devotions to the blessed virgin mary

“All generations will call me blessed: ‘The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.’ The Church rightly honors ‘the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.’ The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel’, express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.”¹

The rosary is divided in three parts and each part in five mysteries. For each mystery one Our Father and ten Hail Marys (a decade) are said. There is a pious custom to recite a third part of the rosary daily in many Christian families.

Make the sign of the cross:

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

VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Recite three (3) sets of: Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Then: Spiritual Communion: I wish, Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most Holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervor of the saints.

Recite the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.*

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Then: One (1) Our Father... Three (3) Hail Marys.. One (1) Glory Be.

Start each Decade by meditating on the Mystery. On the large bead say the Our Father. On the ten small beads say ten Hail Marys. Then recite the Glory Be.

At the end of every decade, recite the following:

O Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, bring all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of your mercy.

JOYFUL MYSTERIES: (Mondays and Saturdays)

1The annunciation (Luke 1:30-33)

2The visitation (Luke 1:50-53)

3The nativity (Luke 2:10-11)

4The presentation in the temple (Luke 2:29-32)

5The finding of the child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:48-52)

LUMINOUS MYSTERIES: (Thursdays)

1Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17)

Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became “sin” for our sake. The heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son, while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission that is he is to carry out.

2Jesus’ self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1-12)

This is the first of the signs. Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among the believers.

3Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion (Mark 1:15)

Jesus forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust. He proclaims the inauguration of the ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the sacrament of reconciliation, which he has entrusted to his Church.

4Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)

In Mount Tabor the glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to “listen to him” and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit.

5Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery (Matthew 26:26-29)

Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies “to the end” his love for humanity (John 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice.

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1The agony in the garden (Matthew 26:38-39)

2The scourging at the pillar (John 19:1)

3The crowning with thorns (Mark 15:16-17)

4The carrying of the cross (John 19:17)

5The crucifixion and death of our Lord (John 19:28-30)

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1The resurrection (Mark 16:6-8)

2The ascension (Acts 1:10-11)

3The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2:1-4)

4The assumption (Song of Songs 2:3-6)

5The coronation of the blessed Virgin (Luke 1:51-54)

At the end of the Rosary you may say the 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 valley 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.

℣. Pray for us, O Mother of God.

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating upon the mysteries of 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. R. Amen.

The litany is a way of praying found among many peoples. It is a prayer made to be repeated; one phrase coming over and over again so that the person praying is caught up in the prayer itself. Often litanies are chanted.

The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (called the Litany of Loreto) took shape over several centuries. It is rooted in images we find in the Scriptures. It may be said after praying the Rosary.

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 Spirit.

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God. Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary.

Pray for us

Holy Mother of God.

Holy Virgin of virgins.

Mother of Christ.

Mother of the Church.

Mother of divine grace.

Mother most pure.

Mother most chaste.

Mother inviolate.

Mother undefiled.

(Mother immaculate.)

Mother most amiable.

Mother most admirable.

Mother of good counsel.

Mother of our Creator.

Mother of our Savior.

Virgin most prudent.

Virgin most venerable.

Virgin most renowned.

Virgin most powerful.

Virgin most merciful.

Virgin most faithful.

Mirror of justice.

Seat of wisdom.

Cause of our joy.

Spiritual vessel.

Vessel of honor.

Singular vessel of devotion.

Mystical rose.

Tower of David.

Tower of ivory.

House of gold.

Ark of the covenant.

Gate of heaven.

Morning star.

Health of the sick.

Refuge of sinners.

Comforter of the afflicted.

Help of Christians.

Queen of angels.

Queen of patriarchs.

Queen of prophets.

Queen of apostles.

Queen of martyrs.

Queen of confessors.

Queen of virgins.

Queen of all saints.

Queen conceived without original sin.

Queen assumed into heaven.

Queen of the most holy Rosary.

Queen of the family

Queen of peace.

℣. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

℟. Spare us, O Lord.

℣. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

℟. Graciously hear us, O Lord.

℣. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

℟. Have mercy on us.

℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

For the needs of the Church and of the Nation.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

For the (Arch)Bishop of this diocese and his intentions.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

For the holy souls in purgatory.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

May they rest in peace. Amen.

THE LITANY IN LATIN

Kýrie, eléison.

Kýrie, eléison.

Christe, eléison.

Christe, eléison.

Kýrie, eléison.

