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Mary's Page
During the month of May, we honor Mary in a special way. From earliest times, Mary has been honored with the title of "Mother of God." Our devotion to her certainly differs from the adoration given to Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, our devotion fosters this adoration.
We are inspired by the example of Mary, the teenager who said yes to God, who agreed to bear God's own Son. She had no idea where this "yes" would lead, but she continued to do God's work and God's will, no matter how difficult it was. We believe that she was sinless. Her closeness to God is marvelous for us to contemplate. Her courage and obedience help us have the courage we need as well, to say "yes" to God in our own lives.
"The Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she shines forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God." The Catholic Catechism, 972.
We do not pray to Mary as we pray to God. Her holy life is an inspiration to us, a guide and model, an ideal for us to strive for. As we rely upon the help and prayers of those who have gone before us, we rely on the help and prayers of Mary as well. Some Mary Links
Click Here for May Crowning Photos! Marian Prayers The Hail Mary
The Hail Mary is an ancient prayer whose first verses come from Luke's gospel, the words of the angel and the words of Elizabeth. The final lines invoke Mary's protection in the present moment and at the time of death.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy on us and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, o loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, oh holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Memorare
Remember, oh most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, oh Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. The Angelus
The Angelus is the traditional noontime prayer. Church bells rang at noon, and people would stop what they were doing to pray the Angelus. There is a very famous painting of a man and a woman working in the fields, a Church in the background. They stop where they are, bow their heads and pray together as the Church bells ring.
Queen of Heaven
Sub Tuum Praesidium
The Magnificat
The Magnificat [Canticle of Mary] is an ancient evening prayer. It is customary to make the sign of the cross during the first words.
+ My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. [Luke 1:46-55] The Immaculate Conception
On 08 December, the Church celebrates this feast of Mary, conceived without sin. She is honored by Catholics in the United States under this title as their patron. We praise you, Lord in this daughter of Israel, Mary, your faithful one and our mother. We pray as she did: may your name be holy; may the hungry be filled and the rich know hunger; may the proud be scattered and the oppressed raised up; may your love be ever with your people. We make our prayer always through Mary's child; he arose from her the sun of justice, Jesus, who is Lord for ever and ever. R/. Amen. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Our Lady of Guadalupe
On 12 December, the Church celebrates Mary as patron of the Americas: Our Lady of Guadalupe. As one of the poor, Mary spoke for and to the oppressed. In the sufferings of a conquered people, she proclaimed the Church born anew.
God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas at Tepeyac with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. May her prayers help all men and women to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Through your justice present in our hearts may your peace reign in the world. Grant this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen. Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Church teaching on Mary is found in the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen
Gentium. Mary is situated in the midst of the communion of saints, whose example and
prayer in heaven give courage and consolation to the pilgrim Church on earth and all who
live in the light of Christ. Mary is "one with all human beings in their need for
salvation" at the same time that she is a "preeminent and altogether singular
member of the Church." In relation to Christ, her life was lived as a
"pilgrimage of faith" from his birth to his death as she actively cooperated
with the work of salvation through free faith and obedience. In relation to the Church,
she stands as a model and excellent exemplar of faith, charity and union with Christ. Mary
is not adored like God, but is shown reverence as the God-bearer. In the end the Church
looks to Mary in hope, for she is the first flowering of what the Pilgrim People of God
are destined to become.