Novena in Honor of Our Lady’s Assumption

(Beginning August 6)

[From the Raccolta, 1910
i. 300 Days, T.Q.
ii. Plenary, to all who say it daily, on […] the Assumption. I, II, III, IV.
—Pius VII, September 30, 1817.]


Begin each day with:

Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, 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 renovabis 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.

August 6

Come, O Holy Ghost etc., as above.

Hymn.

O Gloriosa Virginum,
Sublimis inter sidera,
Qui te creavit, parvulum
Lactente nutris ubere.


O Queen of all the Virgin choir,
Enthroned above the starry sky;
Who with pure milk from thy own breast
Thy own Creator didst supply.

Quod Heva tristis abstulit,
Tu reddis almo germine:
Intrent ut astra flebiles,
Cœli recludis cardines.


What man hath lost in hapless Eve,
Thy sacred womb to man restores;
Thou to the sorrowing here beneath
Hast opened Heaven’s eternal doors.

Tu regis alti janua,
Et aula lucis fulgida:
Vitam datam per Virginem,
Gentes redemptæ plaudite.


Hail, O refulgent Hall of light!
Hail, Gate sublime of Heaven’s high King!
Through thee redeemed to endless life,
Thy praise let all the nations sing.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna sæcula. Amen.


O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to Thee;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally.


The glory of Mary in death, in that she was well prepared to die.

Let us meditate how glorious Mary was at the moment of her death, because in life she was so well prepared to die: first, by reason of her ardent longing to see her God and to be again united to her Son; and next, by the unapproachable merit of her consummate perfection. Then reflecting how different we are from Mary in our own practice of preparation for our death, let us say:

Most holy Virgin, who in order to prepare thyself for a holy death didst live in continual desire after the Beatific vision; O, take from us all vain desires for the frail things of earth. Ave Maria thrice.

Most holy Virgin, who, in order to prepare thyself holily to die, didst in life ever sigh to be united to thy Son Jesus; obtain for us fidelity to Jesus, even unto death. Ave Maria thrice.

Most holy Virgin, who, in order that thou mightest die holily, didst attain an unapproachable height of merit and of virtue; intercede for us, that we may know that virtue alone and the grace of God alone will lead us to salvation. Ave Maria thrice.

Let us now give praise to Mary, so prudent in preparing for death; and whilst we exalt her glory, we will unite with the Choirs of Angels, who, on her Assumption into heaven, escorted her; praising her with the first Choir:

Then say the Litany, and then:


℣. Exaltata est Sancta Dei Genitrix.

℣. The holy Mother of God is exalted.
℟. Super choros angelorum ad cœlestia regna.

℟. Into the heavenly kingdom above the Angel Choirs.
Oremus.

Let us pray.
Famulorum tuorum, quæsumus Domine, delictis ignosce: ut qui tibi placere de actibus nostris non valemus, Genitricis Filii tui Domini nostri intercessione salvemur.

We beseech thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants; that we who by our own works are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Deus omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum N., quem pastorem ecclesiæ tuæ præsse voluisti, propituis respice; da ei quæsumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus præst, proifcere, 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.

August 7

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary in death, in that she was assisted by her Son Jesus and the Apostles.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary was at her death, in that she was comforted not only by the apostles and saints, but also by her dear Son Jesus; and while we contemplate the unspeakable joy which filled her soul at this grace granted alone to her, let us entreat her for ourselves:

Glorious Virgin, who for thy consolation didst merit to die in the blessed company of apostles and of saints; obtain for us, that when we breathe forth our souls we may feel thy presence, and that of our holy patrons, assisting us. Ave Maria thrice.

Glorious Virgin, who at the moment of thy death wast comforted by the sight of thy dear Son Jesus; O, pray for us, that at that awful moment we too may be comforted by receiving Jesus in the most holy Viaticum. Ave Maria thrice.

