Produced by Michael Gray, the Diocese of San Jose
MARY, THE HELP OF CHRISTIANS
MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
AND THE
Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers
Instructions, Legends, Novenas and Prayers
WITH
Thoughts of the Saints for Every Day in the Year
COMPILED BY
REV. BONAVENTURE HAMMER, O.F.M.
TO WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX ON THE
Reasonableness of Catholic Ceremonies and Practices
BY REV. JOHN J. BURKE
---
NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO
BENZIGER BROTHERS
PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE
PUBLISHERS OF BENZINGER'S MAGAZINE
Imprimi Permittitur.
FR. CHRYSOSTOMUS THEOBALD, O.F.M.,
_Minister Provincialis._
Cincinnati, Ohio, die 30, Martii, 1908.
Nihil Obstat.
REMY LAPORT, S.T.L.,
_Censor Librorum._
Imprimatur.
JOHN M. FARLEY,
Archbishop of New York.
NEW YORK, March 4, 1909.
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY BENZIGER BROTHERS.
PREFACE
THE contents of the following pages are based on the Catholic doctrine
of the veneration and invocation of the saints, and of the efficacy of
the prayer of intercession. The legends of the individual "Holy Helpers"
were compiled from authors whose writings have the approval of the
Church.
In compliance with the decrees of Pope Urban VIII of 1625, 1631, and
1634, the compiler formally declares that he submits everything
contained in this little book to the infallible judgment of the Church,
and that he claims no other than human credibility for the facts,
legends, and miracles related, except where the Church has otherwise
decided.
THE COMPILER.
Contents
PREFACE
PART I
The Veneration and Invocation of Saints and the Efficacy of Prayer
CHAPTER I
THE VENERATION AND INVOCATION OF SAINTS
CHAPTER II
EFFICACY OF THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS
CHAPTER III
FOR WHAT THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS MAY AND SHOULD BE INVOKED
CHAPTER IV
THE QUALITIES OF PRAYER
PART II
Mary, the Help of Christians
Novenas in Preparation for the Principal Feasts of the Blessed Virgin
RULES FOR THE PROPER OBSERVANCE OF NOVENAS
ON THE MANNER OF READING THE MEDITATIONS AND OBSERVING THE PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION
MARY, THE HELP OF CHRISTIANS
I. NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY
FIRST DAY.--THE PREDESTINATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
SECOND DAY.--MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
THIRD DAY.--MARY, THE VICTRIX OF SATAN
FOURTH DAY.--MARY WITHOUT ACTUAL SIN
FIFTH DAY.--MARY, FULL OF GRACE
SIXTH DAY.--MARY, OUR REFUGE
SEVENTH DAY.--MARY, THE MOTHER OF CHASTITY
EIGHTH DAY.--THE IMAGE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
NINTH DAY.--THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
II. NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FIRST DAY.--THE BIRTH OF MARY
SECOND DAY.--MARY, THE ELECT OF GOD
THIRD DAY.--MARY, THE CHILD OF ROYALTY
FOURTH DAY.--MARY, THE CHILD OF PIOUS PARENTS
FIFTH DAY.--MARY'S SUPERNATURAL PREROGATIVES
SIXTH DAY.--MARY, THE JOY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
SEVENTH DAY.--THE ANGELS REJOICE AT MARY'S BIRTH
EIGHTH DAY.--THE JOY OF THE JUST IN LIMBO AT MARY'S BIRTH
NINTH DAY.--THE HOLY NAME OF MARY
III. NOVENA FOR THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY
FIRST DAY.--THE ANNUNCIATION
SECOND DAY.--THE IMPORT OF THE ANGEL'S SALUTATION
THIRD DAY.--THE EFFECT OF THE ANGEL'S SALUTATION
FOURTH DAY.--MARY'S QUESTION
FIFTH DAY.--THE SOLUTION
SIXTH DAY.--MARY'S CONSENT
SEVENTH DAY.--MARY'S FORTITUDE IN SUFFERING
EIGHTH DAY.--MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
NINTH DAY.--MARY OUR MOTHER
IV. NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY
FIRST DAY.--DEVOTION TO THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY
SECOND DAY.--MARY'S FIRST SORROW: SIMEON'S PROPHECY IN THE TEMPLE
THIRD DAY.--MARY'S SECOND SORROW: THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
FOURTH DAY.--MARY'S THIRD SORROW: JESUS LOST IN JERUSALEM
FIFTH DAY.--MARY'S FOURTH SORROW: SHE MEETS JESUS CARRYING HIS CROSS
SIXTH DAY.--MARY'S FIFTH SORROW: BENEATH THE CROSS
SEVENTH DAY.--MARY'S SIXTH SORROW: THE TAKING DOWN OF JESUS' BODY FROM
THE CROSS
EIGHTH DAY.--MARY'S SEVENTH SORROW: JESUS IS BURIED
NINTH DAY.--WHY MARY HAD TO SUFFER
V. NOVENA FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FIRST DAY.--MARY'S DEATH WAS WITHOUT PAIN
SECOND DAY.--AT MARY'S TOMB
THIRD DAY.--THE EMPTY TOMB
FOURTH DAY.--REASONS FOR THE BODILY ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN
FIFTH DAY.--MARY'S GLORIOUS ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN
SIXTH DAY.--MARY CROWNED IN HEAVEN
SEVENTH DAY.--MARY'S BLISS IN HEAVEN
EIGHTH DAY.--MARY, THE QUEEN OF MERCY
NINTH DAY.--MARY IN HEAVEN THE HELP OF CHRISTIANS ON EARTH
PART III
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
CHAPTER I
THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
CHAPTER II
LEGENDS
THE LEGENDS OF THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
I.--ST. GEORGE, MARTYR
II.--ST. BLASE, BISHOP AND MARTYR
III.--ST. ERASMUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR
IV.--ST. PANTALEON, PHYSICIAN AND MARTYR
V.--ST. VITUS, MARTYR
VI.--ST. CHRISTOPHORUS, MARTYR
VII.--ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR
VIII.--ST. CYRIACUS, DEACON AND MARTYR
IX.--ST. ACHATIUS, MARTYR
X.--ST. EUSTACHIUS, MARTYR
XI.--ST. GILES, HERMIT AND ABBOT
XII.--ST. MARGARET, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
XIII.--ST. CATHERINE, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
XIV.--ST. BARBARA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
PART IV
I. Novenas to the Holy Helpers
NOVENA TO EACH OF THE HOLY HELPERS
I.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. GEORGE
II.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. BLASE
III.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. ERASMUS
IV.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. PANTALEON
V.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. VITUS
VI.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. CHRISTOPHORUS
VII.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. DIONYSIUS
VIII.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. CYRIACUS
IX.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. ACHATIUS
X.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. EUSTACHIUS
XI.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. GILES
XII.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. MARGARET
XIII.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. CATHERINE
XIV.--NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. BARBARA
NOVENA TO ALL THE HOLY HELPERS
FIRST DAY.--THE DEVOTION TO THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
SECOND DAY.--THE DESTINY OF MAN
THIRD DAY.--THE VIRTUE OF FAITH
FOURTH DAY.--THE VIRTUE OF HOPE
FIFTH DAY.--THE LOVE OF GOD
SIXTH DAY.--THE VIRTUE OF CHARITY
SEVENTH DAY.--HUMAN RESPECT
EIGHTH DAY.--PRAYER
NINTH DAY.--PERSEVERANCE
II. Prayers and Petitions
PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION
I.--THREE INVOCATIONS
II.--PRAYER IN ILLNESS
III.--PRAYER FOR THE SICK
IV.--PRAYER OF PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
V.--PRAYER OF CHILDREN FOR THEIR PARENTS
VI.--PRAYER FOR MARRIED PEOPLE
PART V
General Devotions
MORNING PRAYERS
EVENING PRAYERS
PRAYERS AT HOLY MASS
PRAYERS AFTER MASS
PRAYERS FOR CONFESSION
Before Confession
After Confession
PRAYERS FOR HOLY COMMUNION
Before Communion
After Communion
VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
PRAYERS TO JESUS SUFFERING
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
PRAYER TO OUR SUFFERING REDEEMER
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
PRAYER FOR ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO SALVATION
THE FOUR APPROVED LITANIES
LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
LITANY OF LORETO, IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
LITANY OF ALL SAINTS
PART VI
Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
PART VII
Reasonableness of Catholic Ceremonies and Practices
THE CEREMONIES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
I.--Ceremonies Necessary to Divine Worship
II.--Vestments Used by the Priest at Mass
III.--Ceremonies of the Mass
THE PRACTICES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
I.--Vespers and Benediction
II.--Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament
III.--Holy Communion
IV.--Confirmation
V.--Honoring the Blessed Virgin
VI.--Confession of Sin
VII.--Granting Indulgences
VIII.--The Last Sacraments
IX.--Praying for the Dead
X.--Praying to the Saints
XI.--Crucifixes, Relics, and Images
XII.--Some Sacramentals--The Books Used by the Priest, the Sign of
the Cross, Holy Water, Blessed Candles, Palm and Ashes, Holy Oils,
Scapulars, Medals, Agnus Dei, Prayers, Litanies, Rosary, Angelus,
Stations, Funeral Service, and Various Blessings
XIII.--The Celebration of Feasts
XIV.--Infant Baptism
XV.--The Marriage Tie--One and Indissoluble
XVI.--Respect Shown to Ecclesiastical Superiors
XVII.--Celibacy
XVIII.--Conclusion
PART I
The Veneration and Invocation of Saints, and the Efficacy of Prayer
"Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose
faith follow, considering the end of their conversation" (_Heb._ xiii.
7).
"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I am also of Christ"
(_1 Cor._ iv. 16).
[Illustration: Presentation of Mary in the temple.]
CHAPTER I
The Veneration and Invocation of Saints
IN THE Creed of the Council of Trent, which the Catholic Church places
before the faithful as the Rule of Faith, we read: "I firmly believe
that the saints reigning with Christ are to be venerated and invoked."
The Church therefore teaches, first, that it is right and pleasing to
God to venerate the saints and to invoke their intercession; and second,
that it is useful and profitable to eternal salvation for us to do so.
The veneration of the saints is useful and profitable to us. Men
conspicuous in life for knowledge, bravery, or other noble qualities and
unusual merits are honored after death. Why, then, should Catholics not
be permitted to honor the heroes of their faith, who excelled in the
practice of supernatural virtue and are in special grace and favor with
God? That this veneration is profitable to us is evident from the fact
that the example of the saints incites us to imitate them to the best of
our ability.
The veneration of the saints is not only in full accord with the demands
of reason, but we are, moreover, enjoined explicitly by Holy Scripture
to venerate the memory of the holy patriarchs and prophets: "Let us now
praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation" (_Ecclus_.
xliv. 1). "And their names continue for ever, the glory of the holy men
remaining unto their children" (_Ecclus_. xlvi. 15).
Reason and Holy Scripture, then, are in favor of the veneration of the
saints. We find it practised, therefore, also in the early Church. She
was convinced from the very beginning of its propriety and utility. As
early as the first century the memorial day of the martyrs' death was
observed by the Christians. They assembled at the tombs of the sainted
victims of pagan cruelty and celebrated their memory by offering up the
Holy Sacrifice over their relics. We know this not only from the
testimony of the earliest ecclesiastical writers, as Origen, Tertullian,
and St. Cyprian, but also from the history of St. Ignatius the Martyr
(d. 107), and of St. Polycarp of Smyrna (d. 166). Over one hundred
panegyrics of various saints written by St. Augustine are still extant.
And why should it not be right and useful to invoke the _intercession_
of the saints? Everybody deems it proper to ask a pious friend for his
prayers. St. Paul the Apostle recommended himself to the prayers of the
faithful (_Rom._ xv. 30), and God Himself commanded the friends of Job
to ask Him for His intercession that their sin might not be imputed to
them (_Job_ xlii. 8). How, then, can it be wrong or superfluous to
invoke the intercession of the saints in heaven? The saints are
_willing_ to invoke God's bounty in our favor, for they love us. They
are _able_ to obtain it for us, because God always accepts their prayer
with complacency. That they really hear our prayer and intercede with
God for us is clearly shown by many examples in Holy Scripture. And if,
according to the testimony of St. James (v. 16), the prayer of the just
man here on earth availeth much with God, how much more powerful, then,
must be the prayer of the saints, who are united with God in heaven in
perfect love and are, so to say, partakers of His infinite goodness and
omnipotence?
A most striking proof of the efficacy of the prayers of the saints is
the numerous miracles wrought and the many favors obtained at all times
through their intercession. Among these miracles are a great number
whose authenticity was declared by the Church after the most scrupulous
and strict investigation, as the acts of canonization prove.
That the invocation of the saints was a practice of the early Church is
proved by the numerous inscriptions on the tombs of the Roman catacombs
preserved to this day. We read there, for instance, on the tomb of
Sabbatius, a martyr, "Sabbatius, O pious soul, pray and intercede for
your brethren and associates!" On another tomb is inscribed, "Allicius,
thy spirit is blessed; pray for thy parents!" And again, "Jovianus, live
in God, and pray for us!"
We have also the testimony of one of the greatest thinkers and
Protestant philosophers, Leibnitz, for the claim that the veneration and
invocation of the saints is founded in reason, on Holy Scripture, and on
the tradition of the Church. He writes: "Because we justly expect great
advantage by uniting our prayers with those of our brethren here on
earth, I can not understand how it can be called a crime if a person
invokes the intercession of a glorified soul, or an angel. If it be
really idolatry or a detestable cult to invoke the saints and the angels
to intercede for us with God, I do not comprehend how Basil, Gregory
Nazianzen, Ambrose, and others, who were hitherto considered saints, can
be absolved from idolatry or superstition. To continue in such a
practice would indeed not be a small defect in the Fathers, such as is
inherent in human nature--it would be an enormous public crime. For if
the Church, even in those early times, was infected with such abominable
errors, let any one judge for himself what the Christian faith would
eventually come to. Would not Gamaliel's proposition, to judge whether
Christ's religion be divine or human from its effects, result in its
disfavor?"
But whilst the Catholic Church practises and recommends the veneration
and invocation of the saints, she does not teach us to honor and invoke
them as we do God, nor to pray to them as we do to Him. She makes a
great distinction.
The veneration of the saints differs from the worship of God in the
following:
1. We _adore_ God as our supreme Lord. We _honor_ the saints as His
faithful servants and friends.
2. We _adore_ God for His own sake. We _honor_ the saints for the gifts
and prerogatives with which God endowed them.
Therefore there is a difference between the prayer to God and the
invocation of the saints. We pray to God asking Him to help us by His
omnipotence: we pray to the saints to help us by their intercession with
God.
Our veneration of the saints should consist, primarily, in the imitation
of their virtues. It is truly profitable only when we are intent upon
following their example; for only by imitating their virtues shall we
share their eternal bliss in heaven. A veneration which contents itself
with honoring the saints without imitating their virtues is similar to a
tree that produces leaves and blossoms but bears no fruit.
The saints themselves desire that we should follow their example. Each
of them, so to say, exhorts us with St. Paul, "Be ye followers of me, as
I also am of Christ" (_1 Cor._ iv. 16). There is no age, no sex, no
station in life for which the Catholic Church has not saints, whose
example teaches us to avoid sin and to observe faithfully the
commandments of God and the Church at this or that age, or in this or
that station. Therefore the principal object of our invocation of the
saints ought to be the obtaining of their help in following their
example. Thus we shall move them to come to our aid all the more
readily.
CHAPTER II
Efficacy of the Intercession of the Saints
NOTHING is more consoling and comforting than the assurance that in the
saints of heaven we have powerful protectors and advocates with God.
Through their intercession they obtain for us from Him the grace to lead
a virtuous life and to gain heaven.
However, is there any reasonable doubt that the saints are able to
render us such a service? In virtue of the communion of saints, which
comprises the Church militant on earth, the Church suffering in
purgatory, and the Church triumphant in heaven, all members of the
Church are members of one body, whose head is Christ. Hence the saints
are united with us in spirit, though separated from us in body. United
with Christ, they are imbued with a superior knowledge, and through Him,
the All-Knowing, they know everything that concerns us, and for which we
have recourse to them in prayer.
