The practice of a scriptural rosary dates back the Middle Ages. The idea behind the scriptural rosary is to meditate on the life and events of Jesus and Mary. Most of the meditations are taken directly from scripture. These meditations are intended on helping you focus on the different mysteries as you are praying them, and enter deeper into prayer. This particular version was written for both individual and group prayer a”/” mark divides the leader and the response, similar to the way the Angelus is prayed. To download an mp3 version of the Scriptural Rosary click here.

Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation

The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

Our Father…

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin; / and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26,27)

Hail Mary…

‘Rejoice, so lightly favored! / The Lord is with you’ (Luke 1:28)

Hail Mary…

She was deeply disturbed by these words / and asked herself what this greeting could mean. (Luke 1:29)

Hail Mary…

But the angel said to her, ‘Mary do not be afraid; / you have found God’s favor.’ (Luke 1:30)

Hail Mary…

‘Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, / and you must name him Jesus.’ (Luke 1:31)

Hail Mary…

‘He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; / and his reign will have no end.’ (Luke 1:32,33)

Hail Mary…

Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, / since I am a virgin?’ (Luke 1:34)

Hail Mary…

‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you / and the power of the Most High will cover you with it’s shadow.’ (Luke 1:35)

Hail Mary…

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord.’ said Mary / ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ (Luke 1:38)

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

The Visitation

The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

Our Father…

Mary set out at that time and went to the hill country. / And she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:41)

Hail Mary…

Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb / and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)

She gave a loud cry and said, ‘of all women you are the most blessed, / and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ (Luke 1:42)

Hail Mary…

‘Yes blessed is she who believed / that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ (Luke 1:45)

Hail Mary…

And Mary said: ‘my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my savior; / because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.’ (Luke 1:46-48)

Hail Mary…

‘Yes from this day forward all generation will call me blessed, / for the Almighty has done great things for me.’ (Luke 1:48, 49)

Hail Mary…

‘Holy is his name, / and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.’ (Luke 1:49, 50)

Hail Mary…

‘He has shown the power of his arm, /he has routed the proud of heart.’ (Luke 1:51)

Hail Mary…

‘He has pulled down princes from their thrones / and exalted the lowly.’ (Luke 1:53)

Hail Mary…

‘The hungry he has filled with good things, /the rich he has sent away empty.’ (Luke 1:53)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Nativity

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

Our Father…

Now while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem / the time came for he to have her child (Luke 2:6)

Hail Mary…

And she gave birth to a son, her firstborn, / and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:7)

Hail Mary…

And she laid him in a manger / because there was no room for them at the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Hail Mary…

In the countryside close by there were shepherds / and the angel of the Lord appeared to them. (Luke 2:8, 9)

Hail Mary…

‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, / a joy to be shared by the whole people.’ (Luke 2:10)

Hail Mary…

‘Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; / he is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:11)

Hail Mary…

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, / and peace to men who enjoy his favor.’ (Luke 2:14)

Hail Mary…

And some wise men came from the Far East, / and going in they saw the child with his mother Mary. (Matt 2:1,11)

Hail Mary…

And falling to their knees they did him homage. / Then they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matt 2:11)

Hail Mary…

And Mary kept in mind all these things / and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Presentation

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation

Our Father…

Observing the Law of Moses they took Jesus up to Jerusalem / to present him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22)

Hail Mary…

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. / He was an upright and devout man. (Luke 2:25)

Hail Mary…

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death / until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. (Luke 2:26)

Hail Mary…

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, he took him into his arms / and blessed God. (Luke 2:27, 28)

Hail Mary…

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, / just as you promised.’ (Luke 2:29)

Hail Mary…

‘Because my eyes have seen the salvation / which you have prepared for all the nations to see.’ (Luke 2:30, 31)

Hail Mary…

‘A light to enlighten the pagans / and the glory of your people Israel.’ (Luke 2:32)

Hail Mary…

And he said to Mary his mother, “You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, / destined to be a sign that is rejected.’ (Luke 2:34)

Hail Mary…

‘And a sword will pierce your own soul too-/ so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ (Luke 2:35)

Hail Mary…

And they went back to Nazareth, and the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; / and God’s favor was with him. (Luke 2:39,40)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Our Father…

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem / for the feast of the Passover. (Luke 2:41, 42)

Hail Mary…

When they were on their way home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem / without his parents knowing it. (Luke 2:43)

They went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. / Three days later they found him in the Temple. (Luke 2:45,46)

Hail Mary…

He was sitting among the doctors, / listening to them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)

Hail Mary…

And all those that heard him were astounded / at his intelligence and his replies. (Luke 2:47)

Hail Mary…

‘My child, why have you done this to us? / See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ (Luke 2:48)

Hail Mary…

‘Why were you looking for me? / Did you not know that I must be busy with my father’s affairs?’ (Luke 2:49)

Hail Mary…

But they did not understand / what he meant. (Luke 2:50)

Hail Mary…

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth / and lived under their authority. (Luke 2:51)

Hail Mary…

And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor / with God and men. (Luke 2:52)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

Our Father…

Jesus came with them to Gethsemane. / And sadness came over him, and great distress. (Matt 26:36, 37)

Hail Mary…

Then he said, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. / Wait here and keep awake with me.’ (Matt 26:38)

Hail Mary…

Then he withdrew from them, / and knelt down and prayed. (Luke 22:41)

Hail Mary…

Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. / Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ (Luke 22:42)

Hail Mary…

Then an angel appeared before him, coming from heaven to give him strength. (Luke 22:43)

Hail Mary…

In his anguish / he prayed even more earnestly. (Luke 22:44)

Hail Mary…

And his sweat fell to the ground / like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:44)

Hail Mary…

Then He came back to his disciples and found them sleeping, / and he said, ‘So you had not the strength to keep awake with me one hour?’ (Matt 26:40)

Hail Mary…

‘You should be awake, / and be praying not to be put to the test.’ (Matt 26:41)

Hail Mary…

‘The spirit is willing, / but the flesh is weak.’ (Matt 26:41)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Scourging at the Pillar

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Our Father…

They had Jesus bound and handed him over to Pilate. / Pilate questioned him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ (Mark 15:1-2)

Hail Mary…

Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; / but yes, I am a king.’ (John 18:36-37)

Hail Mary…

‘I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; / and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’ (John 18:37)

Hail Mary…

Truth?’ said Pilate, ‘What is that?’ / and with that he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no case against him.’ (John 18:38)

