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Daily Devotions in Honor of Mary, Immaculate Queen of the Universe for the Month of May Opening Hymn
"To thee, O Mary, Immaculate Queen of the Universe, we commend all of those souls, intentions, and petitions, which have been given to us to be placed at thy feet, during this novena in thy honor, under the title of Mary, Immaculate Queen of the Universe." The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. John the Evangelist saw a Woman clothed with the sun, crowned with twelve stars, and the moon under her feet. Holy Mother Church recognizes this Woman as none other than the Blessed Virgin Mary, with her virtues and her privileges, especially that of her Divine Maternity. Thus originated the "Little Crown of the Twelve Stars of the Blessed Virgin", which St. Joseph Calasanctius, St. John Berchmans, and many other saints made it a practice to recite frequently. In order to make this beautiful prayer more attractive, St. Louis Marie de Montfort added to each Hail Mary one of the praises of Our Lady with the invocation, "Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; rejoice a thousand times!" In celebrating the universal Queenship of Our Lady, our Most Reverend Bishop has recommended that the faithful pray the Hail Mary's in various languages. I. The Crown of Excellence To honor the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her ineffable Virginity, her purity without stain and her innumerable virtues. Our Father... 1. Hail Mary... 2. Hail Mary... 3. Hail Mary... 4. Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... II. The Crown of Power To honor the royalty of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her magnificence, her
universal mediation, and the strength of her rule. 5. Hail Mary... 6. Hail Mary... 7. Hail Mary... 8. Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... III. The Crown of Goodness To honor the mercy of the Blessed Virgin Mary toward sinners, the poor,
the just, the dying, and the Poor Souls in Purgatory. 9. Hail Mary... 10. Hail Mary... 11. Hail Mary... 12. Hail Mary... Let Us Pray Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father; Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son; Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost; Hail Mary, Temple of the most Holy Trinity; Hail Mary, my mistress, my treasure, my joy, Queen of my heart; my Mother, my life, my sweetness, my dearest hope, yea, my heart and my soul! I am all thine and all that I have is thine, O Virgin blessed above all things! Let thy soul be in me to magnify the Lord; let thy spirit be in me to rejoice in God my Savior. Set thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon my heart, that in thee and through thee, I may be found faithful to God. Receive me, O gracious Virgin, among those whom thou lovest and teachest, whom thou leadest, nourishest, and protectest as thy children. Grant that for love of thee, I may despise all earthly consolations and ever cling to those of Heaven; until through the Holy Ghost, thy faithful Spouse, and through thee, His faithful Spouse, Jesus Christ, thy Son, be formed in me for the glory of the Father. Amen. May Crowning and Hymn Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest, From garden and woodland and hillside and vale. Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling, The praise of the loveliest rose of the dale. (reverently placing a crown made of fresh flowers upon Our Lady's statue) O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Our voices ascending in harmony blending, O Virgin most tender, our homage we render, Of Mothers the dearest, oh, wilt thou be nearest, Acclamations to the Queen of Heaven "May her Rosary be found in the hands of all. May she gather together small groups, or great multitudes, of Christ's faithful in churches, in homes, in hospitals, and in prisons to sing her praises. May the name of Mary, which is sweeter than nectar and more precious than any jewel, be given the highest honor."—His Holiness Pope Pius XII (Ad Caeli Reginam) To be devoutly prayed every day: Leader: Beloved Mother, how sweet it is to the hearts of thy children to proclaim thee Immaculate Queen of the Universe. We know that thou art the Woman, blessed among all women—that all generations have proclaimed and shall proclaim thee blessed—that thou art Mediatrix of all Graces. But now we rejoice that the royal diadem has been officially placed upon thy Immaculate brow—by the true Vicar of Jesus Christ. People: We salute thee, we proclaim thee as our beloved Sovereign, the Queen of Heaven and earth! To thee, Celestial Queen, all glorious and all loving, be honor, glory, and love! Sundays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays, on the Feast of the Ascension,
