New Year's Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day for Peace

Today, I would still certainly ask people to continue to join in the prayer recommended by the Church. In particular, I would ask that people would join in the singing reciting or singing of the Te Deum, which carries a plenary indulgence for this day. I provided the current ICEL translation of this text in the previous post. Also, there is a recording of the Latin (and Latin text) over at the site of Cantemus Domino.

Additionally, if you have the opportunity, I would recommend that you take part in Eucharistic Adoration. If you have a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours, you can take part in some of the hours, including Vespers. This may be done as I suggested here, in accord with the practice in the Vatican. As a friend pointed out, if you celebrate the office of Matins (Office of Readings) as a vigil before midnight, you can also fulfill the plenary indulgence for the Te Deum (as the Te Deum is part of that particular Office.

Right now, however, I would wish to draw your attention to some observances for the day of Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day for Peace. As a Marian Feast, it is appropriate to pray any number of Marian prayers, including the Rosary, Angelus, Alma Redemptoris Mater (Loving Mother of the Redeemer), etc. Given that this day is held in honor particularly of Mary's title as Mother of God, however, it seems worthy that one recite or sing the Akathistos hymn to the Mother of God. This is a hymn to Mary derived from the practice of the Eastern Church. While I know of no music for this hymn, there is an old practice of singing recto tono (on one single note) a liturgical text. Such could be applied in this case.

Additionally, there is a plenary indulgence for reciting or singing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on the first day of the year. This hymn is traditionally sung for beginnings of things, calling on the Holy Spirit before endeavoring something new. This prayer would be excellent to recite or chant before meditation on any occasion.

Finally, I would include this prayer for peace from the book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers from the Bishops' Conference.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
help us to conquer the menace of evil,
which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today,
and whose immeasurable effects
already weigh down upon our modern world
and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ,
this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings,
laden with the sufferings of whole socieities.
Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit to conquer all sin:
individual sin and the “sin of the world,”
sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world
the infinite saving power of the redemption:
the power of merciful love.

May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

You may undertake to pray any or all of these prayers. It may sometimes be difficult to pray. We should take advantage of the prayers which have been provided by our tradition (as well as prayers reflecting our present difficulties as with the prayer provided just above). New Year's Day is a time to begin again. With the help of Our Lady's prayers, let us do it.

The Te Deum

As mentioned in the previous post (which I hope you read), one can gain a plenary indulgence on Dec. 31 for reciting (or singing!) the hymn Te Deum Laudamus. The translation of this hymn currently on the liturgical books is as follows:

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy: Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of martyrs praise you.
The white robed army of prophets praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you.
R. We praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.

I hope that, at a minimum, this hymn will be a part of your celebration of closing of the year. Also, if you get the chance, I recommend taking part in First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and Eucharistic Adoration (further described in the previous post).

The Closing of 2009: Vespers, Adoration, and Te Deum

December 31, as the close of the civil year, has a dual purpose in the practice of the Church. It is a time both of penance for past sins, as well as thanksgiving for God's blessings throughout the year. The former practice may be seen primarily in the form of Eucharistic Adoration. The latter may be seen in the singing of the Te Deum.

The Directory of Popular Piety has the following to say about this day:

114. Popular piety has given rise to many pious exercises connected with 31 December. In many parts of the Western world the end of the civil year is celebrated on this day. This anniversary affords an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on "the mystery of time", which passes quickly and inexorably. Such should give rise to a dual feeling: of penance and sorrow for the sins committed during the year and for the lost occasions of grace; and of thanks to God for the graces and blessings He has given during the past year.

These sentiments have given rise to two pious exercises: prolonged exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which afford an opportunity for the faithful and many religious communities for silent prayer; and the singing of the Te Deum as an act of community praise and thanksgiving to God for the graces received from Him as the year draws to a close(126).

Such a practice is occurring in St. Peter's in Rome, as may be seen at the Vatican Website. Here, a Booklet for the Celebration of Vespers with Exposition, Benediction, and the Te Deum may be seen. One will notice that Vespers begins as usual (though in this case processing to Tu es Petrus). After the Collect (Closing Prayer), the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, while the people may chant Ave Verum Corpus. After a some time of silent prayer, the Te Deum is sung. Then the Blessed Sacrament is incensed while the Tantum Ergo is sung. After the prayer, Benediction, reposition, and Divine Praises, an the seasonal Marian antiphon is sung (Alma Redemptoris Mater). At the conclusion, the hymn Adeste Fideles is sung.

