# The young man's guide/IX. PRAYERS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

IX. Prayers to the Blessed Virgin
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
THE FRUIT OF EACH MYSTERY
Joyful Mysteries — Spirit of Holy Joy
1. Annunciation . . . . Humility.
2. Visitation . . . . Fraternal Charity.
3. Nativity. . . . Spirit of Poverty.
4. Presentation . . . . Obedience.
5. Jesus with the Doctors . . Love of Jesus and of His Holy Services.
Sorrowful Mysteries — Spirit of Compassion and Contrition
1. Agony . . . . Fervor in Prayer.
2. Scourging . . . . Penance.
3. Crowning with Thorns . . . . Moral Courage.
4. Carriage of the Cross . . . . Patience.
5. Crucifixion . . . . Self-Sacrifice for God and our Neighbor.
Glorious Mysteries — Spirit of Adoration and Faith
1. Resurrection . . . . Faith.
2. Ascension . . . . Hope.
3. Descent of the Holy Ghost . . . . Love and Zeal for Souls.
4. Assumption . . . . Filial devotion to Mary.
5. Coronation of B. V. M. . . . . Perseverance.
Prayer
O GOD, Whose only-begotten Son hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation through His life, death, and resurrection, we beseech Thee grant to us who are commemorating those mysteries in the holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the grace to hearken to the lessons they teach us and to obtain the blessings they promise. Through the same Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
The Four Great Anthems of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Alma Redemptoris Ave Regina Caelorum Regina Coeli and Salve Regina
They are to be recited in the following order in the course of the year.
From the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent to Candlemas, inclusively.
MOTHER of Christ! hear thou thy people's cry, Star of the deep, and portal of the sky, Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid.
​Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Pure Virgin, first and last, look on our misery.
In Advent
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray
POUR forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.
From the First Vespers of Christmas to Candlemas.
​V. After childbirth, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.
R. O Mother of God, plead for us.
Let us pray
O GOD, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, by whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.
From Candlemas until Compline on Holy Saturday exclusively.
ANTHEM
HAIL, O Queen of heav’n 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,
Beautiful surpassingly!
Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead for us a pitying prayer.
V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Blessed Virgin.
R. Grant me strength against thine enemies.
Let us pray
O MOST merciful God, grant succor unto our frailty; that as we celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God, so by the help of her intercession we may rise again from our sins. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.
From Compline of Holy Saturday until None ​on the Saturday after Pentecost inclusively.
ANTHEM
O QUEEN of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia,
For He Whom thou wast meat to bear, Alleluia,
Hath risen, as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
R. For the Lord hath risen indeed, Alleluia.
Let us pray
O GOD, Who didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ; grant, we beseech Thee, that, through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen
​From Compline of the Saturday after Pentecost until Advent.
ANTHEM
Hail, holy queen, Mother of mercy; hail, 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 toward us.
And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, Who, by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, ​didst so make ready the body and soul of the glorious virgin mother Mary that she deserved to become a meet dwelling for Thy Son: grant that we, who rejoice in her memory, may through her loving intercession be delivered from the evils that hang over us, and from ever- lasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.
Novena in Honor of the Blessed Virgin for any Festival and for any Special Occasion
In connection with the Litany of Loreto and the Memorare, the following prayer may be said.
O MARY, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, queen of the angels and of the saints, I salute thee with the most profound veneration and filial devotion. I renew the consecration of myself and all I have to thee. I thank thee for thy maternal protection and for the many blessings that I have received through thy wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all my necessities I have recourse to thee with unbounded confidence ​O Help of Christians, O Mother of mercy, I beseech thee now to hear my prayer, and to obtain for me of thy divine Son the favor that I request in this novena.
Obtain for me, also, dearest Mother, the grace that I may imitate thee and become more like to thee in the practice of the virtues of humility, obedience, purity, poverty, submission to the will of God, and charity. Be my protectress in life, guard and guide me in dangers, direct me in perplexities, lead me in the way of perfection, and assist me in the hour of my death, that I may come to Jesus, and with thee enjoy Him, bless Him, and love Him eternally in heaven. Amen.