Hail Mary…

‘So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.’ / Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged. (Luke 23:16, John 19:1)

Hail Mary…

Despised and rejected by men, / a man of sorrows. (Isaiah 53:3)

Hail Mary…

Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, / like a lamb that is led to the slaughterhouse.
Isaiah 53:7

Hail Mary…

Yet he was pierced through for our faults, / crushed for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5)

Hail Mary…

Ours were the sufferings he bore, / ours the sorrows he carried. (Isaiah 53:4)

Hail Mary…

On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, / and through his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Crowning of Thorns

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

Our Father…

The soldiers led him away to the Praetorium. / Then they stripped him and dressed him up in purple. (Mark 15:16-17, Matt 27:28)

Hail Mary…

And having twisted some thorns into a crown they put this on his head / and placed a reed in his right hand. (Matt 27:29)

Hail Mary…

To make fun of him they knelt to him / saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ (Matt 27:29)

Hail Mary…

And they spat on him / and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matt 27:30)

Hail Mary…

Then Pilate took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd / and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern.’ (Matt 27:24)

Hail Mary…

Jesus then came out / wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. (John 19:5)

Hail Mary…

‘Here is your king,’ said Pilate. / ‘Take him away!’ they said. ‘Crucify him!’ (John 19:15)

Hail Mary…

‘Why, what harm has he done?’ / But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ (Mark 15:14)

Hail Mary…

‘Do you want me to crucify your king?’ / The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king except Caesar.’ (John 19:15)

Hail Mary …

So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, / handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Carrying of the Cross

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Our Father…

‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, / let him renounce himself.’ (Luke 9:23)

Hail Mary…

‘And take up his cross every day / and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23)

Hail Mary…

And carrying his own cross / they led him out to crucify him. (John 19:16; Mark 15:21)

Hail Mary…

And they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, / and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

Hail Mary…

‘Shoulder my yoke / and learn from me.’ (Matt 11:29)

Hail Mary…

‘For I am gentle / and humble in heart.’ (Matt 11:29)

Hail Mary…

‘And you will find rest for your souls. / Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ (Matt 11:29-30)

Hail Mary…

Large numbers of people followed him, / and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. (Luke 23:27)

Hail Mary…

But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; / weep rather for yourselves and for your children.’ (Luke 23:28)

Hail Mary…

‘For if men use the green wood like this, / what will happen when it is dry?’ (Luke 23:31)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Crucifixion

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

Our Father…

When they reached the place called The Skull, / they crucified him. (Luke 23:33)

Hail Mary…

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; / they do not know what they are doing.‘ (Luke 23:34)

Hail Mary…

One of the criminals crucified with him said, ‘Jesus, remember me / when you come into your kingdom.’ (Luke 23:39, 42; Mark 15:32)

Hail Mary…

‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied / ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43)

Hail Mary…

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother / and the disciple he loved. (John 19:25-26)

Hail Mary…

Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ / Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ (John 19:26-27)

Hail Mary…

And from that moment / the disciple made a place for her in his home. (John 19:27)

Hail Mary…

And a darkness came over the whole land, and the earth quaked; / and the veil of the Temple was torn in two. (Luke 23:44; Matthew 27:51)

Hail Mary…

And Jesus cried out in a loud voice, / ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ (Luke 23:46)

Hail Mary…

And bowing his head / he breathed his last. (John 19:30, Luke 23:46)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection

Our Father …

‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be sorrowful, / but your sorrow will turn to joy.’ (John 16:20)

Hail Mary …

‘For I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, / and that joy no one shall take from you.’ (John 16:22)

Hail Mary …

At the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb / with the spices they had prepared. (Luke 24:1)

Hail Mary …

And all at once the angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, / came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. (Matt 28:2)

Hail Mary …

‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. / He is not here.’ (Matt 28:5-6)

Hail Mary …

‘He has risen from the dead. / Come and see the place where he lay.‘ (Luke 24:6; Matt 28:6-7)

Hail Mary …

‘And now he is going before you to Galilee; / it is there you will see him.’ (Matt 28:7)

Hail Mary …

And the women came out from the tomb / filled with awe and great joy. (Mark 16:8; Matt 28:8)

Hail Mary …

‘I am the resurrection and the life. / If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live.’ (John 11:25)

Hail Mary …

‘And whoever lives and believes in me / will never die.’ (John 11:26)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Our Father …

Jesus took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, / and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (Luke 24:50)

Hail Mary …

He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth / has been given to me.’ (Matt 28:18)

Hail Mary …

‘Go, therefore / make disciples of all the nations.’ (Matt 28:19)

Hail Mary …

‘Baptize them / in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matt 28:19)

Hail Mary …

‘And teach them to observe / all the commands I gave you.’ (Matt 28:20)

Hail Mary …

‘He who believes and is baptized / will be saved.’ (Mark 16:16)

Hail Mary …

‘He who does not believe will be condemned.’ (Mark 16:16)

Hail Mary …

‘And know that I am with you always; / yes, to the end of time. (Matt 28:20)

Hail Mary …

As he said this he was lifted up, / and a cloud took him from their sight. (Acts 1:9)

Hail Mary …

And so the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven; / there at the right hand of God he took his place. (Mark 16:19)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Coming of the Holy Spirit

The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Our Father …

When Pentecost day came around, / they had all met in one room. (Acts 2:1)

Hail Mary …

Suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, / the noise of which filled the entire house. (Acts 2:2)

Hail Mary …

And something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; / these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. (Acts 2:3)

Hail Mary …

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, / and began to speak about the marvels of God. (Acts 2:4, 11)

Hail Mary …

Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem / from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)

Hail Mary …

And Peter stood up with the Eleven / and addressed them in a loud voice. (Acts 2:14)

Hail Mary …

‘Repent and be baptized, / and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 2:38)

Hail Mary …

And they accepted what he said and were baptized. / That very day about three thousand were added to their number. (Acts 2:41)

Hail Mary …

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created; / and you shall renew the face of the earth. (Pentecost Alleluia)

Hail Mary …

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; / and kindle in them the fire of your love. (Pentecost Alleluia)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

The Assumption

The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption

Our Father …

‘Come then, my love, / my lovely one, come. (Songs 2:10)

Hail Mary …

‘For see, winter is past, / the rains are over and gone.’ (Songs 2:11)

Hail Mary …

‘Show me your face, let me hear your voice; / for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful. (Songs 2:14)