Such a practice may be done in one's own parish or home. At the very least, one may recite the Te Deum. There is a plenary indulgence for reciting this hymn on the last day of the year. If one has a copy of the the Liturgy of the Hours, they may recite the office of Vespers (Evening Prayer), singing as much as there is music, and reciting the Te Deum after finishing Vespers. if you are near a Church where there is perpetual adoration, then you may certainly spend time in silent adoration there, and possibly even recite the Office of Vespers and Te Deum there. If you have the Mundelein Psalter, you could always sing as much of the Office as you can.

There are many musical settings of the Te Deum that are available. I tend to use the English version in the book By Flowing Waters. There are also a number of Latin versions that would be excellent, including that found in the Booklet Jubilate Deo, or even OCP's booklet Laus Tibi, Christe. All of these also have the traditional musical notation for the Alma Redemptoris Mater.

And of course, nothing prevents you from celebrating Adeste Fideles as the English "O Come, All Ye Faithful," or in its Latin version if you have one.

While it is probably too late to plan a celebration along the lines of that held in St. Peter's, we can always work toward doing so next year. You can always try to make such a work of devotion to God part of the life of your own parish. There are resources that can make a worthy celebration possible.

Feast of the Holy Innocents: Prayer for Unborn

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It is held in honor of those children who were slaughtered by Herod once he learned of the imminent birth of the new King. As is wont to happen with rulers, his utmost goal was self-preservation of his station. For this, he is known to have even killed his own son on an occasion separate from the one commemorated today.

In doing so, he was not unusual from rulers of his age, or for that matter of any age. Indeed, his actions parallel the actions of the Pharaoh in Egypt. Such cold ruthlessness has been the means through which the stability of power has been maintained throughout history. We are fortunate to live in a society where the phrase "politics is a bloodsport" is a metaphor.

The commonality of his actions, however, in no way excuse them. Indeed, they remind us of the necessity to work for justice even when it is not convenient, and that ends can never justify means. There is never a justification for the senseless slaughter of innocent human life.

The Church has proclaimed as much throughout her long history. In the text of the Didache -- a document whose contents are from the first and second centuries -- we find condemnations of practices which were also quite common at the time, as well as common in our own time. Among these we see condemnations of abortion and infanticide. The latter was at the time at least as popular as the former.

On this day, the Church reminds us to pray for all the innocents who have been slaughtered for convenience or expedience. In our day, this is especially for victims of abortion. Moreover, she calls for a conversion of this world, especially those who may have committed this crime, to an ethic of life.

The following prayer from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers is praiseworthy for keeping this day in remembrance of the victims of abortion.

Lord God,
ever caring and gentle,
we commit to your love these little ones,
quickened to life for so short a time.
Enfold them in your love.

We pray for all responsible for the death of these children.
Give them the gift of true repentance,
and comfort them with a full portion of your mercy.

Heavenly Father,
transform our selfishness and sin
and make us turn to your love.
Help us to embrace the Gospel of life
to repudiate sin, selfishness, and death,
and to live only as your children.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The root of all sin, we could say, is making ourselves into God. It is claiming that we have power over God, and power over our neighbor. Jesus has shown us that if we wish to see heaven, we must serve rather than be served, and we must become like little children. In meditating on this feast, it is a reminder to me to rededicate myself as God's child. I hope this may be helpful to anyone else out there

Feast of the Holy Family: Consecrations and Blessings

I understand the complaint of many traditionalists for moving the Feast of the Holy Family to the Sunday of the Octave of Christmas. For one thing, the chronology seems odd when you are at the Nativity one day (Christmas), Jesus is twelve years old (Holy Family), and Jesus is immediately reverted back to a newborn for his circumcision (Mary, Mother of God, New Year's).

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to meditate on family life in this time. In particular, the Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for devotions related to the family. This is especially true for the Feast we celebrate today.

The Directory of Popular Piety says the following about this Feast:

The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Sunday in the Christmas octave) is a festive occasion particularly suitable for the celebration of rites or moments of prayer proper to the Christian family. The recollection of Joseph, Mary and Jesus' going up to Jerusalem, together with other observant Jewish families, for the celebration of the Passover (cf. Lk 2, 41-42), should normally encourage a positive acceptance of the pastoral suggestion that all members of the family attend Mass on this day. This feast day also affords an opportunity for the renewal of our entrustment to the patronage of the Holy Family of Nazareth(120); the blessing of children as provided in the ritual(121); and where opportune, for the renewal of marriage vows taken by the spouses on their wedding day, and also for the exchange of promises between those engaged to be married in which they formalize their desire to found a new Christian family(122).