Kýrie, eléison.

Christe, áudi nos.

Christe, áudi nos.

Christe, exáudi nos.

Christe, exáudi nos.

Pater de cælis, Deus.

Miserére nobis.

Fili, Redémptor mundi Deus.

Miserére nobis.

Spíritus Sancte Deus.

Miserére nobis.

Sancta Trínitas, unus Deus.

Miserére nobis.

Sancta María. ora pro nobis

Sancta Dei Génetrix.

Sancta Virgo vírginum.

Mater Christi.

Mater Ecclésiæ.

Mater divínæ grátiæ.

Mater puríssima.

Mater castíssima.

Mater invioláta.

Mater intemeráta.

(Mater immaculáta.)

Mater amábilis.

Mater admirábilis.

Mater boni consílii.

Mater Creatóris.

Mater Salvatóris.

Virgo prudentíssima.

Virgo veneránda.

Virgo prædicánda.

Virgo potens.

Virgo clemens.

Virgo fidélis.

Spéculum iustítiæ.

Sedes sapiéntiæ.

Causa nostræ lætítiæ.

Vas spirituále.

Vas honorábile.

Vas insígne devotiónis.

Rosa mýstica.

Turris Davídica.

Turris ebúrnea.

Domus áurea.

Foéderis arca.

Iánua cœli.

Stella matutína.

Salus infirmórum.

Refúgium peccatórum.

Consolátrix afflictórum.

Auxílium Christianórum.

Regína Angelórum.

Regína Patriarchárum.

Regína Prophetárum.

Regína Apostolórum.

Regína Mártyrum.

Regína Confessórum.

Regína Vírginum.

Regína Sanctórum ómnium.

Regína sine labe origináli concépta.

Regína in cælum assúmpta.

Regína Sacratíssimi Rosárii.

Regina famíliæ.

Regína pacis.

℣. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.

℟. Parce nobis, Dómine.

℣. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.

℟. Exáudi nos, Dómine.

℣. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.

℟. Miserére nobis.

℣. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Génetrix.

℟. Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

Let us pray.

O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of everlasting life; grant, we beseech you, that we, who meditate upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may both imitate what they contain, and attain to what they promise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

Don't forget, my friend, that we are children. The Lady of the sweet name, Mary, is absorbed in prayer.

You, in that house, can be whatever you wish: a friend, a servant, an onlooker, a neighbor . . .. For the moment I don’t dare to be anything. I hide behind you and, full of awe, I watch what’s happening:

The Archangel delivers his message . . .. Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco?: “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). Our Mother’s voice reminds me—by contrast—of all the impurities of men, . . . mine too.

And then how I hate those low, mean things of the earth . . .. What resolutions!

Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). At the enchantment of this virginal phrase, the Word became flesh.

The first decade is about to end . . .. I still have time to tell God, before anyone else does, “Jesus, I love you.”

By now, my little friend, you have no doubt learned to manage on your own. Joyfully keep Joseph and Mary company . . . and you will hear the traditions of the House of David.

You will hear about Elizabeth and Zachary, you will be moved by Joseph’s pure love, and your heart will pound whenever they mention the Child who will be born in Bethlehem.

We walk in haste towards the mountains to a town of the tribe of Judah (Luke 1:39).

We arrive. It is the house where John the Baptist is to be born. Elizabeth gratefully hails the Mother of her Redeemer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?” (Luke 1:42-43).

The unborn Baptist quivers . . . (Luke 1:41). Mary’s humility pours forth in the Magnificat . . .. And you and I, who are proud—who were proud—promise to be humble.

Caesar Augustus had issued a decree for a census to be taken of the whole world. For this purpose, everyone must go to the city of his ancestors. And since Joseph belongs to the house and line of David, he goes with the Virgin Mary from Nazareth to the town of David called Bethlehem in Judea (Luke 2:1-5).

And in Bethlehem is born our God: Jesus Christ! There is no room in the inn; he is born in a stable. And his Mother wraps him in swaddling clothes and lays him in a manger (Luke 2:7).

Cold. Poverty . . .. I am Joseph’s little servant. How good Joseph is! He treats me like a son. He even forgives me if I take the Child in my arms and spend hour after hour saying sweet and loving things to him.

And I kiss him—you kiss him too!—and I rock him in my arms, and I sing to him and call him King, Love, my God, my Only-one, my All . . .! How beautiful is the Child . . . and how short the decade!

