Novena in Honor of Our Lady’s Nativity

(Beginning August 30)


[May be said in public or private.
I. 300 Days, each day.
Plenary on the Feast or during the Octave. I, II, IV
See Instructions, p. 1, 1910 Raccolta ]
N.B.—The prayers for the intention of the Pope are to be addressed to “God and to our Lady.”


Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda didelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.

Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love.
℣. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur.

℣. Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created;
℟. Et removabis faciem terræ.

℟. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Oremus.

Let us pray.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti, da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.

℟. Amen.

Most Holy holy Mary, elect and predestined from all eternity by the most Holy Trinity to be Mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, foretold by the Prophets, expected by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living temple of the Holy Ghost, sun without stain, conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of Angels: humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy most happy Nativity; and we pray thee with all our hearts to vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.

So now whilst we salute thee nine times, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mother's womb; and we will devoutly say:

We hail thee, O Mary, who tracing thy descent from the royal house of David, didst come forth to the light of Heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, heavenly babe, white dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, bright morn; who, forerunner of the heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapped in the thickest darkness of paganism. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, dread warrior-child; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, fair soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by God. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, dear child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, much beloved infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Word Incarnate. Ave Maria.

Let us pray.

O most lovely infant, who by thy holy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the Heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we entreat thee, with the most fervent love and gratitude, to be spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirit in thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! Be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; may it ever be our comfort to call on that name in all our troubles; may it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and our last utterance in death. Sit nobis nomen Mariæ mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen. Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, joy in the heart. Amen.

Here follows the Litany, and then:


℣. Nativitas tua, Dei Genitrix Virgo.

℣. The Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God.
℟. Gaudium annuntiavit universo mundo.

℟. Hath brought joy to the whole world.
Oremus.

Let us pray.
Famulis tuis, quæsumus Domine, cælestis gratiæ munus impertire; ut quibus Beatæ Virginis partus extitit salutis exordium, nativitatis ejus votiva solemnitas pacis tribuat incrementum.

Grant to us thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to all those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of salvation, this her votive festival may give increase of peace.
Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum N., quem pastorem ecclesiæ tuæ præsse voluisti, propistius respece; da ei quæsumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus præst, proficere, ut ad vitam una cum grege sibi credito perveniat sempiternam.

O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, graciously look down upon thy servant N., whom Thou hast chosen to be the Pastor of thy Church; and grant him, we beseech Thee, both by word and example, so to direct those over whom Thou hast placed him, that together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may attain eternal life.
Deus, refugium nostrum et virtus, adesto piis ecclesiæ tuæ precibus, auctor ipse pietatis; et præsta, ut quod fideliter petimus efficaciter consequamur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all holiness, listen to the pious prayers of thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain, through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.

℟. Amen.

Litany of Loreto

Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.
Pater de cælis Deus, miserere nobis.
Fili Redemptor mundi Deus,
Spiritus Sancte Deus,
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus,
Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.
Sancta Dei Genetrix,
Mater Virgo virginum,
Mater Christi,
Mater Ecclesiæ,
Mater Divinæ gratiæ,
Mater purissima,
Mater castissima,
Mater inviolata,
Mater intemerata,
Mater amabilis,
Mater admirabilis,
Mater boni Consilii,
Mater Creatoris,
Mater Salvatoris,
Virgo prudentissima,
Virgo veneranda,
Virgo prædicanda,
Virgo potens,
Virgo clemens,
Virgo fidelis,
Speculum iustitiæ,
Sedes sapientiæ,
Causa nostræ lætitiæ,
Vas spirituale,
Vas honorabile,
Vas insigne devotionis,
Rosa mystica,
Turris Davidica,
Turris eburnea,
Domus aurea,
Fœderis arca,
Ianua cæli,
Stella matutina,
Salus infirmorum,
Refugium peccatorum,
Consolatrix afflictorum,
Auxilium Christianorum,
Regina Angelorum,
Regina Patriarcharum,
Regina Prophetarum,
Regina Apostolorum,
Regina Martyrum,
Regina Confessorum,
Regina Virginum,
Regina Sanctorum omnium,
Regina sine labe originali concepta,
Regina in cæli assumpta,
Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii,
Regina familiæ,
Regina Pacis.
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, the Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
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 renowned,
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.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
parce nobis, Domine.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
exaudi nos, Domine.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
℣. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix, ℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
℟. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. ℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Oremus.—Concede nos famulos tuos, quæsumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosæ beatæ Mariæ semper Virginis intercessione a præsenti liberari tristitia, et æterna perfrui lætitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Let us pray.—Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
℣. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. ℣. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
℟. Amen. ℟. Amen.
℣. Et fidelium animæ per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. ℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen. ℟. Amen.