Prayers for Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being defamed, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Make my heart like unto thine.
How dare I venture to approach Thee, O Lord? O God, are you not my Lord, my Creator, my Redeemer, the King of heaven and earth? And who am I? A poor worm of earth! And what is yet more unworthy, so often a disobedient and ungrateful sinner against Thee! It is true, Lord, that I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Yet remember, my God, that although you are Lord of all, you took upon yourself the form of a servant, and coming to us spoke as a friend to publicans and sinners, humbling yourself and becoming obedient unto death. Let your humility move you, I beseech Thee. Do not despise me, though I am vile and worthless, but graciously come to me, and mercifully receive me when I come to Thee.
Amen.
Dear Lord, Thou knowest my weakness. Each morning I resolve to be humble, and in the evening I recognize that I have often been guilty of pride. The sight of these faults tempts me to discouragement; yet I know that discouragement is itself but a form of pride. I wish, therefore, O my God, to build all my trust upon Thee. As Thou canst do all things, deign to implant in my soul this virtue which I desire, and to obtain it from Thy Infinite Mercy. I will often say to Thee: “Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.”
Amen
Prayers for Trust
Jesus, I Trust in You
From the belief that I have to earn Your love, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security that I have what it takes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute, Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You, Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will, Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future, Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past, Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking in the present moment, Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands, Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement, Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me, Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me, Jesus, I trust in you.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You, Jesus, I trust in you.
That you are with me in my suffering, Jesus, I trust in you.
That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church, Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your plan is better than anything else, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked, Jesus, I trust in you.
That my life is a gift, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will teach me to trust You, Jesus, I trust in you.
That You are my Lord and my God, Jesus, I trust in you.
That I am Your beloved one, Jesus, I trust in you.
Amen.
Prayers for Orientation Toward God
I thank Thee, my God, for having made me Thy child by holy Baptism. I desire this day to renew the covenant then made with Thee: I promise to renounce all the sinful pleasures of the world, to believe, and to follow the teaching of the Gospel. I hope for Thy grace to enable me to do this, and after I die to enter into eternal delight.
Amen.
Oh merciful God, whatever is pleasing to You, may I ardently desire, wisely pursue, truly recognize, and bring to perfect completion. For the praise and glory of your name, put order into my life and grant that I may know what it is You require me to do, and help me to achieve whatever is fitting and necessary for the good of my soul. May my way, Lord, be Yours entirely upright and perfect, failing in neither prosperity nor adversity, so that in prosperity I give you thanks, and in adversity serve patiently, neither exalted in the former nor dejected in the latter. May I not rejoice in anything unless it leads me to You, nor be saddened by anything unless it turns me from you. May I not desire to please or fear to displease anyone but you. May all passing things become worthless to me on your account, and all things that are yours be dear to me, and you, God, above all things.
May all joy without You leave me tired and weary, and may I not desire anything apart from you. May all work that is done for you delight me, Lord, and all repose not centered on your presence be wearisome. Let me, my God, direct my heart to You often, and let me grieve over my failure with determination to change. Make me, my God, humble without pretense, cheerful without frivolity, sad without dejection, mature without heaviness, quick witted without levity, truthful without duplicity. Let me fear You without despair and hope in You without presumption. Let me correct my neighbor without hypocrisy and without pride, edify him by word and example. Make me obedient without contradiction, patient without murmuring.
Give me dearest God a vigilant heart which no distracting thought can lure away from you. Give me a noble heart which no unworthy desire can ever debase. Give me an unconquered heart which no tribulation can fatigue. Give me a free heart which no violent temptation can enslave. Give me an upright heart which no perverse intention can hold fast. Grant me, Lord my God, intelligence in knowing You, diligence in seeking You, wisdom in finding You, conversation pleasing to you, perseverance in confidently waiting for You, and confidence in finally embracing You. Grant that as penance I may be afflicted with your hardships, as grace make use along the way of your favors, as glory delight in your joys in the fatherland. Amen.
Almighty God my heavenly Father, You knew me before the creation of the cosmos and You wanted me to come into existence to bring You glory. Of all the possible universes You could have created, You created this one and You called me into it at exactly the time and place You chose for me so that I could fulfill my part in Your unfathomable plan. You willed that I have the honor to be baptized into the Church You designed and You maintain for our well-being. You willed that I receive the Body and Blood of Your Son and the indwelling of Your Spirit. You willed that I should also be confirmed so that our relationship be even deeper and that I might be an even better instrument of Your will. I now call upon that mighty Sacrament of Confirmation. Through it make me strong to bear whatever burdens I must endure in Your service. Make me wise to recognize accurately and then strong to resist, resolute, whatever is out of harmony with Your will as manifested especially in the beautiful Tradition You have guided in the authoritative, infallible and indefectible Church. Even if that disharmony should come from those whom you have endowed with the grace of Orders and seated even in the highest places of teaching, governing and sanctifying, make me steadfast. With confidence in Your plan for me I ask this for myself and for the brethren through the Holy Spirit’s Gifts and in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come!