When the time has come for the Mother’s purification, in accordance with the Law of Moses, the Child must be taken to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord (Luke 2:22).

And this time it will be you, my friend, who carries the cage with the doves (Luke 2:24).

Just think: she—Mary Immaculate!—submits to the Law as if she were defiled.

Through this example, foolish child, won’t you learn to fulfill the holy Law of God regardless of any personal sacrifice?

Purification! You and I certainly do need purification.

Atonement and, more than atonement, Love. Love as a searing iron to cauterize our soul’s uncleanness, and as a fire to kindle with divine flames the wretchedness of our hearts.

An upright and devout man has come to the Temple, led by the Holy Spirit (it has been revealed to him that he would not die until he had set eyes on the Christ); he takes the Messiah into his arms and says to him: “Now, my Lord, you can let your servant go from this world in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the Savior” (Luke 2:25-30).

Where is Jesus? The Child, my Lady! Where is he?

Mary is crying. In vain you and I have run from group to group, from caravan to caravan: no one has seen him. Joseph, after fruitless attempts to keep from crying, cries too . . .. And you . . .. And I.

Being a rough little fellow, I cry my eyes out and wail to heaven and earth, . . . to make up for the times when I lost him through my own fault and did not cry.

Jesus: may I never lose you again . . . Then you and I are united in misfortune and grief, as we were united in sin. And from the depths of our being, come sighs of heartfelt sorrow and burning phrases which the pen cannot and should not record.

And, as we are consoled by the joy of finding Jesus—three days he was gone!—debating with the teachers of Israel (Luke 2:46), you and I will be left deeply impressed by the duty to leave our home and family to serve our heavenly Father.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him…and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:13,17)

In Baptism, our Father God has taken possession of our lives. He has made us sharers in Christ’s life and sent us the Holy Spirit.

The strength and the power of God light up the face of the earth.

We will set the world ablaze, with the flames of the fire that you came to enkindle on earth! And the light of your truth, our Jesus, will enlighten men’s minds in an endless day.

I can hear you crying out, my King, in your strong and ardent voice: ignem veni mittere in terram, et quid volo nisi ut accendatur? I have come to bring fire to the earth, and would that it were already enkindled! And I answer, with my entire being, with all my senses and faculties: ecce ego: quia vocasti me! Here I am, because you have called me!

God has placed an indelible mark on your soul through Baptism: you are a child of God.

Child, are you not aflame with the desire to bring all men to love Him?

Our Lady was a guest at one of those noisy country weddings attended by people from many different villages. Mary was the only one who noticed the wine was running out. Don’t these scenes from Christ’s life seem familiar to us? The greatness of God lives at the level of ordinary things. It is natural for a woman, a homemaker, to notice an oversight, to look after the little things that make life pleasant. And that is how Mary acted.

Do whatever he tells you.

Implete hydrias (John 2:7), fill the jars. And the miracle takes place. Everything is so simple and ordinary. The servants carry out their job. The water is easy to find. And this is the first manifestation of our Lord’s divinity. What is commonplace becomes something extraordinary, something supernatural, when we have the good will to heed what God is asking of us.

Lord, I want to abandon all my concerns into your generous hands. Our Mother – your Mother – will have let you hear those words, now as in Cana: “They have no wine!...”

If our faith is weak, we should turn to Mary. Because of the miracle at the marriage feast at Cana, which Christ performed at his Mother’s request, his disciples learned to believe in him (John 2:11). Our Mother is always interceding with her Son so that he may attend to our needs and show himself to us, so that we can cry out, “You are the Son of God.”

Grant me, dear Jesus, the faith I truly desire. My Mother, sweet Lady, Mary most holy, make me really believe!

The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).

And all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them (Mark 2:13).

Jesus sees the boats on the shore and gets into one of them. How naturally Jesus steps into the boat of each and everyone of us!

When you seek to draw close to our Lord, remember that he is always very close to you, that he is in you: regnum Dei intra vos est (Luke 17:21). The kingdom of God is within you. You will find him in your heart.

Christ should reign first and foremost in our soul. But in order for him to reign in me, I need his abundant grace. Only in that way can my every heartbeat and breath, my least intense look, my most ordinary word, my most basic feeling be transformed into a hosanna to Christ my king.

Duc in altum. Put out into deep water! Throw aside the pessimism that makes a coward of you. Et laxate retia vestra in capturam. And pay out your nets for a catch!

