ has merited by
His sacrifice.
We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
R. Amen

V. For the Church,
for the spread of the Faith,
for peace among all peoples,
and for the freedom of captives.
R. (Hail, holy Queen)

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Amen.

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Background:

Typology is a method of exegesis that views older biblical events, places, and things as a foreshadow or prefiguration of later biblical events, places, and things.

There is an ancient teaching that the burning bush is a Type of the Virgin Mary and the Church. The reasoning goes like this:

God is referred to numerous times in the Bible as the Consuming Fire:

Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the sons of Israel. Ex 24:17 ((NRSV)

For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. Deut 4:24 (NRSV)

Know therefore this day that he who goes over before you as a devouring fire is the Lord your God; (Deut 9:3 (NRSV)

For our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:29

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both Fully God.

The Burning Bush, despite the presence of the Lord, remained unconsumed.

Mary, despite bearing Jesus in her womb, remained unconsumed.

The Church, despite the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, also remains unconsumed.

Mary carried the All-Consuming fire in her womb, yet God condescended Himself enough so as not to consume her. Mary is, in many ways, the Unburnt Bush

Today, the Church has the All-Consuming fire living within it. God condescends Himself enough to take up residence in our hearts, yet we, like Mary, remain unconsumed.

The Orthodox icon of the 'Theotókos the Unburnt Bush' is based on the miracle witnessed by Moses in the Old Testament. Theotókos is a Greek term meaning “the God-bearer” or “She who gave birth to God”. In the book of Exodus, God calls Moses on Mount Horeb from the midst of a bush which “was burning, yet it was not consumed.” The Church sees the Unburnt Bush on Horeb as a foreshadowing of the Most Holy Theotókos, who gave birth to Christ while still remaining a virgin. The icon shows her holding her divine Son in the midst of a burning bush.

To the Orthodox, the miracle of the Unburnt Bush is understood as a prefiguring of the virgin birth of Christ. The Theotókos gave birth to the Incarnate God without suffering harm, just as the bush was burnt without being consumed.

Intercessory Prayer:

The miracle that Moses witnessed
on Sinai in the burning bush
foretold your virgin childbearing,
O pure Mother.

We the faithful cry to you:
Rejoice, O truly living bush!
Rejoice, O holy mountain!
Rejoice, O sanctified expanse and
most holy Theotokós!

Blessed Theotókos, the bush that burns with God, pray for us!

Blessed Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us!

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Background:

Pope Pius VII approved another series of prayers in honour of the Seven Sorrows for daily meditation in 1815.

O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary…

The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary…

The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary…

The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary…

The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary…

Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary…

Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary…

Intercessory Prayer:

Let Us Pray:

Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.