Our confidence in the intercessory power of the saints is founded on
their relation to God and to us. As friends of God they have influence
with Him now, even more than during their sojourn on earth, because
their intercessory power is one of their glorious prerogatives in
heaven. Their love of God and their charity for their fellow-men, and
the zeal for the salvation of souls resulting therefrom, together with
their conformity with Christ, induces them to use their influence
readily in our favor. Because God dispenses His gifts according to His
own adorable will, it may please Him to grant a certain favor at the
particular intercession of a certain saint; hence it is not superstition
to invoke His aid in such cases. Moreover, we justly place our
confidence in saints whom we have selected to be our special patrons, or
who were given us as such by ecclesiastical authority.
By the intercession of the saints the mediatorship of Christ is not set
aside or restricted. The power of intercession, the intercession itself,
and its invocation are an effect of the grace of Christ; therefore He
remains our only mediator. God remains Our Lord and Father, although men
share in His lordship and paternity; for all power and authority comes
from God, who is pleased to operate in His creatures through other
creatures. Hence, only a dependent mediatorship can be ascribed to the
saints. Whoever admits that the living can pray for each other can not
denounce the intercession of the saints as an usurpation of the
mediatorship of Christ. The saints are not the authors and dispensers of
grace and heavenly gifts, but they are able to obtain them for us from
God.
The saints, moreover, do not only pray for mankind in general, but for
their clients in particular. As co-reigners with Christ, the denizens of
heaven have knowledge of the conditions and events of His kingdom; hence
the saints may pray for us individually; therefore it is permissible and
profitable for us to invoke them. It is obvious that the knowledge of
individual occurrences does not mar the bliss of the saints. How they
gain this knowledge is not clear to the spiritual authors; but most of
them incline to the view that they attain it by direct divine mediation.
God reveals our condition and our invocation to the saints.
Can we doubt the willingness of the saints to aid us by their
intercession? According to St. Paul, charity is the greatest of all
virtues. If, then, the saints, whilst on earth loved their fellow-men,
cared for and prayed for them, how much more will they do so now, when
their charity is perfected? They, too, were pilgrims on earth, who had
to suffer the adversities and miseries of life and therefore know by
experience how sorely in need of divine assistance we poor mortals are.
Persons who have themselves experienced trials have more compassion for
the adversities of others. Therefore it is certain that the saints have
compassion on us, that they wish our prayers to be heard and bring them
before the throne of God. "The saints," says St. Augustine, "being
secure of their eternal welfare, are intent upon ours." Holy Scripture
establishes this beyond doubt, saying that the saints bring the prayers
of the faithful before the throne of God (_Apoc._ v. 8).
Or is there any one that doubts the _efficacy_ of the saints' prayer
with God? At any rate, we must concede that their prayer is more
effectual than ours; for they are confirmed in justice, and therefore
friends and favorites of God, whilst we are sinners, of whom Holy
Scripture says, "The Lord is far from the wicked, and He will hear the
prayers of the just" (_Prov._ xv. 29). On this subject, let us hear St.
Basil in his panegyric on the Forty Martyrs: "You often wanted to find
an intercessor: here you have forty who intercede unanimously for you.
Are you in distress? Have recourse to the holy martyrs. Rejoicing, do
the same. The former that you may find relief, the latter that you may
continue to prosper. These saints hear the mother praying for her
children, the wife invoking aid for her sick or absent husband. O brave
and victorious band, protectors of mankind, generous intercessors when
invoked, be our advocates with God!"
There is no doubt, then, that during our earthly pilgrimage the saints
are our intercessors with God. True, we know that there is One who
guides our destinies and whose providence watches over all; but who
would not choose, also, to have a friend already abiding with God,
sharing His bliss and confirmed for ever in His grace, and who therefore
is in a position to aid us, and certainly will do so if we invoke Him?
The following is an example illustrating the power of the saints'
intercession with God:
Basilides was one of the guards that led St. Potamiana to a martyr's
death. Whilst the rest of the soldiers and the crowd of spectators
insulted the holy virgin, he treated her with great respect and
protected her from the assaults of the rabble. The martyr thanked him
for his kindness, and promised to pray for him when she came into God's
presence. A few days after her death the grace of God touched Basilides'
heart, and he professed himself a Christian. His comrades at first
imagined that he was jesting. But when he persevered in the confession
of the Faith, he was brought before the judge, who sentenced him to be
beheaded next day. Taken to prison, he was baptized, and at the
appointed time, executed.
What else but the intercession of the saint whom he had befriended
obtained for this heathen the grace of the Faith and martyrdom?
Convinced of the power of the intercession of the saints, Origen writes:
"I will fall on my knees, and because I am unworthy to pray to God on
account of my sins, I will invoke all the saints to come to my aid. O ye
saints of God, I, filled with sadness, sighing and weeping, implore you;
intercede for me, a miserable sinner, with the Lord of mercies!"
CHAPTER III
For What the Intercession of the Saints May and Should be Invoked
IT IS obvious that there are objects to attain which we ought not to
pray. We shall try to specify them as follows:
1. _We may not pray for things that are evil or injurious in themselves,
or injurious on account of circumstances._ Amongst these are comprised
all those that are opposed to the salvation of the person praying, or of
some one else. It is contrary to the very idea of prayer that God should
grant to His creature anything evil, anything that is in itself, and not
only by abuse, harmful. Prayer, according to the rules of morality, must
have for its object only the attainment of whatever is good and
profitable, and only then is it heard by God.
2. _Things completely indifferent are not comprised in the efficacy of
prayer. Hence prayer imploring for temporal goods is heard only inasmuch
as they relate to the salvation of souls._ Reason, as well as faith,
teaches us that God orders all His actions first for the promotion of
His glory, and secondly for the salvation of souls. Matters, therefore,
that are either in general, or on account of circumstances, positively
indifferent, must be excluded from the general plan of God's providence
when there is question of His positive agency, and not simply of His
permission. It is obvious that temporal goods, such as health, wealth,
etc., are classed with things indifferent, in as far as they are not
connected with the moral order.
Thus considered, the various goods of the temporal order do, or at least
may, under certain conditions, co-operate unto man's salvation, and then
they belong to the supernatural order. As such, the efficacy of prayer
in their regard must be judged according to the principles applying to
the latter.
3. _All those things which any one can obtain himself without
extraordinary effort, are not comprised within the scope of prayer._
This restriction results from the very nature of prayer. Obviously,
prayer is not the only means by which man can obtain those things which,
on the one hand, he momentarily does not possess, and which, on the
other hand, are necessary or advantageous for his supernatural life. As
a rule, man can, by labor and application, procure his sustenance.
Persons unable to work can have recourse to the charity of their
fellow-men, and will, as a rule, find the necessary assistance. In
regard to salvation, it must first be ascertained whether in many or at
least in some cases, the faithful co-operation with the graces which
God gives to all men is not sufficient.
Considered from this view, we may, and even must, in a certain sense
say: When there is question of attaining specified goods and specified
graces, prayer is often not the primary, but only the secondary and
subordinate means. From this premise follows that God in His wise
providence does not have regard for our prayer when we easily can help
ourselves, either by our own exertion and industry, or by the faithful
cooperation with graces already received, or by the reception of the
holy sacraments. This self-evident idea is expressed in Holy Scripture
as follows, "Because of the cold the sluggard would not plow; he shall
beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him" (_Prov._ xx.
4). For this reason formal miracles are, as a rule, not to be expected
from the efficacy of prayer. God ordained the world and its course in
such a manner, that mankind in general and each individual in particular
can be provided, without the intervention of a miracle, with all things
necessary for their temporal and eternal welfare.
Theologians, therefore, teach that to ask God for a miracle, generally,
is the same as to tempt Him. This rule, however, admits of exceptions.
And if we may, in exceptional cases, ask for miracles, we may,
logically, expect them; for miracles in general are not excluded from
the plan of divine Providence. They are rather an essential part of the
existing order of God's government of the world. At most we may say: As
miracles of their nature belong among the extraordinary manifestations
of Providence, they are not obtained by the prayer of each and every
one, but only in exceptional cases.
However, if we consider how feeble and helpless man's nature is, even
with the assistance of divine grace, we may not apply the above
principles too strictly. This, for the following reason: Cases in which
we can not help ourselves with the aid of the grace given us are rare.
Therefore God gives us, in reward of our confident prayer, not only that
which is strictly necessary, but also that which is profitable and
conducive to our welfare. This being so, the logical deduction is, that
God is willing to hear our prayer not only when we, of ourselves, are
totally incapable of helping ourselves, but also when great difficulties
beset us in this our self-help. Hence, in a certain sense, we may
maintain that in the work of our salvation prayer and its efficacy must
be considered, together with the sacraments, as one of the chief means,
and not as a mere accessory.
[Illustration: The Annunciation]
This limitation of the main principle is founded on the generality of
the divine promises concerning the hearing of prayer, and on the great
goodness and bounty of God in which these promises originated. When man,
making use of all the means placed at his disposal, can not help
himself, a cry for help is sent to Heaven is not presumptuous or
unreasonable, and therefore the hope of being heard is not unfounded or
in vain.
CHAPTER IV
The Qualities of Prayer
FOR greater convenience of explanation, we condense the various
qualities of prayer taught by theologians as conditions of its efficacy
into the following four: (1) Devotion; (2) Confidence; (3) Perseverance;
(4) Resignation to the will of God.
Treating of prayer, some theological authors demand, above all, the
intention of praying. This intention is indeed so necessary that it does
not belong to the qualities or attributes of prayer, but to its very
essence. For whosoever has not the intention or will to pray may recite
a formula of prayer with the greatest attention, yet does not really and
truly pray.
Again, the teachers of the spiritual life tell us that prayer must be
"in the name of Jesus." This being a condition insisted upon by our
divine Lord Himself, it also belongs to the essence of prayer. It means
that we offer up our prayer to God in the name of Jesus His Son, that
is, with reference to Him and in the firm confidence that we shall be
heard on His account and because of His promises. Again, to pray in the
name of Jesus means to pray according to His manner and in His spirit.
We now proceed to explain the qualities of true prayer:
1. _Devotion._--What is meant by devotion in prayer? Devotion in prayer
means: (_a_) that our prayer must be attentive; that is, the person
praying must direct his thoughts as uninterruptedly as possible to his
prayer, _viz.,_ to the formula he uses to state the object of his
desires, and above all to God, to whom his prayer is directed. (_b_) The
person praying must know and acknowledge his own needs, and that of
himself he has no claims whatsoever on God, and thus engender in himself
sentiments of true humility, (_c_) These sentiments must, moreover,
embrace reverence for God and the acknowledgment of dependence on Him,
thus giving to prayer the character of piety, (_d_) All this must
culminate in full abandonment to God, the Giver of all good things. This
abandonment is an essential part of our divine cult.
As to the question whether devotion, and what grade of it, is necessary
in prayer, and whether prayer without it loses its entire efficacy, and
especially its imploring efficiency, it is evident that prayer without
devotion is ineffective; it is simulation. An example of this, that is,
of a man pretending to pray and not praying in reality, is given us in
the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (_Luke_ xviii. 10-12). To
determine accurately what grade of devotion, that is, what degree of
attention, humility, and piety is necessary to render prayer from a
formality into a reality, is possible only when all the circumstances,
dispositions, and qualities of mind of the person praying can be taken
into account. Suffice it to remark that when all the other conditions,
together with the intention of praying, combine, strict but reliable
theologians declare that the true essence of prayer is compatible with a
less degree of attention and recollection.
2. _Confidence._--There is no doubt but that strong confidence, or the
firm hope of being heard, contributes much to the perfection of prayer
and renders it especially effective. Therefore confidence, like devotion
or attention, must be reckoned among the essential qualities or
attributes of prayer. For it is inconceivable that a rational being
should resolve on presenting a petition when he has not the least hope
of its being granted. In this case his petition would be entirely
useless, and therefore irrational. Again, it is inconceivable that God
should have regard for a prayer or the petition of a man who has
absolutely no confidence in His mercy. A prayer without confidence is
hypocrisy, rather than true and sincere supplication. If we address a
petition to God without the confidence that He can and will grant it, He
must rather feel offended than honored thereby. How, then, shall He feel
moved to grant us new benefits? If we nevertheless receive them, it is
the effect of His bountiful goodness, and not the result of our sham
prayer.
Therefore, to be effective, our prayer must be inspired by confidence.
The apostle St. James inculcates this, saying: "But let him ask in
faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea,
which is moved and carried about by the wind. Therefore let not that man
think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord" (_James_ i. 6-7). By
these words the apostle designates not a common and ordinary confidence,
but one firm and steadfast. At the same time he speaks in general; that
is, his words have reference not only to extraordinary petitions, but to
everything for which we are accustomed to pray.
Moreover, the explicit and positive promises made by Christ in regard to
prayer manifestly have the purpose of inspiring the person praying with
firm confidence and the sure hope of being heard. If, then, our prayer
be wanting in this quality, we do not pray in the spirit of Christ, nor
in the terms in which we ought to pray, and can not claim the fulfilment
of His promises.
3. _Perseverance._--To understand properly in how far perseverance is a
quality of prayer, we must, above all, know what may be the objects of
our prayer. Of these there are three classes. To the first class belong
those cases in which a person needs divine help at the present moment or
at least at a time definitely near, and seeks it through prayer. Such a
petition would be, for instance, to obtain the necessary and effective
aid of divine grace for overcoming an existing transient temptation, or
the conversion of a certain sinner approaching death. To the second
class belongs the avoidance of temporal evils, or of continuous
temptations, or the conversion of a certain sinner now in good health.
To the third class belong such benefits which can be granted only for a
later period, perhaps at the hour of death. The grace of final
perseverance is the foremost among these.
Having stated the preliminary conditions, the answer to the question of
perseverance in prayer is:
_a._ Inasmuch as our prayer is directed toward the attainment of
benefits of the first class, that is, of graces which we need
immediately, perseverance can obviously not be an essential condition of
our prayer. Either we can not attain our object by prayer, or a
transient prayer which has the other necessary qualities must suffice
for its attainment. The first supposition is contrary to the divine
promises; therefore the alternative must stand.
_b._ When there is question of benefits and graces of the second and
third class, we must concede that perseverance or continuance in prayer
is neither impossible, nor is it unreasonable. God is willing to grant
us His almighty help, but at the same time He desires that we, being
convinced of its necessity, implore it all the more eagerly, and thereby
become more worthy to receive it when He shall be pleased to grant our
petitions. Therefore
4. _Resignation_ to the will of God is a necessary condition for the
efficacy of our prayer. This quality of our prayer needs no lengthy
explanation; its application to prayer is self-evident.
Finally the petition for a certain benefit, in order to be reasonable
and permissible, must include the following two attributes: (_a_) The
object prayed for must not be harmful, but profitable; (_b_) it must not
be opposed to the will of God.
_Conclusions._--Careful observation will convince us that prayer is
often wanting in one or more of the above qualities. Often that which
one seeks to obtain by prayer is not promotive of God's glory and of the
salvation of souls, even considered from a human point of view, much
less in the designs of Providence.
In cases where the object of prayer in itself presents no difficulties,
it is often defective for want of devotion or perseverance. But oftenest
our prayer is wanting in confidence and trust, which want originates in
the feeble faith of the person praying, or in too little reliance on the
promises of Christ and in the merits of His redemption. Thus there is
nothing to surprise us if we are not heard.
Again, we must never forget that very many, and generally the most
precious gifts of divine grace are bestowed secretly. Remember the many
and great benefits conferred daily and hourly by God on mankind,
universally and individually. Considering them, it is presumption to
maintain that in a special case the prayer of the Church, or of a
community, or of an individual, was not granted. The opposite is fully
proved by the goodness, bounty, and mercy which God shows so profusely
to us.