We have to place our trust in our Lord’s words: get into the boat, take the oars, hoist the sails and launch out into this sea of the world which Christ gives us as an inheritance.

Et regni ejus non erit finis. His kingdom will have no end.

Doesn’t it fill you with joy to work for such a kingdom?

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light (Matt 17:2).

Jesus, we want to see you, to speak to you! We want to contemplate you, immersed in the immensity of your beauty, in a contemplation that will never cease! It must be wonderful to see you, Jesus! It must be wonderful to see you and be wounded by your love!

And a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt 17:5).

Lord, we are ready to heed whatever you want to tell us. Speak to us: we are attentive to your voice. May your words enkindle our will so that we launch out fervently to obey you.

Vultum tuum, Domine, requiram (Ps 26:8). Lord, I long to see your face. I like to close my eyes and think that, when God wills, the moment will come when I will be able to see him, not as in a mirror dimly, but…face to face (1 Cor 13:12). Yes, my heart yearns for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? (Ps 41:3).

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (John 13:1).

When our Lord instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper, night had already fallen. The world had fallen into darkness, for the old rites, the old signs of God’s infinite mercy to mankind, were going to be brought to fulfillment. The way was opening to a new dawn – the new Passover. The Eucharist was instituted during that night, preparing in advance for the morning of the resurrection.

Jesus has remained in the Eucharist for love ... for you.

He has remained, knowing how men would treat him ... and how you would treat him.

He has remained so that you could eat him, and visit him and tell him your concerns; and so that, by your prayer beside the tabernacle and by receiving him sacramentally, you could fall more in love each day, and help other souls, many souls, to follow the same path.

Good child: see how lovers on earth kiss the flowers, the letters, the mementos of those they love...

Then you, how could you ever forget that you have him always at your side – yes, Him? How could you forget ... that you can eat him?

Lord, may I never again flutter along close to the ground. Illumined by the rays of the divine Sun – Christ – in the Eucharist, may my flight never be interrupted until I find repose in your Heart.

“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And Peter fell asleep. And the other Apostles. And you, little friend, fell asleep . . . and I too was another sleepy headed Peter.

Jesus, alone and sad, suffers and soaks the earth with his blood.

Kneeling on the hard ground, he perseveres in prayer . . He weeps for you . . . and for me. The weight of the sins of men overwhelms him.

Pater, si vis, transfer calicem istum a me: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me . . .. Yet, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

An angel from heaven comforts him. Jesus is in agony. He continues prolixius, praying more intensely . . .. He comes over to us and finds us asleep: “Rise”, he says again, “and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:46).

Judas the traitor: a kiss. Peter’s sword gleams in the night. Jesus speaks: “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?” (Mark 14:48).

We are cowards: we follow him from afar but awake and praying, Prayer . . . Prayer . . ..

Pilate speaks: “it is your custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Whom shall I set free: Barabbas—a thief jailed with others for murder—or Jesus?” (Matthew 27:17). The crowd, spurred on by their rulers cry: “Put this man to death and release Barabbas” (Luke 23:18).

Pilate speaks again: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). Crucifige eum: “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:14).

Pilate, for the third time, says to them: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death” (Luke 23:22).

The clamor of the mob grows louder: “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Mark 15:14).

And Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, releases Barabbas to them and orders Jesus to be scourged.

Bound to the pillar. Covered with wounds.

The blows of the lash sound upon his torn flesh, upon his undefiled flesh, which suffers for your sinful flesh. More blows. More fury. Still more . . .. It is the last extreme of human cruelty.

Finally, exhausted, they untie Jesus. And the body of Christ yields to pain and falls limp, broken and half dead.

You and I cannot speak. Words are not needed. Look at him, look at him. . . slowly. After this . . . can you ever fear penance?

Our King’s eagerness for suffering has been fully satisfied! They lead my Lord to the courtyard of the palace, and there call together the whole troop (Mark 15:16). The brutal soldiers strip his most pure body. They drape a dirty purple rag about Jesus. A reed, as a scepter, in his right hand.

The crown of thorns, driven in by blows, makes him a mock king . . .. Ave Rex Iudæorum : “Hail, King of the Jews” (Mark 15:18). And with their blows they wound his head. And they strike him . . . and spit on him.

