TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY
By St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
We
belong to Jesus and Mary as their slaves of love
From what Jesus Christ is in regard to us we must
conclude, as St. Paul says, that we belong not to ourselves but entirely to him
as his members and his slaves, for he bought us at an infinite price - the
shedding of his Precious Blood. Before baptism, we belonged to the devil as
slaves, but baptism made us in very truth slaves of Jesus.
We must therefore live, work and die for the sole
purpose of bringing forth fruit for him, glorifying him in our body and letting
him reign in our soul. We are his conquest, the people he has won, his
heritage.
It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit compares
us:
1) to trees that are planted along the waters of grace
in the field of the Church and which must bear their fruit when the time comes;
2) to branches of the vine of which Jesus is the stem, which must yield good
grapes; 3) to a flock of sheep of which Jesus is the Shepherd, which must
increase and give milk; 4) to good soil cultivated by God, where the seed will
spread and produce crops up to thirty-fold, sixty-fold, or a hundred-fold. Our
Lord cursed the barren fig tree and condemned the slothful servant who wasted
his talent.
All this proves that he wishes to receive some fruit
from our wretched selves, namely, our good works, which by right belong to him
alone, “created in Jesus Christ for good works”.
Day 14 of 33
Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 13
Of the
Obedience of One in Humble Subjection, After the Example of Jesus Christ
My son, he that endeavoreth to withdraw himself from obedience,
withdraweth himself from grace; and he who seeketh for himself private benefit
(Matt. 16:24), loseth those which are common. He that doth not cheerfully and
freely submit himself to his superior, it is a sign that his flesh is not as
yet perfectly obedient unto him, but oftentimes kicketh and murmureth against
him. Learn thou therefore quickly to submit thyself to thy superior, if thou
desire to keep thine own flesh under the yoke. For more speedily is the outward
enemy overcome, if the inward man be not laid waste. There is no worse nor more
troublesome enemy to the soul than thou art unto thyself, if thou be not well
in harmony with the Spirit. It is altogether necessary that thou take up a true
contempt for thyself, if thou desire to prevail against flesh and blood.
Because as yet thou lovest thyself too inordinately, therefore thou art afraid
to resign thyself wholly to the will of others. And yet, what great matter is
it, if thou, who art but dust and nothing, subject thyself to a man for God's
sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest who created all things of
nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for thy sake?
I became of all men the most humble and the most abject (Luke 2:7; John
13:14), that thou mightest overcome thy pride with My humility. O dust! learn
to be obedient. Learn to humble thyself, thou earth and clay, and to bow
thyself down under the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own wishes, and to
yield thyself to all subjection.
Litany of the Holy Ghost
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us Jesus,
Eternal Son of the Father,
Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of
both,
sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son,
enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son,
enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us
Author of all good, have mercy on us
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us
Consuming fire, have mercy on us
Ardent charity, have mercy on us
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have
mercy on us
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly
inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray. Grant, O, merciful Father, that Thy
Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us
with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth
and reigneth forever and ever.
R. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed
Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)
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, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us Holy Mother of God, pray for
us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Preparation for Consecration, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy
servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body, and by the
glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, may be delivered from
present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through
Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
Ave Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.
Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine,
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt
preserve us meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one.
Amen.
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