Mary's Little Office

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Advent - Day 4th

Jesus will repeat His visit this year with an untiring tenderness; He has forgotten your past slights; He would 'that all things be new.' Make room for the divine Infant, for He desires to grow within your soul. The time of His coming is close at hand: let your heart, then, be on the watch; and lest you should slumber when He arrives, watch and pray, yea, sing. 



 Ravisher of Hearts
"Hast thou not stolen my heart?"

St. Bernard of Clairvaux




Tuesday, November 29, 2016

O Blessed Message


O the Blessed Message sent to the Virgin Mary! By believing she conceives; she is a Mother, and a Virgin knowing not man.
     All ye nations and islands applaud this grand triumph. Run swiftly as the stag, lo! the Redeemer is coming.  

The Angelical Salutation

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

After this, recite the symbol of faith; and as you pronounce the words, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, dwell on them with special attention, adoring the Saviour, who is as yet concealed in Mary's womb.

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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sitteth 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 Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Liturgical Year
Dom Prosper Guéranger O. S. B.
Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1867.




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Sunday, November 27, 2016

An Act of Faith


An Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe whatsoever the holy, Catholic, apostolic, Roman Church requires me to believe: I believe it because thou hast revealed it to her, thou who art the very truth!

Then say to our blessed Lady, in honor of the ineffable dignity of her maternity, the following anthem.

ANTHEM OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Sweet Mother of our Redeemer, gate whereby we enter heaven, and star of the sea! help us, we fall; yet do we long to rise. Nature looked upon thee with admiration, when thou didst give birth to thy divine Creator, thyself remaining, before and after it, a pure Virgin. Gabriel spoke his Hail to thee; we sinners crave thy pity.

You would do well to add Our Lady's Litany.

The Litany of Our Lady

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 Redeemer, 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 honour, 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 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.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear 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, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we thy servants may enjoy constant health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever a Virgin, be delivered from all present affliction, and come to that joy which is eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Especially at Bedtime:


Here invoke the holy angels, whose protection is, indeed, always so much needed by us, but never so much as during the hours of night. Say with the Church: 

Holy angels, our loving guardians, defend us in the hour of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgement.

   V. God hath given his angels charge of thee.
   R. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.

O God, who in thy wonderful providence hast been pleased to appoint thy holy angels for our guardians: mercifully hear our prayer, and grant we may rest secure under their protection, and enjoy their fellowship in heaven for ever. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.


The Liturgical Year
Dom Prosper Guéranger O. S. B.
Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1867.
Page 55



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Prepare Ye The Way


During Advent, the Christian, on awaking in the morning, will unite himself with the Church, who, in her Office of Matins, says to us these solemn words, which choirs of religious, men and women, throughout the universe, have been chanting during the deep silence of the night:

"Come, let us adore the King, who is to come!"

The Liturgical Year
Dom Prosper Guéranger O. S. B.
Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1867.


986,194

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Thine I Am, Save Me!



During Advent, the Christian, on awaking in the morning, will unite himself with the Church, who, in her Office of Matins, says to us these solemn words, which choirs of religious, men and women throughout the universe, have been chanting during the deep silence of the night:

Come, let us adore the King our Lord, who is to come!

The Liturgical Year
Dom Prosper Granger O. S. B.
Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1867



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Friday, November 25, 2016

The Girl from Philadelphia


 Young Grace Kelly

I can hardly believe, O Lord, that your fatherly love has brought me my dear husband. Yet I see him kneeling here beside me and I can hear him saying the words which will bind us for our entire lives.
We pray you, O God, extend your hands over us and bless us. May our married life continue to the very end as you have begun it for us today.  Amen.

April 19th, 1956




  Grace Kelly's Catholic Prayer Book


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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Graces Before and After Meals




Already the morning sun has risen.
We beg that in all we do this day,
You will keep us free from sin and harm.

Curb our tongues that discord may never rise.
Cover our eyes before all vain delusion.

Let the inward depths of our heart be pure and free from all evil.

In food and drink, let us moderate our senses.

And then when the day has spent itself,
And night has gently embraced us,
May we with pure and happy heart
dedicate to you, our God, a hymn of thanks.