daily during the Octave 1. Leader: At the hour of thy glorious Assumption—all the choirs of Heaven gathered around thee with one acclaim. With love God the Father received His Daughter of predilection—the Holy Ghost, His chosen Spouse—and the Incarnate Word, Jesus, thy Son, placed thee at His right hand. People: This feast of thy royalty makes earth partake of the joy of Heaven. O Queen of bounty and love, help us to be docile and submissive to thy maternal domination. 2. Leader: We salute thee with the glorious Apostles, of whom thou wert the Mother and the wise Counselor; O unshakable column of the infant Church. People: Through thy intercession, the Holy Ghost descended as a fire of love to remain with us forever. 3. Leader: Through thy mediation, the Holy Ghost enlightened, strengthened, and inflamed the Apostles. People: Queen of the Apostles, like Moses on the mountain, thy prayer made fruitful their apostolic labors. 4. Leader: Descend to earth, Celestial Queen, to fill our hearts with Divine love. People: Conquer the enemies of Christ, who fill the earth with a flood of foulness. Dispel the darkness in which so many souls are now engulfed, in the blindness of proud Rationalism, and in the smog of base Materialism. 5. Leader: Destroy the golden calf and crush the Mammon of Iniquity, that men may finally understand where true riches are to be found—in the possession of Truth, of Justice, and of Divine Charity. People: Prepare, O Royal Shepherdess, that long-awaited hour when there will be but one Fold and one Shepherd under Christ the King, thy Son and thy God! To be devoutly prayed on Mondays & Thursdays: 1. Leader: We salute thee, O Queen of ancient Patriarchs, to whom thou wert, even before thy birth, the hope and consolation. People: We acclaim thee, Queen of holy Prophets, who foretold thy Virginal Conception and thy Divine Maternity. 2. Leader: With St. Elizabeth, Mother of the Precursor, St. John, who leapt for joy in his mother's womb on the blessed day of thy Visitation, we proclaim thee, "Blessed among women, and blessed the Fruit of thy womb." People: With more reason than the inhabitants of Bethulia, delivered by the courageous Judith, we cry out with enthusiasm: thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honor of the entire human race. 3. Leader: With the woman of the Gospel we cry: "O Jesus, blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the breasts that nursed thee!" People: Because more than all others, Thy glorious Mother, O Jesus, hast heard the word of God, hast pondered it in her heart, and hast kept it perfectly. 4. Leader: O Queen of the poor, daughter of the Kings of Juda, Who lived for thirty years in Nazareth as the humble spouse of Joseph the carpenter, bring to the world that true justice which will permit man to earn his bread in a worthy way, and will ensure him the means necessary to the practice of Christian virtue. People: O Queen of Divine Love, drive away the spirit of hatred and contention between peoples. Unite the hearts of families, communities, and nations in true fraternal charity in a spirit of Christian justice. Tuesdays & Fridays, and on the Feast of the Holy Cross: 1. Leader: Queen of Martyrs, standing at the foot of the Cross as the Valiant Woman, "Thy Mother's rights and thy Mother's love were included in the holocaust." People: Crucified by the Compassion of thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, thou cryest to us: "O all you who pass by the way, attend and see if there is any sorrow like unto My Sorrow." 2. Leader: It is therefore right and just that this Sorrowful Heart of the Co-Redemptrix should triumph in Heaven and on earth. People: Triumph in Heaven, O Queen of Angels and joy of the elect! 3. Leader: Triumph on earth, O Immaculate Queen of Peace! People: Make us triumph through the Blood of the Divine Lamb, and the word of our witness, even in the face of death. 4. Leader: Drive back to Hell the impure spirits who have encompassed this world and befouled so many places by indecent dress, by scandalous publications, and by debasing amusements. People: Upon this earth, created by the Eternal Word, redeemed and washed in the Divine Blood and sanctified by His Eucharistic Presence, prepare the way for His glorious coming. To be prayed every day: Leader: Triumph on earth, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary! People: We promise thee, O Victorious Queen, to fight beneath thy banner, strong in faith, unshakable in confidence, aflame with Divine Charity, which thy Divine Son came to cast upon the earth and wills to be enkindled. All, slowly and devoutly: Mary, Immaculate Queen
of the Universe, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, (On the Feast of the Queenship the Act of Consecration is led here, followed by the Prayer of Pope Pius XII .) Prayers tO Our Lady for the Month of May I. Daily to the Blessed Virgin Mary during May O most August and Blessed Virgin Mary! Holy Mother
