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IF YOU REALLY WANT TO "GET INTO" ADVENT, THEN PRAY THE PSALMS
TRANSFORM YOUR HOME INTO THE "DOMESTIC CHURCH" IT IS MEANT TO BE!
LINKS TO PSALMS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK DURING ADVENT
| Sundays | Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays | Saturdays |
| Advent Journey | Advent with Aquinas | Advent with Dom Gueranger | Advent Sermons |
| Advent Prayers (not psalms) | From Cold to Hot for Christmas |
| Journey to Bethlehem | Pre-Advent Countdown |
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO "GET INTO" ADVENT, THEN PRAY THE PSALMS
TRANSFORM YOUR HOME INTO THE "DOMESTIC CHURCH" IT IS MEANT TO BE!
LINKS TO PSALMS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK DURING ADVENT
| Sundays | Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays | Saturdays |
"The modern world cannot do without God. This is the root of its ills. The great truth is that we have an absolute need of God…He normally bestows His grace only in response to prayer. Since our need exists at all times....“We ought always to pray and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1)....The true nature of Christian prayer is perfectly expressed in the following definition given by St. John Damascene and St. Thomas Aquinas: prayer is “a raising of the mind and heart towards God” to offer Him our homage and to ask Him for all those things of which we stand in need" (Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B., Abbot of Christ—The Ideal of the Priest, chap. 15). Blessed Columba Marmion, born Joseph Aloysius Marmion (1858 – 1923) was an Irish Benedictine monk, and the third abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium.
SHORT PRAYERS & READINGS FOR THE ADVENT SEASON
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PRAYER FOR A FRUITFUL ADVENT
My hidden Lord Jesus, I love You and thank You with profound gratitude for uniting Yourself with fallen humanity. When You first entered into this world, You remained hidden for nine months in the immaculate womb of Your Blessed Mother. She carried You, body and blood, soul and divinity, within the sanctuary of her body. She also carried You within her heart as a result of her perfect love for You and her perfect obedience to the will of the Father.
O Precious Lord, as I embrace this Advent Season, please open my eyes to see the great value and blessing of Your Incarnation. Help me to discover Your hidden presence in this world and within my own soul. I desire to see, understand and experience the profound effects that Your Incarnation has on my life and I desire to receive those effects more fully this Advent. May I become a sanctuary in which You dwell so that I, like Your dear Mother, may bring Your presence into the world. My loving Jesus, I choose You, this Advent, as my King and my God. I abandon myself to You and seek to put all my trust in Your tender care. Draw me close to You and free me from my sin so that I may love You with a pure and holy heart. Mother Mary, as You carried your dear Son in your immaculate womb, you also carried Him in your heart. Pray for me, this Advent, that I may surrender myself to the will of the Father in imitation of you. You said “Yes” to all that God asked of you and never hesitated to fully embrace His divine will. Pray that I may imitate your perfect example so as to share a deeper union with you and your divine Son. Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus! Amen. ANOTHER SHORT PRAYER FOR A FRUITFUL ADVENT
O God, Who gladdens us by the annual expectation of our Redemption, grant that we, who now receive with joy Your only-begotten Son as our Redeemer, may behold him without fear when He comes as our judge, even the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your Only begotten-Son, that we may attain to serve You with purified minds, through His advent. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. A CHILD'S PRAYER FOR A FRUITFUL ADVENT
My little Lord Jesus, I love You and thank You for this Advent season. Please help me to understand all that You have done for me. Your loving mother held You in her heart and brought You into this world. Help me to do the same.
