Novena in Honor of Our Lady’s Divine Maternity

(Beginning October 2)

[May be said in public or private.
i. 300 Days each day.
ii. Plenary, on the Feast or during the Octave. I, II, IV.
(See Instructions, p. I, 1910 Raccolta.)]
—Pius VII, Mem., August 12, 1815; Pius VIII, July 9, 1830.

From all eternity God thought of the Virgin of Nazareth as the future Mother of His Son. At the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary became the Mother of God. This is her most exalted title, the source of all Her other privileges. On Calvary Christ gave His Mother to all men to be their spiritual Mother, so that through Her they might come to God as through Her He came to them. Let us love her because she is our very own. How can we fail to love Her whom Jesus loved so tenderly?

“Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:31)

Let us celebrate the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Let us adore her Son, Christ the Lord! Glory be.

Blessed and worthy of veneration art Thou, O Virgin Mary, who, while remaining a Virgin, didst become the Mother of the Savior! When He who rules heaven and earth became man, He dwelt within Thy womb. Hail Mary.

O Virgin Mother of God, Thy Motherhood announced joy to the whole world, for from Thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. Thou gavest birth to Him who created Thee and still remainest a Virgin. Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, intercede for us! Hail Mary.

The Lord blessed Thee, O Daughter for from Thee we have received the Fruit of Life. Thou alone without am equal, hast pleased our Lord Jesus Christ. Despise not our prayers in our needs, and deliver us from all dangers, O holy Mother of God! Hail Mary.

Hymn

To Thee, sweet Mother of our God,
We raise our voice in suppliant prayer;
Preserve us from the devil’s wiles,
And let us rest beneath Thy care!

’Twas for a ruined nation’s sake
Which Adam’s guilt was made to share,
That God, our King, to Thee did give
A Mother's dignity so fair.

With us of Adam’s fallen race,
O, may Thy favor e’er abide!
Through Thee our guilt has been effaced,
Avenging anger laid aside.

O Jesus, Son of Virgin mild,
Unending glory be to Thee!
Praise to the Father infinite,
and Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.

℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray.

O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beg Thee, that we may feel Her intercession for us, by whom we received the Author of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.