of God! Glorious Queen of Heaven and earth! Powerful Protectress of those who love thee,
and unfailing Advocate of all who invoke thee! Look down, we beseech thee, from thy throne
of glory on thy devoted children; accept the solemn offering we present thee of this month
of May, specially dedicated to thee, and receive our ardent, humble desires, that by our
love and fervor we might worthily honor thee, who, next to God, art deserving of all
honor. Receive us, O Mother of Mercy, among thy best beloved children; extend to us thy
maternal tenderness and solicitude; obtain for us a place in the Heart of Jesus, and a
special share in the gifts of His grace. O deign, we beseech thee, to recognize our claims
on thy protection, to watch over our spiritual and temporal interests, as well as those of
all who are dear to us [During Mothers' Day Novena add: especially our own mothers and
grandmothers, and those souls who are enrolled in the special Mothers' Day novena prayers
and Masses.] O Immaculate Queen of the Universe, do thou infuse into our souls the
spirit of Christ, and teach us thyself to become meek, humble, obedient, charitable,
patient, and submissive to the Will of God. Prayer to Our Blessed Mother for Mothers' Day O Mary Immaculate, thou who art Queen of all mothers, on this Mothers' Day we commend unto thy Immaculate Heart all of the Catholic mothers of the Remnant Church, especially those who have been enrolled in our Mothers' Day Masses and whose names have been placed upon the altar. We beg of thee, O dearest Mother, to grant them special blessings on this Mothers' Day, and to grant them the grace to fulfill their sacred duties as true Catholic mothers in raising up their children with a great love and zeal for their Holy Catholic Faith, by word and example to always lead their children along the path of holiness, to never compromise in any way the teachings and the counsels of the Church, so that one day they shall be forever united with one another and with thee in the eternal Kingdom of thy Divine Son. Amen. II. Prayer to Our Lady of St. Jean Marie Vianney Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday O most Holy Virgin Mary, thou who dost evermore stand before the most Holy Trinity, and to whom it is granted at all times to pray for us to thy most beloved Son; pray for us in all our necessities; help us, combat for us, and obtain for us the pardon of all our sins. Help us especially at our last hour; and when we can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then do thou encourage us, make the Sign of the Cross for us, and fight for us against the enemy. Make in our names a Profession of Faith; favor us with a testimony of our salvation, and never let us despair of the Mercy of God. Help us to overthrow the wicked enemy. When we can no longer say: "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I place my soul in Thy hands", do thou say it for us; when we can no longer hear human words of consolation, do thou comfort us. Leave us not before we have been judged; and if we have to expiate our sins in Purgatory, O pray for us earnestly; and admonish our friends to procure for us a speedy enjoyment of the blessed sight of God. Sustain us in our sufferings, deliver us speedily, and lead our souls into Heaven with thee: that, united with all the elect, we may there bless and praise our God and thee for all eternity. Amen. III. Act of Reparation Monday, Wednesday & Friday O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, look down in mercy from Heaven, where thou art enthroned as Queen, upon us, miserable sinners, thine unworthy servants. Although we know full well our own unworthiness, yet in order to atone for the offenses that are done to thee by impious and blasphemous tongues, from the depths of our hearts, we praise and extol thee as the purest, the fairest, the holiest creature of all God's handiwork. We bless thy holy name, we praise thine exalted privilege of being truly Mother of God, ever Virgin, Conceived without stain of sin, Co-Redemptrix of the human race. We bless the Eternal Father, Who chose thee in an especial way for His Daughter; we bless the Word Incarnate, Who took upon Himself our nature in thy bosom and so made thee His Mother; we bless the Holy Ghost, Who took thee as His Bride. All honor, praise, and thanksgiving to the ever-blessed Trinity, Who predestined thee and loved thee so exceedingly from all eternity as to exalt thee above all creatures to the most sublime heights. O Virgin, holy and merciful, obtain for all who offend thee the grace of repentance, and graciously accept this poor act of homage from us, thy servants, obtaining likewise for us from thy Divine Son the pardon and remission of all our sins. Amen. Hail Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria! CHORUS: Triumph all ye Cherubim! On Alternate days, and more frequently during Paschaltide: Regína Cœli, lætáre, allelúia! Lætáre, allelúia!
