Novena in preparation for
the feast of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Day Six
Meditation
Let us consider
how holy was the life that Mary led in the temple, where, like the rising morn,
'Quasi aurora consúrgens', increasing always in perfection, as the dawn
increases in light; who can describe how, from day to day, in her more brightly
shone her virtues; charity, modesty, humility, silence, mortification,
meekness? This fair olive-tree, planted in the house of God, as St. John
Damascene says, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, became the habitation
of all the virtues.) The same saint says in another place: The countenance of
the Virgin was modest, her mind humble, her words kind, proceeding from a
recollected heart. And he elsewhere
asserts:
The Virgin
withdrew her thoughts from all earthly things, embracing all the virtues. Thus,
then, by the practice of perfection, she made so great progress in a short
time, as to merit being made a temple worthy of God.' St. Anselm, also,
speaking of the life of the holy Virgin in the temple, says: Mary was docile,
spoke little, was always composed, never laughed, was never distracted. She
persevered in prayer, in the reading of the Holy Scripture, in fasting, and all
virtuous works. St. Jerome goes more into detail, and tells us how Mary's life
was ordered: From early in the morning till nine o'clock she remained in
prayer; from nine to three she was engaged in labor; at three she resumed her
prayers, until the angel, as usual, brought her food. She was the most constant
in vigils, the most exact in obedience to the divine law, the most profound in
humility, and the most perfect in every virtue. No one ever saw her angry; all
her words were so full of sweetness, that when she spoke it always appeared
that God was with her.
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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