Crowned with thorns and clothed in rags of purple, Jesus is shown to the Jewish crowd: Ecce Homo: “Here is the man!”. And again the chief priests and their attendants raise the cry, saying, “Crucify him, crucify him” (John 19:5-6).

You and I . . ., haven’t we crowned him anew with thorns and struck him and spat on him?

Never again, Jesus, never again . . .. And a firm and practical resolution marks the end of these ten Hail Marys.

Carrying his Cross, Jesus goes out of the city to the place of the skulls—called Golgotha in Hebrew (John 19:17). And they lay hold of a certain Simon from Cyrene, who is coming in from the country; and they make him take the Cross and carry it behind Jesus (Luke 23:26).

The prophecy of Isaiah (53:12) has been fulfilled: cum sceleratis reputatus est: “he was counted among the wicked”, for two other were led out with him to be put to death (Luke 23:32).

If anyone would follow me . . .. Little friend, we are sad, living the Passion of our Lord Jesus. See how lovingly he embraces the Cross. Learn from him. Jesus carries the Cross for you: you . . . carry it for Jesus.

But don't drag the Cross . . . carry it squarely on your shoulder, because your Cross, if you carry it so, will not be just any Cross. . . . It will be the Holy Cross. Don't carry your cross with resignation: resignation is not a generous word. Love the Cross. When you really love it, your Cross will be . . . a Cross without a Cross.

And surely you will find Mary on the way, just as Jesus did.

For Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, the throne of triumph is ready. You and I do not see him writhe on being nailed. Suffering all that can be suffered, he spreads his arms in the gesture of an eternal Priest . . .

The soldiers take his holy garments and divide them into four parts. In order not to tear the tunic, they cast lots to decide whose it shall be. And so, once more, the words of Scripture are fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothes they cast lots” (John 19:23-24).

Now he is on high . . . And close to her Son, at the foot of the Cross, stand Mary . . . and Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. And John, the disciple Jesus loved. Ecce Mater tua: “Behold your mother”: he gives us his Mother to be ours.

Earlier they had offered him wine mixed with vinegar, and when he had tasted it, he would not drink it (Matthew 27:34).

Now he thirsts . . . for love, for souls.

Consummatum est: “It is accomplished” (John 19:30).

Foolish child, look: all this . . . He has suffered it all for you . . .. And for me. Can you keep from crying?

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices with which to go and anoint the dead body of Jesus. Very early on the following day, just as the sun is rising, they come to the tomb (Mark 16:1-2). And upon entering it they are dismayed, for they cannot find the body of our Lord. A youth, clothed in white, says to them: “Do not be afraid. I know you seek Jesus of Nazareth: non est hic, surrexit enim sicut dixit: he is not here for he has risen, as he said“ (Matthew 28:5).

He has risen! Jesus has risen: he is not in the tomb. Life has overcome death.

He appeared to his most holy Mother. He appeared to Mary Magdalen, who is carried away by love. And to Peter and the rest of the Apostles. And to you and me, who are his disciples and more in love than Mary Magdalen: the things we say to him! May we never die through sin; may our spiritual resurrection be eternal. And before the decade is over, you have kissed the wounds in his feet, . . . and I, more daring—because I am more a child—have placed my lips upon his open side.

Now the Master is teaching his disciples: he has opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he appoints them witnesses of his life and his miracles, of his Passion and Death, and of the glory of his Resurrection (Luke 24:45 and 48).

Then he brings them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany and blesses them. And as he does so, he withdraws from them and is carried up to heaven (Luke 24:51) until a cloud takes him out of sight (Acts 1:9).

Jesus has gone to the Father. Two angels in white approach us and say, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?” (Acts 1:11).

Peter and the others go back to Jerusalem—cum gaudio magno: “with great joy” (Luke 24:52). It is fitting that the sacred humanity of Christ should receive the homage, praise and adoration of all the hierarchies of the Angels and of all the legions of the Blessed in heaven.

But you and I feel like orphans: we are sad, and we go to Mary for consolation.

Our Lord had said: “I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, another Consoler, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). The disciples were gathered together in one room when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house where they were assembled. At the same time something appeared that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them (Acts 2:1-3).

The Apostles were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they seemed to be drunk (Acts 2:13).

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the people in a loud voice. We, people from a hundred nations, hear him. Each of us hears him in his own language—you and I in ours. He speaks to us of Christ Jesus and of the Holy Spirit and of the Father.