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
O Lord our God, You are worthy to receive praise, glory and honor and blessing.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
The Lamb Who was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit:
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Bless the Lord. all you works of the Lord.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Sing praise to our God, all you His servants and you who fear God, the small and the great.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Let heaven and earth praise Him Who is glorious.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Every creature in heaven, on earth and under the earth; and in the sea and those which are in it.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
And let us praise and glorify Him forever.
All-powerful, most holy, most high, supreme God: all good, supreme good, totally good, You Who alone are good, may we give You all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and all good.
So be it! So be it!
Amen.
Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples. Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and love. Grant us the Spirit of Fear Of The Lord that we may be filled with a loving reverence toward You. The Spirit of Piety that we may find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while serving others; The Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear our cross with You and, with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere with our salvation; The Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in holiness; The Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our minds with the light of Your truth; The Spirit of Counsel that we may choose the surest way of doing Your will, seeking first the Kingdom; Grant us the Spirit of Wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever; Teach us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with Your Spirit.
Amen.
Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
According to tradition, during one of her ecstasies St. Gertrude was told by our Lord that when recited at the consecration of the wine, this prayer releases a great number of souls from Purgatory:
Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for my sins and the sins of my family. Amen.
O Jesus, You suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:
My dear parents, grandparents and spouse, R: Jesus Have Mercy
My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, R:
My Godparents and sponsor of Confirmation, R:
My spiritual and temporal benefactors, R:
My friends and neighbors, R:
All for whom love or duty calls me to pray, R:
Those who have suffered disadvantages or harm through me, R:
Those who have caused me disadvantages or harm, R: Those who I have led astray, R:
Those who have led me astray, R:
Those who are especially beloved by You, R:
Those whose release is near at hand, R:
Those who desire most to be united with You, R:
Those who endure the greatest sufferings, R:
Those who are least remembered, R:
Those whose release is most remote, R:
Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, R:
The rich, who now are the most destitute, R:
The mighty, who now are powerless, R:
The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, R:
The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, R:
The poor who did not seek the treasures of heaven, R:
The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer, R:
The indolent, who neglected to perform good works, R:
Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, R:
The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, R:
Parents who failed to watch over their children, R:
Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, R:
Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, R:
The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God, R:
Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, R:
Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, R:
Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, R:
The Popes, kings and rulers, R:
The Bishops and their counselors, R:
The Priests and Religious of the Catholic Church, R:
My teachers and spiritual advisers, R:
The defenders of the holy faith, R:
Those who died on the battlefield, R:
Those who fought for their country, R:
Those who were buried in the sea, R:
Those who died of apoplexy, R:
Those who died of heart attacks, R:
Those who suffered and died of cancer or AIDS, R:
Those who died suddenly in accidents, R:
Those who died without the Last Rites of the Church, R:
Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, R:
[ special intention here ], R:
My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before your judgment seat, R:
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them with your Saints forever more because You are gracious.
Let us pray:
May the prayer of Your suppliant people, we beseech You, O Lord, benefit the souls of Your departed servants and handmaids, that You both deliver them from all their sins and make them partakers of Your redemption.
R: Amen.
May the divine assistance remain always with us. And may the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R: Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
R: Make my heart like unto Thine.
Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Patron Saint of the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
R: Pray for us!
St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
R: Pray for us!
All: Amen
The Chaplet was established by the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Suffrage in Nimes, France, and approved by Pope Pius IX in 1873.
It is similar to a standard Rosary, except it has 4 decades instead of 5. The chaplet starts on the Cross, and has 4 introductory prayers, followed by 4 decades starting with 1 large bead (Pater) and 10 small beads (Aves). The 5 large beads represent the 5 wounds of Christ. The 40 small beads are in memory of the 40 hours which Our Lord spent in Limbo, releasing the souls from there. There are 49 beads total. A partial indulgence is granted and applied to the souls in Purgatory for each recitation of this chaplet.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
R: Amen
On the Cross:
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord;
R: Lord, hear my voice.
Let thine ears be attentive
R: to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities,
R: O Lord, who shall endure it?
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness;
R: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word:
R: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night,
R: let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy,
R: and with Him plentiful redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel
R: from all his iniquities.
On the first Pater (large bead):
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Act of Faith (first small bead):
My God, I believe in Thee,
R: because Thou art Truth itself; I firmly believe the truths revealed to the Church.