My loving Jesus, I choose You, this Advent, as my King and my God. Draw me close to You and help me to see my sins so that I can change the things that You want me to change. Mother Mary, pray for me this Advent so that I may do all that God wants me to do. You said “Yes” to all that God asked of you. Please pray for me that I may do the same. Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus, come! I love You, Jesus. Amen. BLESSING, PRAYERS, READINGS FOR THE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH THE BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH 1. All make the Sign of the Cross. 2. The leader begins: V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made Heaven and earth. Leader: In the short days and long nights of Advent, we realize how we are always waiting for deliverance, always needing salvation by our God. Around this wreath, we shall remember God’s promise. 3. A verse from Holy Scripture is read: “The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest” (Isaias 9:2-3). 4. Then all pray together: Come, O long-expected Jesus―Redeemer and Savior of mankind! Plant in me a seed of wonder at the wisdom and power of Thy Father; the mercy of the Son, and the love of the Holy Ghost. Come, O long-expected Jesus―Redeemer and Savior of mankind! Sow in me the seed of sorrow for sin; a desire for penance; a contempt of my past sins and a love for Thy example of humility and poverty. Come, O long-expected Jesus―Redeemer and Savior of mankind! Plant in me a seed of a great desire and love for prayer and the things of Heaven and a great distaste and hatred for worldliness of the world. Come, O long-expected Jesus―Redeemer and Savior of mankind! Plant in me the seed of a great Faith and knowledge of Thee; a great Hope and confidence in Thee; and a great love of and a humble submission to Thee. O shepherd of Israel, hearken, O guide of the flock of Joseph! Rouse Thy power, and come to save us. O Lord of hosts, restore us, if Thy face shine upon us, then we shall be safe. O Lord of hosts, how long wilt Thou burn with anger while Thy people in misery pray? Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in ample measure. Thou hast left us to be fought over by our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. O Lord of hosts, restore us, if Thy face shine upon us, then we shall be safe. I beg these graces in the Name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen. 5. Then the Leader says the prayer of blessing: Let us pray: All-powerful God, bless this Advent wreath with Thy own hand, (make a Sign of the Cross) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. Increase our strength of will for doing good and avoiding evil; grant us a love of virtue and hatred of sin, so that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming and call us to His side in the Kingdom of Heaven, where He lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. PRAYERS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT The first purple candle is lit. Then the prayers for the first week are said. Antiphon: Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, O Lord, and come, so that we may escape all sin and evil through Thy protection and be saved by Thy help from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins. V. O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation! R. Savior of all peoples, come and dwell amongst us and save us from our sins! Let us pray: Almighty and powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good and avoiding evil, so that Christ may find a fitting welcome at His coming; so that being freed from our sins, we may be worthy to be called to His side in the Kingdom of Heaven, where He lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. During the first week one purple candle is left burning during the evening meal, at prayers, or at bedtime. SEVERAL SHORT ADVENT PRAYERS
Our Father in Heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of Thy love and our minds are searching for the light of Thy Word. Increase a sincere longing for Christ our Savior in our hearts and give us the strength to grow in love―so that the dawn of His coming may dispel the darkness of our minds and hearts, and may He find us sincerely rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to Thy promises and ever close to Thy Church―graciously grant the graces that the Earth may rejoice in the hope of the Savior’s coming and look forward with longing to His return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove any sadness that hinders us from experiencing the joy and hope which His divine presence will bestow, for He is Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. O heavenly Father, who didst send a messenger, in the wilderness of the Jordan, to prepare Thy people’s hearts for the coming of Thy Son. Help me to hear His words and repent of my sins, so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak, and the life to live for our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. O God of power and mercy, open our hearts to welcome the advent of Thy Son. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with humility, joy and love, so that by embracing His wisdom and following His example, we may become one with Him when He comes again in glory, for He lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. O Lord God, may we, Thy people, who look forward to the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, mercifully experience the joy of salvation and joyfully celebrate His nativity with a true love and sincere thanksgiving. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE ROOT OF JESSE