in the Month of May Our Lady of Pompeii - Italy Novena, April 28th – May 6th Feast, May 7th The ruins of Pompeii are well known all over the world. Pompeii, an ancient city of Southern Italy, is located in the Bay of Naples, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius which erupted, covering the city with hot, bubbling lava, and burying it under cinder and ashes. The long-forgotten site was rediscovered in 1748 and has been sporadically excavated since. The story of Our Lady's shrine here is simple and beautiful. Bartolo Longo, husband of a Neapolitan Countess, arrived in Pompeii to sell the family property toward the end of the nineteenth century. A Catholic in name only, he had allowed himself to become involved with spiritualism, and was at that time enduring a struggle to retain his grip on the Faith. The crisis of his life occurred on October 9th. Walking through the ruins, he heard a distant voice speaking to him: "If you seek salvation, promulgate the Rosary. This is Mary's own promise." Deeply moved by this heavenly message, Bartolo fell on his knees and made a promise to spread the Rosary far and near. His first attempt failed miserably; the handful who came could not understand the erudite preacher he had engaged. He realized that simple folk needed a visual aid. Bartolo went to Naples to look for a picture of Our Lady of the Rosary. Unable to buy an expeve one, he settled for a cheap, dilapidated second-hand copy, entrusting it to a peasant who hauled it to Pompeii atop a manure cart! But see how Our Lady works through such humble means. Pilgrims came and miracles were reported. A beautiful basilica was begun in 1876. Pope Leo XIII, Pius X, and Pius XI cherished a great devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii. Prayers in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, the following prayers are prayed in full, along with the entire Rosary—fifteen decades. However, the faithful are exhorted to recite the fifteen decades every day of the month of May, and these prayers may be used for their own devotion and inspiration. V. O God, come to my assistance. Before the Joyful Mysteries: Monday & Thursday O Queen of the Holy Rosary, dear Lady of Fatima, the very thought that so many have been blessed only because they had recourse to thee with confidence, inspires us with fresh hope and courage to call upon thee to come to our assistance. Thou didst once promise Saint Dominic that whosoever desired the grace of God should obtain it by means of thy Rosary: with Rosary in hand, we now call upon thee, our loving Mother, to keep thy maternal promises. Even in these our times thou dost work never-ceasing wonders, calling thy children to honor thee in thy shrines of Pompeii, Altötting, and Fatima. Be thou pleased, therefore, to wipe away our tears and assuage our sorrows! With our hearts upon our lips and with lively faith, we call upon thee and invoke thee as our Mother—Mother dearest, Mother fairest, Mother most gentle and mild—help us! O Mother and Queen of the holy Rosary, do not delay to stretch forth thy mighty hand to save us, for without thine aid, as thou knowest, we shall certainly perish. Before the Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday O blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain that binds us to God, bond of love that makes us one with the Angels, tower of salvation amid the attacks of Hell, safe harbor in the universal shipwreck, we shall never forget thee. Thou shalt be our consolation in the hour of death's agony, thine shall be the last kiss of our ebbing life. The last whisper of our dying lips shall be thy sweet Name, O Queen of the Holy Rosary, our dearest Mother, only Refuge of Sinners, Sovereign Comforter of the sorrowful. Be thou blessed, everywhere and at all times, now and forever, on earth and in Heaven. Amen. Before the Sorrowful Mysteries: Friday Humbly bending at the foot of thy throne, O great and glorious Lady, we venerate thee in the midst of the groans and anguish that oppress our souls us beyond measure. In spite of the trials and tribulations wherewith we are encompassed, we raise our eyes with confidence to thee who hast deigned to choose for thy earthly habitation the country fields of the poor and forsaken. There, apart from the pagan city and amphitheatre devoted to worldly pleasures, where now reign silence and ruin, thou, the Queen of Victories, hast lifted up thy mighty voice to summon thy devoted children from every quarter of the Catholic world, to build a shrine in thy honor. Ah, be