We must, moreover, never lose sight of the principle that the promises
made to prayer concern directly only the supernatural order of
salvation. To the goods of the temporal order they are applicable only
relatively. If we, therefore, experience that our prayers relative to
temporal things remain unheard, we must, instead of doubting the divine
promises, be firmly convinced that the attainment of the object for
which we prayed was, under the circumstances, not conducive to our real
welfare. We must, moreover, be convinced that God, in order not to leave
our petition ungranted, conferred on us some other real benefit.
Finally, when the refusal of our prayer is clearly and unmistakably
established, the reasons for this may be the following: (_a_) Perhaps
the person praying was wanting in effort, or in cooperation with graces
formerly received, a deficiency which can not be repaired by prayer
alone. (_b_) Or the prayer itself is wanting in one or the other
necessary qualities, especially in confidence. (_c_) God does not intend
to refuse the desired grace, but, for reasons of His own, delays it
(_d_) God gives us in place of what we asked some other grace more
salutary to us.
PART II
Mary, the Help of Christians
Novenas in Preparation for the Principal Feasts of the Blessed Virgin
"Holy Mary, aid the miserable, assist the desponding, strengthen the
weak, pray for the people, plead for the clergy, intercede for the
devout female sex. Let all who have recourse to thee experience the
efficacy of thy help!"--HOLY CHURCH.
Rules for the Proper Observance of Novenas
_By St. Alphonsus Liguori_
1. THE soul must be in the state of grace; for the devotion of a sinful
heart pleases neither God nor the saints.
2. We must persevere, that is, the prayers for each day of the novena
must never be omitted.
3. If possible, we should visit a church every day, and there implore
the favor we desire.
4. Every day we ought to perform certain specified acts of exterior
self-denial and interior mortification, in order to prepare us thereby
for the reception of grace.
5. It is most important that we receive holy communion when making a
novena. Therefore prepare yourself well for it.
6. After obtaining the desired grace for which the novena was made, do
not omit to return thanks to God and to the saint through whose
intercession your prayers were heard.
On the Manner of Reading the Meditations and Observing the Practices
HOLY SCRIPTURE says, "Before prayer prepare thy soul; and be not as a
man that tempteth God" (_Eccles._ xviii. 23). Therefore place yourself
in the presence of God, invoke the assistance of the Holy Ghost, and
make a most sincere act of contrition for your sins. Offer up to God
your will, your intellect, and your memory, so that your prayer may be
pleasing to God and serve to promote your spiritual welfare.
Then read the meditation slowly, reflecting on each point of the thought
or mystery treated, and consider what you can learn from it, and for
what grace you ought to implore God. This is the principal object to be
attained by mental prayer.
Never rise from your prayer without having formed some special
resolution for practical observance. The practices at the end of each
consideration in the following novenas will aid you to do so. Finally,
ask for grace to carry out effectively your good purposes, and thank God
for enlightening your mind during the meditation.
Introduction
Mary, the Help of Christians
NO CATHOLIC denies that Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only mediator
through whose merits we became reconciled to God. Nevertheless, it is a
doctrine of our faith that God willingly grants us grace if the saints,
and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary, the queen of saints, intercede
for us. If the saints, during their life on earth, were so potent with
God that through their prayers the blind obtained sight, the deaf
hearing, and the dumb speech, that the sick of all conditions were
healed, the dead restored to life, and the most obstinate sinners
converted; if thousands of other miracles in the order of nature and of
grace were performed through their intercession; what, then, will not
she obtain for us from God, whose virtue and merits transcend those of
all the saints, and who did more for the greater honor and glory of God
than they all? Mary is the queen of saints not only because she is the
Mother of the Most High, but also because her sanctity is more perfect
than theirs, and she therefore thrones above them all in heaven. Hence
the favor with which God regards her, and consequently the power of her
intercession with Him is so much the greater.
If Mary's sanctity thus impressively illustrates the potency of her
intercession, the contemplation of her dignity as the Mother of God does
still more so. Mary brought forth Him who is the Almighty. She calls Him
her Son, who by the word of His omnipotence created from out of nothing
the whole world with all its beauties, and who can call into being
countless millions of other worlds. She calls Him her Son, whose throne
is heaven and whose footstool is the earth, who governs all nature with
almighty power and reveals His name to mankind through the most
astounding miracles. In a word, Mary calls Him her Son, whose
omnipotence fills heaven and earth; and this great, almighty God, who
honors her as His Mother and has wrought in her such great things, will
He not heed her word of intercession, and hear her pleading for those
who have recourse to her? On earth He was subject to her. Her
intercession moved Him to exercise His omnipotent power at the wedding
feast at Cana; and now, when He has glorified and raised her up so high
He would let her invoke Him in vain? No, it is inconceivable that God
should not hear the prayers of His Mother!
[Illustration: The Blessed Virgin visits St. Elizabeth]
The holy Fathers and Doctors of the Church vie with each other in
proclaiming the power of Mary's intercession with the Heart of her
divine Son. Some say that having been subject to her on earth, He
desires to be so in heaven, inasmuch as to refuse her nothing she asks.
Hence St. Bernard calls her the "Intercessory Omnipotence." Indeed, when
all the angels and saints in heaven join in supplication to God, their
prayers are but those of servants; but when Mary prays her intercession
is that of His Mother.
Therefore we can not sufficiently thank God for having given us in Mary
so powerful an advocate. St. Bernard aptly says: "The angel announces,
'thou hast found grace before God.' O supreme happiness! Mary shall
always find grace. And what else could we wish? If we seek grace, let us
seek it through Mary; for what she seeks, she finds. Never can she plead
ineffectually."
God, then, who in His infinite mercy has been pleased to provide for all
our needs, desires through Mary to console us, to comfort us, to remove
all distrust, to strengthen our hope. How consoling to him who calls
upon God in sore distress, or implores His pardon for sins committed, is
the thought that at the throne of divine Mercy he has in Mary an
advocate as mighty as she is gracious, who supplements his great
unworthiness by her sublime dignity, and who makes good the defects of
his prayer by her intercession! Therefore St. Bonaventure exclaims:
"Verily, great is Our Lord's mercy! That we, through fear of our divine
Judge, depart not forever from Him, He gave us His own Mother for our
advocate and mediatrix of grace."
I.
Novena in Honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
INDULGENCES
TO ALL the faithful who by themselves or with others, in church or at
home, with at least contrite heart and devotion, shall make this novena:
(1) 300 days indulgence for each of the nine days; (2) a plenary
indulgence on one day of the novena or of the eight days following it.
(Pius IX, January 5, 1849.) Conditions: Confession, communion, and
prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.
_Remark._--Whenever, in the following pages, an indulgence is said to be
granted "under the usual conditions," these conditions are the same as
above.
_Note._--The above indulgences may also be gained for making the novena
at any other time of the year, and are not attached to any prescribed
formula of prayer. The same applies to all other novenas in honor of the
Blessed Virgin.
FIRST DAY
Predestination of the Blessed Virgin Mary
PREPARATORY PRAYER
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. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, November 21, 1793.)
MEDITATION
HOLY Church, our Mother, purposely gathered into the season of Advent
everything which might contribute to assist us in preparing for the
coming of the Redeemer. Purity of heart is the most necessary and
helpful requirement for receiving God worthily, and for participating in
the fruits of our Redemption through Christ. To remind us of this, Holy
Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, this primary feast of purity, in Advent.
The Church, moreover, intends to remind us that the coming of Christ,
our promised Redeemer, depended on the consent of the Blessed Virgin.
The Redeemer could not appear before she was born of whom He was to be
born. The aurora must precede the rising sun. Thus also Mary, the
spiritual aurora, had to be conceived and born before the appearance of
the Sun of Justice in this world.
PRACTICE
IN MARY appeared the woman who was to crush the serpent's head, who was
to repair by her willing co-operation with God's designs the damage
wrought by the disobedience of our first parents, and who was to become
our mother and mighty advocate with God.
The designs of God concerning Mary were fully accomplished. God also has
designs concerning us. Our life was planned by Him from all eternity,
and we were destined to co-operate with Him harmoniously and
conscientiously in working out our salvation. Have we corresponded with
God's designs? Did we not oppose them by yielding to our evil
inclinations and passions? What a disparity between God's intentions
concerning us and our own co-operation, between His merciful designs and
our cowardly resistance to them!
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O GOD, who through the immaculate conception of the Virgin didst prepare
a worthy dwelling-place for Thy divine Son; grant that, as in view of
Thy Son Thou didst preserve her from all taint, so Thou wouldst
vouchsafe unto us that cleansed from all sin by her intercession we too
may arrive at Thine eternal glory. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
BEHOLD, Virgin immaculate, at thy sacred feet I bow, while my heart
overflows with joy in union with thine own, because from eternity thou
wast the Mother-elect of the eternal Word, and was preserved stainless
from the taint of Adam's sin. Forever praised, forever blessed be the
Most Holy Trinity, who in thy conception poured out upon thy soul the
riches of that matchless privilege. I humbly pray thee, most gracious
Mother, obtain for me the grace to overcome the bitter results of
original sin. Make me victorious over them, that I may never cease to
love my God.
Hail Mary, etc.
_Ejaculation_
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Leo XIII, March 25, 1884.)
SECOND DAY
Mary's Immaculate Conception
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
ACCORDING to the definition of Pope Pius IX, the immaculate conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary is that privilege by which she was preserved,
in view of the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, from original sin in
the first moment of her conception.
By solemnly proclaiming the dogma of Mary's immaculate conception, the
Church confirmed anew the fundamental principles of Christianity which
in our times are so frequently attacked, derided, or forgotten. God
reserved the solemn proclamation of this dogma, which seemingly has no
practical bearing on the Christian life, for our age, to recall to our
mind the doctrines resulting from it.
PRACTICE
THE most important of these doctrines is that of original sin, which
to-day is rejected by many as a debasement of human nature, and is
forgotten by others as having no practical influence on our moral state.
By the promulgation of the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church solemnly declares and defines as an
article of faith, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is conceived without the
stain of original sin by a special privilege and grace of God. If, then,
Mary's sinlessness is an exception, the general rule remains in force,
and all other human beings enter this world in the state of original
sin.
Thus, by the proclamation of the dogma of the immaculate conception, the
Church combats human pride and sensuality, the foremost vices of the
age.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY, unsullied lily of heavenly purity, I rejoice with thee, because at
thy conception's earliest dawn thou wast full of grace and endowed with
the perfect use of reason. I thank and adore the ever-blessed Trinity,
who gave thee such high gifts. I am overwhelmed with shame in thy
presence, to see myself so poor in grace. O thou who wast filled with
heavenly grace, impart some portion of it to my soul, and make me share
the treasures of thy immaculate conception.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
THIRD DAY
Mary, the Victrix of Satan
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
THE immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary inaugurated the
fulfilment of the divine promise made to our first parents in paradise
in the words addressed to the serpent: "I shall put enmities between
thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head"
(_Gen._ iii. 15). Mary is the woman in whom Satan never had a part. Her
intimate connection with God was announced by the angel: "Hail, full of
grace; the Lord is with thee." Now was fulfilled the saying of the
Psalmist, "The Most High hath sanctified His own tabernacle. God is in
the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the
morning early" (_Ps._ xlv. 5-6). Mary was chosen to be the glorious
tabernacle of the Son of God "in the morning early," that is, in the
first moment of her existence. God called her into being that she might
assume the exalted dignity of the Mother of His Son, and therefore
granted her the singular privilege of exemption from original sin. In
her were fulfilled Solomon's prophetic words of praise, "Thou art all
fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee" (_Cant._ iv. 7). It
was in view of her Son's merits applied to her beforehand that God thus
produced in her the image of the new man regenerated in the Holy Ghost.
PRACTICE
THE spirit of darkness holds mankind enslaved, but one human being
escapes him. A destructive fire lays waste the whole earth, but one tree
remains unscathed. A terrible tyrant conquers the whole world, but one
fortified city repels his assaults. This human being retaining liberty,
this tree escaping destruction, this city repelling the enemy's attack
is the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Will the almighty and merciful God, who has accomplished such great
things in Mary, who has selected her for His Mother, not listen to her
prayers when she intercedes for us? St. William of Paris exclaims: "No
other created being can obtain for us so many and so great graces from
God as His Mother. By the all-powerful might of her intercession He
honors her not only as His handmaid, but also as His Mother." Therefore
we ought not be surprised when the holy Fathers maintain that a single
sigh of Mary is more effective with God than the combined intercession
of all the angels and saints. If, then, Mary's power is so great, she
will surely hear us when we invoke her help in our combat with Satan.
Having conquered him herself, she will also help us to conquer him.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY, thou mystical rose of purity, my heart rejoices with thine at the
glorious triumph which thou didst gain over the infernal serpent by thy
immaculate conception, and because thou wast conceived without stain of
original sin. I thank and praise with my whole heart the ever-blessed
Trinity, who granted thee this glorious privilege; and I pray thee to
obtain for me strength to overcome all the wiles of the infernal foe,
and never to stain my soul with sin. Be thou mine aid; make me, by thy
protection, victorious over the common foe of our eternal welfare.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
FOURTH DAY
Mary without Actual Sin
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
MARY conceived without sin is the most blessed daughter of the eternal
Father, the real and true Mother of the divine Son, the elect spouse of
the Holy Ghost. But in the world, in what condition do we behold her?
She dwells not in a splendid palace; she is not surrounded by a retinue
of servants ready at every moment to do her bidding; she is not exempt
from trials and suffering. On the contrary, she is poor; she lives in
obscurity, and suffered so much on earth that, without shedding her
blood, she merits to be styled the queen of martyrs. Her heart was
transfixed with the sword of sorrow. Mary is not exempt from
tribulations and adversity; but one thing God does not permit to touch
her, _i.e.,_ sin. Hence Holy Church applies to her the words, "Thou art
all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee" (_Cant._ iv. 7).
PRACTICE
THOUGH we were not preserved from sin like Mary, yet God in His
ineffable goodness and mercy granted us the grace to be cleansed from
sin and to be clothed with the garment of sanctifying grace in Baptism.
No treasure of the world can be compared with this prerogative. But as
we bear this grace in a fragile vase, we must be most careful to protect
and preserve it in ourselves and others from all danger. Let the Blessed
Virgin Mary be our example. Well knowing the inestimable value of the
grace conferred upon her, she guarded it with the greatest care.
Although exempt from concupiscence and "full of grace," she was so
distrustful of herself as if she were in continual danger. How much
more, then, must we use precaution to preserve in ourselves and in
others this treasure of grace, since we feel in ourselves constantly the
law of the flesh, which resists the law of the spirit, and urges us on
to evil, whilst the world and the devil never weary in placing snares
for us in order to accomplish our ruin. Therefore let us have recourse
to Mary, and invoking her aid bravely resist all temptations.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MIRROR of holy purity, Mary, Virgin immaculate, great is my joy while I
consider that, from thy immaculate conception, the most sublime and
perfect virtues were infused into thy soul, and with them all the gifts
of the Holy Ghost. I thank and praise the Most Holy Trinity, who
bestowed on thee these high privileges. I pray thee, gentle Mother,
obtain for me grace to practise virtue, and to make me worthy to become
partaker of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
FIFTH DAY
Mary, Full of Grace
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
SATAN'S relation to God as His child was severed by sin. The beautiful
image of God imprinted on man's soul was disfigured by it. But with the
immaculate conception of Mary, a being full of grace, an object of God's
supreme complacency entered this world. After the lapse of four thousand
years God, in His wisdom, power, and love, for the first time again
created a human being in that state in which He had originally created
our first parents. Mary, from the first moment of her existence was, in
virtue of the sanctifying grace infused into her soul, most intimately
united with God, and endowed with the most precious gifts of heaven.
Because she was predestined to become the Mother of the Redeemer of
mankind, it was befitting that she should unite in herself all the gifts
becoming to such an ineffable dignity. Hence she surpassed in grace and
holiness all other created beings, and was consecrated a worthy temple
of the incarnate Word. Therefore she was saluted by the angel as "full
of grace," and the Church, in our behalf, addresses the Almighty: "O
God, who through the immaculate conception of the Virgin didst prepare a
worthy dwelling-place for Thy divine Son; grant, that, as in view of the
death of that Son Thou didst preserve her from all taint, so Thou
wouldst vouchsafe unto us that, cleansed from all sin by her
intercession, we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory."