Hail Mary …

And the sanctuary of God in heaven opened. / Then came flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. (Revelations 11:19)

Hail Mary …

Now a great sign appeared in heaven; / a woman, adorned with the sun. (Revelations 12:1)

Hail Mary …

She was standing on the moon, / with the twelve stars on her head for a crown. (Revelations 12:1)

Hail Mary …

With jewels set in gold, and dressed in brocades, / the king’s daughter is led in to the king. (Psalm 45:13-14)

Hail Mary …

May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High, / beyond all women on earth. (Judith 13:23)

Hail Mary …

The trust you have shown shall not pass from the memories of men, / but shall ever remind them of the power of God. (Judith 13:25)

Hail Mary …

You are the glory of Jerusalem! You are the great pride of Israel! / You are the highest honor of our people! (Judith 15:10)

Hal Mary…

Glory be …

The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation

Our Father …

Who is this arising like the dawn, / fair as the moon, resplendent as the sun? (Songs 6:10)

Hail Mary …

Like the rainbow gleaming against brilliant clouds, / like blossoms in the days of spring. (Ecclus 50:7-8)

Hail Mary …

‘I am the rose of Sharon, / I am the lily of the valleys.’ (Songs 2:1)

Hail Mary …

‘My throne is in a pillar of cloud, / and for eternity I shall remain.’ (Ecclus 24:4,9)

Hail Mary …

‘Approach me, you who desire me, / and take your fill of my fruits.’ (Ecclus 24:19)

Hail Mary …

‘I am like a vine putting out graceful shoots, / my blossoms are sweeter than honey.’ (Ecclus 24:17,20)

Hail Mary …

‘And now, my children, listen to me; / listen to instruction and learn to be wise.’ (Proverbs 8:32-33)

Hail Mary …

‘Happy are those who keep my ways, / who day after day watch at my gates.’ (Proverbs 8:32,34)

Hail Mary …

‘For those who find me find life, / and win favor from the Lord.’ (Proverbs 8:35)

Hail Mary …

Hail, Queen of Mercy, protect us from the enemy, / and receive us at the hour of death. (Queenship of the B.V.M. Gradual)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Luminous Mysteries

Baptism in the Jordan

The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism in the Jordan

Our Father…

“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.” (Matt 3:11)

Hail Mary…

“I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” (Luke 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matt 3:11)

Hail Mary…

“His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)

Hail Mary…

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.” (Matt 3:13)

Hail Mary…

“John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’ (Matt 3:14)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ “ (Matt 3:15)

Hail Mary…

“After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.” (Matt 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17)

Hail Mary…

“Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Wedding at Cana

The Second Luminous Mystery: The Miracle at the Wedding of Cana

Our Father…

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.” (John 2:1-2)

Hail Mary…

“When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ ” (John 2:3)

Hail Mary…

“[And] Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)

Hail Mary…

“His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ “ (John 2:5)

Hail Mary…

“Now there were six stone jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.” (John 2:6)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:7)

Hail Mary…

“Then he told them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it.” (John 2:8)

Hail Mary…

“And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom” (John 2:9)

Hail Mary…

“and said to him, ‘Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.’ “ (John 2:10)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” (John 2:11)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Proclamation of the Kingdom

The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Our Father…

“He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.’ “ (Luke 4:16-18)

Hail Mary…

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Hail Mary…

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Hail Mary…

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5)

Hail Mary…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” (John 4:36)

Hail Mary…

“Now someone approached him and said, ‘Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?’ He answered him, ‘Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.“ (Matt 19:16-17)

Hail Mary…

“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:29)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to him, ‘what is written in the law? How do you read it?’ He said in reply, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ He replied to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.’ “ (Luke 10:25)

Hail Mary…

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ “ (Matt 26:31, 33-34)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Transfiguration

The Fourth Luminous Mystery:  The Transfiguration

Our Father…

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.” (Mark 9:2)

Hail Mary…

“And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” (Mark 9:2-3)

Hail Mary…

“Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4)

Hail Mary…

“Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Mark 9:5)

Hail Mary…

“While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.“ (Luke 9:34)

Hail Mary…

“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ “ (Matt 17:5)

Hail Mary…

“When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.” (Matt 17:6)

Hail Mary…

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ ” (Matt 17:7)

Hail Mary…

“And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.” (Matt 17:8)

Hail Mary…

“As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, ‘Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ “ (Matt 17:9)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Institution of the Eucharist

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Our Father…

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ “ (John 6:32-33)

Hail Mary…

“So they said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6:34-35)

Hail Mary…

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.” (John 6:47-50)

Hail Mary…

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

Hail Mary…

“The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?’ “ (John 6:52)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.’ ” (John 6:53)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6:54-55)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
(John 6:56-57)

Hail Mary…

“This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:58)

Hail Mary…

“Then many of his disciples who were listening said, ‘this saying is hard; who can accept it?’ As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.’ “ (John 6:60, 66-68)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Preceding Mary’s apparition  the sacristy lights were mysteriously illuminated on two separate occasions. On April 15, 1980 the sacristan, Bernardo Martinez witnessed the Marian statue in the chapel light up on it’s own. Bernardo believed that the Holy Mother was angry at him for arguing with others. He went out to seek forgiveness from those people, but after retelling what happened to him they laughed at him, disbelieving what he claimed to see. Because of this ridicule he prayed, “Blessed Mother, please do not request anything of me. I have many problems in the church. Make your request known to some other person because I want to avoid any more problems. I have a great many now. I don’t want any more.” Just to be sure he avoided going near that statue.

Returning from a fishing trip on May 8, 1988 Bernardo saw two lightning flashes. On the second flash the Virgin Mary appeared to him. Bernardo describes the event: “It looked like the statue of the Virgin of Fatima. I was immobile. I had no inclination to run, to yell, I felt no fear, I was surprised. I had thought and said: ‘What am I seeing? … Could it be the same statue of the Virgin that they brought and placed here for me? … The statue from the chapel … Is it in order to play a joke on me because I said I saw it illuminated? … Is it a trick? … But no! I would have seen them carrying it.’ I then passed my hand over my face because I thought that what I saw was a dream. And I said, ‘Could it be that I am asleep, but I have not tripped over anything.’

