Lenten Daily Dose - 3rd Friday

QUICK REMINDER:

Stations of the Cross in Church today at 2:00 p.m.

Mary Invites Us to Pray for More Than Ourselves

I am a lover of Marian prayers and litanies.  Be it the Rosary, the Magnificat, the Salve Regina…they ground me and they provoke me simultaneously.

In his Wednesday address this week, the Holy Father turned his teaching to prayer and began with a look at Marian prayers.  Reflecting on Mary’s whole life as a continual prayer, he said:

Often, prayer is dictated by difficult situations, by personal problems that lead us to turn to the Lord for light, comfort and help.  Mary invites us to expand the dimensions of prayer, to turn to God not only in times of need and not only for ourselves, but also in an undivided, persevering, faithful way, with 'one heart and soul.’

Saint Ambrose exhorts us to have the same spirit of prayer that Mary did, that “the soul of Mary be in us to magnify the Lord.” 

May I humbly suggest that we magnify the Lord for someone special in our lives today with a Marian prayer.  Perhaps each of us can recite this beautiful Litany of Loreto either for the members of our family or for someone special whom we know can use some uplifting and peace today.

--Deacon Tom

Lord, have mercy on us.

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

Christ 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.

Holy Mother of God, PRAY FOR US…
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renouned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary.
Queen of the family,
Queen of Peace,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

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

Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.