PRACTICE
THE world considers men according to their rank and station, their
wealth and knowledge. God recognizes in them but one difference, that
caused by the presence or absence of sanctifying grace in their soul. A
soul in the state of sanctifying grace is God's friend; without it, His
enemy. A man dying in the state of sanctifying grace is sure of eternal
bliss. Therefore we ought to prize this grace above all else, and do
everything in our power to preserve it. St. Leo exhorts us, "Recognize,
O man, thy dignity! As thou hast received divine grace, beware of
returning to your former sinful condition by a wicked life."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY, bright moon of purity, I rejoice with thee, because the mystery of
thy immaculate conception was the beginning of salvation for the race of
man and the joy of the whole world. I thank and bless the ever-blessed
Trinity, who thus did magnify and glorify thee; and I beg of thee to
obtain for me the grace so to profit by thy dear Son's death and
passion, that His precious blood may not have been shed in vain for me
upon the cross, but that, after a holy life, I may reach heaven in
safety.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
SIXTH DAY
Mary, Our Refuge
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
WE CARRY the precious treasure of sanctifying grace in a frail vessel.
Our inclination to evil remains with us, and continues to impel us to
that which is forbidden. On whom shall we call for aid? Call on Mary!
She is conceived without sin. She, the lily among thorns, who never lost
God's friendship, is our advocate. Let her, who was found worthy to
become the Mother of our Redeemer, inspire you with trust and
confidence. The Church invokes her as the refuge of sinners, and under
no other title does she show her love for us more convincingly and her
power with God more efficiently.
[Illustration: The Adoration of the Shepherds]
PRACTICE
WE MAY trust confidently in Mary's intercession and aid in all
temptations and trials, if we but have recourse to her. Therefore St.
John Damascene writes: "Come to my aid, O Mother of my Redeemer! Thou
art my help, my consolation in life. Come to my aid, and I shall escape
unscorched from the fire of temptation; amongst a thousand I shall
remain unharmed; I shall brave the storms of assault unwrecked. Thy name
is my shield, thy help my armor, thy protection my defense. With thee I
boldly attack the enemy and drive him off in confusion; through thee I
shall achieve a triumphant victory." In all temptations, therefore, let
us have recourse to Mary and through her intercession we shall overcome
them.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY immaculate, most brilliant star of purity, I rejoice with thee
because thy immaculate conception has bestowed upon the angels in
paradise the greatest joy. I thank and bless the ever-blessed Trinity,
who enriched thee with this high privilege. O let me, too, one day enter
into this heavenly joy, in the company of angels, that I may praise and
bless thee, world without end.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
SEVENTH DAY
Mary, the Mother of Chastity
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
HOLY Scripture and the Fathers agree in the statement that the Blessed
Virgin Mary made the vow of perpetual virginity. For when the Archangel
Gabriel brought God's message to the immaculate spouse of St. Joseph,
that she was to become the Mother of the Most High, she asked, "How
shall this be done, because I know not man?" (_Luke_ i. 34.) Indeed,
Mary would not have been, in the full and most excellent sense of the
word, the "Virgin of virgins," had she not from her own free choice
vowed her virginity to God.
During the whole Christian era there have been heroic souls who made the
vow of perpetual chastity, consecrating themselves to God. Trusting in
the powerful protection of the immaculate Virgin, they persevered in
their resolve to bear this priceless treasure before God's throne
despite the dangers of the world, the temptations of concupiscence, and
the assaults of hell, and with the help of the queen of virgins they
achieved a triumphant victory.
PRACTICE
SINCE the fall of Adam our senses are in rebellion against the law of
God. "I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my
mind, and captivating me in the law of sin" (_Rom._ vii. 23). Chastity
is the virtue which causes us the greatest struggles. St. Augustine
says: "The fiercest of all combats is the one for the preservation of
chastity, and we must engage in it every day." Fierce as this combat is,
the aid which Mary gives her children to achieve victory is
all-powerful. She sustains them by her maternal love and protection.
Those who lead a chaste life receive the Divine Spirit, are happy in
this life, and will receive a special crown in heaven.
Among the means for the preservation of chastity, the following are
specially recommended: The assiduous and constant practice of
self-denial; the frequentation of the sacraments; the daily invocation
of Mary for her aid and protection; scrupulous avoidance of the
occasions of sin. St. Chrysostom writes: "He errs who believes that he
can overcome his sensual propensities and preserve chastity by his own
efforts. God's mercy must extinguish nature's ardor." Have recourse to
the intercession of the immaculate Virgin and rest assured that you will
obtain this mercy.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY immaculate, rising morn of purity, I rejoice with thee, gazing in
wonder upon thy soul confirmed in grace from the very first moment of
thy conception, and rendered inaccessible to sin. I thank and magnify
the ever-blessed Trinity, who chose thee from all our race for this
special privilege. Holy Virgin, obtain for me utter and constant hatred
of all sin above every other evil, and let me rather die than ever again
fall into sin.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
EIGHTH DAY
The Image of the Immaculate Conception
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
CHRISTIAN art represents the Immaculate Conception as follows: The
Blessed Virgin appears standing on a globe, about which is coiled a
serpent holding an apple in its mouth. One of Mary's feet rests upon the
serpent, the other is placed on the moon. Her eyes are raised toward
heaven; her hands are either joined in prayer, or she holds a lily in
her right, and places the left on her breast. Her dress is white; her
ample mantle is of blue color. A crown of twelve stars encircles her
head. These emblems typify in a most striking manner Mary's power and
glory. "And a great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the
sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve
stars" (_Apoc._ xii. 1).
PRACTICE
THE representation of the Immaculate Conception is very instructive. (1)
Mary appears standing on the globe. This signifies that being human, she
belongs to the earth, and yet is exalted above the world and sin; also,
that she trampled under foot earthly possessions, vanities, and joys.
(2) A serpent is coiled about the globe, bearing an apple in its mouth.
This reminds us of the fall of our first parents, and of the
consequences of their sin. (3) Mary's foot rests on the serpent,
indicating that she never was under Satan's dominion, but was preserved
from sin in the first moment of her existence. (4) Mary stands on the
moon. The moon, on account of its changes, is an emblem of inconstancy.
We see it at Mary's feet, to be reminded that we ought to be constant in
faith and virtue. (5) Mary wears a crown, to indicate that she is a
queen. The crown is composed of twelve stars: she is the queen of
heaven. (6) Mary's dress is white, to denote her spotless purity and
innocence. (7) She folds her hands in prayer, reminding us to imitate
her example. (8) Or she holds a lily in her right hand, to indicate her
virginity and chastity, and the sweet odor of her virtues. (9) Mary's
mantle is blue, which color is emblematic of humility. Its folds are
ample, to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure
refuge in all dangers and necessities.
Therefore let us invoke her intercession in the words of Holy Church:
"We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our
petitions, and deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and blessed
Virgin!"
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O SPOTLESS sun! O Virgin Mary! I congratulate thee. I rejoice with thee
because in thy conception God gave thee grace greater and more boundless
than He ever shed on all His angels and all the saints, together with
all their merits. I am thankful and I marvel at the surpassing
beneficence of the ever-blessed Trinity, who conferred on thee this
privilege. O make me correspond with the grace of God and never abuse
it. Change this heart of mine; make me now begin to amend my life.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
NINTH DAY
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
EARLY in the Christian era the feast of Mary's immaculate conception was
observed in several countries. St. Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury,
introduced it in England. A great number of Popes favored the doctrine
of Mary's absolute sinlessness, and the adversaries of the Immaculate
Conception were bidden to be silent and not publicly assert or defend
their view. In 1477, Pope Sixtus IV prescribed the feast of the
Immaculate Conception to be observed in the whole Church, and made it
obligatory on priests to recite the special canonical office and to use
the Mass formula published for the purpose. In 1846, the bishops of the
United States assembled in plenary council in Baltimore elected the
Blessed Virgin under the title of her immaculate conception Patroness of
the Church in their country.
Finally, Pope Pius IX, after consulting with the bishops throughout the
world, and having implored the Holy Ghost for His guidance in prayer and
fasting, promulgated, on December 8, 1854, the dogma which teaches that
the Blessed Virgin Mary was in her conception, by a special grace and
through the merits of her divine Son, preserved from the stain of
original sin. This doctrine was received throughout the world with
ineffable joy; and, indeed, no one who loves the Blessed Virgin can help
rejoicing at this her most glorious privilege.
The invocation, "Queen conceived without the stain of original sin," was
added to the Litany of Loreto. In 1866, at the Second Plenary Council in
Baltimore, the feast of the Immaculate Conception was raised to the rank
of a holyday of obligation for the Church of the United States.
PRACTICE
IN THE inscrutable designs of His providence God ordained that the
mystery of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary should
be proclaimed an article of faith as late as the middle of the
nineteenth century. But, then, its proclamation was attended by
circumstances that undeniably proved that the Holy Father in pronouncing
the dogma had been inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost.
Let us praise God and thank Him for bestowing this glorious privilege on
our beloved Mother, and let us often invoke her under her favorite
title, the Immaculate Conception. St. Alphonsus Liguori tells us that
the devotion to this mystery is especially efficacious in overcoming the
temptations of impurity. Therefore he was accustomed to recommend to his
penitents thus tempted to recite three times every day the Hail Mary in
honor of Mary immaculate. And the Venerable John of Avila assures us
that he never found any one who practised a true devotion to the
Immaculate Conception of Mary, who did not in a short time obtain the
gift of that virtue which renders us so dear to her immaculate heart.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O LIVING light of holiness, model of purity, Mary immaculate, virgin and
mother! As soon as thou wast conceived thou didst profoundly adore thy
God, giving Him thanks that in thee the ancient curse was revoked, and
blessing came again upon the sinful sons of Adam. O make this blessing
kindle in my heart love for God; and do thou fan this flame of love
within me, that I may love Him constantly and one day in heaven
eternally enjoy Him, there to thank Him more and more fervently for all
the wondrous privileges conferred on thee, and to rejoice with thee for
thy high crown of glory.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
II
Novena in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
FIRST DAY
The Birth of Mary
PREPARATORY PRAYER
WE FLY to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions
in our necessities, and deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and
blessed Virgin!
MEDITATION
MARY is born! The dawn announcing the coming salvation of mankind is at
hand. The deep significance of Mary's birth is expressed in the words of
the Church: "Thy birth, O virgin Mother of God, has brought joy to the
world; for from thee is to come forth the Sun of Justice, Christ our
Lord, to dispel the curse and bring the blessing, to conquer death and
bring us everlasting life. On this day a light broke forth to brighten
the paths of men through all time. Let us, then, rejoice in Mary's
coming."
Equally expressive and touching are the reflections of that great Doctor
of the Church, St. Augustine: "The day has dawned, the long-wished-for
day of the blessed and venerable Virgin Mary. Well may this earth of
ours rejoice and be glad for having been honored and sanctified by the
birth of such a virgin."
PRACTICE
LET us, then, rejoice in Mary's coming. Let us hail the birth of her who
attained the dignity of mother without losing the high privilege of a
virgin. Let us imitate her holy life, that she may become our
intercessor before the throne of her Son, our judge and redeemer. By
becoming the Mother of God she became also our Mother. As Mother of the
Redeemer she is also the Mother of the redeemed. Richard of St. Lawrence
writes: "If we desire grace and help, let us have recourse to Mary and
we shall obtain what we desire." For, as St. Alphonsus remarks: "All
graces and gifts which God has resolved to bestow upon us He gives us
through the hands of Mary."
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
GRANT to us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly
grace; that to those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the
commencement of salvation, the commemoration of her nativity may give
increasing peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MOST lovely child, who by thy birth hast comforted the world, made glad
the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen,
consolation to the sad, health to the sick, joy to all; we pray thee
with all fervent love, be thou born again in spirit in our souls through
thy most holy love. Renew our fervor in thy service, rekindle in our
hearts the fire of thy love, and bid all virtues blossom there, which
may cause us to find more and more fervor in thy gracious eyes. O Mary,
may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name! Let it ever be our
comfort to call on that great name in all our troubles; let it be our
hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and in death our last
aspiration.
_Ejaculation_
O Mary, who didst come into the world free from stain: obtain of God for
me that I may leave it without sin!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Pius IX, March 27, 1863.)
SECOND DAY
Mary, the Elect of God
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
WE FIND the explanation of the great prerogatives and privileges which
God bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary by reflecting on her singular
and glorious predestination. From all eternity she was predestined to
become the Mother of His divine Son; therefore, says Pope Pius IX, God
loved her above all created beings, and in His special predilection made
her the object of His divine complacency. With singular appropriateness
we may apply to her the words of Holy Scripture, "I have loved thee with
an everlasting love" (_Jer._ xxxi. 3). The eternal Father regarded Mary
as His beloved Daughter; the divine Son honored her as His dearest
Mother; the Holy Ghost loved her as His spotless Spouse. "And," says St.
Anselm, "they loved each other with an affection unsurpassed by any
other."
PRACTICE
INSPIRED by the contemplation of Mary's extraordinary privileges, St.
Anselm exclaims: "Thou, O Mary, art more exalted than the patriarchs,
greater than the martyrs, more glorious than the confessors, purer than
the virgins, and therefore thou, alone, canst achieve more than they can
without thee." Let us, then, rejoice that we possess such a powerful
advocate in heaven, and let us place implicit trust in her. But let us
also co-operate with the graces and favors which she obtains for us.
Moreover, let us remember that we grievously offend God and Mary if we
abuse what we obtain through her intercession to gratify our evil
inclinations, and that the graces she obtains for us for our salvation
will redound to our ruin if we do not use them for the glory of God and
the promotion of our soul's welfare.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, Mary, who, sprung from the royal line of David, didst come
forth to the light of heaven with high honor from the womb of holy Anna,
thy most happy mother.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
THIRD DAY
Mary, the Child of Royalty
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
ACCORDING to her lineage, as traced in two Gospels, Mary numbers among
her paternal and maternal ancestors the holiest and most renowned
personages of the Old Testament. We find amongst them Abraham, the
friend of God, the father of Israel and of all the faithful; then David,
the man after God's own heart, the inspired Royal Prophet; and Solomon,
the wise and mighty king, and the whole line of the kings of Juda. On
her mother's side she belonged to the tribe of Levi, and was descended
from its noblest and most prominent family, that of Aaron the High
Priest, and was therefore a relative of the High Priests of the Old
Testament. Thus royal and sacerdotal prestige distinguished Mary's
lineage.
PRACTICE
THE Blessed Virgin was not proud of her illustrious ancestry, and not
depressed because of the downfall of her family, but applied herself
diligently to adhere to the faith and follow the example of her
ancestors. Remembering the wicked members of her family, she learned
from them that temporal greatness, success, wealth, and glory are more
dangerous to virtue than poverty, retirement, and work. Let us imitate
Mary's example. Even possessed of the most excellent prestiges of the
natural order, of ourselves we are nothing. "What hast thou that thou
hast not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory as if
thou hadst not received?" (1 _Cor._ iv. 7.) Therefore do not
overestimate yourself; do not be conceited; do not strive for praise,
honors, and high station; be not boastful or arrogant; do not presume on
your merits; rather be distrustful of yourself and patiently bear
affronts, neglect, and humiliations. However poor you may be, be content
with your lot, remembering the words of the Apostle: "They that will
become rich fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and
into many unprofitable and hurtful desires which draw men into
destruction and perdition. For the desire of money is the root of all
evils: which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled
themselves in many sorrows" (1 _Tim._ vi. 9, 10).
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, O Mary, heavenly babe, white dove of purity, who, despite
the infernal serpent, was conceived free from the taint of Adam's sin.