thou moved to pity for these souls of ours, which lie trampled in the mire. Have mercy on us, dear Lady, have mercy upon us, for we are filled beyond measure with misery and humiliation. Thou who art the Help of Christians, draw us from the tribulations wherein we are miserably entangled. Thou who art our life, triumph over the death which threatens our souls in these perils to which we are exposed. Loving Mother, graciously grant us peace once again, tranquility, love and salvation. Amen. Before the Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday & Saturday O Virgin Immaculate and Queen of the Rosary, in these days of dead faith and triumphant impiety, thou hast been pleased to set up thy throne as Queen and Mother, upon the ancient site of Pompeii, the dwelling place of pagans long since dead. And from the place where once men worshiped false gods and demons, thou, as Mother of Divine grace, dost in these our times scatter everywhere the treasures of heavenly mercies. Ah dear Mother, from that throne where thou reignest as Queen of Mercy, turn upon us also thy merciful countenance, and have pity upon us who have such great need of thy assistance. Show thyself to us, as to so many others, a true Mother of mercy: "Show thyself a Mother"; whilst with all our hearts we salute thee and call upon thee as our Sovereign and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. Before the Glorious Mysteries: Sunday O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, to whom else can we have recourse, if not to thee, who art the solace of the wretched, the comfort of the desolate, the consolation of the afflicted? We acknowledge unto thee the great sadness of our souls, weighed down as they are by countless sins; we deserve the fires of Hell, we are totally unworthy to receive thy favors. But art not thou the hope of the hopeless, the great Mediatrix between man and God, our powerful advocate at the throne of the most High, and the Refuge of Sinners? Ah, do thou only breathe one word in our behalf to thy Divine Son, and He will hear and answer thee. Ask Him, then, O Mother, for these favors, of which we stand so much in need... (silent pause) Thou alone canst obtain our petitions; thou art our only hope, our consolation, our sweetness, our whole life. Such is our hope. Amen. (Memorare) Closing Prayer: after the last decade O Virgin and Queen of the Holy Rosary, thou art the Beloved Daughter of our heavenly Father, the Admirable Mother of God the Son, and the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Ghost, dispenser of His sevenfold gifts. Since thou canst obtain all things from the ever-blessed Trinity, we entrust to thee these our urgent petitions, provided that they be no obstacle to our eternal salvation (silent pause). We implore thy favor and intercession, O Immaculate Lily of the Most Holy Trinity, through thy Immaculate Conception, thy Divine Motherhood, thy joys, thy sorrows and thy triumphs; through the Sacred Heart of thy dearest Son Jesus, and the nine months wherein thou didst carry Him in thy womb, throught the hardships of His Life, His bitter Passion, His Death upon the Cross, His most Holy Name, the shedding of His Precious Blood. Finally, we invoke thee through thine own most sweet Heart and thy glorious Name, O Mary, thou who art the Star of the Sea, our mighty Mistress, the Sea of Sorrow, the Gate of Heaven, and the Mother of every grace. In thee we place our trust; from thee we hope for all things. Remember Mother, that it is thy task to save us. Amen. V. Deign that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin; V. Pray for us, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, In honor of St. Dominic; Glory be to the Father... Salve Regina Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God; Let us Pray: Mary, Immaculate Queen of the Universe, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, Mediatrix of All Graces, Triumph and Reign, in the Name of Jesus, and for the Love of Jesus, now and Forever. Amen. Triduum, Wednesday before the Feast of the Ascension Feast, Saturday after the Feast of the Ascension The Blessed Virgin Mary was present as the Mother
and Queen of the Apostles at the birthday of the Church when the Holy Ghost descended upon
her and the Apostles on Pentecost Day. The Feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles is always
celebrated between the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost because it was Mary, Spouse
of the Holy Ghost, who called down the Divine Paraclete upon the Apostles on the Feast of
