“A great sign appeared in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars”
(Rv. 12:1).
Advent
As we celebrate the Blessed Mother’s two very special feast days this week, Father Ward’s article in the Christmas Bulletin focuses on Mary’s messages of hope during Advent.
Prayers
My Queen! My Mother! I give myself entirely to you; and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, Good Mother, as I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. Amen (Maroney, 2008, The Divine Mercy Adoration Companion).
Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deep-felt confidence to beg this favor….
O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe,” the Virgin who crushed the serpent.
Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across the pathway. Invoke the Holy Spirit of Wisdom to fortify my will to frequent the Sacraments so that, thus enlightened and strengthened, I may prefer God to all creatures and shun every occasion of sin. Help me, as a living branch of the Vine that is Jesus Christ, to exemplify His divine charity always seeking the good of others.
Queen of Apostles, aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. Keep my apostolate fearless, dynamic, and articulate to proclaim the loving solitude of Our Father in Heaven so that the wayward may heed His pleading and obtain pardon through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen (Farren & Hickey, 1991, Prayers for All Occasions).
Mother, I commend and entrust to you all that goes to make up earthly progress, asking that it should not be one sided, but that it should create conditions for the full spiritual advancement of individuals, families, communities, and nations. I commend to you the poor, the suffering, the sick and the handicapped, the aging and the dying. I ask you to reconcile those in sin, to heal those in pain, and to uplift those who have lost their hope and joy. Show to those who struggle in doubt the light of Christ your Son. Amen.
Holy Mary, Our Mother, today, each day, and in our last hour, we entrust ourselves entirely to your loving and singular care. We place in your hands our entire hope and happiness, our every anxiety and difficulty, our whole life. May our every endeavor be directed and guided according to the will of your Son, which is your will by the aid of your prayer and special favor with God. Amen.
P.S. December 9, 2011
“I am a compassionate mother to you and to all of my devoted children who will call upon me with confidence” (Our Lady to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin; the Word among us, Advent 2011, p. M36).
Links of interest… Our Lady of Guadalupe… and Advent… Brownsville church (two photos)… December 12th… Mary’s arch of triumph… Mother of the Americas… patroness of the Americas… prayers… shrine… story… Trappist abbey… videos… Wikipedia…
WP posts… Mary’s miraculous medal… Mary’s seven joys… May flowers… My Franciscan Crown… Repeated prayers
Filed under: Our Lady, prayer, spiritual gifts, thanksgiving and praise Tagged: | building community, God's master plan, overcoming adversity