Praise be to God on high and to His only-begotten Son and to the Holy Spirit at all times, now and forever.  Amen.
Women Before God
Newman Press, 1961




Graces

Most families come together at least once a day to have the family meal. This is often the only opportunity for family prayer. It is a chance to thank God as a family for the blessings of the home. The father, as head of the family, should lead the graces. But it is the task of the mother to see that graces at table are not forgotten.


before meals:
     Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts
     which we are about to receive from Thy
     bounty through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

after meals:
     We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for
     these and all Thy gifts which we have
     received from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Women Before God
Newman Press, 1961

Have a Blessed Day!


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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Our Lady of Zeitoun



A bus mechanic named Farouk Mohammed Atwa was working at a Public Transport garage across the street from the Virgin Mary Orthodox Coptic Church in Zeitoun, Egypt (a suburb of Cairo) after sunset on the evening of April 2, 1968 when the figure of a woman standing on top of one of the church’s domes caught his attention. Alarmed because he saw the woman moving and thought she was preparing to commit suicide by jumping off the church’s roof, Farouk alerted two of his coworkers, and they all shouted at the woman to be careful so she wouldn’t fall. Their shouting attracted the attention of many people passing by on Tumanbay Street, who also saw the glowing white female figure when they looked up. 

(Continued in the Video at the top of this page.)


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The Litany of Our Lady


  The Litany of Our Lady

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 undefiled, Pray for us.
Mother unviolated, Pray for us.
Mother most amiable, Pray for us.
Mother most admirable, Pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, Pray for us.
Mother of our Redeemer, 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.
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!.
Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.


Anthem:  We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
   V.  Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
   R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.



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 has been 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.  Amen.
   V.  Pray for us, O holy Joseph.
   R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray

We beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother; so that what we are unable to obtain of ourselves, may be granted us through His intercession;  Who livest and reignest world without end.  Amen.

Especially at Bedtime:


Here invoke the holy angels, whose protection is, indeed, always so much needed by us, but never so much as during the hours of night. Say with the Church: 

Holy angels, our loving guardians, defend us in the hour of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgement.

V. God hath given his angels charge of thee.
R. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.

O God, who in thy wonderful providence hast been pleased to appoint thy holy angels for our guardians: mercifully hear our prayer, and grant we may rest secure under their protection, and enjoy their fellowship in heaven for ever. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.


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Monday, November 21, 2016

Singing From Turin - 1934



MY MOTHER

                  I put my trust forever,
                  O Mary, pure, in thee.
                  Then show thyself a mother,
                  And daily succour me.
                  And when death's hand shall touch me,
                  Thy pity I implore; 
                  Oh, lead me, dearest Mother,
                  To God―for evermore!


Prayers of an Irish Mother
Brian O'Higgins
38 UP, O'Connell Street, Dublin
1934

   
                                                                                                                                                        936,634


Sunday, November 20, 2016

The Gate of Mary's Mercy


"Blessed is the man who keeps watch at my gates every day and who is watching at my door post." (Prov. 8). As the poor wait at the doors of the rich, so blessed is the man who waits at the gate of Mary's mercy, seeking for alms which come in the form of graces; but even more blessed still is the man who tries to imitate the virtues which he learns from Mary, particularly the virtues of purity and humility.

AspirationMy Hope, help me.




Saturday, November 19, 2016

To Know You My Lady




To know you, my Lady―this itself is God's gift to me and I am very grateful to Him for it. If I did not know you or if I forgot you, what a calamity it would be for me! Then the chance of my salvation would be poor indeed. But I do know you, my dear Mother. I bless you, I love you and I have full confidence in you. In your hands I place my whole life.

Blessed is he who knows you, O Mary, and who trusts in you.


How to Pray Always
 
“As you breathe in,” he told him, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ,’ and as you breathe out, say, ‘Have mercy on me.”


Friday, November 18, 2016

Saints, Satellites and Mary


O God of wisdom and goodness! Grant, we beseech You, as we acclaim Mary's Queenship that she may show forth the power of her intercession before the Throne of her divine Son and obtain for us the graces ever to do your holy Will so that we may be made worthy of Your earthly blessings and heavenly rewards. Through Christ, our lord, Amen.  