He is not stoned nor thrown into prison; of those who have heard him, three thousand are converted and baptized.

You and I, after helping the Apostles administer baptism, bless God the Father, for his Son Jesus, and we too feel drunk with the Holy Spirit.

Assumpta est Maria in cælum: gaudent angeli: God has taken Mary, body and soul, to heaven; and the angels rejoice!

So sings the Church. And so, with that same cry of joy, we begin our contemplation in this decade of the Holy Rosary.

The Mother of God has fallen asleep. Around her bed are the twelve Apostles—Matthias in the place of Judas.

And we, through a grace respected by all, are also at her side.

But Jesus wants to have his Mother, body and soul, in heaven. And the heavenly court, arrayed in all its splendor, greets our Lady. You and I—children, after all—take the train of Mary’s magnificent blue cloak, and so we can watch the marvelous scene.

The most blessed Trinity receives and showers honors on the Daughter, Mother and Spouse of God . . .. And so great is the Lady’s majesty that the angels exclaim: Who is she?

You are all fair, and without blemish. You are a garden enclosed, my sister, my Bride, an enclosed garden, a sealed fountain. Veni: coronaberis: “Come: you shall be crowned” (Song of Songs 4:7, 12 and 8).

If you and I had been able we too would have made her Queen and Lady of all creation.

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman with a crown of twelve stars upon her head, adorned with the sun and the moon at her feet (Revelation 12:1). Mary, Virgin without stain, has made up for the fall of Eve: and she has crushed the head of hell’s serpent with her immaculate heel. Daughter of God, Mother of God, Spouse of God.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit crown her as the rightful Empress of the Universe.

And the Angels pay her homage as her subjects . . . and the patriarchs and prophets and apostles . . . and the martyrs and confessors and virgins and all the saints . . . and all sinners and you and I.

Salve, Regína, mater misericórdiæ; vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus, éxsules fílii Evæ. Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia ergo, advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.

℣. Ora pro nobis sancta Dei Génetrix.

℟. Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

Orémus.

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui gloriósæ Vírginis Matris Maríæ corpus et ánimam, ut dignum Fílii tui habitáculum effíci mererétur, Spíritu Sancto cooperánte, præparásti: da, ut cuius commemoratióne lætámur, eius pia intercessióne, ab instántibus malis et a morte perpétua liberémur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.

℣. Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.

℟. Amen.

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 valley 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.

℣. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit you prepared the body and soul of Mary, glorious Virgin and Mother to become the worthy habitation of your Son; grant that by her gracious intercession, in whose commemoration we rejoice, we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

℣. May divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

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 by this confidence, I fly unto 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, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Memoráre, o piísima Virgo María, non esse audítum a sǽculo, quemquam ad tua curréntem præsídia, tua implorántem auxília, tua peténtem suffrágia esse derelíctum. Ego tali animátus confidéntia ad te, Virgo Vírginum, Mater, curro; ad te vénio; coram te gemens peccátor assísto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despícere, sed audi propítia et exáudi. Amen.

(Hermann the Lame)

Loving mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.

Alma Redemptóris Mater quæ pérvia cæli porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti. Súrgere qui curat, pópulo: tu quæ genuísti, natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem, Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore sumens illud ave, peccatórum miserére.

Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned! Hail, by angels mistress owned, Root of Jesse! Gate of morn! Whence the world’s true light was born:

Glorious Virgin, joy to thee, Loveliest whom in heaven they see. Fairest thou where all are fair! Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

Ave, Regína cælórum, ave, Dómina angelórum, salve, radix, salve, porta, ex qua mundo lux est orta.

Gaude, Virgo gloriósa, super omnes speciósa;

vale, o valde decóra

et pro nobis Christum exóra.

At the cross her station keeping stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, all his bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed was that Mother highly blessed of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, she beheld her tender Child, all with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of his own nation saw him hang in desolation till his spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother! font of love, touch my spirit from above, make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you his pain, who for all our sins was slain, who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you, mourning him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live .

By the cross with you to stay, there with you to weep and pray, is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: let me share your grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of yours.

Wounded with his every wound, steep my soul till it has swooned in his very blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in his awful judgment day.

Christ, when you shall call me hence, be your Mother my defense, be your cross my victory.

While my body here decays, may my soul your goodness praise, safe in heaven eternally. Amen. (Alleluia.)