“And when I removed my hands from my face, I saw that she had human skin and that her eyes moved and She blinked. I then said, in my thoughts, because I could not move my tongue … I said: ‘She is alive. … She is not a statue. … She is alive!’ My mind was the only thing that I could move. I felt like numb, my lower jaw stiff and my tongue as if asleep, everything immobilized, as I said, only the ideas moved in my head. I was in those thoughts when She extended Her arms — like the Miraculous Medal, which I never had seen, but which later was shown to me. She extended Her arms and from Her hands emanated rays of light stronger than the sun. She was – She rested up high and the rays that came from Her hands touched my breast. When she gave out Her light is when I became encouraged to speak, although somewhat stammering. I said to her: ‘What is your name?’

“She answered me with the sweetest voice I have ever heard in any woman, not even in persons who speak softly. She answered me and said that Her name was Mary. I saw the way She moved Her lips. I then said: ‘She is alive! She spoke! She has answered my question!’ I could see that we could enter into a conversation; that I could speak with Her. I asked her, then, where She came from. She told me with the same sweetness:

Apparition to Bernardo

“I come from Heaven. I am the Mother of Jesus.’ At hearing this I immediately asked Her — remembering what the priest had told me — I asked Her: ‘What is it you want?’

“I want the Rosary to be prayed everyday.’

“I then interrupted and said to Her: ‘Yes, we are praying it. — The priest brought us the intentions of the San Francisco parish so that we would unite ourselves with them.’

“She told me: ‘I don’t want it prayed only in the month of May. I want it to be prayed permanently, within the family, including the children old enough to understand; to be prayed at a set hour when there are no problems with the work in the home.’

‘Love each other. Fulfill your obligations. Make peace. Don’t ask our Lord for peace because if you do not make it there will be no peace. Renew the Five First Saturdays. You received many graces when all of you did this.’

Mary explained to Bernardo that we should not make prayers in a rush, or in a mechanical fashion, to avoid doing this she told him to read bible passages to go along with the mysteries of the rosary. She continued to speak to Bernardo, “Nicaragua has suffered much since the earthquake. She is threatened with even more suffering. She will continue to suffer if you don’t change. — Pray! Pray, my son, the Rosary for all the world. Tell believers and non-believers that the world is threatened by grave dangers. I ask the Lord to appease His Justice, but if you don’t change, you will hasten the arrival of a Third World War.’

“After She had said these words, I understood that I had to say this to the people and I told her: ‘Lady, I don’t want problems. I have many in the Church. Tell this to another person.’ She then told me:

“No, because Our Lord has selected you to give the message.”

Bernardo was frightened to spread Mary’s message because of the persecution he endured earlier. He kept the vision to himself for eight days until Mary appeared to him again.

“Why have you not told what I sent you to tell?’

“Lady, it is that I am afraid. I am afraid of being the ridicule of the people, afraid that they will laugh at me, that they will not believe me. Those, who will not believe this, will laugh at me. They will say that I am crazy.”

“Do not be afraid. I am going to help you. And tell the priest.”

Bernardo began telling people what he had seen, and when he told his pastor he was instructed to continue telling people what he had witnessed, but if he had any more visions or messages he was to tell no one and talk to the priest only.

On June 8^th Our Lady appeared again. This time she had four visions for Bernardo, which she gave to him like “movies in the sky”.  The first vision was of the first Christians singing and marching towards heaven. They were dressed in white singing and marching, their bodies glowing with light. The second vision was of another group of people also dressed in white. They held illuminated rosaries in their hands. The leader read from a book, and after meditating on the reading they prayed an Our Father and 10 Hail Marys Mary explained that, “They are the first ones to whom I gave the Rosary. That is the way that I want all of you to pray the Rosary.”

In the third vision Bernardo saw a group of men dressed in brown robes. Mary explained that these were the Franciscans, “These received the Rosary from the hands of the first ones.”

In the fourth vision he saw a large group, like an army, of people in normal dress all holding rosaries. Bernardo described them as, “normal except that they radiated light from their bodies, and their bodies were all beautiful”. He wanted to go join them even though he was not illuminated, because they were dressed like he was but Mary said, “No! You are still lacking. You have to tell the people what you have seen and heard. I have shown you the glory of Our Lord and you people will acquire this if you are obedient to Our Lord, to the Lord’s Word; if you persevere in praying the Holy Rosary and put into practice the Lord’s Word.”

After this apparition Bernardo did as the priest asked and only told him about the vision. This was important, because in order to be a legitimate apparition it needed to be approved by the church first, since the church is the protector of the Word of God. The priest of course gave Bernardo permission to spread the message he was given.

On July 8^, 1980 Bernardo had a vision of prophecy, this time from an angel. The angel told Bernardo to tell a woman how and when her brother would get released from jail because he was innocent. He had a message for another woman regarding her alcoholic father and brother as well as her problems teaching in a communist school. Finally the angel warned Bernardo that his cousin would be assaulted and later killed. All of these prophecies came to pass exactly as the angel described.

On the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, October 13, 1980, a large glowing circle appeared above the ground in front of 50 people that had gathered to say The Holy Rosary.

“It was 3:00 in the afternoon. One could feel a small breeze that moved softly. Pleasant, like a fresh shower, but which did not wet us. While we observed this, we were silent and continued seeing that circle of light which gave off colored lights from the exact center, where the sun is at twelve noon.

“All of a sudden a lightning flash, the same as the other times; then, a second one. I lowered my eyes and I saw the Lady.”

Bernardo begged her to appear to those that did not believe in his visions. Her face became pale and her cloths grey, appearing as Our Lady of Sorrows, she said to Bernardo, “It saddens me to see the hardness of those persons’ hearts. But you will have to pray for them so that they will change. Pray the Rosary. Meditate on the mysteries. Listen to the Word of God spoken in them. Love one another. Love each other. Forgive each other. Make peace. Don’t ask for peace without making peace, because if you don’t make it, it does no good to ask for it.

Fulfill your obligations. Put into practice the world of God. Seek ways to please God. Serve your neighbor as that way you will please Him.

They ask of me things that are unimportant. Ask for Faith in order to have the strength so that each can carry his own cross.

The suffering of this world cannot be removed. That is the way life is. There are problems with the husband, with the wife, with the children, with the brothers. Talk, converse, so that problems will be resolved in peace. Do not turn to violence. Never turn to violence. Pray for faith in order that you will have patience.

You will no longer see me in this place.”

Bernardo cried out: “Don’t leave us, my Mother! Don’t leave us, my Mother! Don’t leave us, my Mother.”

