Catholic Prayer: Novena to the Immaculate Conception
Description:
Feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8, with 2004 being the 150th anniversary of declaration of dogma. Pray this once a day from November 30 to December 8.
Prayer:
Immaculate Virgin! Mary, conceived without sin!
Remember, you were miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because you were destined to become not only the Mother of God, but also the mother, the refuge, and the advocate of man; penetrated therefore, with the most lively confidence in your never-failing intercession, we most humbly implore you to look with favor upon the intentions of this novena, and to obtain for us the graces and the favors we request.
You know, O Mary, how often our hearts are the sanctuaries of God, Who abhors iniquity. Obtain for us, then, than angelic purity which was your favorite virtue, that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that purity of intention which will consecrate every thought, word, and action to His greater glory. Obtain also for us a constant spirit of prayer and self-denial, that we many recover by penance that innocence which we have lost by sin, and at length attain safety to that blessed abode of the saints, where nothing defiled can enter.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
V. You are all fair, O Mary. R. You are all fair, O Mary.
V. And the original stain is not in you. R. And the original stain is not in you.
V. You are the glory of Jerusalem. R. You are the joy of Israel.
V. You are the honor of our people. R. You are the advocate of sinners.
V. O Mary, Virgin, most prudent R. O Mary, Mother, most tender.
V. Pray for us. R. Intercede for us with Jesus our Lord.
V. In your conception, Holy Virgin, you were immaculate. R. Pray for us to the Father Whose Son you didst bring forth.
V. O Lady! aid my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto you.
Let us pray, Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and mistress of the world, who forsakest no one, and despisest no one, look upon me, O Lady! with an eye of pity, and entreat for me of your beloved Son the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate, with devout affection, your holy and immaculate conception, so, hereafter I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom you, in virginity, didst bring forth, Jesus Christ Our Lord: Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns, in perfect Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.
