Novena in
preparation for the feast of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Day Three
Meditation
Germanus asserts, and also St. Epiphanius,
who says, that when she was hardly three years old she was presented in the
temple, at an age when children have the greatest desire for the assistance of
their parents, and need it the most. She was even the first to entreat her
parents earnestly that they would take her to the temple, to fulfill their promise;
and her holy mother, Anna, as St. Gregory of Nyssa says, did not delay to bring
her there, and offer her to God. And behold, Joachim and Anna, generously
sacrificing to God what was dearest to them on earth, set out from Nazareth,
carrying by turns, in their arms, their beloved little daughter, who could not
walk so great a distance as was that from Nazareth to Jerusalem, a journey, as
several authors assert, of eighty miles. They thus went on their way,
accompanied by only a few of their relations, but by hosts of angels, as St.
George of Nicomedia asserts, who attended and ministered to the immaculate
Virgin, as she went to dedicate herself to the Divine Majesty. How beautiful
are thy steps, oh prince’s daughter! Quam pulchri sunt gressus tui, filia
principis! Oh, how beautiful, how pleasing to God, as the angels sung, are thy
steps, as thou goest to offer thyself to him, oh great and chosen daughter of
our common Lord! God himself on that day, says Bernardino de Bustis, celebrated
a great feast with the whole celestial court, when he beheld his spouse
conducted to the temple. For he never saw a creature more holy and more beloved
offering herself to him. Go, then, said St. Germanus, Archbishop of
Constantinople, go, oh queen of the world, oh mother of God, go joyfully to the
house of the Lord, to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit that will make
thee mother of the eternal World.
Novena Prayer
Gracious and lovable art thou in thy splendor, O holy Mother of God! Show me thy countenance. Let thy words sound in my ears, for thy voice is sweet and thy countenance is beautiful. Turn to us in thy beauty and loveliness! Come forth in majesty and reign!
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace; The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst 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.
O blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, Temple of the Lord, sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone, without an equal, hast pleased our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace; The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst 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.
Blessed indeed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord. Draw us, O Immaculate Virgin; we shall come after thee, breathing the sweet fragrance of thy virtues!
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace; The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst 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.
[Here state your petition.]
Remember, O 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, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee to do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
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