"It is impossible that a servant of Mary be damned, provided he serves her faithfully and commends himself to her maternal protection." St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787)
October is traditionally know as the month that is dedicated to the most Holy Rosary. The feast itself falls on October 7th, but it is not the only important Marian feast of the month. On the same day, is also celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Victory, which is closely united to the feast of the Holy Rosary, for it commemorates the victory of the Christian fleet over the much greater and more powerful Turkish fleet at Lepanto on October 7th, 1571. The Christians were being 'backed' by a Rosary Crusade organized by the Pope St. Pius V, and they themselves carried Rosaries into battle. The Pope, in gratitude, instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory, for she had helped the Christian fleet win the battle. On October 11th we celebrate the feast of the Maternity, or Motherhood, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which means her title of "Mother of God," which is one of her greatest titles. Then, just two days later, we commemorate the final apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, on October 13th, 1917, where she fulfilled her promise of manifesting a great miracle, which was the miracle of spinning and dancing sun, witnessed by thousands of onlookers. Let us use this month of October to renew the quality and also the quantity of the Rosaries that we pray, remembering Our Lady's words to Francisco, one of the three children to whom she appeared at Fatima, when she said that Francisco, aged only 8 at the time, would have to say many Rosaries before he could go to Heaven. If that was the case for a little 8-year-old boy, then what would Our Lady say to most adults with their much longer history of sin behind them?
THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (The Litany of Loreto) Traditionally recited during the months of May and October (For public or private use)
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 Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us. Holy Mother of God, Pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother of Christ, Pray for us. Mother of divine grace, Pray for us. Mother most pure, Pray for us. Mother most chaste, Pray for us. Mother inviolate, Pray for us. Mother undefiled, Pray for us. Mother most amiable, Pray for us. Mother most admirable, Pray for us. Mother of good counsel, Pray for us. Mother of our Creator, Pray for us. Mother of our Saviour, Pray for us. Mother of the Church, Pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, Pray for us. Virgin most venerable, Pray for us. Virgin most renowned, Pray for us. Virgin most powerful, Pray for us. Virgin most merciful, Pray for us. Virgin most faithful, Pray for us.
Mirror of justice, Pray for us. Seat of wisdom, Pray for us. Cause of our joy, Pray for us. Spiritual vessel, Pray for us. Vessel of honor, Pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, Pray for us. Mystical Rose, Pray for us. Tower of David, Pray for us. Tower of ivory, Pray for us. House of gold, Pray for us. Ark of the Covenant, Pray for us. Gate of Heaven, Pray for us. Morning Star, Pray for us. Health of the sick, Pray for us. Refuge of sinners, Pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, Pray for us. Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Queen of Angels, Pray for us. Queen of Patriarchs, Pray for us. Queen of Prophets, Pray for us. Queen of Apostles, Pray for us. Queen of Martyrs, Pray for us. Queen of Confessors, Pray for us. Queen of Virgins, Pray for us. Queen of all Saints, Pray for us. Queen conceived without Original Sin, Pray for us. Queen assumed into Heaven, Pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, Pray for us. Queen of peace, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF VICTORY Feast: October 7th (For private use only)
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 Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us. Triumphant Daughter of the Father, Pray for us. Triumphant Mother of the Son, Pray for us. Triumphant Spouse of the Holy Ghost, Pray for us. Triumphant Choice of the Most Holy Trinity, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy Immaculate Conception, Pray for us. Triumphant in crushing the head of the serpent, Pray for us. Triumphant over all the children of Adam, Pray for us. Triumphant over all our enemies, Pray for us. Triumphant in the embassy of the Angel Gabriel, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy espousal to St. Joseph, Pray for us. Triumphant at the scene of Bethlehem, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy flight into Egypt, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy exile, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy humble dwelling at Nazareth, Pray for us. Triumphant in finding thy Divine Child in the Temple, Pray for us. Triumphant in the earthly life of Our Lord, Pray for us. Triumphant in His Passion and Death, Pray for us. Triumphant in the Resurrection, Pray for us. Triumphant in the Ascension, Pray for us. Triumphant in the descent of the Holy Ghost, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy Sorrows, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy Joys, Pray for us. Triumphant in thy entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem, Pray for us. Triumphant in the Angels who remained faithful, Pray for us. Triumphant in the felicity of the Blessed, Pray for us. Triumphant in the graces of the Just, Pray for us. Triumphant in the announcement of the Prophets, Pray for us Triumphant in the Desires of the Patriarchs, Pray for us Triumphant in the zeal of the Apostles, Pray for us Triumphant in the light of the Evangelists, Pray for us Triumphant in the wisdom of the Doctors, Pray for us Triumphant in the crowns of the Confessors, Pray for us Triumphant in the purity of the numerous bands of Virgins, Pray for us Triumphant in the triumph of the Martyrs, Pray for us Triumphant in thy all-powerful intercession, Pray for us Triumphant under thy many Titles, Pray for us Triumphant at the hour of our death, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed Lady of Victory! R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O Victorious Lady! Thou who has ever such powerful influence with thy Divine Son, in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of Divine Grace, they may return to the unity of the true Faith, through Christ, our Lord. R. Amen
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA For October 13th (For private use only)
Feast: this litany could be said on the 13th of each month from May to October inclusive, as well as on August 19th—which was date Our Lady came back to appear to the children since they missed her apparition on August 13th due to being imprisoned on that day.
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 Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for our dear country. Our Lady of Fatima, Sanctify our clergy. Our Lady of Fatima, Make our Catholics more fervent. Our Lady of Fatima, Guide and inspire those who govern us. Our Lady of Fatima, Cure the sick who confide in thee. Our Lady of Fatima, Console the sorrowful who trust in thee. Our Lady of Fatima, Help those who invoke thine aid. Our Lady of Fatima, Deliver us from all dangers. Our Lady of Fatima, Help us to resist temptation. Our Lady of Fatima, Obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of thee. Our Lady of Fatima, Help those who are dear to us. Our Lady of Fatima, Bring back to the right road our erring brothers. Our Lady of Fatima, Give us back our ancient fervor. Our Lady of Fatima, Obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses. Our Lady of Fatima, Bring all men to the feet of thy Divine Child. Our Lady of Fatima, Obtain peace for the world. O Mary conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Pray for us Our Lady of Fatima R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray: O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Fatima, and grant us by her powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.