“Do not be grieved. I am with all of you even though you do not see me. I am the Mother of All you sinners.

Love one another. Forgive each other. Make peace, because if you don’t make it, there will be no peace. Do not turn to violence. Never turn to violence.

Nicaragua has suffered a great deal since the earthquake, and will continue to suffer if all of you don’t change. If you don’t change you will hasten the coming of the Third World War.

Pray, pray, my son, for all the world. Grave dangers threaten the world. The Mother never forgets Her children, and I have not forgotten what you suffer. I am the Mother of all of you sinners. Invoke me with these words.

Holy Virgin, You are my Mother, the Mother to all of us sinners.”

At this point Mary’s message was complete, “Pray the Rosary, meditate on the life of Christ and the Beatitudes, pray together in the family, never rush or say mechanically your prayers, make peace, never violence, love, forgive, please God, and put into practice the Word of God.” Mary’s message is nothing new; it follows closely the message of Fatima. At Fatima Our Lady urged us to pray The Holy Rosary, in Cuapa she urges us to say it correctly. She also stressed the need to continue the Five First Saturday Devotion. At Fatima The Blessed Virgin requested that we pray for peace, in Cuapa she added that peace must first start in our families and in our hearts.

These Apparitions were officially approved by the church in 1982, and shortly after Bernardo Martinez was ordained a priest.

Prayer

The Virgin Mary encouraged Bernardo Martinez to say this prayer:

St. Mary of Victory, Favorite Daughter of God the Father, give me your faith; Mother of God the Son, give me your hope; Sacred Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, give me your charity and cover us with your mantle.” 

She requested that she be invoked with these words:
“Holy Virgin, you are my Mother, the Mother to all of us sinners…”

Background

Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa became paralyzed at age 19 from a poorly performed appendix surgery. After 16 years or hospital visits and surgeries she started showing signs of improvement and joined the community of Nuns of the Virgin Mary in Nagasaki. After another bout of health problems and now totally deaf she entered the order of Eucharistic Servants of Yuzawadai, located in Akita Japan.

Miraculous Events

On June 12, 1973 Sr. Agnes observed a mysterious radiant light emanate from the tabernacle. She experienced this same phenomena the next two days. On June 28 Sr. Agnes received a cross-shaped stigmata on her left hand, which was both painful and bloody.

The sisters of The Eucharistic Servants had a 3-foot statue of The Blessed Virgin that was carved out of a single piece of a Katsura tree, standing 3 feet tall. It was on July 6, while in prayer that Sr. Agnes heard a voice coming from that very statue which was now glowing brilliantly. She was visited by her Guardian Angel who comforted her with the words, “Do not fear. I am the one who is with you and watches over you. Do not fear. Pray with fervor not only because of your sins, but also in reparation for those of all men. The world today wounds the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord by its ingratitude’s and injuries. The wounds of Mary are much deeper and sorrowful than yours. Let us go and pray together in the chapel.”

Later that day some of the other sisters noticed drops of blood running down the right hand of the statue. The wound remained until September 29, during this time it actively bleeds on 4 separate occasions. When the wound disappeared the statue of Mary began to perspire a scented perfume near her forehead and neck. On January 4, 1975 Mary’s statue began to weep, this occurred a total of 101 times over the next 7 years. The blood sweat and tears were all analyzed and declared to be authentic human blood sweat and tears.

Additionally in 1981 a woman of Korean dissent was miraculously cured of terminal brain cancer while praying before the statue. In April of 1984 Mary granted Sr. Agnes the full use of her hearing.

Messages

Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa

1^st Message July 6, 1973

“My daughter, my novice, you have obeyed Me well in abandoning all to follow Me. Is the infirmity of your ears painful? Your deafness will be healed, be sure. Be patient. It is the last trial. Does the wound of your hand cause you to suffer? Pray in reparation for the sins of men. Each person in this community is my irreplaceable daughter. Do you say well the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist? Then, let us pray it together:”

“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom.”

“Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as you will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.”

“Most Holy Mother of God. Never let me be separated from your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your special child. Amen.”

” Pray very much for the Pope, the bishops and the priests. Since your Baptism you have always prayed faithfully for them. Continue to pray very much…very much. Tell your superior all that passed today and obey him in everything that he will tell you. He has asked that you pray with fervor.

2^nd Message August 3, 1973

“My daughter, my novice, do you love the Lord? If you love the Lord listen to what I have to say to you.”

“It is very important. You will convey it to your superior.”

“Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father. I wish, with my Son, for souls who will repair by their suffering and their poverty for the sinners and ingrates.”

“In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. With my Son, I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father. I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him and form a cohort of victim souls. Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father’s anger. I desire this also from your community, that it love poverty, that it sanctify itself and pray in reparation for the ingratitude and outrages of so many men. Recite the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist with awareness of its meaning: put it into practice: offer (whatever God may send) in reparation for sins. Let each one endeavor, according to capacity and position, to offer herself entirely to the Lord.”

“Even in a secular institute prayer is necessary. Already souls who wish to pray are on the way to being gathered. Without attaching too much attention to the form, be faithful and fervent in prayer to console the Master.”

Is what you think in your heart true? Are you truly decided to become the rejected stone? My novice, you who wish to belong without reserve to the Lord, to become the spouse worthy of the Spouse, make your vows knowing that you must be fastened to the Cross with three nails. These three nails are poverty, chastity, and obedience. Of the three, obedience is the foundation. In total abandon, let yourself be led by your superior. He will know how to understand you and to direct you.”

3^rd Message October 13, 1973

“My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior.”

(After a short silence:)

“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests

The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres…churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them.

With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation.

It is Bishop Ito, who directs your community.

(And She smiled and then said:)

You have still something to ask? Today is the last time that I will speak to you in living voice. From now on you will obey the one sent to you and your superior. Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamites which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved.”

The Church’s Approval

In April of 1984, after years of investigation the Bishop of Niigata, Rev. John Shojiro Ito, confirmed that the events surrounding the apparitions in Akita to be both miraculous and of supernatural origin. He authorized the veneration of the Holy Mother of Atika throughout his diocese.

Cardinal Ratzinger officially recognized the events and messages that occurred in Atika as authentic in June of 1988.

Eucharistic Prayer of Our Lady of Akita

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and my soul to be entirely one with Your Heart being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom. Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls. Most holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your Special Child.

Amen.