With this in mind, I think that it would be opportune to focus on an Act of Consecration to the Holy Family as well as the Blessing of Sons and Daughters.

One Act of Consecration to the Holy Family may be found here. While it is no longer indulgenced, this in no way is a diminution of the beauty and worthiness of this prayer.

The Order of Blessing of Sons and Daughters (not to be confused with the Order of Blessing of Children, which should be performed by a priest) may be found in the Shorter Book of Blessings (or the larger one as well).

While I may not be able to print the whole of the Rite, I think that the following prayer of blessing may be appropriate to post, so that others may see the contents of this prayer. The following prayer of blessing is the one to be used by a parent, rather than by a priest or deacon:

Father, inexhaustible source of life and author of all that is good, we bless you and we thank you for brightening our communion of love by your gift of children.
Grant that your children (child) will find in the life of this family such inspiration that they (he/she) will strive always for what is right and good and one day, by your grace, reach their (his/her) home in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

I hope that this may aid in your celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family.

Chant Fonts for Prayer Book

I'm a relatively new user of Linux. I was told that my computer "rejected" Windows when my system shut down a few months ago. I'm generally happy with a lot of programs that I have on here, though I have met with great difficulty trying to add programs.

I saw on the CMAA website forum that there is a freeware program called Caecilia for writing Gregorian chant neumes. I hope that it is easy to use. However, I can't figure out how to install and run this program. I have attempted using various online instructions for installing and running Opentype fonts, but to no avail.

Does anybody know what can be done for this problem? I'd be happy to know.

Bl. Andre Bessette to be Canonized

I didn't realize this right away in the recent list of decrees for causes of saints, but a second miracle has been approved for Bl. Andre Bessette of Canada. This is one saint who, for part of his life, also graced the lands of the United States. So much of the focus had been on the decrees of heroic virtue of Ven. John Paul II, Ven. Pius XII, and to a lesser degree, Ven. Mary Ward, as well as the imminent canonization of Bl. Mary MacKillop, that this slipped under the radar.

The Collect for Bl. Andre Bessette's feast on Jan. 6 is given below:

Lord our God, friend of the lowly,
you gave your servant, Brother Andre,
a great devotion to St. Joseph
and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted.
Through his intercession
help us to follow his example of prayer and love
and so come to share with him in your glory.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

There is a good Wikipedia article for those unfamiliar with this saint. Also, it appears that there have been a few others who have posted on him, whose posts may be found via the Catholic Blogs search field, now located on the right side of this blog or you can just follow this link)!

Support for New Translation of the Roman Missal

This November, our bishops, and all bishops in the English speaking world who had not aready done so, gave their support to the new translation of the Roman Missal. This book contains the text of the prayers which are used during the Holy Mass.

The Latin text of the Missal was revised in 2002. Since then there have been significant delays to implementing a faithful translation of the these prayers. Some have protested implementing the new translation, even starting a petition to further obstruct the mind of the Church. It has come to my petition from Fr. Z's post, found here, that there is also a petition to avoid any further delaying tactics.

I strongly urge anyone and everyone to join in this endeavor to demand faithful translations of the Roman Missal. It is time to speak up for having our sacred patrimony revealed in all its splendor. The petition may be found here.

Upcoming Christmas Novena

I hope that all are preparing to celebrate the Christmas Novena. There are any number of Christmas novenas out there. Perhaps the best of them draw from the "O" Antiphons, which became the basis for the Hymn "O Come, O Come Emannuel".

One may simply sing or say these antiphons if one so chooses, perhaps followed by an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Perhaps another choice would be to pray Vespers from the Liturgy of the Hours, which incorporates the original seven "O" Antiphons. Perhaps, you may wish to sing the original Latin antiphons before the Magnificat of each day.

I hope that all is well with all of you. I hope we all prepare the way for the Lord as the Season of Advent begins to ramp up toward the Solemnity of the Nativity.

Day 9: Immaculate Conception Novena

And thus we round out our preparation for the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope that this time of preparation has been fruitful for all of you. Please feel free to leave any comments about the novena. And off we go with the prayers:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 7 (Lk. 1:26-38)

Lec. From the holy gospel according to Luke.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

V. Lord our God,
who fulfilled the purpose of the Immaculate Conception
in the Annunciation to our Lady,
deign to give us gratitude
for her cooperation with your grace,
which bore the fruit of the Life for the world,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 8 Immaculate Conception Novena

Happy Second Sunday of Advent, everybody! We are now also on our second to last day of the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope that these prayers have been fruitful for you.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 6 (Mi. 5:1-4a)
Lec. From the book of the prophet Micah.