With all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to come
down again and be born in spirit in our souls, that, led captive by thy
loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet
and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
[Illustration: The Purification]
FOURTH DAY
Mary, the Child of Pious Parents
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
TRADITION tells us that Mary's parents were called Joachim and Anna. The
holy Fathers rival each other in praising the virtue of this holy
couple. St. Epiphanius writes: "Joachim and Anna were pleasing in the
sight of God because of the holiness of their lives." St. Andrew of
Crete remarks: "Joachim was eminent for the mildness and fortitude of
his character. The law of God was his rule of life. He was just, and
never relaxed in the fervor of his love of God. Anna was no less noted
for her meekness, continence, and chastity." St. Jerome relates: "The
life of this holy couple was simple and just before the Lord, edifying
and virtuous before men." St. John Damascene exclaims: "O happy, chaste,
and immaculate couple, Joachim and Ann! You are known, according to the
Lord's word, by your fruit. Your life was pleasing in the sight of God,
and worthy of her who was born of you."
PRACTICE
IT is a great blessing, and one to be esteemed more highly than wealth
and high station, to have God-fearing, pious parents. For their sake God
is gracious to the children and lavishes His gifts on them. It is
certainly a great privilege to be offered up to God immediately after
birth by the hands of a pious mother. To have, from childhood up, the
example and guidance of virtuous parents is certainly of the greatest
importance. St. Chrysostom writes: "The parents' example is the book
from which the child learns." A pious bishop was wont to say: "The good
example of the parents is the best catechism and the truest mirror that
a family can have." If Christian parents imitate the example of Joachim
and Ann the blessing of God will rest on them and on their children; for
because her parents were so dear to Mary, she will not refuse to join
them in their prayers for us.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, brightest morn, forerunner of the heavenly Sun of Justice,
who didst first bring light to earth. Humbly prostrate, with all our
hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in
spirit in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness,
they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
FIFTH DAY
Mary's Supernatural Prerogatives
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
MARY was the masterpiece of God's creation; her soul was the most
perfect ever dwelling in a human body. A pious tradition tells us that
she possessed the use of reason much earlier than other children. Her
intellect was illuminated by supernatural light; her will was exempt
from concupiscence. Being preserved from original sin, she surpassed in
holiness, from the first moment of her existence, all angels and men.
She possessed all virtues in the highest degree, because of her faithful
co-operation with sanctifying grace and with the countless actual graces
granted to her. She lived in constant communion with God, undisturbed by
evil inclinations from within or temptations from without.
PRACTICE
THROUGH the effects of original sin we have lost the supernatural
prerogative of original justice, and even after receiving sanctifying
grace in holy Baptism we are exposed to many temptations. Our life is a
constant warfare. We must, however, not despair in this struggle, for if
we are true children of Mary she will come to our aid. In all
temptations Mary is the "Help of Christians" if we have recourse to her.
But if we wish her to help us, we must not expose ourselves
unnecessarily to temptation. "He that loveth danger shall perish in it"
(_Ecclus._ iii. 27). This sad experience has come to many. Let us,
therefore, avoid the danger and occasion of sin; and whenever evil
approaches us in any shape, let us call upon Mary, and we may rest
assured that she will assist us. "I shall certainly triumph over my
enemies," exclaims St. Alphonsus, "if I place my trust in thee, O Mary,
and if thou art my shield and protection against them."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, O chosen one! who like the untarnished sun didst burst
forth into being in the dark night of sin. Humbly prostrate at thy feet,
O Mary, we give thee our homage, and with all our hearts we pray thee to
vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in our souls, that, led
captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to
thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
SIXTH DAY
Mary, the Joy of the Most Holy Trinity
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
IN THE child Mary the eternal Father beheld His unsullied glorious
image, which image had been defaced in all other human beings by
original and actual sin. What a joy to Him to behold this stainless,
immaculate child! And how great must have been the joy of the Son of God
at the birth of her who was to be His Mother! From her He was to take
that sacred body in which He was to dwell on earth, the blood of which
He was to shed on the cross for our redemption, and in which He was to
return to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. He will call
her Mother, and regard her with all the filial tenderness of a child for
his mother. She will love Him in return with a true mother's affection
and devotion. As the Mother of Sorrows she will weep over His inanimate
body taken down from the cross. But like Himself, she will leave the
tomb, and reign at His side as the queen of heaven. How great, then,
must have been His joy at the birth of this child!
The Holy Ghost, too, rejoiced at Mary's birth. He infused into her the
plenitude of His holy love, for she was destined to become the Mother of
God. And how Mary will love God, from whom she received so many and so
great graces, and whom she is to bear in her arms as her real and true
Son! This, her divine Son's love for mankind, will be imparted also to
her. Therefore the Holy Ghost rejoices at this child, who received into
her heart the fulness of His grace, and shall be the helper of those who
have recourse to her.
PRACTICE
RAISE your spirit above time and space; try to contemplate well the
mystery of Mary's predestination. To make us realize the great
privileges conferred upon her, the Church applies to her the words of
Holy Scripture, "He that shall find me, shall find life, and have
salvation from the Lord" (_Prov._ viii. 35). Only when we consider Mary
as the Mother of God, do we arrive at a right conception of her great
dignity. Hence St. Bonaventure exclaims, "God might have created a more
beautiful world; He might have made heaven more glorious; but it was
impossible for Him to exalt a creature higher than Mary in making her
His Mother."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, beauteous moon, O Mary most holy, who didst shed light
upon a world wrapped in the densest darkness of sin. Humbly prostrate at
thy feet, we give thee our homage, and with all our hearts we pray thee
to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our souls,
that led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness they may ever live
united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
SEVENTH DAY
The Angels Rejoice at Mary's Birth
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
DESCRIBING God's power and wisdom as shown in creation, Holy Scripture,
according to the explanation of the Fathers, introduces Him as saying,
"When the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God
made a joyful melody" (_Job_ xxxviii. 7), and by these words intends to
convey with what joy the angels praised God's omnipotence on beholding
the wonders of creation. What, then, must have been their joy on
beholding this new wonder of divine power and wisdom, the child Mary,
destined to be their queen. Filled with admiration they exclaimed, "Who
is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright
as the sun, terrible as an army set in array?" (_Cant._ vi. 9.) And
moreover, if, as Our Lord declares, the angels rejoice at the conversion
of a sinner, how great must have been their joy at the birth of her who
was to be the refuge of sinners and the mother of Him who was to be the
Redeemer of sinners? Again, the angels rejoiced at Mary's birth, because
she would fill, through the salvation of mankind by her divine Son, the
places made vacant in heaven by the apostate angels.
PRACTICE
GOOD children rejoice on the birthday of their parents and gratefully
remember all the benefits they have received from them. Thus should we,
also, celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin by a grateful
remembrance of the innumerable graces, individual and general, we
received through her intercession. In acknowledging Mary's co-operation
with our salvation, Holy Church calls her our mediatrix, and greets her
as the "Cause of our joy," because, though we receive grace from Christ,
it comes to us through her mediation. What cause, then, have we not for
rejoicing at her birth! Again, greeting Mary as the cause of our joy,
let us remember the protection she extended to the Church in times of
adversity and persecution; let us, furthermore, remember all the graces
which, according to the holy Fathers, are dispensed to us by Mary's
hands. "Of her plenitude," says St. Bonaventure, "we have all received;
the captive liberty, the sick health, the sad consolation, the sinner
pardon, the just grace." Therefore the Church invokes Mary as the mother
of mercy, the health of the sick, the comforter of the afflicted, the
refuge of sinners, the help of Christians, in a word, as the cause of
our joy.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, fair soul of Mary, who from all eternity wast God's, and
God's alone; sanctuary and living temple of the Holy Ghost; sun without
blemish, because free from original sin. With all our hearts we pray to
thee, O Mary, to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in
our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may
ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
EIGHTH DAY
The Joy of the Just in Limbo at Mary's Birth
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
FOR four thousand years the just in limbo sighed for redemption, and
sent up to Heaven the plaintive cry, "O that Thou wouldst rend the
heavens, and wouldst come down!" (_Is._ xiv. 1.) "Drop down dew, ye
heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just; let the earth be
opened and bud forth a Saviour" (_Is._ xlv. 8). What joy must have
filled the souls of the just when they heard the welcome tidings of the
birth of Mary, the virgin Mother of the promised Messias; how great
their consolation at the rising of that dawn which preceded the Sun of
Justice, whose splendor was to illuminate the darkness of them that sat
in the shadow of death!
PRACTICE
A JOY similar to that which filled the captive souls in limbo at Mary's
birth now fills the souls in purgatory when we implore her to come to
their relief. Contemplating the immense love of the Most Holy Trinity
for Mary, we may not doubt but that, by her intercession, she might at
once deliver all the suffering souls from their prison, if such were in
accordance with God's will. But God's wisdom and providence have decreed
otherwise. Therefore Mary does not pray for the release of all souls in
purgatory, but recommends them, in conformity with God's will, to His
mercy. St. Bernardine of Sienna applies to Mary the words of Holy
Scripture, "I have penetrated into the bottom of the deep and have
walked in the waves of the sea" (_Ecclus._ xxiv. 8), and says: "She
descends into that sea of suffering and soothes the pains of the poor
souls." St. Denis the Carthusian remarks, that when the name of Mary is
mentioned in purgatory, the souls there imprisoned experience the same
relief as when a sick person hears words of consolation on his bed of
pain.
Therefore let us entrust our prayers for the souls in purgatory to Mary.
She will present our petitions to God, and thus presented, He will
speedily hear and graciously grant them.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, strong child, who didst put to flight all hell and the
powers of darkness. We give thee our homage, and with all our hearts we
pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our
souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever
live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
NINTH DAY
The Holy Name of Mary
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the Novena).
MEDITATION
ST. ALPHONSUS writes of the name of Mary: "This name was neither
invented on earth, nor imposed by human agency. It came from heaven and
was given to the Mother of God by divine command." Just as it is a
peculiar glory of our Saviour's name, that "God hath given Him a name
which is above all names, that in the name of Jesus every knee should
bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth"
(_Philipp._ ii. 9), thus it also behooves that Mary, the most perfect,
the most pure, and most exalted of all created beings, should receive a
most holy, lovely, and powerful name. St. Methodius declares that the
name of Mary is so rich in grace and blessing, that no one can pronounce
it devoutly without at the same time receiving a spiritual favor. Bl.
Jordan exclaims: "Let a heart be ever so obdurate, let a man even
despair of God's mercy, if he have recourse to thee, O Mary, virgin most
clement, he can not fail to be softened and filled with confidence if he
invokes thy name; for thou wilt inspire him with hope in God's mercy,
pardon, and grace."
PRACTICE
IT IS, then, meet and just that we should devoutly honor and praise the
name of Mary. Let us never mention it except in reverence and devotion.
Let us invoke Mary by it in all dangers of body and soul, mindful of the
words of St. Bernard: "O sinner, when the floods and tempests of this
earthly life overwhelm thee so that thou canst not firmly set thy foot,
turn not away thy gaze from the light of this guiding star. When the
storms of temptation assail thee, and the rocks and quicksands of
vexation and trial threaten to shatter thy bark of hope, look up to that
bright star in the heavens, and call on the name of Mary. When the
billows of pride and of ambition, when the floods of calumny are about
to submerge thee, look up to this star and call on the name of Mary.
When anger, avarice, and concupiscence convulse the peace of thy soul,
look up to this star and call on Mary. When thy sins rise up like
hideous monsters before thy troubled vision, when thy conscience stings
thee, when the terrors of future judgment fill thee with deadly anguish,
when gloom and sadness overpower thee, when thou findest thyself on the
brink of hellish despair, take courage; think of Mary, and thou wilt
find from thy own inward experience how true are the sayings of those
who tell thee that the name of the Blessed Virgin is 'Star of the Sea,'
the name of the Virgin is Mary."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the Novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WE HAIL thee, beloved child Mary, adorned with every virtue,
immeasurably above all the saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the
Saviour of the world, who by the operation of the Holy Ghost didst bring
forth the incarnate Word. We give thee our homage, and with all our
hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in our
souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever
live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the Novena).
III
Novena for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
FIRST DAY
The Annunciation
PREPARATORY PRAYER
MY QUEEN, my Mother, remember I am thine own. Keep me, guard me, as thy
property and possession!
Indulgence. 40 days, every time. (Pius IX, August 5, 1851.)
MEDITATION
AT NAZARETH, a mountain village in Judea, lived poor and in obscurity
Mary, the virgin selected by God to become the Mother of His Son. On
March 25th she was in prayer in her chamber, and perhaps sent up to
heaven the yearning petition, "Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain the just; let the earth be opened and bud a
Saviour" (_Is._ xlv. 8). Behold, suddenly the chamber is suffused by a
heavenly light. The archangel Gabriel stands reverently before her and
says, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
among women. And when Mary heard the angel's words, she was troubled at
his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this
should be" (_Luke_ i. 28, 29).
PRACTICE
THE angel's salutation comprises two titles of ineffable greatness. Mary
is called "full of grace," because of her innocence and purity; she is
called "blessed among women," because she is the elect Mother of God.
Never before was a human being thus greeted. It was God Himself who sent
the message to Mary. A good angel now repaired the harm once done by a
bad angel. For Lucifer, the fallen angel, seduced Eve to sin and thereby
caused the ruin of the whole human race; now another angel, Gabriel, was
sent to announce the glad tidings to Mary, that she was to conceive the
Redeemer from sin, who was to accomplish the salvation of mankind.
Mary was troubled at the angel's words, and reflected on the meaning of
the message. St. Ambrose writes: "Mary was troubled, not because the
angel was a heavenly spirit, but because he appeared to her in the form
of a youth. Still more was she troubled at the praises spoken to her.
She was innocent and humble, and therefore reflected on the meaning of
the message. She had always considered herself as a poor and unknown
virgin; she deemed herself unworthy of God's grace; therefore she was
troubled at the salutation. In that decisive moment she was and remained
our model."
[Illustration: The Flight into Egypt]
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
POUR forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we
unto 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 the resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
WITH wonder I revere thee, holiest Virgin Mary; for of all God's
creatures thou wast the humblest on the very day of thy annunciation,
when God Himself exalted Thee to the sublime dignity of His own Mother.
O mightiest Virgin, make me, wretched sinner that I am, know the depths
of my own nothingness, and make me humble myself at last with all my
heart, beneath the feet of all men.
Hail Mary, etc.
_Ejaculation_
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me!
Indulgence. 50 days, once a day. (Leo XIII, March 20, 1894.)
SECOND DAY
The Import of the Angel's Salutation
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
"HAIL, full of grace!" Mary was greeted as full of grace by the Giver of
grace Himself. The angel's salutation meant: "The grace of God has
preserved thee from all sin. Neither the stain of original sin, nor the
guilt of actual sin, ever obscured the mirror of thy soul. By the
special favor of God the most sublime virtues were infused into thy
soul."
"The Lord is with thee." From all eternity the Lord was with Mary. He
was with her not only as He is with His whole creation, but He was with
her in a special manner. The eternal Father was with her from all
eternity as with His beloved Daughter. The divine Son was with her from
all eternity as with His chosen Mother. The Holy Ghost was with her from
all eternity as with His beloved Spouse. This intimate union never was
disrupted. Therefore Mary is "Blessed among women," and ever was, and
ever shall be the beloved of the Lord.
PRACTICE
CONSIDER how Mary receives the angel's message. She is troubled, she is
disturbed at the praise, at the reverence of the angel. What an example
of humility! Let us imitate her in this virtue by the acknowledgment
before God of our weakness, our unworthiness, our nothingness, and by
ordering our whole being accordingly. Humility renders us pleasing in
the sight of God and makes us susceptible of His grace. Hence St.
Augustine writes: "God resists the proud and gives His grace to the
humble. What a terrible punishment for the proud, what a splendid reward
for the humble! The proud man resembles a rock, the humble man a
beautiful valley. The grace of God descends from heaven like a gentle
rain. It can not penetrate the rock of pride, and hence the proud man
loses God's grace and love. But in the valley of humility the waters of
divine grace can diffuse themselves and fructify the soul of the humble
man, so that it may bring forth fruit unto eternal life."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O MARY, holiest Virgin, who, when the archangel Gabriel hailed thee in
thy annunciation, and thou wast raised by God above all choirs of the
angels, didst confess thyself "the handmaid of the Lord"; do thou obtain
for me true humility and a truly angelic purity, and so to live on earth
as ever to be worthy of the blessings of God.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
THIRD DAY
The Effect of the Angel's Salutation
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE effect of the angel's salutation on Mary was striking. Imbued with
sentiments quite different from ours, she was troubled at the praise
addressed to her. Meanwhile she is silent and considers within herself
what might be the meaning of these words. And now the angel calls her by
name, saying, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called
the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the
throne of David His father: and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for
ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end" (_Luke_ i. 30-33).