In Ohio of 1938 Sister Mary Ephrem Neuzil, a member of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, received apparitions of St. Joseph, St Gabriel, St Michael and Mary. It all began when Sister Mary Ephrem started having what she described as mystical spiritual experiences, these experiences began to take the form of a devotion to Mary, which she was compelled to share. It was on September 25, 1956, the feast of the North American martyrs, that Sister Mary Ephrem had her first Marian Apparition.

She described her vision of Mary as appearing with, “a white veil reaching almost to Her waist and a mantle and robe of pure white with no decoration. An oblong brooch or clasp held the ends of the mantle together at the top. It was all gold; as was the high and brilliant crown she wore. Her hair and eyes seemed medium brown. Her feet were bare, but not always visible, sometimes covered by the moving clouds on which she stood. Often she smiled and revealed a heart encircled by roses that sent forth flames of fire.”

Mary gave her name to Sister Mary Ephrem as “Our Lady of America, The Immaculate Virgin” and called for the dedication of American children to a life of purity. “My child, I entrust you with this message that you must make known to my children in America. I wish it to be the country dedicated to my purity. The wonders I will work will be the wonders of the soul. They must have faith and believe firmly in my love for them. I desire that they be the children of my Pure Heart. I desire, through my children in America, to further the cause of faith and purity among peoples and nations. Let them come with confidence and simplicity, and I, their Mother, will teach them to become pure like to my Heart that their own hearts may be more pleasing to the Heart of my Son.”

Mary was especially interested in the conversion of the youth in America. “But the youth must be prepared, and this must be done by instilling into them, not only the knowledge of Divine Indwelling, but a serious study of it, a living it in such way that the Divine Presence becomes, as it were, an intimate and necessary part of their life and daily living. From this will flow a great love, a conflagration that will envelop the world in the flames of Divine Charity. This is what Our Lady is working for, because this is the great desire of her Divine Son, and it is to the youth of America that she is holding out this challenge… America, the United States in particular, is being given the tremendous, yet privileged, opportunity to lead all nations in a spiritual renewal never before so necessary, so important, so vital.” Saint Michael appeared to Sister Mary Ephrem bearing a lit torch; he told her that she must carry the torch through the world. She reports that, “The next day I was interiorly enlightened during Mass. It was made known to me that those, particularly the youth, who are willing wholeheartedly to follow Our Lady in her great battle against evil, would bear the special title of ‘Torchbearers of the Queen’. This torch, of course, is Divine Love, for it is love alone that will conquer hate and all that hate brings with it.”

When Mary appeared on October 13, 1956 instead of holding a lily she had in her hands a replica of the completed Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (located in Washington D.C.). “This is my shrine, my daughter. I am very pleased with it. Tell my children I thank them. Let them finish it quickly and make it a place of pilgrimage. It will be a place of wonders. I promise this. I will bless all those who, either by prayers, labor, or material aid, help to erect this shrine.”

Additionally Mary requested that a special Holy Medal be made, here is an excerpt from the Diary of Our Lady of America,  “Around the image of Our Lady, as she appeared September 26, 1956, these words are to be engraved: “By thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, deliver us from evil.” ‘Those who wear the medal with great faith and fervent devotion to Our Lady will receive the grace of intense purity of heart and the particular love of the Holy Virgin and her Divine Son. Sinners will receive the grace of repentance and the spiritual strength to live as true children of Mary. As in life, so in death, this blessed medal will be as a shield to protect them against the evil spirits, and St. Michael himself will be at their side to allay their fears at the final hour.  The Coat-of-Arms Our Lady had inspired some years previously. I did not know at the time for what purpose it was to be used, and Our Lady did not enlighten me on it until much later.  As mentioned before, Our Lady also requested a picture or statue of herself as she appeared on September 26, 1956, to be honored and venerated in every Christian Home.”

The coat of arms is a symbol of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Christian home. It is Mary’s intention that the Christian family be dedicated to purity, selflessness and love. Mary urges families that, “Making the Rosary a family prayer is very pleasing to me. I ask that all families strive to do so. But be careful to say it with great devotion, meditating on each mystery and striving to imitate in your daily lives the virtues depicted therein. Live the mysteries of the Rosary as I lived them, and it will become a chain binding you to me forever. They who are found in the circle of my Rosary will never be lost. I myself will lead them at death to the throne of my Son, to be eternally united to Him.”

Marry also gave messages warning to repent before upcoming punishments. To the bishops of America she said, “Unless my children reform their lives, they will suffer great persecution. If man himself will not take upon himself the penance necessary to atone for his sins and those of others, God in His justice will have to send upon him the punishment necessary to atone for his transgressions.”

“The hour grows late. My Son’s patience will not last forever. Help me hold back His anger, which is about to descend on sinful and ungrateful men. Suffering and anguish, such as never before experienced, is about to overtake mankind. It is the darkest hour. But if men will come to me, my Immaculate Heart will make it bright again with the mercy, which my Son will rain down through my hands.  Help me save those who will not save themselves.  Help me bring once again the sunshine of God’s peace upon the world.”

“Dear children, unless the United States accepts and carries out faithfully the mandate given to it by heaven to lead the world to peace, there will come upon it and all nations a great havoc of war and incredible suffering. If, however, the United States is faithful to this mandate from heaven and yet fails in the pursuit of peace because the rest of the world will not accept or cooperate, then the United States will not be burdened with the punishment about to fall.”

“Weep, then, dear children, weep with your mother over the sins of men,” said Mary. “Intercede with me before the throne of mercy, for sin is overwhelming the world and punishment is not far away.”

“It is the darkest hour, but if men will come to me, my Immaculate heart will make it bright again with the mercy which my Son will rain down through my hands. Help me save those who will not save themselves. Help me bring once again the sunshine of God’s peace upon the world.”

“If my desires are not fulfilled much suffering will come to this land. My faithful one, if my warnings are taken seriously and enough of my children strive constantly and faithfully to renew and reform themselves in their inward and outward lives, then there will be no nuclear war. What happens to the world depends upon those who live in it. There must be much more good than evil prevailing in order to prevent the holocaust that is so near approaching. Yet I tell you, my daughter, even should such a destruction happen because there were not enough souls who took my warning seriously, there will remain a remnant, untouched by the chaos who, having been faithful in following me and spreading my warnings, will gradually inhabit the earth again with their dedicated and holy lives.”

Sister Mary Ephrem was given the following prayer to Our Lady, Patroness of America on October 5, 1956. Although she heard no words she clearly saw these thoughts in her mind and was compelled to write down this prayer.