Pentecost. This Feast especially reminds us that Mary is properly called Queen and Mother
of the Apostles, and Queen and Mother of the Church. It is traditional to call upon her
intercession for all true Catholic Bishops Who are the successors of the Apostles and who
possess the Apostolic Authority over the Church and all of her members, given to them by
Christ. We commend our own Most Reverend Bishop to Mary, Queen of the Apostles, that she
may assist His Excellency in governing and guiding Holy Mother Church. "All these, with one mind, continued steadfastly in prayer, with the women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren." (Acts 1:14) Thou art the Gate of Heaven and the Morning Star, Virgin Mary, Mother of the eternal King, and our Queen! Make us pleasing to thy Son, for all virtue, honor, and glory shine forth from thee. O holy Mother of God, we fly to thy patronage. Our Mother, our Queen, take us as thine own! Hail Mary... Beg thy Son to send forth laborers into His harvest, that all people may praise thee, and all generations may call thee blessed. Thou, the source of pardon, thou, the Mother of Grace, thou, the Hope of the world! Hear us as we cry to thee. Hail Mary... Let us Pray: Through Thy mercy, O Lord, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may Thy Church increase in the number of the faithful and ever shine forth in the manifold light of virtue. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary speaks: "They who explain Me shall have life everlasting". (Ecclus. 24:31) "All praise to thee, O holy Mother of God! Thou art the world's most precious gem. Through thee the Trinity is praised, through thee the holy Cross is revered and honored throughout the world. Through thee the heavens exult, the Angels and Archangels rejoice, the demons flee, and man himself is once more admitted to Heaven. Through thee, souls bound by the chains of idolatry have been brought to know the truth and led to holy Baptism; churches have been erected throughout the world. By thy help nations have come to repentance. Through thee the prophets have spoken and the Apostles have preached salvation to all nations. O Mary, Virgin and Mother, who can worthily proclaim the praise of thy power?" —St. Cyril Let us Pray: O Mary, ever Virgin, who because of thy great worth God set up as Queen of the whole world, pray for our peace and salvation, for thou didst bring forth Christ the Lord, the Savior of us all. Amen.Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Novena, May 4-12 Feast, May 13th We invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" because she is the Mother of Jesus Who lives in the Eucharist, for it was from her that He assumed the Flesh and Blood with which He nourishes us. Through her we receive every grace, and consequently those graces contained in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. She was the first to practice the duties of a truly Eucharistic life, showing us by her example how we ought to assist at Mass, receive Holy Communion, and visit the Most Blessed Sacrament. Let us love Mary, and we will love the Eucharistic Christ. Love the Eucharistic Christ, and we are not far from Mary, for the Mother and the Son are inseparable. "My delights are to be with the children of men." (Prov. 8:31) Let us Pray: Lord, abide with Thy children who are refreshed by receiving Thy Body and Blood, that by the help of Thy most holy Mother we may be freed from all evil and protected in every good work. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. O Blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of
the Lord, Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal, hast pleased Our Lord
Jesus Christ! Happy indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,
for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ Our Lord. Thou art blessed by the Lord, for
through thee we have partaken of the Fruit of Life. Mary speaks: "How lovely are Thy Tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and soul have rejoiced in the living God...at Thy altar, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God." (Ps. 83). Hymn: Ave Verum Let us Pray: We pray Thee, O Lord, Our God, that by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thou wouldst make the Most Holy Mysteries which Thou hast given us for the preservation of our Spiritual life a remedy for us both for the present and for the future. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most
Blessed Sacrament, thou glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church, hope