Glorious Virgin, who didst deposit thy spirit into the arms of Jesus; assist us, that we may deposit our souls also into the arms of Jesus, always desirous that His most holy will be done. Ave Maria thrice.

Come, then, let us magnify the glory of Mary, assisted at her death by her Son Jesus and His apostles, and joining in jubilee at her triumph, say with the second choir of the Heavenly Host:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 8

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary in death, in that she died in an ecstacy of love.


Let us meditate how glorious the most holy Mary was in her death, because she died of a very ecstasy of the love of God; and desiring that we too may be strengthened by that holy fire of love, let us ask for her help:

Mary most happy Virgin, who didst die of the vehemence of thy love of God; make it thy care that in our hearts, as God wills, there be lit up this living fire of His love. Ave Maria thrice.

Mary, most happy Virgin, who dying of divine love didst teach us what our love of God ought to do; pray for us, that we may never abandon our God in life or death. Ave Maria thrice.

Mary, most happy Virgin, who in leaving this mortal life by virtue of an ecstasy of love didst make known the fire which ever burnt within thy heart; obtain for us at least a spark of that same fire, to give us true sorrow for our sins. Ave Maria thrice.

Let us with the third Choir of Angels now exalt the ineffable glory of Mary, inflamed with the love of her God:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 9

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary after death in her dead body.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary was in her dead body, because it was adorned with marvellous splendour and majesty, and spread around an odour of sanctity, which was the very fragrancy of Paradise, and because innumerable miracles were wrought at the sight of it. Then, thinking upon our own miseries, let us pray:

O Lady most pure, who by reason of thy virginal purity didst merit the glory to be so bright and so majestic in thy body after death; obtain for us the strength to detach ourselves from every foul spirit of impurity. Ave Maria thrice.

O Lady most pure, who by reason of thy rare virtue didst from thy dead body spread around the sweetnesses of Paradise; make it thy care that we may edify our neighbour by our life, and never more by our bad example become a stumbling-block to others. Ave Maria thrice.

O Lady most pure, at the sight of whose body numberless bodily maladies were cured; intercede for us, that by thy prayers all our spiritual ills may be healed. Ave Maria thrice.

Come, let us rejoice for the glory given to the dead body of Mary, magnifying her with the fourth Choir of Angels:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 10

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The Glory of Mary after death in the resurrection of her body.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary was after death, since by the power of the Highest her body, raised again to life, forthwith acquired the four gifts of brightness, subtlety, agility, and impassibility; and, filled with consolation at the excellency of her glory, let us thus invoke her:

O Lady exalted, who wast so gloriously raised again to life by thy God; help us so to live on earth, that we also may rise again like unto thee in the last judgment-day. Ave Maria thrice.

O Lady exalted, to whose risen body were given the gifts of brightness and of subtlety, by reason of the bright example and the humility of thy life on earth; pray for us, that all contemptuous affectation may be taken from us; that so our souls, being freed from all self-love, may be adorned with humility. Ave Maria thrice.

O Lady exalted, by the gifts of agility and impassibility with which thy risen body was glorified, by reason of thy spiritual zeal and patience while on earth; obtain for us courage valiantly to mortify our bodies, and patiently to curb all our disordinate inclinations. Ave Maria thrice.

Then let us render due praise to Mary, and magnify the glory which adorned her risen body; while with the fifth choir we exalt her:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 11

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary after death in her Assumption into Heaven.


Let us meditate how gloriously Mary was taken up to heaven, being escorted thither by many legions of the heavenly hosts and blessed souls drawn by her merits out of Purgatory; and rejoicing in that majestic triumph, let us with all humility offer to her our supplications:

Great Queen, who wast assumed so royally into the kingdom of eternal peace; obtain for us that all sordid earthly thoughts be taken away from us, and our hearts fixed upon the contemplation of the unchangeable happiness of heaven. Ave Maria thrice.