Act of Hope (second small bead):
My God, I hope in Thee,
R: because Thou art infinitely good.
Act of Charity (third small bead):
My God, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things,
R: because Thou art infinitely perfect; and I love my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee.
On all the Paters (large beads):
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
On All the Aves (small beads):
Sweet Heart of Jesus
R: be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary
R: be my salvation.
At the End:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R: Amen.
May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless us and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes.
R: Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
R: Amen
Prayers for Faith
Lord, I believe: I wish to believe in Thee.
Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging Divine things and human things.
Lord, let my faith be joyful and give peace and gladness to my spirit, and dispose it for prayer with God and conversation with men, so that the inner bliss of its fortunate possession may shine forth in sacred and secular conversation.
Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and not have any better guarantee than in docility to Tradition and to the authority of the magisterium of the Holy Church.
Amen
Indulgenced Prayers
A partial indulgence is granted to those who renew their baptismal promises according to any formula in use; but a plenary indulgence is granted if this is done in celebration of the Paschal Vigil or on the anniversary of one’s baptism. Source: The Enchiridion Of Indulgences, 1968
I, N. N., who through the tender mercy of the Eternal Father was privileged to be baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19, 5) and thus to share in the dignity of his divine Sonship, wish now in the presence of this same loving Father and of his only-begotten Son to renew in all sincerity the promises I solemnly made at the time of my holy Baptism.
I, therefore, now do once again renounce Satan; I renounce all his works; I renounce all his allurements.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born into this world and who suffered and died for my sins and rose again. 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.
Having been buried with Christ unto death and raised up with him unto a new life, I promise to live no longer for myself or for that world which is the enemy of God, but for him who died for me and rose again, serving God, my heavenly Father, faithfully and unto death in the holy Catholic Church.
Taught by our Savior’s command and formed by the word of God, I now dare to say:
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.
Selected Litanies
Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, Son of the living God,
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father,
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of glory.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, sun of justice.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, most amiable.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, most admirable.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, the mighty God.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, most powerful.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, most patient.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, most obedient.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, lover of us.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, God of peace.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, author of life.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, example of virtues.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, our God.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, our refuge.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, father of the poor.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, true light.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, our way and our life.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, crown of Saints.
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Be merciful,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. From all evil,
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin,
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath,
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From the snares of the devil.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From the spirit of fornication.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From everlasting death.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your Nativity.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your Infancy.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your most divine Life.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your labors.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your agony and passion.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your cross and dereliction.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your sufferings.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your death and burial.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your Resurrection.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your Ascension.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your joys.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
By Your glory.
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You.
Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love. R. Amen.
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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.
He made him the lord of his household, and prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray:
God, Who, in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom, on earth, we venerate as our protector. Who livest and reignest world without end.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Prayers for Selected Solemnities and Feasts
Oh immaculate and holy Virgin! Oh creature the most humble and the greatest before God! You were so small in your own eyes, but so great in the eyes of your Lord, that he exalted you even to choose you for his mother, and therefore to make you queen of heaven and of earth. I then thank that God who has so much exalted you, and rejoice with you in seeing you so closely united to God, that more is not permitted to a pure creature. I am ashamed to appear before you who are so humble, with so many graces; I, a miserable sinner, and so proud with so many sins. But wretched as I am, I, too, wish to salute you: Hail Mary, full of grace: Ave Maria, gratia plena. You are already full of grace; obtain a share of it also for me. The Lord is with thee: Dominus tecum. The Lord who has ever been with you even from the first moment of your creation, is now more intimately with you, by making himself your Son. Blessed art thou among women: Benedicta tu in mulieribus. Oh woman, blessed among all women, obtain for us also the divine benediction. Oh blessed plant which has given to the world a fruit so noble and so holy: Et benedictus fructus ventris tui. Holy Mary, mother of God: Sancta Maria, mater Dei. Oh Mary, I confess that you are the true mother of God, and for this truth I would give my life a thousand times. Pray for us sinners; Ora pro nobis peccatoribus. But if you are the mother of God, you are also the mother of our salvation, and of us poor sinners; since it is to save sinners that God made himself man; and he has made you his mother that your prayers may have the power to save every sinner. Pray for us, oh Mary. Now and in the hour of our death: Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Pray always; pray now, while we are in life, in the midst of so many temptations and so great danger of losing God; but still more, pray in the hour of our death, when we are on the point of leaving this world and being presented at the divine tribunal; that being saved by the merits of Jesus Christ, and by your intercession, we may one day come, without the danger of losing you any more, to salute you and praise you, with thy Son, in heaven, for all eternity. Amen.