“O Immaculate Mother, Queen of our country, open our hearts, our homes, and our land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son. With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright with the radiance of God’s light shining in and about you. Be our leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who loves us with infinite charity.

“We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate, Patroness of our beloved land, determined to fight under your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving maternal care.

“We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our land to your Most Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us.

“We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence. We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives according to your desire.

“Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America, as your instruments in bringing peace among men and nations. Work your miracles of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.

“May your valiant Spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and Saints, assist you and us in ‘renewing the face of the earth.’ Then when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son reigns forever as King. Amen.”

In 1960 Sister Mary Ephrem’s private revelations, with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Leibold, were published for the first time. She passed away on January 10, 2000.

This version of the Rosary  calls to mind the seven sorrows Mary endured with love and compassion. Although this prayer began in the middle ages it has more recently become well known because of it’s connections to the Marian Apparitions to Marie-Claire Mukangango in Kibeho Rwanda. In her Apparitions Mary promised that if we sincerely prayed this rosary  we would receive Christ’s forgiveness, and over time grant us an awareness of our sins and the strength to overcome them. Traditionally this prayer is said on Tuesdays (the first day Mary appeared to Marie-Claire) and Fridays. (The day of Christ’s death) In her Apparitions Mary also explained that this prayer in no way was intended to replace The Holy Rosary, but be said in addition to it.

Seven Graces

It was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden that seven graces are given to those who meditate on her sorrows and pray the Hail Mary.

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy, and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained (this grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

How to Pray The Rosary of Seven Sorrows

Introduction

My God, I offer You this rosary for Your glory, so I  may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Before each Sorrow

Most merciful mother, remind us always of the sorrows of your son, Jesus

After each Sorrow

Pray one “Our Father” Pray seven “Hail Marys”

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Pray one “Our Father”, one “Hail Mary”, and one “Glory Be”.

Conclusion

Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.

Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us. (x3)

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Prophecy of Simeon

(Luke 2:22-35)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Flight into Egypt

(Matthew 2:13-15)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

(Luke 2:41-52)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

(Luke 23:27-31)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross

(John 19:25-27)

The Sixth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms

(John 19:38-40)

The Seventh Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb

(John 19:41-42)

Guide to the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles Creed”.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

2. Say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

3. Say Three “Hail Marys”

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

4. Say one “Glory Be”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

6. Say 10 “Hail Marys”.

7. Say 1 “Glory Be” Then Announce the Second Mystery and say an “Our Father”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

After the Rosary:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

*The Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima requested that we say the following prayer after each decade: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”

Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

Monday and Saturday

1. The Annunciation
   Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
2. The Visitation
   Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
3. The Nativity
   Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation
   Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
   Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Luminous Mysteries

Thursday

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
   God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
   At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
   Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
   Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesday and Friday

1. The Agony in the Garden
   Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
   Jesus is lashed with whips.
3. The Crowning With Thorns
   Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
4. The Carrying of the Cross
   Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.
5. The Crucifixion
   Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

Wednesday and Sunday

1. The Resurrection
   God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
2. The Ascension
   Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.
3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit
   The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.
4. The Assumption of Mary
   At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
5. The Coronation of Mary
   Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Third Week
Day 33

Purpose: Obtain Knowledge of Jesus Christ

During this period we shall apply ourselves to the study of Jesus Christ. What is to be studied in Christ? First the God-Man, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.

Today’s Reading

Imitation of Christ: Book 4, Chapter 11
That the Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures
Are Most Necessary unto a Faithful Soul

O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great is the pleasure of the devout soul that feasteth with Thee in Thy banquet; where there is set for her no other food to be eaten but Thyself, her only Beloved, and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart! To me also it would be indeed sweet, in Thy presence to pour forth tears from the very bottom of my heart, and with the grateful Magdalene to wash Thy feet with tears (Luke 7:38). But where is that devotion? Where that bountiful flowing of holy tears? Surely in the sight of Thee and Thy holy Angels, my whole heart ought to burn, and to weep for joy. For in this Sacrament I have Thee mystically present, hidden under another shape. For to look upon Thee in Thine own Divine brightness, mine eyes would not be able to endure; nor could even the whole world stand in the splendor of the glory of Thy majesty. Herein then Thou hast regard to my weakness, that Thou dost hide Thyself under this Sacrament.

True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary: Nos. 261–265

In Mary

261. We must do everything in Mary. To understand this we must realise that the Blessed Virgin is the true earthly paradise of the new Adam and that the ancient paradise was only a symbol of her. There are in this earthly paradise untold riches, beauties, rarities and delights, which the new Adam, Jesus Christ, has left there. It is in this paradise that he “took his delights” for nine months, worked his wonders and displayed his riches with the magnificence of God himself.In this earthly paradise grows the real Tree of Life which bore our Lord, the fruit of Life, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which bore the Light of the world. In this divine place there are trees planted by the hand of God and watered by his divine unction which have borne and continue to bear fruit that is pleasing to him. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us the truths that these material objects symbolise. 262. The Holy Spirit speaking through the Fathers of the Church, also calls our Lady the Eastern Gate, through which the High Priest, Jesus Christ, enters and goes out into the world. Through this gate he entered the world the first time and through this same gate he will come the second time.

For Mary

265. Finally, we must do everything for Mary. We take Mary for our proximate end, our mysterious intermediary and the easiest way of reaching him. Relying on her protection, we should undertake and carry out great things for our noble Queen. We must defend her privileges when they are questioned and uphold her good name when it is under attack. We must attract everyone, if possible, to her service and to this true and sound devotion. As a reward for these little services, we should expect nothing in return save the honour of belonging to such a lovable Queen and the joy of being united through her to Jesus, her Son, by a bond that is indissoluble in time and in eternity.

Prayers

Litany of the Holy Ghost

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let Us Pray. Grant, Omerciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

R. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, angel of great counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.
From mall sin, Jesus, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, Jesus, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil, Jesus, deliver us.
From the spirit of fornication, Jesus, deliver us.
From everlasting death, Jesus, deliver us.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy nativity, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine infancy, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most divine life, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine agony and Passion, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy cross and dereliction, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sufferings, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy death and burial, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine Ascension, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy joys, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy glory, Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,
Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease from praising Thee.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love, Who livest and reignest world without end.

