"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)
The month of September, though it is dedicated to Our Lady's Sorrows, also has some other beautiful feast days. We celebrate a double birthday on September 7th and September 8th, with the Legion of Mary being born on the 7th and Our Lady's birthday being celebrated on the 8th. Four days later, on September 12th, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, which is quickly followed by the feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 15th. Once again, four days later, we celebrate Our Lady of La Salette on September 19th. Towards the end of the month, we have three lesser known feasts celebrated on the same day, September 24th, which are Our Lady of Ransom, Our Lady of Walsingham (England) and Our Lady of Mercy. A beautiful month of feasts! The litanies that we have supplied for this month are those of the Holy Name of Mary; three litanies to choose from for Our Lady of Sorrows, and a litany of Our Lady of Fatima for the anniversary of her 5th apparition at Fatima in 1917.
LITANY OF THE HOLY NAME OF MARY Feast: September 12th (For private use only)
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy. Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, Have mercy on us. Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, Have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, of Whom Mary is the Spouse, Have mercy on us. Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid, Have mercy on us.
Mary, Mother of the Living God, Pray for us. Mary, Daughter of the Light Eternal, Pray for us. Mary, our Light, Pray for us. Mary, our Sister, Pray for us. Mary, Flower of Jesse, Pray for us. Mary, Issue of kings, Pray for us. Mary, chief Work of God, Pray for us. Mary, the Beloved of God, Pray for us. Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Pray for us. Mary, all fair, Pray for us. Mary, Light in darkness, Pray for us. Mary, our sure rest, Pray for us. Mary, House of God, Pray for us. Mary, Sanctuary of the Lord, Pray for us. Mary, Altar of the Divinity, Pray for us. Mary, Virgin Mother, Pray for us. Mary, embracing thy Infant God, Pray for us. Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, Pray for us. Mary, Star of the Sea, Pray for us. Mary, Ocean of bitterness, Pray for us. Mary, suffering with thine only Son, Pray for us. Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, Pray for us. Mary, torn with a cruel wound, Pray for us. Mary, sorrowful even to death, Pray for us. Mary, bereft of all consolation, Pray for us. Mary, submissive to the law of God, Pray for us. Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady, Pray for us. Mary, Our Queen, Pray for us. Mary, Queen of glory, Pray for us. Mary, Glory of the Church Triumphant, Pray for us. Mary, Blessed Queen, Pray for us. Mary, Advocate of the Church Militant, Pray for us. Mary, Queen of Mercy, Pray for us. Mary, Consoler of the Church Suffering, Pray for us. Mary, exalted above the angels, Pray for us. Mary, crowned with twelve stars, Pray for us. Mary, fair as the moon, Pray for us. Mary, bright as the sun, Pray for us. Mary, distinguished above all, Pray for us. Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, Pray for us. Mary, our Hope, Pray for us. Mary, our Sweetness, Pray for us. Mary, Glory of Jerusalem, Pray for us. Mary, Joy of Israel, Pray for us. Mary, Honor of our people, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Pray for us. Mary, Immaculate In Heart, Pray for us. Mary, Sorrowful in Heart, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of La Salette, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, Pray for us. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
V. I will declare thy Name unto my brethren. R. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful.
Let us pray: O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous of placing themselves under the shadow of the Name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
Our Lady of Sorrows is commemorated twice each year: firstly on the Friday before Palm Sunday; secondly on September 15. This is why we have included the Litanies of Our Lady of Sorrows in both the months of March and September.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 1) Feast: September 15th (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.
Holy Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us. Holy Mother of God, Pray for us. Mother of Christ, Pray for us. Mother of Our Saviour Crucified, Pray for us. Mother most Sorrowful, Pray for us. Mother most tearful, Pray for us. Mother most afflicted, Pray for us. Mother most lonely, Pray for us. Mother most desolate, Pray for us. Mother pierced by the sword of sorrow, Pray for us. Queen of martyrs, Pray for us. Comfort of the sorrowful, Pray for us. Help of the needy, Pray for us. Protectress of the forsaken, Pray for us. Support of widows and orphans, Pray for us. Health of the sick, Pray for us. Hope of the troubled, Pray for us. Haven of the ship-wrecked, Pray for us. Refuge of sinners, Pray for us. Hope of the despairing, Pray for us. Mother of mercy, Pray for us. Through thy poverty in the stable of Bethlehem, Have mercy on us. Through thy sorrow at the prophecy of Simeon, Have mercy on us. Through thy sad flight into Egypt, Have mercy on us. Through thy anxiety when seeking thy lost Child, Have mercy on us. Through thy grief when seeing thy divine Son persecuted, Have mercy on us. Through thy fear and anxiety when Jesus was apprehended, Have mercy on us. Through thy pain caused by the treason of Judas and the denial of Peter, Have mercy on us. Through thy sad meeting with Jesus on the way of the Cross, Have mercy on us. Through the tortures of thy loving Heart at the Crucifixion of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Through thy agony at the death of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Through the sword of sorrow that pierced thy heart when the side of Jesus was transfixed by the lance, Have mercy on us. Through thy lamentations over the dead Body of thy divine Son lying on thy bosom, Have mercy on us. Through thy deep mourning at His tomb, Have mercy on us. Through thy desolation after the burial of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Through the tears thou didst shed for thy beloved Son, Have mercy on us. Through thy wonderful resignation to the will of God in all thy sufferings, Have mercy on us. O Queen of peace, Have mercy on us. In all our tribulations, Have mercy on us. In our illnesses and pains, Have mercy on us. In our sorrows and afflictions, Have mercy on us. In our need and destitution, Have mercy on us. In our fears and dangers, Have mercy on us. In the hour of our death, Have mercy on us. On the Day of Judgment, Have mercy on 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, O Lord.