of the whole world, pray for us; and awaken in all true believers a lively devotion toward
the Most Holy Eucharist, that so they may be made worthy to partake of the same daily. Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us! Novena, May 15-23 Feast, May 24 Just as in the order of nature we need a mother's love and tender care, so, too, we need a mother's help in our struggles against the enemies of our souls, and especially the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Jesus gave us the Mother He chose for Himself, that she might be a Mother to us, and help us to overcome these enemies and temptations and lead a good Christian life. Therefore, when we are in need of assistance for soul or body, let us call upon our Mother, Mary, the Help of Christians. Perhaps the most renowned visible manifestation of Mary's help came on October 7, 1571, when the vastly outnumbered Christian forces at Lepanto, led by Don Juan of Austria, annihilated the Moslem Turks who threatened to invade and ravish all of Europe, stamping out every vestige of Christianity. Pope St. Pius V had ordered the recitation of the Rosary to beg Our Lady's aid, and at the actual moment of the miraculous victory, He Himself, the Vicar of Christ, was praying to her in His private chapel. In gratitude for this triumph, the saintly Pontiff instituted the Feast of the Holy Rosary, and inserted the title "Help of Christians" into the Litany of Our Lady. "And the wine having run short, the Mother of Jesus said to Him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'What wouldst thou have Me to do, Woman? My hour has not yet come.' His Mother said to the attendants, 'Do whatever He tells you.'" (John 2: 3-5). Holy Mary, help those in need; strengthen the weak; comfort the sorrowful; pray for the people; plead for priests; intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who celebrate thy holy feastday, obtain thy help! Hail Mary... Mary speaks: "I love those who love me. Those who watch for me in the morning shall find me." (Prov. viii. 17). Hymn: Alma Redemptoris Mater Let us Pray: Almighty and merciful God, Who in the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary hast provided never-ending assistance for the defense of the Christian people, grant, we beg Thee, that, strengthened by such help, we may do battle during life, and be able to obtain victory over the treacherous foe in death. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Prayers for the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians I. O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, Mary, thou seest the attacks that are everywhere made by the devil and the world upon the Catholic Faith, in which, by God's grace, we intend to live and die, in order that we may obtain to eternal glory. Do thou, the Help of Christians, renew thy ancient victories and save thy children. They entrust to thee their firm purpose never to enroll themselves in societies hostile to our holy Religion; do thou, who art all holy, present to thy Divine Son our good resolutions, and obtain for us the grace we need to be unshaken in their observance, even to the end of life. Console the visible Head of the Church, sustain the Catholic Episcopate, protect the clergy and people who proclaim thee Queen; by the power of thine intercession hasten the day when all nations shall be gathered at the feet of the chief Shepherd. Amen. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us! II. Virgin most powerful, loving helper of the Christian
people, how great thanks do we not owe thee for the assistance thou didst give our
fathers, who, when they were threatened by the Turkish infidels, invoked thy maternal help
by the devout recitation of thy Rosary! From Heaven thou didst see their deadly peril;
thou didst hear their voices imploring thy compassion; and their humble prayers, enjoined
by the great Pope, Saint Pius the Fifth, were acceptable unto thee, and thou camest
quickly to deliver them. Grant, dear Mother, that in like manner the prolonged sighs of
the holy Bride of Christ in these our days may come to thy throne and engage thy pity; do
thou, moved anew to compassion for her, rise once again to deliver her from the many foes
who encompass her on every side. III. Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, our tender
Mother and mighty Help of Christians, we dedicate ourselves entirely to thy dear love and
holy service. We dedicate to thee our minds and all our thoughts, our hearts and all our