PRACTICE
LET us admire the prudence shining forth in Mary. After hearing the
angel's words of praise she was silent and thought within herself what
kind of a salutation this was. She is very careful and prudent. On this
her conduct St. Thomas Aquinas remarks: "Mary did not refuse to believe,
nor did she receive the message with credulity. She avoided Eve's
gullibility and the distrust of Zachary the high priest." And St.
Bernard writes: "Mary preferred to remain silent in humility, rather
than to speak inconsiderately." Let us strive always to speak and act
with deliberation. Our conversation ought always to be judicious; for
often a word spoken inconsiderately causes bitter regret. St. Thomas
Aquinas observes: "Song was given to a number of creatures, but human
beings alone were endowed with the faculty of speech, to indicate that
in speaking we should use our reason." And St. Chrysostom says: "Let us
always guard our tongue; not that it should always be silent, but that
it should speak at the proper time."
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I REJOICE with thee, O Virgin ever blessed, because by thy humble word
of consent thou didst draw down from the bosom of the eternal Father the
divine Word into thy own pure bosom. O draw, then, ever my heart to God;
and with God bring grace into my heart that I may ever sincerely bless
thy word of consent, so mighty and so efficacious.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FOURTH DAY
Mary's Question
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
WELL versed as Mary was in Holy Scripture, she fully understood the
words she had heard and knew their great import. She was destined to
become the Mother of the Most High, the Son of God. But there is an
obstacle which prevents her from giving immediate assent. She has
solemnly vowed her virginity to God. Not knowing how the mystery
announced to her was to be accomplished, and intent above all on keeping
inviolate her vow, she interrupts her silence by the short but
comprehensive question, "How shall this be done, because I know not
man?" (_Luke_ i. 34.) This is the first word of Mary recorded in the
Gospel.
PRACTICE
"HOW shall this be done, because I know not man?" Truly a momentous
question, proceeding from her knowledge of the great excellence and
value before God of virginity, which, before Mary, was unknown to the
world.
Let us follow Mary's example and esteem holy purity and chastity above
all things. Let us remember how highly Holy Scripture extols this
virtue. "O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory; for the
memory thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God and with
men" (_Wis._ iv. 1). St. Athanasius writes: "O chastity, thou precious
pearl, found by few, even hated by some, and sought only by those who
are worthy of thee! Thou art the joy of the prophets, the ornament of
the apostles, the life of the angels, the crown of the saints." Let us
therefore carefully guard this inestimable treasure.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY, mighty Virgin, thou who on the day of thy annunciation wast found
by the archangel so prompt and ready to do God's will, and to correspond
with the desires of the august Trinity, who wished for thy consent in
order to redeem the world; obtain for me that, whatever happens, good or
ill, I may turn to my God, and with resignation say, "Be it done unto me
according to thy word."
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FIFTH DAY
The Solution
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE angel explains to Mary how, without detriment to her virginity, she
will become a mother. He says, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and
the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the
Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (_Luke_
i. 35). St. Bernard remarks: "Let him who can, comprehend it. Who, but
that most happy Virgin who was worthy to experience the influence and
effect of the power of the Most High and to penetrate this sublime
mystery, can understand how the divine Light was poured into the
Virgin's womb? The Most Holy Trinity alone co-operated in the sacred
act, and it remains an impenetrable mystery to all, except to her who
was called to so sublime a destiny."
PRACTICE
MARY did not entertain a single doubt concerning the wonders which the
angel announced to her about the coming Messias and His kingdom. She
believed with simple faith the words of the heavenly messenger. Only
about that which concerned her personally she asked a question. When the
wonderful mystery was explained to her, she did not ask how this _can_
be done, but only how it _shall_ be done. And after the angel had
declared to her that she shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, she was fully
resigned and announced her implicit belief in these humble words:
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy
word" (_Luke_ i. 38). Therefore the Holy Ghost Himself praised her by
the mouth of Elizabeth: "Blessed art thou that hast believed" (_Luke_ i.
45).
Let us remain steadfast in the profession of all articles of faith, and
let us oppose, like a strong shield, the words, "Nothing is impossible
with God," to all attacks of unbelievers, and to all doubts that may
arise in our own minds.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
MARY most holy, I see that thy obedience united thee so closely to God,
that all creation never shall know again union so fair and so perfect. I
am overwhelmed with confusion in seeing how my sins have separated me
from God. Help me, then, gentle Mother, to repent sincerely of my sins,
that I may be reunited to thy loving Jesus.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SIXTH DAY
Mary's Consent
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
WE ADMIRE the creative word of God, by which heaven and earth were
called into existence. But Mary's word, "Be it done to me according to
thy word," is even mightier and more efficacious; for it commands the
obedience even of the almighty Creator. Without this word of humility
and obedience the incarnation of our divine Saviour would not have been
accomplished. Mary does not say, "I accept the proposal, I agree to the
proposition," nor does she use other words of similar import. She simply
says, "Be it done to me according to thy word." It was not her own
choice, nor her own decision, but a voluntary, full, and complete
surrender to the will of God that the message found in Mary's soul,
which was expressed in these words. What a source of consolation to her
in the subsequent sorrowful and afflicted stages of her life was this
complete surrender to God's will! It comprised the tranquilizing
assurance that He to whose designs she submitted, would endow her with
the fortitude and strength necessary to co-operate with them.
PRACTICE
JUST as our divine Lord Himself became obedient unto death, thus also
His incarnation and the motherhood of Mary were the result of obedience.
Again, in contemplating the works that in the course of time were
undertaken in the Church for the glory of God and the salvation of man,
we find that only those were really great, effective, and enduring,
which had their beginning, continuation, and consummation in obedience.
Rejoice, then, if it is your happy lot to walk in the safe path of
obedience. Avail yourself of every opportunity to submit your will to
the will of your Superiors. They are the representatives of God. By
obeying them we fulfil His will, not the will of men. St. Bonaventure
calls obedience the key of heaven.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
HOLIEST Mary, if through thy modesty thou wert troubled at the
appearance of the archangel Gabriel in thy dwelling, I am terrified at
the sight of my monstrous pride. By thy incomparable humility, which
brought forth God for men, reopened paradise and let the captive souls
go free from their prison, draw me, I pray thee, out of the deep pit
into which my sins have cast me, and make me save my soul.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SEVENTH DAY
Mary's Fortitude in Suffering
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
ALTHOUGH Mary's consent was free, and freely given, she was clearly
convinced and perfectly conscious of the responsibility, the
obligations, and the duties involved by that consent, and which she now
assumed. Great are the duties and tearful the days of a mother who has
to raise her Son, who is also God, to be sacrificed on the cross. Mary
assumes with the dignity this responsibility. She consents to conceive
the Son of God, to give birth to Him, to nourish Him, to educate Him for
the ignominious death of the cross. When she pronounced the words, "Be
it done," her eyes were fixed on the distant tragedy of Golgotha, on the
cross towering upon its height. Yet she accepts it, together with the
dignity of Mother of God.
PRACTICE
MARY, in consenting to become the Mother of Jesus, became not only His
Mother, but the Mother of all mankind. She became, for all time, the
refuge of sinners, the health of the sick, the intercessor with God for
man; she consented to exercise a mother's love for suffering and sinful
humanity. But alas, how many of those adopted by Mary as her children
under the cross of her dying Son are unworthy of her mother love! How
many are rebellious children, who fill her heart with sorrow and
anguish! Others, faithless and obdurate, become a reproach to her. Have
you, during your past life, always been a good child of this loving
Mother? Are you to her an honor or a disgrace, a joy or a sorrow?
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
THOUGH my tongue is unhallowed, yet, purest Virgin, I presume to hail
thee every day with the angel's salutation, "Hail Mary, full of grace!"
From my heart, I pray thee, pour into my soul a little of that mighty
grace wherewith the Holy Spirit, overshadowing thee, filled thee to the
full.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
EIGHTH DAY
Mary, the Mother of God
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
MARY'S true greatness consists in her having been chosen the Mother of
God. This sublime dignity, pre-eminently her own and shared by no other
creature, elevates her to a station inconceivably exalted. Mother of
God! St. Peter Damian thus gives expression to his conception of this
dignity: "In what words may mortal man be permitted to pronounce the
praises of her who brought forth that divine Word who lives for all
eternity? Where can a tongue be found holy and pure enough to eulogize
her who bore the author of all created things, whom the elements praise
and obey in fear and trembling? When we essay to extol a martyr's
constancy, to recount his heroic acts of virtue, to describe his
devotion to his Saviour's cause and honor, we are supplied with words by
facts and occurrences that belong to the province of human experience.
But when we undertake to describe the glories of the Blessed Virgin, we
are on unknown ground, on a subject transcending all human effort. We
fail to find words suitable to portray her sublime prerogatives,
privileges, and mysteries."
PRACTICE
ST. ANSELM, writing on the motherhood of Mary, says: "It was eminently
just and proper that the creature chosen to be the Mother of God should
shine with a luster of purity far beyond anything conceivable in any
other creature under heaven. For it was to her that the eternal Father
decreed to give His only-begotten Son, whom He loves as Himself; and to
give Him in such a mysterious manner that He should be at the same time
the Son of God and the Son of the Virgin Mary. She must indeed be purity
itself, whom the Son of God elected as His Mother, and who was the
chosen Spouse of the Holy Ghost, to be overshadowed by Him to bring
forth the Second Person of that Most Blessed Trinity from whom He
Himself proceeds."
Let us honor the virgin Mother with filial devotion, gratefully greeting
her often in the words of the angel, "Hail Mary, full of grace!" Let us
remember that God alone is above Mary, and beneath her is all that is
not God.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I BELIEVE, holiest Mary, that almighty God was ever with thee from thy
conception, and is, by His incarnation, still more closely united to
thee. Make it thy care, I pray thee, that I may be with that same Lord
Jesus ever one heart and soul by means of sanctifying grace.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
NINTH DAY
Mary, Our Mother
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
MARY could not consent to become the Mother of the Redeemer without
including in her consent those to be redeemed. "She bore one man," says
St. Antonine, "and thereby has borne all men again. Beneath the cross
of her divine Son she has reborne us to life with great pain, just as
Eve our first mother, has borne us under the tree of forbidden fruit
unto death. That there be no doubt concerning it, her divine Son made
this declaration in His last will." "When therefore Jesus had seen His
Mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His Mother,
Woman, behold thy son. After that He saith to the disciple, Behold thy
Mother" (_John_ xix. 26 27). She gave up her Son for the redemption of
mankind, and He gave us, in the person of His beloved disciple St. John,
to her as her children, declaring her our Mother. From that moment we
belong to Mary, and Mary belongs to us: "Behold thy Mother!"
[Illustration: The rest in Egypt]
PRACTICE
MARY loves us because she loves God, and because God loves us. She loves
us as her brethren who share human nature with her. She loves us as her
children, whom she has borne to eternal life. She loves us because we
are miserable and helpless. True, we offended her divine Son, but she
knows our frailty, our blindness, the assaults of the flesh and the
devil to which we are exposed; and by all this she is moved to come to
our aid.
Do not, however, imagine that this good and amiable Mother will hear
your call for assistance if you continue to offend her divine Son with
malice prepense. To obtain her aid you must make yourself in a manner
worthy of it. This you do by striving to imitate her virtues. Or is
there anything in her example that we are unable to imitate? True, we
can not attain to her perfection in virtue, but we can copy it to a
certain degree. To follow Mary's example there is no need of performing
miracles, of having ecstasies, or of doing any other extraordinary
deeds. All that is necessary is to persevere faithfully in the ordinary
duties of life, and to perform them to the best of our ability.
"Behold thy Mother!" These words of our dying Lord were addressed to the
beloved disciple St. John, but were intended for all mankind. Even as
Mary never ceases to be the Mother of God, she never will cease to be
our Mother.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O HOLIEST Mary, bless me, my heart and my soul, as thou thyself wast
ever blessed of God among all women; for I have this sure hope, dear
Mother, that if thou bless me while I live, then, when I die, I shall be
blessed of God in the everlasting glory of heaven.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
IV
Novena in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
NOTE.--Besides the indulgences granted for every novena in honor of the
Blessed Virgin Mary by Pius IX, Pope Leo XIII, January 27, 1888, granted
that all the faithful may gain, on the _third Sunday in September_,
being the second feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary (the other is
observed on the Friday before Palm Sunday), a plenary indulgence _as
often_ as they visit, after confession and communion, a church where the
Archconfraternity of the Seven Sorrows is canonically established, and
pray there for the intentions of the Holy Father. This indulgence is
applicable to the souls in purgatory.
FIRST DAY
Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary
PREPARATORY PRAYER
BID me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Indulgence. 300 days, once a day. A plenary indulgence, on any one day,
in each month, to those who shall have practised this devotion for a
month, saying besides seven Hail Marys, followed each time by the above
invocation. Conditions: Confession, communion, and prayer for the
intentions of the Pope. (Pius IX, June 18, 1876.)
MEDITATION
FROM the dolorous way of Our Lord's passion Holy Church selected
fourteen incidents to place before us for consideration, which are
called the Stations of the Cross. In the same manner the pious devotion
of the faithful selected seven events in the life of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, and gives itself to their religious contemplation. They are: (1)
Simeon's prophecy in the Temple; (2) the flight into Egypt with the
divine Child; (3) the loss of the divine Child at Jerusalem; (4) Mary's
meeting with her Son bearing the cross; (5) Mary beneath the cross; (6)
Mary receives the body of her Son from the cross; (7) the placing of
Jesus' body in the tomb.
PRACTICE
"FORGET not the sorrows of thy mother" (_Ecclus._ vii. 29). According to
this exhortation of Holy Scripture it is our duty to remember and
meditate often on the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We ought never
to forget that our sins were the cause of the sufferings and death of
Jesus, and therefore also of the sorrows of Mary.
Holy Church celebrates two feasts in honor of the sorrows of Mary; she
approved of the Rosary and of many other devotions in honor of the Seven
Dolors, and enriched them with numerous indulgences. Let us practise
these devotions to enkindle in our hearts a true and ardent love for our
sorrowful Mother.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed
Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy
mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul,
in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through
Thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest with
the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
EVER glorious Blessed Virgin Mary, queen of martyrs, mother of mercy,
hope, and comfort of dejected and desolate souls, through the sorrows
that pierced thy tender heart I beseech thee take pity on my poverty and
necessities, have compassion on my anxieties and miseries. I ask it
through the mercy of thy divine Son; I ask it through His immaculate
life, bitter passion, and ignominious death on the cross. As I am
persuaded that He honors thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He refuses
nothing, let me experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession,
according to the tenderness of thy maternal affection, now and at the
hour of my death. Amen.
Hail Mary, etc.
_Ejaculation_
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
SECOND DAY
Mary's First Sorrow: Simeon's Prophecy in the Temple
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
FORTY days after the birth of our divine Saviour, Mary His Mother
fulfilled the law of Moses by offering Him to His divine Father in the
Temple. "And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this
man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Ghost was in Him. And he received an answer from the Holy Ghost,
that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when His parents brought
in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he
also took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now dost Thou
dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace; because my
eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face
of all peoples. A light to the revelation of the gentiles and the glory
of Thy people Israel. And His father and mother were wondering at these
things which were spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them, and
said to Mary His Mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for
the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be
contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many
hearts thoughts may be revealed" (_Luke_ ii. 25-35).