V. Pray for us, O Sorrowful Virgin R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray: We beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, let Thy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the hour of Thy Passion, implore Thy mercy for us, both now and at the hour of our death, Who livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 2) Feast: September 15th (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.
Holy Mary, Pray for us. Holy Mother of God, Pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us. Mother crucified, Pray for us. Mother sorrowful, Pray for us. Mother tearful, Pray for us. Mother afflicted, Pray for us. Mother forsaken, Pray for us. Mother desolate, Pray for us. Mother bereft of thy Child, Pray for us. Mother transfixed with the sword, Pray for us. Mother consumed with grief, Pray for us. Mother filled with anguish, Pray for us. Mother crucified in heart, Pray for us. Mother most sad, Pray for us.
Fountain of tears, Pray for us. Abyss of suffering, Pray for us. Mirror of patience, Pray for us. Rock of constancy, Pray for us. Anchor of confidence, Pray for us. Refuge of the forsaken, Pray for us. Shield of the oppressed, Pray for us.
Subduer of the unbelieving, Pray for us. Comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us. Medicine of the sick, Pray for us. Strength of the weak, Pray for us. Harbor of the wrecked, Pray for us. Allayer of tempests, Pray for us. Solace of mourners, Pray for us. Terror of the treacherous, Pray for us. Treasure of the faithful, Pray for us.
Eye of the Prophets, Pray for us. Staff of the Apostles, Pray for us. Crown of Martyrs, Pray for us. Light of Confessors, Pray for us. Pearl of Virgins, Pray for us. Consolation of Widows, Pray for us. Joy of all Saints, 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.
Look down upon us, deliver us, and save us from all trouble, in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.
R. Pray for us most Sorrowful Mother of God V. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Imprint, O Sorrowful Mother, thy wounds upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love—sorrow to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee. R. Amen. This litany was written in Latin by Pope Pius VII in 1809 during his captivity under Napoleon Bonaparte.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 3) Feast: September 15th (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.
Mother of Sorrows, Pray for us. Mother whose soul was pierced by the sword, Pray for us. Mother who fled with Jesus into Egypt, Pray for us. Mother who sought Him sorrowing for three days, Pray for us. Mother who saw Him scourged and crowned with thorns, Pray for us. Mother who stood by Him while He hung upon the Cross, Pray for us. Mother who received Him into thine arms when He was dead, Pray for us. Mother who saw Him buried in the tomb, Pray for us.
O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, comfort of the sorrowful, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, help of the weak, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, strength of the fearful, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, light of the despondent, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, nursing mother of the sick, Save us by thy prayers. O Mary, refuge of sinners, Save us by thy prayers.
Through the bitter Passion of thy Son, Save us by thy prayers. Through the piercing anguish of thy heart, Save us by thy prayers. Through thy heavy weight of woe, Save us by thy prayers. Through thy sadness and desolation, Save us by thy prayers. Through thy maternal pity, Save us by thy prayers. Through thy perfect resignation, Save us by thy prayers. Through thy meritorious prayers, Save us by thy prayers.
From immoderate sadness, Save us by thy prayers. From a cowardly spirit, Save us by thy prayers. From an impatient temper, Save us by thy prayers. From fretfulness and discontent, Save us by thy prayers. From sullenness and gloom, Save us by thy prayers. From despair and unbelief, Save us by thy prayers. From final impenitence, Save us by thy prayers.
We sinners, beseech thee, hear us.
Preserve us from sudden death, We beseech thee, hear us. Teach us how to die, We beseech thee, hear us. Succor us in our last agony, We beseech thee, hear us. Guard us from the enemy, We beseech thee, hear us. Bring us to a happy end, We beseech thee, hear us. Gain for us the gift of perseverance, We beseech thee, hear us. Aid us before the Judgment Seat, We beseech thee, hear us. Mother of God, We beseech thee, hear us. Mother, most sorrowful, We beseech thee, hear us. Mother, most desolate, We beseech thee, hear 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. Help us, Most Sorrowful Mother of God R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy dear Mother Mary, whose soul the sword pierced in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede for us, now and in the hour of our death, through Thine own merits, O Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God, world without end. R. Amen.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA For September 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.
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.