A Root shall come forth from the stock of Jesse
And a Flower shall rise out of his root! And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him -- the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and of godliness. The people that walked in darkness shall see a great light, For a Child is born to us and a Son is given to us. To Him all power shall be given. His Name shall be: Wonderful One, Strong God, Eternal One, Prince of Peace. He shall sit on the throne of David, And He will found a new Covenant which will last for ever and ever. More prayers will be added during tihe course of Advent
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SHORT PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY OF ADVENT
PENITENTIAL PRAYERS OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
PRAYER FOR SUNDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Mother of my God, look down upon a poor sinner, who has recourse to thee and puts his trust in thee. I am not worthy that thou shouldst even cast thine eyes upon me; but I know that thou, beholding Jesus thy Son dying for sinners, dost thyself yearn exceedingly to save them. O Mother of Mercy, look on my miseries and have pity upon me. Men say thou art the refuge of the sinner, the hope of the desperate, the aid of the lost. Be thou, then, my refuge, hope, and aid. It is thy prayers which must save me. For the love of Jesus Christ, be thou my help; reach forth thy hand to the poor fallen sinner who recommends himself to thee. I know that it is thy joy to aid the sinner when thou canst; help me now, thou who canst help. By my sins I have forfeited the grace of God and my own soul. I place myself in thy hands; oh, tell me what to do that I may regain the grace of God, and I will do it. My Savior bids me go to thee for help; He wills that I should look to thy pity; that so, not only the merits of thy Son, but thine own prayers too, may unite to save me. To thee, then, I have recourse: pray thou to Jesus for me; and make me experience how great good thou canst do for one who trusts in thee. Be it done unto me according to my hope. Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR MONDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, I, who was once the slave of the Evil One, now dedicate myself to thy service for ever; and I offer myself to honour and to serve thee as long as I live. Accept me for thy servant, and cast me not away from thee, as I deserve. In thee, O my Mother, I place all my hope. All blessing and thanksgiving be to God, Who, in His mercy, gives me this trust in thee. True it is, that, in past times, I have fallen miserably into sin; but by the merits of Jesus Christ, and by thy prayers, I hope that God has pardoned me. But this is not enough, my Mother. One thought appalls me; it is, that I may yet lose the grace of God. Danger is ever nigh; the devil sleeps not; fresh temptations assail me. Protect me, then, my Queen; help me against the assaults of my spiritual enemy. Never suffer me to sin again, or to offend Jesus, thy Son. Let me not, by sin, lose my soul, Heaven, and my God. This one grace, Mary, I ask of thee; this is my desire; this may thy prayers obtain for me. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR TUESDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, Mother of Goodness, Mother of Mercy, when I reflect upon my sins and upon the moment of my death, I tremble and am confounded. O my sweetest Mother, in the Blood of Jesus, in thy intercession, are my hopes. Comforter of the sad, abandon me not at that hour; fail not to console me in that affliction. If even now I am so tormented by remorse for the sins I have committed, the uncertainty of my pardon, the danger of a relapse, and the strictness of the Judgment—how will it be with me then? O my Mother, before death overtakes me, obtain for me great sorrow for my sins, a true amendment, and constant fidelity to God for the remainder of my life. And when, at length, my hour is come, then do thou, Mary, my hope, be thyself my aid in those great troubles wherewith my soul will be encompassed. Strengthen me, that I may not despair when the enemy sets my sins before my face. Obtain for me, at that moment, grace to invoke thee often, so that with thine own sweet name and that of thy most holy Son upon my lips, I may breathe forth my spirit. This grace thou hast granted to many of thy servants; this, too, is my hope and my desire. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Mother of God, most holy Mary, how often by my sins have I merited Hell! Long ago, perhaps, judgment would have gone forth against my first mortal sin, hadst not thou, in thy tender pity, delayed the justice of God, and afterwards attracted me by thy sweetness to have confidence in thy prayers. And O, how very often should I have fallen in the dangers which beset my steps, hadst not thou, loving Mother that thou art, preserved me by the graces thou, by thy prayers, didst obtain for me. But O, my Queen, what will thy pity and thy favors avail me, if, after all, I perish in the flames of Hell? If there was once a time when I loved thee not, yet now, next to God, I love thee above all. Wherefore, henceforth and for ever, suffer me not to turn my back upon thee and upon my God, Who, through thee, has granted me so many mercies. O Lady, most worthy of all love, let it not be that I, thy child, should be doomed to hate and to curse thee for ever in Hell. Thou wilt surely never endure to see thy servant lost, who loves thee. O Mary, say not that I ever can be lost! Yet lost I shall assuredly be, if I abandon thee. But who could ever have the heart to leave thee? Who can ever forget thy love? No, it is impossible for a man to perish, who faithfully recommends himself to thee, and has recourse to thee. Only leave me not, my Mother, in my own hands, or I am lost! Let me but cling to thee! Save me, my hope! Save me from Hell; or, rather, save me from sin, which alone can condemn me to Hell. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR THURSDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Queen of Heaven, who sittest enthroned above all the choirs of the angels, nearest to God, from this valley of miseries, I, a poor sinner, say to thee, "Hail, Mary," begging thee, in thy love, to turn upon me those gracious eyes of thine. See, Mary, the dangers among which I dwell—and shall ever have to dwell—whilst I live upon this earth. I may yet lose my soul, Paradise, and God. In thee, Lady, is my hope. I love thee; and I sigh after the time when I shall see thee and praise thee in Paradise. O Mary, how soon will the happy day come, when I shall see myself safe at thy feet? When shall I kiss that hand, which has dispensed to me so many graces? Alas, it is too true, my Mother, that I have ever been very ungrateful during my whole life; but, if I get to Heaven, then I will love thee there every moment of a whole eternity, and make reparation to thee, in some way, for my ingratitude, by ever blessing and praising thee. Thanks be to God, for that He hath vouchsafed me this hope through the Precious Blood of Jesus, and through thy powerful intercession. This has been the hope of all thy true lovers; and no one of them has been defrauded of his hope. No, neither shall I be defrauded of mine! O Mary, pray to thine own Son Jesus—as I too pray to Him—by the merits of His Passion, to strengthen and increase this hope. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR FRIDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Mary, thou art the noblest, highest, purest, fairest creature of God, the holiest of all creatures! O, if only all men knew thee and loved thee, my Queen, as thou deservest to be loved! Yet great is my consolation, Mary, in that there are blessed souls in the courts of Heaven, and just souls still on earth, whose hearts thou leadest captive with thy beauty and thy goodness. But, above all, I rejoice in this, that our God Himself loves thee alone more than all men and angels together. I, too, O loveliest Queen, I, a miserable sinner, dare to love thee—though my love is too little. I wish I had a greater love, a more tender love; this thou must gain for me, since to love thee is a great mark of predestination, and a grace which God grants to those who shall be saved. Moreover, O my Mother, when I reflect upon the debt I owe thy Son, I see He deserves of me an immeasurable love. Do thou, then, who desirest nothing so much, as to see Him loved, pray that I may have this grace—a great love for Jesus Christ. Obtain it, thou who obtainest what thou wilt. I covet not the goods of this earth, nor honors, nor riches, but I desire that which thine own heart desires most, which is to love my God alone. O, can it be that thou wilt not aid me in a desire so acceptable to thee? No, it is impossible! Even now I feel thy help; even now thou prayest for me. Pray for me, Mary, pray; nor ever cease to pray, till thou dost see me safe in Paradise, where I shall be certain of possessing and of loving my God and thee, my dearest Mother, for ever and for ever. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR SATURDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, I know the graces which thou hast obtained for me, and I know the ingratitude which I have shown thee. The ungrateful man is unworthy of favors, and yet. for all this. I will not distrust thy mercy. O my great Advocate, have pity on me! Thou, Mary, art the stewardess of every grace which God vouchsafes to give us sinners, and, therefore, did He make thee so mighty, rich, and kind, that thou mightest assist us. I will that I may be saved: in thy hands I place my eternal salvation, to thee I consign my soul. I will to be associated with those who are thy special servants: reject me not. Thou goest up and down seeking the wretched, to console them. Cast not away, then, a wretched sinner who has recourse to thee. Speak for me, Mary; thy Son grants what thou askest. Take me beneath thy shelter, and it is enough for me; for, with thee to guard me, I fear no ill, no, not even my sins, because thou wilt obtain God's pardon for them; no, nor yet evil spirits, because thou art far mightier than Hell; no, nor my Judge Jesus Christ, for, at thy prayer, He will lay aside His wrath. Protect me, then, my Mother; obtain for me pardon of my sins, a love of Jesus, holy perseverance, a good death, and Heaven. It is too true, that I do not merit these graces; yet do thou only ask them of our God and I shall obtain them. Pray, then, to Jesus for me. Mary, my Queen, in thee I trust; in this trust I rest, I live; and with this trust I will that I may die. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Mother of my God, look down upon a poor sinner, who has recourse to thee and puts his trust in thee. I am not worthy that thou shouldst even cast thine eyes upon me; but I know that thou, beholding Jesus thy Son dying for sinners, dost thyself yearn exceedingly to save them. O Mother of Mercy, look on my miseries and have pity upon me. Men say thou art the refuge of the sinner, the hope of the desperate, the aid of the lost. Be thou, then, my refuge, hope, and aid. It is thy prayers which must save me. For the love of Jesus Christ, be thou my help; reach forth thy hand to the poor fallen sinner who recommends himself to thee. I know that it is thy joy to aid the sinner when thou canst; help me now, thou who canst help. By my sins I have forfeited the grace of God and my own soul. I place myself in thy hands; oh, tell me what to do that I may regain the grace of God, and I will do it. My Savior bids me go to thee for help; He wills that I should look to thy pity; that so, not only the merits of thy Son, but thine own prayers too, may unite to save me. To thee, then, I have recourse: pray thou to Jesus for me; and make me experience how great good thou canst do for one who trusts in thee. Be it done unto me according to my hope. Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR MONDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, I, who was once the slave of the Evil One, now dedicate myself to thy service for ever; and I offer myself to honour and to serve thee as long as I live. Accept me for thy servant, and cast me not away from thee, as I deserve. In thee, O my Mother, I place all my hope. All blessing and thanksgiving be to God, Who, in His mercy, gives me this trust in thee. True it is, that, in past times, I have fallen miserably into sin; but by the merits of Jesus Christ, and by thy prayers, I hope that God has pardoned me. But this is not enough, my Mother. One thought appalls me; it is, that I may yet lose the grace of God. Danger is ever nigh; the devil sleeps not; fresh temptations assail me. Protect me, then, my Queen; help me against the assaults of my spiritual enemy. Never suffer me to sin again, or to offend Jesus, thy Son. Let me not, by sin, lose my soul, Heaven, and my God. This one grace, Mary, I ask of thee; this is my desire; this may thy prayers obtain for me. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR TUESDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, Mother of Goodness, Mother of Mercy, when I reflect upon my sins and upon the moment of my death, I tremble and am confounded. O my sweetest Mother, in the Blood of Jesus, in thy intercession, are my hopes. Comforter of the sad, abandon me not at that hour; fail not to console me in that affliction. If even now I am so tormented by remorse for the sins I have committed, the uncertainty of my pardon, the danger of a relapse, and the strictness of the Judgment—how will it be with me then? O my Mother, before death overtakes me, obtain for me great sorrow for my sins, a true amendment, and constant fidelity to God for the remainder of my life. And when, at length, my hour is come, then do thou, Mary, my hope, be thyself my aid in those great troubles wherewith my soul will be encompassed. Strengthen me, that I may not despair when the enemy sets my sins before my face. Obtain for me, at that moment, grace to invoke thee often, so that with thine own sweet name and that of thy most holy Son upon my lips, I may breathe forth my spirit. This grace thou hast granted to many of thy servants; this, too, is my hope and my desire. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Mother of God, most holy Mary, how often by my sins have I merited Hell! Long ago, perhaps, judgment would have gone forth against my first mortal sin, hadst not thou, in thy tender pity, delayed the justice of God, and afterwards attracted me by thy sweetness to have confidence in thy prayers. And O, how very often should I have fallen in the dangers which beset my steps, hadst not thou, loving Mother that thou art, preserved me by the graces thou, by thy prayers, didst obtain for me. But O, my Queen, what will thy pity and thy favors avail me, if, after all, I perish in the flames of Hell? If there was once a time when I loved thee not, yet now, next to God, I love thee above all. Wherefore, henceforth and for ever, suffer me not to turn my back upon thee and upon my God, Who, through thee, has granted me so many mercies. O Lady, most worthy of all love, let it not be that I, thy child, should be doomed to hate and to curse thee for ever in Hell. Thou wilt surely never endure to see thy servant lost, who loves thee. O Mary, say not that I ever can be lost! Yet lost I shall assuredly be, if I abandon thee. But who could ever have the heart to leave thee? Who can ever forget thy love? No, it is impossible for a man to perish, who faithfully recommends himself to thee, and has recourse to thee. Only leave me not, my Mother, in my own hands, or I am lost! Let me but cling to thee! Save me, my hope! Save me from Hell; or, rather, save me from sin, which alone can condemn me to Hell. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR THURSDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Queen of Heaven, who sittest enthroned above all the choirs of the angels, nearest to God, from this valley of miseries, I, a poor sinner, say to thee, "Hail, Mary," begging thee, in thy love, to turn upon me those gracious eyes of thine. See, Mary, the dangers among which I dwell—and shall ever have to dwell—whilst I live upon this earth. I may yet lose my soul, Paradise, and God. In thee, Lady, is my hope. I love thee; and I sigh after the time when I shall see thee and praise thee in Paradise. O Mary, how soon will the happy day come, when I shall see myself safe at thy feet? When shall I kiss that hand, which has dispensed to me so many graces? Alas, it is too true, my Mother, that I have ever been very ungrateful during my whole life; but, if I get to Heaven, then I will love thee there every moment of a whole eternity, and make reparation to thee, in some way, for my ingratitude, by ever blessing and praising thee. Thanks be to God, for that He hath vouchsafed me this hope through the Precious Blood of Jesus, and through thy powerful intercession. This has been the hope of all thy true lovers; and no one of them has been defrauded of his hope. No, neither shall I be defrauded of mine! O Mary, pray to thine own Son Jesus—as I too pray to Him—by the merits of His Passion, to strengthen and increase this hope. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR FRIDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
O Mary, thou art the noblest, highest, purest, fairest creature of God, the holiest of all creatures! O, if only all men knew thee and loved thee, my Queen, as thou deservest to be loved! Yet great is my consolation, Mary, in that there are blessed souls in the courts of Heaven, and just souls still on earth, whose hearts thou leadest captive with thy beauty and thy goodness. But, above all, I rejoice in this, that our God Himself loves thee alone more than all men and angels together. I, too, O loveliest Queen, I, a miserable sinner, dare to love thee—though my love is too little. I wish I had a greater love, a more tender love; this thou must gain for me, since to love thee is a great mark of predestination, and a grace which God grants to those who shall be saved. Moreover, O my Mother, when I reflect upon the debt I owe thy Son, I see He deserves of me an immeasurable love. Do thou, then, who desirest nothing so much, as to see Him loved, pray that I may have this grace—a great love for Jesus Christ. Obtain it, thou who obtainest what thou wilt. I covet not the goods of this earth, nor honors, nor riches, but I desire that which thine own heart desires most, which is to love my God alone. O, can it be that thou wilt not aid me in a desire so acceptable to thee? No, it is impossible! Even now I feel thy help; even now thou prayest for me. Pray for me, Mary, pray; nor ever cease to pray, till thou dost see me safe in Paradise, where I shall be certain of possessing and of loving my God and thee, my dearest Mother, for ever and for ever. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
PRAYER FOR SATURDAY
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Most holy Mary, I know the graces which thou hast obtained for me, and I know the ingratitude which I have shown thee. The ungrateful man is unworthy of favors, and yet. for all this. I will not distrust thy mercy. O my great Advocate, have pity on me! Thou, Mary, art the stewardess of every grace which God vouchsafes to give us sinners, and, therefore, did He make thee so mighty, rich, and kind, that thou mightest assist us. I will that I may be saved: in thy hands I place my eternal salvation, to thee I consign my soul. I will to be associated with those who are thy special servants: reject me not. Thou goest up and down seeking the wretched, to console them. Cast not away, then, a wretched sinner who has recourse to thee. Speak for me, Mary; thy Son grants what thou askest. Take me beneath thy shelter, and it is enough for me; for, with thee to guard me, I fear no ill, no, not even my sins, because thou wilt obtain God's pardon for them; no, nor yet evil spirits, because thou art far mightier than Hell; no, nor my Judge Jesus Christ, for, at thy prayer, He will lay aside His wrath. Protect me, then, my Mother; obtain for me pardon of my sins, a love of Jesus, holy perseverance, a good death, and Heaven. It is too true, that I do not merit these graces; yet do thou only ask them of our God and I shall obtain them. Pray, then, to Jesus for me. Mary, my Queen, in thee I trust; in this trust I rest, I live; and with this trust I will that I may die. Such is my hope. Thus may it be! Amen.
Then say three Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.