Great Queen, who wast assumed to heaven amidst a company of the Angelic Hierarchy; obtain for us strength to overcome the wiles of all our enemies, and that we may lend a docile ear to the counsels of that good Angel who continually assists and governs us. Ave Maria thrice.

Great Queen, who wast assumed to heaven most gloriously, in the company of souls drawn by thy merits out of Purgatory; free us from the slavery of sin, and make us worthy to praise thee for all eternity. Ave Maria thrice.

Let us not cease to applaud at the royal triumph of Mary; and uniting our homage with the sixth Choir of Angels, let us honour the singular glory of her Assumption into Heaven:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 12

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary after death in her exaltation as Queen of Heaven.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in Heaven, because she is enthroned there as Queen of the universe, and is ever receiving homage and veneration from countless hosts of angels and of saints; and assisting at her royal throne, let us implore her aid:

Sovereign Queen of the universe, who for thy incomparable merit art raised to such high glory in the heavens; in thy pity look upon our miseries, and rule us with the gentle sway of thy protection. Ave Maria thrice.

Sovereign Queen of the universe, who art ever receiving the worship and homage from all the heavenly hosts; accept, we pray thee, these our invocations, offered with such reverence as befits thy dignity and greatness. Ave Maria thrice.

Sovereign Queen of the universe; by that glory which thou hast by reason of thy high place in heaven, vouchsafe to take us into the number of thy servants, and obtain for us grace that, with quick and ready will, we may faithfully keep the precepts of our God and Lord. Ave Maria thrice.

Let us take part in the joy of the angels praising Mary, and rejoice with the seventh Choir, because we know that she is raised to the dignity of Queen of the universe.

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 13

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary after death in the crown which decks her brow.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in heaven by reason of the royal crown wherewith her Divine Son hath crowned her, and for the full knowledge which she now has of the deep mysteries of God, past, present, and to come; and, full of veneration for the incomparable honour bestowed upon our Queen, let us have recourse to her and say:

Queen unrivalled, who in heaven on high dost enjoy the high glory of being crowned by thy Divine Son with a royal diadem; help us to share thy matchless virtues, and ask for us that, purified in heart, we may be made worthy to be crowned with thee in Paradise. Ave Maria thrice.

Queen unrivalled in the full knowledge granted thee of all things upon earth; for thy own glory’s sake obtain pardon for our past evil deeds, that we may never offend again by froward tongue or wanton thought. Ave Maria thrice.

Queen unrivalled, whose desire it is to see men pure and clean of heart, that so they may be made worthy of thy God; obtain for us forgiveness of our sins, and help us, that all our looks, words, and deeds may please his heavenly Majesty. Ave Maria thrice.

Let us then purify our hearts, in order that we may be worthy to give praise to Mary; and to the glory she possesses in that bright crown which decks her royal brow, let us add humble tokens of our love, rejoicing in union with the eighth Choir:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

August 14

Come, O Holy Ghost, etc., and O Queen of all, as above.

The glory of Mary after death in her patronage of man.


Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in heaven, by reason of her patronage of man, and for the power she has to aid him, with great watchfulness in all his necessities; wherefore with lively confidence, in having for our patroness the very Mother of our God, let us implore her aid:

Mary, our most powerful patroness, whose glory it is in heaven to be the advocate of man; O take us from the hands of the enemy and place us in the arms of our God and Creator. Ave Maria thrice.

Mary, our most powerful patroness, who, being in heaven the advocate of man, wouldest that all men should be saved; make it thy care that none of us despair at the sight of our past relapses into sin. Ave Maria thrice.

Mary, our most powerful Patroness, who, to fulfil thine office, dost love to be invoked by men; obtain for us such true devotion, that we may ever call upon thee in life, and above all at the awful moment of our death. Ave Maria thrice.

Now with all our hearts let us celebrate the glories of Mary; and consoled at having Mary for our advocate in Heaven, let us rejoice in praising her with the ninth Choir of angels:

The Litany with ℣ and ℟ and prayers as above.

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.