PRACTICE
MARY was familiar with the predictions of the prophets and knew that
ignominy, sorrow, and suffering would be her divine Son's portion
throughout His earthly career. But to have this secret of her anxious
soul thus publicly and solemnly declared by Simeon, was a sharp thrust
of that seven-edged sword which was to pierce her loving heart. In
spirit she viewed that boundless, surging sea of trials, pain, and death
on which her Son was to be tossed about, and was willing to be engulfed
in its bitter waters. Her affliction would have scarcely been greater
had the death sentence of her divine Son been pronounced then and there
and put into execution. What a sorrow, what an affliction, what a trial
for such a tender Mother! Well might she exclaim with the Royal Prophet:
"My life is wasted with grief, and my years in sighs" (_Ps._ xxx. 11).
Let us often contemplate this sorrow, and excite our hearts to a tender
compassion with the Mother of Sorrows.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, in the grief thy tender heart
underwent when the holy old man Simeon prophesied to thee. Dear Mother,
by thy heart then so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and
the gift of the holy fear of God.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
THIRD DAY
Mary's Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
FOR the second time the sword of sorrow pierced Mary's heart when she
was commanded to fly into Egypt with her divine Child. Without
manifesting undue perplexity or discontent, she hastily gathered a few
necessaries for the journey, while St. Joseph saddled the beast of
burden. Then taking the infant Jesus into her arms and pressing Him to
her throbbing heart, the holy pilgrims set forth into the cold, starry
night, away to a foreign land, through the trackless desert, and into a
heathen country. Arrived in Egypt, the experience of Bethlehem was
renewed; no one gave them shelter.
PRACTICE
DURING this second great sorrow, what was Mary's behavior? She was
content to fulfil the will of God; she did not ask for reasons, or
complain of the fatigues of the journey, but preserved her peace of
heart amid all the trials of this severe probation. She is poor, but her
poverty does not render her unhappy or querulous. If God sends us
trials, we ought not murmur or complain. Following the example of Mary,
let us bear them submissively. If we suffer patiently with Mary on
earth, we shall enjoy eternal bliss with her in heaven.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the anxiety which thy most
tender heart underwent during thy flight into Egypt and thy sojourn
there. Dear Mother, by thy heart then so sorrowful, obtain for me the
virtue of liberality, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FOURTH DAY
Mary's Third Sorrow: Jesus Lost in Jerusalem
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
WHO can describe Mary's sorrow when, returning from Jerusalem, she
missed her divine Son? With St. Joseph she retraced her steps in anxious
search of Him whom her soul loved. She went to all her relatives and
acquaintances in Jerusalem, but heard no tidings of her lost Child. She
passed three long days of anxiety in her search, and this constitutes
her third sorrow. Of it, Origen writes: "On account of the ineffable
love of Mary for her divine Son, she suffered more by His loss than the
martyrs suffered amid the most cruel tortures."
PRACTICE
IN MEDITATING on this sorrow of Mary, we ought to remember how
indifferent so many Christians are after having lost God by sin. They
feel no compunction, no sorrow at having offended Him, and yet they can
weep at the loss of a trifle; they shed copious tears when their will is
crossed, or when they receive a deserved reprimand; but for the loss of
their God they have not a tear. They have lost Him, perhaps years ago,
and never make the least effort to find Him. Pray to the sorrowful
Mother that she preserve you from such a deplorable fate!
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the terrors felt by thy
anxious heart when thou didst lose thy dear Son, Jesus. Dear Mother, by
thy heart, then so agitated, obtain for me the virtue of chastity, and
with it the gift of knowledge.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FIFTH DAY
Mary's Fourth Sorrow: She Meets Jesus Carrying His Cross
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE time was at hand when mankind's redemption was to be accomplished.
Already the divine Victim of our sins is bearing the instrument of our
salvation. Torn by the cruel scourging, crowned with thorns, and covered
with blood He proceeds on His way to Calvary, and in this pitiful
condition meets His blessed Mother. What a spectacle, what a sight for a
Mother such as Mary! Anxious to look upon her, and with one fond glance
to thank her for her heroic, unselfish love, He made an effort to change
His bowed position beneath the cross, feebly raised His head, and
directed toward her one loving glance of ineffable anguish, mingled with
grateful recognition and humble resignation. Then the sad procession
moves on, Mary following her divine Son on His way to death.
PRACTICE
WE, BY our sins, placed into the hands of the Jews and executioners the
weapons by which Jesus suffered, and thus we thrust the sword of sorrow
into Mary's heart. We repeat this, in a certain sense, as often as we
commit a grievous sin, because we thereby number ourselves among those
whom the Apostle describes as "crucifying again to themselves the Son of
God, and making Him a mockery" (_Heb._ vi. 6). Cardinal Hugo writes:
"Sinners crucify, as far as is in them, Christ our Lord, because they
repeat the cause of His crucifixion." Doing this, we thrust anew the
sword of sorrow into Mary's heart. Let this consideration fill us with
hatred for and fear of sin.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the shock thy mother heart
experienced when Jesus met thee as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by
that heart of thine, then so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of
patience and the gift of fortitude.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SIXTH DAY
Mary's Fifth Sorrow: Beneath the Cross
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
AT THE crucifixion of Jesus the soul of Mary was plunged into a sea of
sorrow when she stood three hours under the cross. Writhing in
excruciating pain, the Son of God hung upon the tree of disgrace and
infamy, yet Mary continued to stand at its foot, tearful, grieving, yet
persevering, filled with anguish because she could do nothing to help
Him. Another great sorrow befell the heart of Mary when she slowly
withdrew her tearful gaze from the face of Jesus, and cast her weeping
eyes upon the cold and indifferent world that lay in darkness around and
about Calvary. And yet, "When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and
the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His Mother, Woman,
behold Thy son. After that He saith to the disciple, Behold thy Mother"
(_John_ xix. 26, 27).
PRACTICE
THESE words, "Behold thy son, behold thy Mother," contain and express
the mystery of unbounded love, which Jesus has for all mankind, but more
especially for the Church which is appointed and authorized to lead men
to salvation. O blessed, O happy bequest! It was not enough for the love
of Jesus to have restored heaven to us by His atoning death; He wished
also to give us His dearest Mother. And she has always shown herself as
such. To each of us individually she was and is a kind and loving
Mother. Give thanks to her, bless and praise her for having adopted you
as her child, and strive to become worthy of so great a privilege.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the martyrdom thy generous
heart bore so nobly whilst thou didst stand by Jesus agonizing. Dear
Mother, by thy heart then so cruelly martyred, obtain for me the virtue
of temperance and the gift of counsel.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SEVENTH DAY
Mary's Sixth Sorrow: The Taking Down of Jesus' Body from the Cross
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
WHO can describe the sorrow and anguish of Mary's heart when the body of
Jesus was taken from the cross, when her tearful eyes fell upon His
disfigured features! The pure and holy and beauteous form of her Son was
a mass of clotted blood and unsightly wounds; and yet, disfigured as it
was, there shone in His countenance a clear, calm expression of divine
majesty. Now Mary views the wounds of that sacred body; she looks at the
gap made in His side by the cruel spear, and can almost see the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, all bruised and broken for love of man. Before her
vision passes in detail His life and her own. Memory presents to her
mind every day and hour of their quiet, happy life at Nazareth. Is it to
be wondered, then, that at this bitter moment her sorrow was so great
that, as St. Anselm observes, she should have died had she not been
sustained by a miracle of divine omnipotence?
PRACTICE
OUGHT not the contemplation of the sorrows of our blessed Mother confirm
us in patience, in resignation to the will of God in our trials and
sufferings? If the Son of God said of Himself: "Ought not Christ to have
suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?" (_Luke_ xxiv.
26); if the most pure and holy Mother of God, despite her great
prerogatives and merits, had to suffer a sorrow so ineffable, do not
murmur if the word of Christ is addressed also to you: "And he that
taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me" (_Matt._
x. 38).
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the pain thou didst suffer
when the body of thy divine Son, taken down all torn and bloody from the
cross, was placed in thy arms. Dear Mother, by thy heart pierced
through, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of
understanding.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
[Illustration: On the Way to Jerusalem]
EIGHTH DAY
Mary's Seventh Sorrow: Jesus is Buried
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE sacrifice for the redemption of the world was accomplished. "And
Joseph, taking the body, wrapt it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it
in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled
a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way" (_Matt._
xxvii. 59). Mary also took part in the burial of her beloved Son, though
the evangelists do not mention her name amongst those who were present
on that mournful occasion. Never, most assuredly, was human soul visited
by such woe and desolation, as that which overwhelmed hers as she cast a
last glance on the precious remains of her dead Son.
PRACTICE
LET us learn of the sorrowful Mother at the tomb of her divine Son
submission to God's holy will in all things, but especially when He
takes from us one of our dear ones. Again, the contemplation of the
sufferings of Mary should fortify us in patience, whenever God is
pleased to visit us with a light and small cross of affliction, or even
with a sorrow that causes our heart to bleed. It should inspire us with
a filial confidence in Mary, who thus suffered for us and gave her
divine Son for our salvation. We can and ought to prove our love for
her, not by sentimental feelings of affection, but by a sincere hatred
of sin and great fervor in the service of her divine Son.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for the anguish felt by thy loving
heart when Jesus' body was laid in the sepulcher. Dear Mother, by all
the bitterness of desolation thou didst know, obtain for me the virtue
of diligence and the gift of wisdom.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
NINTH DAY
Reasons Why Mary Had to Suffer
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
THE reasons why God permitted Mary to suffer so much may be briefly
stated as follows: He did so from His love for Mary and from His love
for us. He did so from His love for Mary, because by suffering she
merited greater glory in heaven. As Mother of the Crucified she
persevered beneath the cross, and now she thrones in heaven as the
glorious Mother of the risen Redeemer. Because she shared in His
suffering, she now shares His glory. Again, God permitted Mary to suffer
because He loved us. If she had not experienced such bitter sorrow, we
would not have recourse to her, for whosoever has not suffered himself
can not have sympathy with the sufferings of others. Mary knows the
pangs of sorrow by experience, and therefore knows also how to console
and help us.
PRACTICE
BECAUSE she herself drained the most bitter cup of sorrow, Mary is
always willing to help those who invoke her aid. But above all she is
inclined to help repentant sinners, because she knows how great the
price of their redemption was, paid by the blood of her divine Son. She
is able to help us, because, after God, she is most powerful; she is
most willing to help us, because she loves us, whom God so has loved "as
to give His only-begotten Son" (_John_ iii. 16). Let us, therefore, have
recourse to her in all our needs, and we shall experience the power of
her help in life and death.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
I COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mary, for all thy sorrows. I beseech
thee, dear Mother, by thy heart pierced through by them, obtain for me
full abandonment to the will of God in everything and perseverance to
the end.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
V
Novena for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
FIRST DAY
Mary's Death was without Pain
PREPARATORY PRAYER
O MARY, Virgin most blessed and Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus
Christ, through thy mercy I beseech thee to come to my aid, and to
inspire me with such confidence in thy power, that I may have recourse
to thee, pray to thee, and implore thy aid in all needs of soul and
body.
MEDITATION
MARY, the virgin Mother of God, was conceived without original sin. She
never dimmed the luster of sanctifying grace which beautified her soul
by actual sin. Nevertheless she had to pass through the dark portal of
death before she was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. She had not
been endowed with the privilege of immortality with which God had
invested our first parents in paradise. It was meet that she should be
like unto her divine Son in everything, even in death. But as she had
drained the bitter cup of suffering during her whole life, and
especially when standing beneath the cross, her death was to be free
from pain and suffering. She quietly passed away yielding up her spirit
in a yearning desire to be united forever with her divine Son in heaven.
PRACTICE
IF YOU have dispossessed your heart of all unruly attachment to the
goods and enjoyments of this earth, you, too, may hope for a happy and
tranquil transition from this land of exile to your home in heaven.
Therefore, if you are still attached to the transitory things of this
life, disengage your heart from them now. The voluntary renouncement of
earthly goods alone is meritorious before God. The separation from them
enforced by the strong hand of death is of no supernatural value.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
WE BESEECH Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants; that
we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by
the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O MOST benign Mother Mary! I rejoice that by thy happy and tranquil
death the yearning of thy heart was appeased, and thy life, so rich in
merit and sacrifice, received its crown. I rejoice that after passing
from this life, thou, O most loving Mother, wast made the glorious and
powerful queen of heaven and dost exercise thy influence as such for the
benefit of thy frail, exiled children on earth. Obtain for me, I beseech
thee, a happy death, that I may praise and glorify thy might and
kindness forever in heaven.
Hail Mary, etc.
_Ejaculation_
Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!
Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A plenary indulgence, once a
month, on any day, to all who shall have said it every day for a month,
under the usual conditions.
SECOND DAY
At Mary's Tomb
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
AN ANCIENT legend relates that, led by Heaven, all the Apostles, except
St. Thomas, assembled at the Blessed Virgin's death-bed. After she had
breathed forth her pure spirit, her sacred remains were prepared for the
grave by wrapping the body in new white linen and decking it with
flowers. Meanwhile the apostles, assembled in another room, sang psalms
and hymns in praise of their departed Mother. The apostles, all the
disciples, and the faithful dwelling in Jerusalem followed the blessed
remains to the grave chanting psalms and hymns. Arrived in the valley of
Josaphat, the body was gently placed in a sepulcher of stone not far
from the Garden of Olives. After the entombment the apostles and crowds
of the faithful lingered near the sacred spot in prayer, meditation, and
chanting of psalms in which angels' voices were heard to mingle.
PRACTICE
JOIN in spirit with the apostles and faithful in their prayer and
meditation at the grave of our blessed Mother. Contemplate and review
her whole life. Could a course like hers have terminated more
appropriately than with so beautiful, painless, and tranquil a passing
away? Prepare yourself even now for your departure from this life. Do
not postpone the settlement of your affairs, spiritual and temporal,
until the last uncertain hours. Above all, remove now, or as soon as
possible, all doubts, anxieties, and irregularities of conscience,
because delay is dangerous and leads to impenitence, and because in the
last hours the powers of hell usually assail the departing soul with all
their might.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
GLORIOUS Virgin, who for thy consolation didst deserve to die comforted
by the sight of thy dear Son Jesus, and in the company of the apostles
and angels; pray for us, that at that awful moment we, too, may be
comforted by receiving Jesus in the most holy Eucharist, and may feel
thee nigh when we breathe forth our soul.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
THIRD DAY
The Empty Tomb
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
ST. JOHN DAMASCENE writes: "St. Thomas was not with the other apostles
when the Blessed Virgin died, but arrived in Jerusalem on the third day
after that event. Ardently desiring to see once more and to venerate the
sacred body which had given flesh and blood to his beloved Master, the
grave was opened for this purpose. The body could nowhere be seen, and a
delicious perfume filled the empty tomb. The apostles then became
convinced that as God had preserved the body of Mary free from sin
before, in, and after the birth of His Son, He was pleased likewise,
after her death, to preserve that same body from corruption, and to
glorify it in heaven."
A council held in Jerusalem in the year 1672 declared: "It is beyond all
doubt that the Blessed Virgin is not only a great and miraculous sign on
earth, because she bore God in the flesh and yet remained a virgin, but
she is also a great and miraculous sign in heaven, because she was taken
up thither with soul and body. For although her sinless body was
enclosed in the tomb, yet, like the body of Our Lord, it arose on the
third day and was carried up to heaven."
Although the doctrine of the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven was
not defined by the Church as an article of faith in the strict sense,
yet the learned Pope Benedict XIV remarks, "It would be presumptuous and
blameworthy in any one to call into doubt or to question this beautiful
and consoling belief of ages."
PRACTICE
LET us rejoice at the thought of the glorious resurrection of our dear
Mother. Let us unite ourselves in spirit with the apostles in heaven and
with Holy Church to congratulate her on this extraordinary privilege.
But let us also rejoice at the thought of our own resurrection. True, it
shall not take place immediately after death, but it is therefore not
the less certain, and it depends on us to make it glorious and blessed.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! As thy sacred body after
death was preserved from corruption, and united with thy sinless soul
was borne to heaven by the angels; obtain for me the grace that my life
and death be holy, so that on the Day of Judgment I may arise to glory
everlasting.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FOURTH DAY
Reasons for the Bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
1. THE wages of sin is death. Now, as the Blessed Virgin from the first
moment of her existence was preserved from all sin, and even from
original sin, it necessarily follows that death could have no permanent
dominion over her, and that her body would not be permitted to see
corruption.