R. Amen.

St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers’? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Saviour, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee. O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

O Jesus Living in Mary

O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries;
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Act of Consecration

Third Week
Day 32

Purpose: Obtain Knowledge of Jesus Christ

During this period we shall apply ourselves to the study of Jesus Christ. What is to be studied in Christ? First the God-Man, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.

Today’s Reading

Imitation of Christ: Book 2, Chapter 7
Of the Love of Jesus above All Things

Blessed is he that understandeth (Psalm 119:1,2) what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus’ sake. Thou oughtest to leave thy beloved, for thy beloved (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37; Cant. 2:16); for that Jesus will be loved alone above all things.

The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant; the love of Jesus is faithful and persevering. He that cleaveth unto a creature, shall fall with that which is subject to fall; he that embraceth Jesus shall be made strong for ever.

2. Love Him, and keep Him for thy friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish in the end. Some time or other thou must be separated from all, whether thou wilt or no. Keep close to Jesus both in life and in death, and commit thyself unto His faithfulness, who, when all fail, can alone help thee.

Thy Beloved is of that nature, that He will admit of no rival; but will have thy heart alone, and sit on His throne as King. If thou couldest empty thyself perfectly from all creatures, Jesus would willingly dwell with thee.

True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary: Nos. 257–260

There are some very sanctifying interior practices for those souls who feel called by the Holy Spirit to a high degree of perfection. They may be expressed in four words, doing everything through Mary, with Mary, in Mary, and for Mary, in order to do it more perfectly through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus, and for Jesus.

Through Mary

258. We must do everything through Mary, that is, we must obey her always and be led in all things by her spirit, which is the Holy Spirit of God. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” says St. Paul. Those who are led by the spirit of Mary are children of Mary, and, consequently children of God, as we have already shown. Among the many servants of Mary only those who are truly and faithfully devoted to her are led by her spirit. I have said that the spirit of Mary is the spirit of God because she was never led by her own spirit, but always by the spirit of God, who made himself master of her to such an extent that he became her very spirit. That is why St. Ambrose says, “May the soul of Mary be in each one of us to glorify the Lord. May the spirit of Mary be in each one of us to rejoice in God.” Happy is the man who follows the example of the good Jesuit Brother Rodriguez, who died a holy death, because he will be completely possessed and governed by the spirit of Mary, a spirit which is gentle yet strong, zealous yet prudent, humble yet courageous, pure yet fruitful.

With Mary

260. We must do everything with Mary, that is to say, in all our actions we must look upon Mary, although a simple human being, as the perfect model of every virtue and perfection, fashioned by the Holy Spirit for us to imitate, as far as our limited capacity allows. In every action then we should consider how Mary performed it or how she would perform it if she were in our place. For this reason, we must examine and meditate on the great virtues she practised during her life, especially: 1) Her lively faith, by which she believed the angel’s word without the least hesitation, and believed faithfully and constantly even to the foot of the Cross on Calvary. 2) Her deep humility, which made her prefer seclusion, maintain silence, submit to every eventuality and put herself in the last place.

Prayers

Litany of the Holy Ghost

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let Us Pray. Grant, Omerciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

R. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, angel of great counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.
From mall sin, Jesus, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, Jesus, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil, Jesus, deliver us.
From the spirit of fornication, Jesus, deliver us.
From everlasting death, Jesus, deliver us.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy nativity, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine infancy, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most divine life, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine agony and Passion, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy cross and dereliction, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sufferings, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy death and burial, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine Ascension, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy joys, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy glory, Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,
Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease from praising Thee.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love, Who livest and reignest world without end.

R. Amen.

St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers’? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Saviour, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee. O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

O Jesus Living in Mary

O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries;
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Day 33

Third Week
Day 31

Purpose: Obtain Knowledge of Jesus Christ

During this period we shall apply ourselves to the study of Jesus Christ. What is to be studied in Christ? First the God-Man, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.

Today’s Reading

Imitation of Christ: Book 4, Chapter 2
That the Great Goodness and Love of God
Is Exhibited to Man in This Sacrament

In confidence of Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near, sick to the Healer, hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life, needy to the King of Heaven, a servant to his Lord, a creature to the Creator, desolate to my own tender Comforter. “But whence is this to me,” that Thou comest unto me (Luke 1:43)? What am I, that Thou shouldest grant me Thine own self? how dare a sinner appear before Thee?

And how is it that Thou dost vouchsafe to come unto a sinner? Thou knowest Thy servant, and art well aware that he hath in him no good thing, for which Thou shouldest grant him this. I confess therefore mine own vileness, I acknowledge Thy goodness, I praise Thy tender mercy, and give Thee thanks for Thy transcendent love.

Prayers

Litany of the Holy Ghost

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let Us Pray. Grant, Omerciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

R. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, angel of great counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.
From mall sin, Jesus, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, Jesus, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil, Jesus, deliver us.
From the spirit of fornication, Jesus, deliver us.
From everlasting death, Jesus, deliver us.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy nativity, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine infancy, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most divine life, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine agony and Passion, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy cross and dereliction, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sufferings, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy death and burial, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine Ascension, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy joys, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy glory, Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,
Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease from praising Thee.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love, Who livest and reignest world without end.

R. Amen.

St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers’? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Saviour, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee. O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

O Jesus Living in Mary

O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries;
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Day 32

Third Week
Day 30

Purpose: Obtain Knowledge of Jesus Christ

During this period we shall apply ourselves to the study of Jesus Christ. What is to be studied in Christ? First the God-Man, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.

Today’s Reading

Matthew 27:36–44

And they sat and watched him. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left. And they that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with.

Prayers

Litany of the Holy Ghost

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, have mercy on us.
Ardent charity, have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let Us Pray. Grant, Omerciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

R. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav’nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve’s name.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of glory, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us.
Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.
Jesus, angel of great counsel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, model of virtues, have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.
Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of patriarchs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on us.
Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.
From mall sin, Jesus, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, Jesus, deliver us.
From the snares of the devil, Jesus, deliver us.
From the spirit of fornication, Jesus, deliver us.
From everlasting death, Jesus, deliver us.
From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy nativity, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine infancy, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most divine life, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine agony and Passion, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy cross and dereliction, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sufferings, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy death and burial, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine Ascension, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy joys, Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy glory, Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,
Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease from praising Thee.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love, Who livest and reignest world without end.

R. Amen.

St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers’? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Saviour, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee. O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

O Jesus Living in Mary

O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries;
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Day 31