But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

V. God almighty,
who preserved the Virgin Mary
from the stain of Original Sin,
preparing a suitable place for your Son to dwell,
grant, we beg, that we may see his greatness
and know his peace,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 7: Immaculate Conception Novena

We are now down to the last third of the Immaculate Conception Novena. I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent. The prayers follow:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 5 (Is. 7:10-16)

Lec. From the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" Then he said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall be living on curds and honey by the time he learns to reject the bad and choose the good. For before the child learns to reject the bad and choose the good, the land of those two kings whom you dread shall be deserted.

V. O God,
who espoused the inviolate Virgin,
whom you had preserved from sin
from the moment of her Conception,
deign to lead us who honor her Immaculate Conception
to join you at the wedding feast of heaven,
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

The Upcoming Christmas Novena

I feel a little stupid looking over the antiphons for the Magnificat for the Liturgy of the Hours during Dec. 17-23. As it turns out, they already have the "O" antiphons. I don't know why I never realized this.

If doing the novena according to the specifications of the Directory of Popular Piety, there may be a problem for me putting it on this site. For one thing, it would be using the text of Vespers (Evening Prayer) from the Liturgy of the Hours.

The full text of what the Directory says on this novena are as follows:

103. The Christmas novena began as a means of communicating the riches of the Liturgy to the faithful who were unable easily to grasp it. It has played a very effective role and can continue to play such a role. At the same time, in current conditions where the faithful have easier access to the Liturgy, it would seem desirable that vespers from the 17-23 of December should be more solemn by adopting the use of the "major antiphons", and by inviting the faithful to participate at the celebration. Such a celebration, held either before of after which the popular devotions to which the faithful are particularly attached, would be an ideal "Christmas novena", in full conformity with the Liturgy and mindful of the needs of the faithful. Some elements, such as the homily, the use of incense, and the intercessions, could also be expanded within the celebration of Vespers.

Therefore, since I don't have permission from ICEL, it might be best to only do a traditional Christmas Novena. This would consist of the "O"Antiphon for the day, followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be, from December 16-24. I also hope to add an original hymn for Las Posadas during this same period. A description of this devotion will be given later.

Day 6: Immaculate Conception Novena

Off we go to Day 6. I hope that everyone is having a blessed a fruitful Advent.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 4 (Is. 61:9-11)
Lec. From the book of the prophet Isaiah

Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; All who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the LORD has blessed. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

V. All-loving God,
who robed the Virgin with the salvation of Christ
from the moment of her Conception,
grant to us, entrusted to her by Christ,
the grace to honor you
by commending her Holy and Immaculate Conception
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Progress Continues . . .

Owing to the Thanksgiving Holiday, I have not spent as much time on the Prayerbook Project as I would have hoped. I knew that to start the Advent Season that I would want to post the prayers for the Immaculate Conception Novena. All of the blogposts are already written, but I thought that it might be more fun for all of you who read this to introduce the prayers day by day.

I have thought about posting a Christmas Novena as well. It is still very much under construction, but it can certainly be issued soon. The difficulty is the Directory of Popular Piety requested that this particular Novena be an expansion of the prayer of Vespers (adding in the "O" Antiphons, expanding the intercessions, using incense). In theory this sounds easy, but one would need to account for all the possible psalms that could fall on all the possible days. Such would be difficult in the prayer book iteslf, but might be handled in an annual booklet.

The solution from A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions was simply create something perhaps inspired by Vespers. It starts with a hymn, omits any psalms, then proceeds with a reading, the O Antiphon, Magnificat, Litany of Loreto, and concluding prayer. I understand the temptation to do something of the sort, but I don't think that it would suffice. Of course, there is simply praying (reciting or singing) the O Antiphons, followed by the one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be. While I will certainly include this option, especially for families, it seems to me that there should be something more substantial for parishes.

I don't yet know how to solve this problem. I will, however, have to find an answer soon. Stay tuned!

Day 5: Immaculate Conception Novena

And thus we move on. I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 3 (1 Chr. 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2)
Lec. From the first book of Chronicles.

Then David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD to the place which he had prepared for it. David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites. The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD. David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren as chanters, to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, to make a loud sound of rejoicing. They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they offered up holocausts and peace offerings to God. When David had finished offering up the holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

V. God our Father,
as the people of Israel welcomed the ark
into the Holy City of Jerusalem,
grant us the courage to welcome
the ark of the New Covenant into our hearts
through whom Jesus our Salvation has come,
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 4: Immaculate Conception Novena

We now move on to the fourth day of the Immaculate Conception Novena. As with all things in Advent, the time quickly approaches. Even if you have not followed the previous days, feel free to pray these novena prayers. Also, feel free to leave suggestions as to how they may be improved, in light of how the novena might be celebrated in your family or parish. I would recommend singing the two hymns, as well as the Litany (sung like the Litany of Saints). And now for the prayer itself:

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 2 (Ex. 25:10-16)

Lec. From the book of Exodus.