How Prayer Works




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Thursday, November 17, 2016

Little Prayers for Holy Communion



BEFORE:
O my God help me to make a good Communion.
Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me.
My dear Angel Guardian, lead me to the Altar of God.
Amen.

AFTER:
O Jesus, I believe that I have received Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink, because Thou hast said it, and Thy word is true.
Amen.


From Yesterday


“As you breathe in,” he told him, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ,’ and as you breathe out, say, ‘Have mercy on me.”






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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Jesus Prayer


“As you breathe in,” he told him, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ,’ and as you breathe out, say, ‘Have mercy on me.


More About the Jesus Prayer

By Bishop Robert Barron

I’m in the process of re-reading a spiritual classic from the Russian Orthodox tradition: The Way of a Pilgrim. This little text, whose author is unknown to us, concerns a man from mid-nineteenth century Russia who found himself deeply puzzled by St. Paul’s comment in first Thessalonians that we should “pray unceasingly.” How, he wondered, amidst all of the demands of life, is this even possible? How could the Apostle command something so patently absurd?


His botheration led him, finally, to a monastery and a conversation with an elderly spiritual teacher who revealed the secret. He taught the man the simple prayer that stands at the heart of the Eastern Christian mystical tradition, the so-called “Jesus prayer.” “As you breathe in,” he told him, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ,’ and as you breathe out, say, ‘Have mercy on me.  When the searcher looked at him with some puzzlement, the elder instructed him to go back to his room and pray these words a thousand times. When the younger man returned and announced his successful completion of the task, he was told, “Now go pray it ten thousand times!” This was the manner in which the spiritual master was placing this prayer on the student’s lips so that it might enter his heart and into the rhythm of his breathing in and out, and finally become so second nature to him that he was, consciously or unconsciously, praying it all the time, indeed praying just as St. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians.

In the power of the Spirit, the young man then set out to wander through the Russian forests and plains, the Jesus prayer perpetually on his lips. The only object of value that he had in his rucksack was the Bible, and with the last two rubles in his possession, he purchased a beat-up copy of the Philokalia, a collection of prayers and sayings from the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Sleeping outdoors, fending largely for himself, relying occasionally on the kindness of strangers, reading his books and praying his prayer, he made his way. One day, two deserters from the Russian army accosted him on the road, beat him unconscious and stole his two treasures. When he came around and discovered his loss, the man was devastated and wept openly: how could he go on without food for his soul? Through a fortuitous set of circumstances, he managed to recover his lost possessions, and when he had them once again, he hugged them to his chest, gripping them so hard that his fingers practically locked in place around them.

I would invite you to stay with that image for a moment. We see a man with no wealth, no power, no influence in society, no fame to speak of, practically no physical possessions—but clinging with all of him might and with fierce protectiveness to two things whose sole purpose is to feed his soul. Here’s my question for you: What would you cling to in such a way? What precisely is it, the loss of which would produce in you a kind of panic? What would make you cry, once you realized that you no longer had it? And to make the questions more pointed, let’s assume that you were on a desert island or that you, like the Russian pilgrim, had no resources to go out and buy a replacement. Would it be your car? Your home? Your golf clubs? Your computer? To be honest, I think for me it might be my iPhone. If suddenly I lost my ability to make a call, my contacts, my music, my GPS, my maps, my email, etc., I would panic—and I would probably cry for sheer joy once I had the phone back, and my fingers would close around it like a claw. What makes this confession more than a little troubling is that, ten years ago, I didn’t even own a cell phone. I lived my life perfectly well without it, and if you had told me then that I would never have one, it wouldn’t have bothered me a bit.

What I particularly love about the Pilgrim is that he was preoccupied, not about any of the passing, evanescent goods of the world, but rather about prayer, about a sustained contact with the eternal God. He didn’t care about the things that obsess most of us most of the time: money, power, fame, success. And the only possessions that concerned him were those simple books that fed his relationship to God. Or to turn it around, he wasn’t frightened by the loss of any finite good; but he was frightened to death at the prospect of losing his contact with the living God.

So what would you cling to like a desperate animal? What loss would you fear? What do you ultimately love?