2. This sinless body had been the medium by which the body of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, who was the conqueror of death, had been formed. How,
then, could such a highly privileged body, a pure and virginal body, be
permitted to pass through corruption and decay?
3. As Mary had yielded up her sacred person to be a dwelling-place for
the Lord of heaven, it seems fitting that this same Lord, in His turn,
should give the kingdom of heaven to her as her resting-place. St.
Bernard expresses this sentiment as follows: "When Our Lord came into
this world, Mary furnished Him with the noblest dwelling on earth, the
temple of her virginal womb. In return, the Lord on this day raises her
up to the highest throne in heaven."
PRACTICE
IF YOU desire to look forward to death without fear, and to expect your
dissolution with confidence, follow the Apostle's injunction,
"Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good" (_Gal._ vi. 10).
Avoid sin, perform good works, be patient in affliction, and strive to
expiate the punishment due to your sins by voluntary acts of penance,
thus reducing your inclination to sin. Therefore offer up to God every
morning, in a spirit of penitence, all your labors, trials, and
sufferings.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! I beseech thee through the
ineffable glory thou didst make for thy departure from this world by a
life of retirement, full of merits and virtue, dedicated to God alone;
obtain for me the grace that, following thy example, I may detach my
heart from this world, and patiently bear affliction and adversity,
carefully avoid sin, and always strive to advance in the love of God.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
FIFTH DAY
Mary's Glorious Entrance into Heaven
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
A JOY greater than human heart can conceive fills the heavenly spirits
when a soul enters heaven to receive her reward. What jubilant
transports, then, must those have been with which they hailed the
entrance into heavenly bliss of the most pure and holy Virgin, the
Mother of the Son of God, body and soul, transfigured in glory! And she
is, and shall be, for all eternity, their mistress and queen! What an
ineffable joy, too, for the Blessed Virgin, to behold the countless
numbers of angels, to admire their beauty, their purity, their intense
love of God! But as the feeble light of a candle disappears before the
splendor of the sun's rays, thus are these choirs of angels obscured by
the ineffable glory of her divine Son coming to welcome His Mother. Who
can describe this affecting meeting? What a superabundant reward for
affliction and suffering! What an ocean of joy and bliss, when the Son
of God presented His Mother before the throne of His heavenly Father,
who greeted her as His beloved Daughter! What a joy to behold the Holy
Ghost, whose pure Spouse she had been even on earth! These transports of
bliss baffle all attempts at description.
PRACTICE
THOUGH we are unable to have an adequate perception of Mary's glory in
heaven, by which she is raised above all angels and saints, yet it is in
our power to do one thing; we can rejoice at the glory of our blessed
Mother, and join the heavenly spirits and the saints in paying homage to
her. Let us resolve to do this, and never to forget that Mary attained
to the largest share of her divine Son's glory because she was foremost
in sharing His sufferings. Let this encourage us to bear our cross, to
bear it with our Saviour even to the height of Calvary, there to die
with Him.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! I beseech thee through the
preparation with which thou wast glorified by God--by the Father as His
most beloved Daughter, by the Son as His immaculate Mother, and by the
Holy Ghost as His most pure Spouse--in heaven; obtain for me the grace
to share to some extent this thy glory, and therefore to live so that I
may deserve it.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SIXTH DAY
Mary Crowned in Heaven
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
MARY'S glory received its culmination by her coronation as queen of
heaven and earth. It was meet that in her should be fulfilled the words
of Holy Scripture: "Come from Libanus, my Spouse, come, thou shalt be
crowned" (_Cant._ iv. 8), and that her own prophetic words, "He hath put
down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble" (_Luke_ i.
52), should be exemplified in her. For it was reasonable and becoming
that she, who once with Jesus wore the crown of shame and contempt,
should now share with Him the crown of immortal glory. It was but fair
and just that the immaculate being who was chosen, above all inhabitants
of heaven and earth, to be the true and worthy Mother of God, should now
be solemnly installed over all creatures in heaven and on earth as the
queen of angels and men, and that to her should be offered homage,
praise, and honor by the blessed spirits and by the souls of the saints.
But the crown which she received is not one made of gold and precious
stones; it is composed of the virtues with which Mary, in faithful
co-operation with divine grace, embellished herself; it consists, too,
of all the homage and glory which she receives as queen of heaven. The
most precious gem in this crown is the filial love and gratitude Jesus
shows toward His Mother in heaven.
PRACTICE
INDEED, "eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither has it entered
into the heart of man," what the heavenly Father has prepared in the
mansions of eternal bliss for His beloved Daughter, the Son for His
Blessed Mother, and the Holy Ghost for His chosen Spouse. She is now
queen of heaven and earth; of heaven, for she is the queen of all angels
and saints; of earth, for as Mother of God she is the Mother of all
mankind, the mediatrix between the Redeemer and the redeemed.
You, too, may contribute a gem toward the crown of your heavenly Mother
by paying her filial homage, imitating her virtues, and preserving, for
the love of her, your innocence and purity of heart.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
[Illustration: The Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph Finding Jesus in the
Temple]
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! I beseech thee through the
everlasting crown of glory with which God has crowned thee queen of
heaven and earth; obtain for me through thy mighty intercession the
grace to persevere in virtue to the end, so that finally I may attain
the crown of bliss prepared by God for those that love Him.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
SEVENTH DAY
Mary's Bliss in Heaven
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
ACCORDING to Holy Scripture and the doctrine of the Church, there are in
heaven various grades of glory and bliss, according to the rank and
merit of the saints. They probably attain this higher grade of glory and
bliss by the increase of their ability to enjoy the happiness of heaven.
Their intellect is enabled to contemplate more profoundly the
incomprehensible essence of God; their power of perception is augmented
so that they may more readily recognize and admire the splendor of the
angels, saints, and heavenly mansions; their will is enabled to be
united, in a higher degree, with God. From this we may conclude that
Mary's bliss in heaven transcends all human conception. Her heavenly
glory and reward consists in the perfect adaptation of her whole being
to the enjoyment of God and of eternal bliss.
PRACTICE
LOOK up, Christian soul, to this great and brilliant queen of heaven.
She is your gentle Mother and assures you of her help, and the diadem
she wears upon her brow is a proof that she has the power to help you.
Do not, therefore, refuse the hand of this mighty friend in heaven, for
she will lift you from the depths of your misery, from the rocky shoals
of temptation, and lead you strong and victorious into the presence of
her divine Son. Thus you will enter into a new and supernatural life in
Christ, to share in the grace-laden mysteries of His life, passion, and
triumph.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GREAT and glorious queen of heaven, Mary! I beseech thee by that
exalted throne upon which God has raised thee above all angels and
saints; let me one day appear amongst them to join them in their praise
of thee. Obtain for me the grace that I may never cease to honor thee as
thou dost deserve to be honored, and thereby to become worthy of thy
mighty protection in life and death.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
EIGHTH DAY
Mary, the Queen of Mercy
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
MARY is, then, a queen, but--what a consolation to know it!--a queen
always mild and gentle, always willing to confer benefits upon us. Hence
the Church teaches us to call her the Mother of mercy. The pious and
learned author Gerson says: "God's dominion comprises justice and mercy.
He divided it, retaining the administration of justice for Himself, and
relinquishing, in a certain sense, the dispensation of mercy to Mary, by
conferring through her hands all graces He grants to mankind." How
consoling, then, the assurance that our merciful Mother is so mighty and
so loving a queen!
PRACTICE
SO GREAT is the tenderness of Mary's maternal heart "that never was it
heard that any one who fled to her protection, implored her help, and
sought her intercession was left unaided." How many prayers, petitions,
and thanksgivings ascend daily to the throne of this our exalted and
merciful protectress! There is not a cry of an afflicted, struggling,
and suffering soul that she does not graciously hear. Join, therefore,
confidently in the prayer of Holy Church, "Hail, holy queen, Mother of
mercy!" Approach her with filial trust. Neglect not to honor her
yourself, and do all in your power to lead others to do her honor.
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! Holy Church teaches me that
despite the glory to which thou wast exalted, thou didst not forget thy
miserable clients, and that in heaven thy mercy is still greater than it
was during thy life on earth. Therefore I come to thee and trustingly
lay at thy feet all my needs, miseries, and petitions. My queen, my
Mother, turn not thy gracious eyes from me. Remember me with thy divine
Son; cease not to pray for me and take me under thy protection, so that
I may finally have the happiness to see and praise thee in thy glory for
ever and ever.
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
NINTH DAY
Mary in Heaven, the Help of Christians on Earth
Preparatory Prayer (located on the first day of the novena).
MEDITATION
MARY'S help as Mother of mercy is not confined to individuals. She is
the protectress and helper of the whole Church. All over the earth,
wherever we cast our glance, in the records of the history of times long
past and those of recent occurrence, we find testimony of the graces and
benefits obtained through her intercession. The feasts celebrated by the
Church throughout the year, what are they but evidences of gratitude
offered to the queen of heaven for the oftentimes miraculous delivery
from war, pestilence, and other great afflictions? Hence she is rightly
invoked as the "Help of Christians."
PRACTICE
IN OUR days, too, storms and dangers threaten the Church. Let us,
therefore, by calling on Mary for help, do our part toward shortening
the days of visitation and trial. Let us not confine our petitions to
her within the narrow limits of our own personal needs, but let us join
in the cry for help ascending to the Mother of mercy throughout all
Christendom. Let us daily, for Holy Church, send up our petition to
Mary's heavenly throne: "Help of Christians, pray for us!"
Prayer of the Church (located on the first day of the novena).
Litany of Loreto (located in the list of approved litanies).
_Prayer_
O GLORIOUS Virgin and Mother of God, Mary, queen of heaven! Forget us
not. Thou art the help of Christians; lighten our tribulations, and help
us with motherly intercession at the throne of thy divine Son. With Holy
Church I join in the petition to thee: "Holy Mary, aid the miserable,
assist the desponding, strengthen the weak, pray for the people, plead
for the clergy, intercede for the devout female sex. Let all who have
recourse to thee experience the efficacy of thy help!"
Hail Mary, etc.
Ejaculation (located on the first day of the novena).
PART III
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
"The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death
shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and
their departure was taken for misery, and their going away from us for
utter destruction; but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men
they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Afflicted in
a few things, in many they shall be well rewarded; because God has tried
them and found them worth of Himself" (_Wis._ iii 1-5.)
CHAPTER I
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
AMONG the saints who in Catholic devotion are invoked with special
confidence, because they have proved themselves efficacious helpers in
adversity and difficulties, there is a group venerated under the
collective name of Holy Helpers. They are:
1. St. George, Martyr.
2. St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr.
3. St. Pantaleon, Martyr.
4. St. Vitus, Martyr.
5. St. Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr.
6. St. Christophorus, Martyr.
7. St. Dionysius, Bishop and Martyr.
8. St. Cyriacus, Martyr.
9. St. Achatius, Martyr.
10. St. Eustachius, Martyr.
11. St. Giles, Abbot.
12. St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr.
13. St. Margaret, Virgin and Martyr.
14. St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr.
The reason why these saints are invoked as a group is said to have been
an epidemic which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. It was called the
Plague, or "Black Death," and among its symptoms were the turning black
of the tongue, parching of the throat, violent headache, fever, and
boils on the abdomen. The malady attacked its victims suddenly, bereft
them of reason, and caused death in a few hours, so that many died
without the last sacraments. Fear caused many attacks and disrupted
social and family ties. To all appearances, the disease was incurable.
During this period of general affliction the people in pious confidence
turned toward Heaven, and had recourse to the intercession of the
saints, praying to be spared an attack, or to be cured when stricken.
Among the saints invoked since the earliest times of the Church as
special patrons in certain diseases were: St. Christopher and St. Giles
against the plague, St. Dionysius against headache, St. Blase against
ills of the throat, St. Catherine against those of the tongue, St.
Erasmus against those of the abdomen, St. Barbara against fever, St.
Vitus against epilepsy. St. Pantaleon was the patron of physicians, St.
Cyriacus was had recourse to in temptations, especially in those at the
hour of death; St. Achatius was invoked in death agony; Sts.
Christopher, Barbara, and Catherine were appealed to for protection
against a sudden and unprovided death; the aid of St. Giles was implored
for making a good confession; St. Eustachius was patron in all kinds of
difficulties, and, because peculiar circumstances separated him for a
time from his family, he was invoked also in family troubles. Domestic
animals, too, being attacked by the plague, Sts. George, Erasmus,
Pantaleon, and Vitus were invoked for their protection. It appears from
the invocation of these saints, so widespread in olden times during the
plague and other epidemics, that their being grouped as the Fourteen
Holy Helpers originated in a like visitation.
The fourteen saints venerated as the Holy Helpers are represented with
the symbols of their martyrdom, or with the insignia of their state of
life; also, as a group of children. The latter representation is
accounted for as follows:
The abbey of Langheim, in the diocese of Bamberg, Bavaria, owned a farm
on which the monks kept their flocks. The sheep were tended by
shepherds, who led them along the hillsides, where they grazed quietly
during the day, and were driven home in the evening.
On the evening of September 22, 1445, a young shepherd, Herman Leicht,
who was gathering his flock for the homeward drive, heard what seemed to
him to be the cry of a child, and looking about, saw a child sitting in
a field near by. Surprised, and wondering how the child came there, he
was about to approach, when it disappeared. Feeling rather disturbed,
the boy returned to his flock. After reaching it, he turned to look back
to the place where he had seen the apparition. There the child sat
again, this time in a circle of light, and between two burning candles.
Terrified at this second apparition, he made the sign of the cross. The
child smiled, as if to encourage him, and he was about to approach it
again, when it vanished a second time. Greatly perplexed, he drove his
flock home and informed his parents of the occurrence. But they called
the apparition a delusion and told him not to mention it to any one.
Nevertheless, feeling uneasy, and desiring an explanation, he went to
the monastery and related his experience to one of the Fathers, who
advised him to ask the child, if it ever should appear to him again,
what it wanted.
Nearly a year later, June 28, 1446, the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter
and Paul, the child again appeared to the boy in the same place as
before and about sunset; but this time it was surrounded by thirteen
other children, all in a halo of glory. He boldly approached the group
and asked the child he had formerly seen in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and the Holy Ghost, what it desired. The child replied: "We
are the Fourteen Helpers, and desire that a chapel be built for us. Be
thou our servant, and we shall serve thee." Then the group of children
disappeared, and the shepherd boy was filled with heavenly consolation.
The following Sunday, after he had driven his flock to the pasture, it
seemed to him that he saw two lighted candles descending from the sky to
the place where he had seen the apparition. A woman who was passing at
the time declared that she also saw them. The boy hastened to the
monastery and told about the two apparitions. The abbot, Frederic IV,
and the rest of the community, were not inclined to believe in the
apparition, and ascribed it to the boy's visionary fancy. But when, in
the course of time, several extraordinary favors were granted to people
who prayed at the place of the apparition, the monks built a chapel
there. It was begun in 1447, and finished and dedicated next year under
the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
The bishop granted an indulgence for the day of the anniversary of the
dedication, the Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Joannes, granted another, and
Pope Nicholas V a third. These indulgences, and a number of other
spiritual privileges granted to the chapel, attracted a great many
visitors, so that it became a place of pious pilgrimage. Elector
Frederic III, in fulfilment of a vow made when beset with difficulties,
visited the chapel in 1485. Emperor Ferdinand also visited it and left,
as a votive offering, his gold pectoral chain on the altar.
Devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers continued to spread. In 1743, a
magnificent church, to replace the old chapel, was begun, and completed
in 1772. Churches and altars in honor of these saints are found in
Italy, Austria, Tyrol, Hungary, Bohemia, Switzerland, and other
countries of Europe. In the United States of America two churches are
dedicated under the invocation of the Holy Helpers: one in Baltimore,
Md., the other in Gardenville, N. Y. Wherever and whenever invoked,
these saints have proved themselves willing helpers in all difficulties,
vicissitudes, and trials of their faithful clients.