"You shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. Plate it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold around the top of it. Cast four gold rings and fasten them on the four supports of the ark, two rings on one side and two on the opposite side. Then make poles of acacia wood and plate them with gold. These poles you are to put through the rings on the sides of the ark, for carrying it; they must remain in the rings of the ark and never be withdrawn. In the ark you are to put the commandments which I will give you.”

V. Lord God,
who ordered that the Ark of the Covenant
be made of immaculate wood,
prefiguring the Immaculate dwelling of our Lord,
grant that our hearts be renewed
to provide a fitting dwelling for your Spirit,
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 3: Immaculate Conception Novena

We are now on Day 3 of Advent, as well as Day 3 of the Immaculate Conception Novena. If you have any comments on how this devotion may be improved, please feel free to comment. Also, please pray this devotion. Even if you have not held the last two days, there's no shame in preparing for this great feast for the rest of the week! May Our Lady guide us toward Christ.

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READING

Dec. 1 (Sngs. 4:6-8)

Lec. From the Song of Songs.

Until the day breathes cool and the shadows lengthen,
I will go to the mountain of myrrh,
to the hill of incense. You are all-beautiful, my beloved,
and there is no blemish in you. Come from Lebanon, my bride,
come from Lebanon, come!
Descend from the top of Amana,
from the top of Senir and Hermon,
From the haunts of lions,
from the leopards' mountains.

V. O God,
who made the Virgin without blemish,
that she might in turn be espoused to the Holy Spirit,
grant, we ask, that our endeavor to give you honor
for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
will bear much fruit
through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Day 2: Immaculate Conception Novena

Here is the second installment of the Immaculate Conception Novena, for this, the 30th of November (Feast of St. Andrew).

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing;
Who reignest in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim;
On earth we, thy children, invoke thy fair name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for God's glory; may His kingdom come;
We pray for His vicar, our father, and Rome.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

READINGS

Nov. 30 (Gen. 28: 10-17)

Lec. From the book of Genesis.

Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God's messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: "I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you." When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, "Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!" In solemn wonder he cried out: "How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!"God almighty

V. God almighty,
as all nations have found blessing in Israel
by your providing a dwelling for your Son
in the womb of the Virgin,
deign to give us,
who were born or grafted into tree of Israel
the joy of celebrating
the conception of his first earthly dwelling
through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy

God our Father in heaven have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us

Holy Mary pray for us
Holy Mother of God pray for us
Most honored of virgins pray for us
Mother of Christ pray for us
Mother of the Church pray for us
Mother of divine grace pray for us
Mother most pure pray for us
Mother of chaste love pray for us
Mother and Virgin pray for us
Sinless Mother pray for us
Dearest of Mothers pray for us
Model of motherhood pray for us
Mother of good counsel pray for us
Mother of our Creator pray for us
Mother of our Savior pray for us
Virgin most wise pray for us
Virgin rightly praised pray for us
Virgin rightly renowned pray for us
Virgin most powerful pray for us
Virgin gentle in mercy pray for us
Faithful Virgin pray for us
Mirror of justice pray for us
Throne of wisdom pray for us
Cause of our joy pray for us
Shrine of the Spirit pray for us
Glory of Israel pray for us
Vessel of selfless devotion pray for us
Mystical Rose pray for us
Tower of David pray for us
Tower of ivory pray for us
House of gold pray for us
Ark of the covenant pray for us
Gate of heaven pray for us
Morning Star pray for us
Health of the sick pray for us
Refuge of sinners pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Help of Christians pray for us
Queen of angels pray for us
Queen of patriarchs and prophets pray for us
Queen of apostles and martyrs pray for us
Queen of confessors and virgins pray for us
Queen of all saints pray for us
Queen conceived without sin pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven pray for us
Queen of the rosary pray for us
Queen of families pray for us
Queen of peace pray for us

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Eternal God, let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to happiness in the life to come. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYER

V: In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate.
R: Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world.
V: To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin.
R: I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.
V: O Mary, you entered the world without stain.
R: Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin.
V: O Mary, conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Let us Pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
All: Blessed by the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

HYMN

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve Salve Salve Regina

Comments for how we might improve this devotion to Our Lady are welcome.