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary ! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen
​His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Dec. n, 1846, granted to all the faithful every time that, with at least contrite heart and devotion, they shall say this payer, an indulgence of three hundred days.
Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori to the Blessed Viring Mary
MOST holy and immaculate Virgin! O my Mother! thou who art the Mother of my Lord, the queen of the world, the advocate, hope, and refuge of sinners! I, the most wretched among them, now come to thee. I worship thee, great Queen, and give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past; most of all do I thank thee for having saved me from hell, which I had so often deserved. I love thee, Lady most worthy of all love, and by the love which I bear thee I promise ever in the future to serve thee, and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love. In thee I put all my trust, all my hope of salvation. Receive me as thy servant, and cover me with the mantle of thy protection, thou who art the Mother of mercy! And since thou hast so much power with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them. From thee I ask a true love of Jesus Christ, and the grace of a happy death. O my Mother! by thy love for God I beseech thee to be at all times my helper, but above all ​at the last moment of my life. Leave me not until you see me safe in heaven, there for endless ages to bless thee and sing thy praises. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. — Pius IX, Sept. 7, 1854.
Indulgenced Acts of Consecration of the Blessed Virin Mary
For the Members of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality
I
Act of consecration
By St. John Berchmans
HOLY Mary, Mother of God and virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron, and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonor thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, for each recitation. — Pius X, Nov. 17, 1906.
II
ACT OF CONSECRATION
By St. Francis de Sales
Most Holy Mary, virgin mother of God, I (full name), most unworthy though I am to be thy servant, yet touched by thy motherly care for me and longing to serve thee, do, in the presence of my guardian angel and all the court of heaven, choose thee this day to be my queen, my advocate, and my mother, and I firmly purpose to serve thee evermore myself and to do what I can that all may render faithful service to thee.
Therefore, most devoted Mother, through the precious blood thy Son poured out for me, I beg thee and beseech thee, deign to take me among thy clients and receive me as thy servant forever.
Aid me in my every action, and beg for me the grace never, by word or deed or thought, to be displeasing in thy sight and that of thy most holy Son.
Think of me, my dearest Mother, and desert me not at the hour of death. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, for each recitation. — Pius X, Nov. 17, 1906.
N. B. By request of the Rev. Fr. Elder Mullan, S. J., an indulgence of three hundred days, applicable to the souls in purgatory, has been attached to the devout recitation, every time, of each of the acts of consecration, by members regularly enrolled in the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin.
​The first of the two forms was used by St. John Berchmans, the other by St. Francis de Sales The Sacred Congregation authenticates the concession of the indulgence under date ot Nov. 17, 1006. Signed by Cardinal Tripepi, Prefect, and by Archbishop Panici, Secretary. — American Ecclesiastical Review. May, 1907, p. 555.
Indulgences for the Month of May
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII, by a rescript from the Office of the Secretary of Memorials, March 21, 1815, granted to all the faithful who, either in public or in private, shall honor the Blessed Virgin with some special homage and devout prayers, Or the practice of other virtuous acts, an indulgence of three hundred days, every day; a plenary indulgence, once in this month, or according to the rule already established on one of the first eight days of June, on the day when, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall pray for the intention of His Holiness. By a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, June 18, 1822, the same Sovereign Pontiff confirmed forever these indulgences.
Recite the Litany of Loreto, the Memorare, or any other approved prayer in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Aloysius' Act of Consecration
Most holy Mary, my lady, to thy faithful care and particular protection and to the bosom of thy mercy, to-day and every ​day, and particularly at the hour of my death I commend my soul and my body. All my hope and consolation, all my trails and miseries, my life and the end of my life, I commit to thee, that through thy most holy intercession and by thy merits all my actions may be directed and ordered according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.
Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, March 15, 1890.
Three Offerings in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the daughter of the eternal Father, and to thee I consecrate my soul and all its powers. Hail Mary, etc.
II. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the Mother of the only-begotten Son, and to thee I consecrate my body with all its senses. Hail Mary, etc.
III. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and to thee I consecrate my heart and all its affections, praying thee to obtain for me from the ever-blessed Trinity all the graces which I need for my salvation. ​Hail Mary, etc.
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Leo XII, Oct. 21, 1823.
Anthem, Versicle, and Prayer to Honor of the Immaculate Mary
Ant. THIS is the rod in which was neither knot of original sin, nor rind of actual guilt.
V. In thy conception, O Virgin! thou wast immaculate.
R. Pray for us to the Father, whose Son thou didst bring forth.
Let us pray
O GOD, Who, by the immaculate conception of the Virgin, didst prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son; we beseech Thee that, as in view of the death of that Son, Thou didst preserve her from all stain of sin, so thou wouldst enable us, being made pure by her intercession, to come unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
​His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a brief, March 31, 1876, granted to ail the faithful, as often as they shall say, with at least contrite heart and devotion, this anthem, versicle, and prayer, an indulgence of one hundred days.
Indulgenced Ejaculations in Honor of Our Lady
Mary!
Indulgence of 25 days, each time. — Clement XIII, Sept. 5, 1758.
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate! Pray for us to the Father, Whose Son, Jesus, conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring forth.
Indulgence of 100 days, each time. — Pius VI, Nov. 21, 1793.
My queen! my mother! Remember I am thine own.
Keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
Indulgence of 40 days, each time, when tempted. — Pius IX, Aug. 5, 1851.
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!
Indulgence of 300 days, each time. — Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1852.
O Mary, who didst come into this world free from stain! obtain of God for me that I may leave it without sin.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius IX, March 27, 1863.
​Virgin Mother of God, Mary, pray to Jesus for me.
Indulgence of 50 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, March 29, 1894.
Holy Virgin, Mary immaculate, Mother of God and our Mother, speak thou for us to the Heart of Jesus, Who is thy Son, and our brother.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, Dec. 20, 1890.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, March 15, 1884.
Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
O MARY! I beseech thee by the sorrows thou didst experience in beholding thy divine Son dying on the cross, procure for me a good death; obtain for me that, having loved Jesus and thee, my most tender Mother, here on earth, I may love you both and bless you eternally in heaven. Amen.
Favorite Prayers in Honor of Our Lady
PRAYER
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy ​protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Dec. x11, 1846, granted to all the faithful every time that, with at least contrite heart and devotion, they shall say this prayer, an indulgence of 300 days.
MY QUEEN! my mother! I give myself entirely to thee and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
​His holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Aug. 5, 1851, granted to all the faithful who, with fervor and at least contrite heart, shall say, morning and evening, one Hail Mary, together with this prayer, to implore of the Blessed Virgin victory over temptations, especially over those against chastity, an indulgence of 100 days, once a day.
PRAYER
MOST holy Virgin, Mother of the incarnate Word, treasure-house of grace, and refuge of us wretched sinners, with lively faith we have recourse to thy motherly love, and ask of thee the grace of ever doing God's will and thine. In thy most holy hands we place our hearts, and of thee we ask health of body and soul; and, as we have the sure hope that thou, our most loving mother, wilt hear us, we say to thee with lively faith: Hail Mary, three times.
LET US PRAY
DEFEND. we beseech thee, O Lord through the intercession of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, thy servants from all infirmity; and mercifully deign to guard them, prostrate in the sincerity of their hearts before thee, against the snares of the enemy. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XII, by a decree of ​the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Aug. 11, 1824, confirmed forever an indulgence of 100 days, once a day, to all those who, with at least contrite heart and devotion, shall say these prayers.
EJACULATION
MARY, mother of God and mother of mercy, pray for me and for the departed.
His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, by a rescript of his Eminence the Cardinal Vicar, Dec. 15, 1883, granted to all the faithful who devoutly and with contrite hearts recite the above ejaculation, an indulgence of 100 days, once a day.