Stabat Mater dolorósa Iuxta crucem lacrimósa, Dum pendébat Fílius.

Cuius ánimam geméntem, Contristátam et doléntem, Pertransívit gládius.

O quam tristis et afflícta Fuit illa Benedícta Mater Unigéniti!

Quæ mærébat, et dolébat, Pia Mater, dum vidébat Nati pœnas ínclyti.

Quis est homo, qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si vidéret In tanto supplício?

Quis non posset contristári, Christi Matrem contemplári Doléntem cum Fílio?

Pro peccátis suæ gentis Vidit Iesum in torméntis, Et flagéllis súbditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriéndo desolátum, Dum emísit spíritum.

Eia Mater, fons amóris, Me sentíre vim dolóris Fac, ut tecum lúgeam.

Fac, ut árdeat cor meum In amándo Christum Deum, Ut sibi compláceam.

Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifíxi fige plagas Cordi meo válide.

Tui nati vulneráti, Tam dignáti pro me pati, Pœnas mecum dívide.

Fac me tecum pie flere, Crucifíxo condolére, Donec ego víxero.

Iuxta crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociáre In planctu desídero.

Virgo vírginum præclára, Mihi iam non sis amára: Fac me tecum plángere.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem, Passiónis fac consórtem, Et plagas recólere.

Fac me plagis vulnerári, Fac me cruce inebriári, Et cruóre Fílii.

Flammis ne urar succénsus, Per te, Virgo, sim defénsus In die iudícii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exíre, Da per Matrem me veníre Ad palmam victóriæ.

Quando corpus moriétur, Fac, ut ánimæ donétur Paradísi glória. Amen. Allelúia.

My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you and in proof of my affection, I give you my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. Amen.

Blessed be your purity, May it be blessed for ever, For no less than God takes delight, In such exalted beauty. To you, heavenly Princess, Holy Virgin Mary, I offer on this day, My whole heart, life and soul. Look upon me with compassion, Do not leave me, my Mother.

The person who is to receive the scapular kneels, and the priest, vested in surplice and white stole, says:

℣. Lord, show us your kindness and mercy.

℟. And grant us your salvation.

℣. Lord, hear my prayer,

℟. And let my cry come to you.

℣. The Lord be with you.

℟. And also with you.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind, by your right hand sanctify this scapular which your servant will devotedly wear for the love of you and of your Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. By her intercession, may he (she) be protected from the wickedness of the enemy and persevere in your grace until death. You who live and reign for ever and ever.

℟. Amen.

Then the priest sprinkles the scapular with holy water and imposes it upon the person (or upon each person), saying:

Receive this blessed scapular and ask the most holy Virgin that, by her merits, it may be worn with no stain of sin and may protect you from all harm and bring you into everlasting life.

℟. Amen.

After this the priest adds:

By the power granted to me, I admit you to a share in all the spiritual works performed with the merciful help of Jesus Christ by the religious of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

℟. Amen.

May almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, bless you whom He has been pleased to receive into the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. We beg her to crush the head of the ancient serpent in the hour of your death and to obtain for you the palm and the crown of your everlasting inheritance. Through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

The priest sprinkles the person with holy water. If there are several persons to be received together, the prayers are said in the plural.

If the scapular is to be blessed alone, then the blessing begins with

O Lord, show us your mercy, and concludes with the prayer, O Lord Jesus Christ.

In January 1979, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in the first year of his pontificate, made the first of a long series of pastoral visits. He went to Mexico and presided over the Conference in Puebla. He visited the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the new Basilica built in her honor. There, in the presence of all the bishops of America, the Holy Father addressed this prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church! You, who from this place revealed your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection; hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer.

Mother of mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities, and our sorrows.

Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother.

We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church: hold us always with your loving hand.

Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of intense Christian life, of love and humble service of God and souls.

Contemplate this immense harvest, and intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole People of God, and grant abundant vocations of priests and religious, strong in the faith and zealous dispensers of God’s mysteries.

Grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair Love, protect our families, so that they may always be united, and bless the upbringing of our children.

Our hope, look upon us with compassion, teach us to go continually to Jesus and, if we fall, help us to rise again, to return to Him, by means of the Confession of our faults and sins in the Sacrament of Penance, which gives peace to the soul. We beg you to grant us a great love for all the holy Sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth.

Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our conscience, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all true joy and true peace, which come to us from your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.