When you were little, in times of trouble, there was always an incomparable comfort found in your mother. If you fell and scraped your knee, saw something scary, or couldn't sleep... it was almost always an immediate response to run to mom. Or if you were excited, brought home a picture from school, found a good friend, or saw a pretty butterfly, mom was usually the first to hear about it and help us enjoy the beautiful little celebrations in life. Christ gave us our mothers as those who would comfort, nurture, and care for us, and one day we too may be mothers and care for our own children.
But He also had a mother, one more perfect and loving than other women have been able to be, as she had the special privilege of being the Immaculate Conception. So who better to turn to in times of trouble, or even joy, than the most Holy mother who is constantly loving us and looking out for us?
"Trust in me, my daughter, that I am thy Mother."
I just wanted to share with you a few of my favorite Marian prayers and devotions. Even if you've known these or have prayed them before it's always good to be reminded how important of a refuge Our Lady is for us. :)
~ Ave Maris Stella ~
Hail, bright star of ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
Taing that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva's name.
Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild.
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be.
Amen.
~ Prayer to Our Lady Undoer of Knots ~
O Virgin Mary,
Mother who never refuses to come to the help of your children in need,
Mother whose hands never stop working for the welfare of your children,
moved as they are by the loving mercy and kindness that exists in your Immaculate Heart,
cast your compassionate and merciful eyes on me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life.
Oh Mother! You know the difficulties, sorrow, and pain that I've had because of them.
O loving Mother, I place the ribbon of my life and this knot (these knots) into your loving hands,
hands which can undo even the most difficult knot.
Most holy Mother, come to my aid and intercede for me before God with your prayers.
I cast this knot into your hands (mention your intention/need) and beg you to undo it,
in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, and for the glory of God, once and for all.
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
~ The Memorare ~
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to thy protection, implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
~ Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary ~
This consecration has a 33-day preparation, in which you purge yourself of worldly attachments and any desires that hold you back from achieving Heaven. And the end you entrust yourself to Mary's protection in an act of consecration, and your whole self from then on belongs to Our Blessed Mother. I made this consecration several years ago, and I cannot stress just how much it has been a saving grace in my life. My favorite preparation to use is the Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis De Montfort. It is a serious commitment, but I would highly recommend you look into this beautiful devotion.
I hope these prayers, whether new or old to you, remind you of Our blessed Mother's great love for you and the refuge to be found in her. Our Lord denies her nothing; tell her your needs! Ask her to wrap you in her mantle which will shield you from the world and bring you closer to her Son.
Ad Jesum per Mariam!
Comments
Post a Comment