affections, our bodies and all our senses and all our strength; we promise to be ever
willing to labor for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. ADDITIONAL
PRAYERS FOR THE QUEENSHIP Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and
earth and tender Mother of men, in accordance with thy ardent wish made known at Fatima, I
consecrate to thee myself, my brethren, my country and the whole human race. Reign over us
and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us and around us as It
has reigned and triumphed in thee. Prayer of Pope Pius XII in Honor of Our Lady's Queenship Out of the depths of this valley of tears, through
which suffering humanity painfully struggles—up from the bellows of this sea,
endlessly buffeted by the waves of suffering—we raise our eyes to thee, Most Beloved
Mother Mary, to be comforted by the contemplation of thy glory and to hail thee as Queen
and Mistress of Heaven and earth, Queen and Mistress of mankind. Traditional May Hymns for Marian Devotions and Ceremonies 1. Salve Regína Salve Regina, Mater misericórdiæ, vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus éxsules fílii Hevæ. Ad te suspirámus geméntes et flentes in hac lacrymárum valle. Eia ergo advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jesum benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo María. 2. Queen of the Holy Rosary Queen of the Holy Rosary, O bless us as we pray, And offer thee our roses, in garlands day by day. While from our Father's garden, with loving hearts and bold, We gather to thine honor, buds white and red and gold. O Queen of the Holy Rosary! each mystery blends with thine, Sweet Lady of the Rosary, white roses let us bring, Daily, daily sing to Mary, sing my soul her praises due; She is mighty to deliver; call her, trust her lovingly; Sing my tongue, the Virgin's trophies, who for us our Maker bore; All our joys do fall from Mary; all then join her praise to sing: 4. Mother, at Your Feet Mother, at your feet is kneeling, one who loves you, 'tis your Child; Plead for me when Jesus judges, answer for me when He asks; Dearest Mother, tell my Jesus, how I love Him fond and true, 5. The Fatima Ave In Fatima's Cove on the thirteenth of May, Refrain: Ave, ave, ave Maria. Ave, ave, ave Maria. To three shepherd children the Virgin then spoke, With sweet Mother's pleading she asks us to pray, El trece de Mayo la Virgen María A tres pastorcitos la Madre de Dios, Hacéd penitencia, hacéd oración, Daughter of a mighty Father, Maiden Patron of the May, Mother of the Son and Savior, of the Truth, the Life, the Way, Spouse of the Eternal Spirit, blossom which will ne'er decay, Daughter, Mother, Spouse of Heaven, listen to our earnest lay, 7. Ah Her Smile (Mater Amabilis) Ah, her smile makes Heaven rejoice, eyes of Saints to glisten, Chorus: At the gate on reaching home, you will find her standing; Christians, though your storm-toss'd bark, on the sea yet linger, 8. Hail Queen of Heaven Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star, Guide of the wand'rer here below! O gentle, chaste, and spotless Maid, we sinners make our Prayers through
thee; Sojourners in this vale of tears, to thee, blest Advocate we cry, And while to Him Who reigns above, in God-head One, in Persons Three, THE ANGELIC SALUTATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES: GERMAN: Gegrüßet seist du Maria, voll der Gnade, der Herr ist mit dir. Du bist gebenedeit unter den Weibern, und gebenedeit ist die Frucht, deines Leibes, Jesus. Heilige Maria, Mutter Gottes, bitte für uns Sünder, jetzt und in der Stunde unseres Todes. Amen. SPANISH: Dios te salve María, llena eres de grácia, el Señor es contigo. Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres, y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesús. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores, ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amén. FRENCH: Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâce, le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes benie entre toutes les femmes, et Jésus, le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni. Sainte Marie, Mére de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pecheurs, maintenant et á l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il. PORTUGUESE: Ave Maria, cheia de Graça, O Senhor é con Vosco. Bendita sois Vós entre as mulheres e bendito é o fruto do vosso Ventre, Jesus. Santa Maria, Mãe de Deus, rogai por nós, pecadores, agora e na hora da nossa morte. Amen.
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