Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions

THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Join with me in a Prayer of Praise

PRAYERS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The following prayers to Mary include some well know common prayers and several old and lesser know prayers to Our Lady.

The Angelic Salutation 

The “Hail Mary” (“Ave Maria”) is based on Luke I .28. 42 and is known as the “Angelic Salutation” from its first line. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

Ancient Prayer to the Virgin

This prayer, known in Latin as “Sub tuum praesidium” and first found in a Greek papyrus. c. 300. is the oldest prayer to Mary. 

We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin. 

Memorare

The ‘‘Memorare’’ is a sixteenth-century version of a fifteenth century prayer. Claude Bernard (1588-1641), popularized the idea that the “Memorare’’ was written by Saint Bernard. 

Remember, most loving Virgin Mary, never was it heard that anyone who turned to you for help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, though burdened by my sins, I run to your protection for you are my mother.

Mother of the Word of God, do not despise my words of pleading but be merciful and hear my prayer. Amen. 

Mary, Help of Those in Need

This prayer was formerly the Magnificat antiphon from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Evening Prayer. 

Holy Mary, help those in need, give strength to the weak, comfort the sorrowful, pray for God’s people, assist the clergy, intercede for religious.

May all who seek your help experience your unfailing protection. Amen. 

Prayer to Mary (Composed by Pope John Paul II for the Marian Year) 

Mother of the Redeemer, (in this year dedicated to you,) with great joy we call you blessed. 

In order to carry out his providential plan of salvation, God the Father chose you before the creation of the world. 

You believed in his love and obeyed his word. 

The Son of God desired you for his Mother when he became man to save the human race. 

You received him with ready obedience and undivided heart. 

The Holy Spirit loved you as his mystical spouse and he filled you with singular gifts. 

You allowed yourself to be led by his hidden and powerful action.  

On the eve of the third Christian Millennium, we entrust to you the Church which acknowledges you and invokes you as Mother.

On earth you preceded the Church in the pilgrimage of faith: comfort her in her difficulties and trials, and make her always the sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of the unity of the whole human race. 

To you, Mother of Christians, we entrust in a special way the peoples who are celebrating (during the Marian Year) the sixth Centenary or the Millennium of their acceptance of the Gospel.

Their long history is profoundly marked by devotion to you.

Turn toward them your loving glance; give strength to those who are suffering for the faith.  

To you, Mother of the human family and of the nations, we confidently entrust the whole of humanity, with its hopes and fears. 

Do not let it lack the light of true wisdom. Guide its steps in the ways of peace. Enable all to meet Christ, the Way and the Truth and the Life. 

Sustain us, 0 Virgin Mary, on our journey of faith and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation. 0 clement, 0 loving, 0 sweet Mother of God and our Mother, Mary! 

The Angelus

The custom of saying the “Hail Mary” three times at the ringing of the bell of the evening goes back to the thirteenth century. Today, it is the custom to say the “Angelus” three times: in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. 

The angel spoke God’s message to Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary...

“I am the lowly servant of the Lord: Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Hail Mary... 

And the Word became flesh and lived among us.

Hail Mary...

Pray for us, holy Mother of God,

that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ. Lord, fill our hearts with your grace: once, through the message of an angel you revealed to us the incarnation of your Son; now, through his suffering and death lead us to the glory of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Regina Caeli

From 1743, this twelfth-century antiphon has replaced the Angelus in the Easter Season.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. The Son you merited to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, 0 Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

God of life, you have given joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.