Eighth Day
The Image of the Immaculate
Conception
PREPARATORY PRAYER
In
thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate; pray for us to the Father,
whose Son Jesus, conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring
forth.
MEDITATION
Christian
art represents the Immaculate Conception as follows: The Blessed Virgin appears
standing on a globe, about which is coiled a serpent holding an apple in its
mouth. One of Mary’s feet rests upon the serpent, the other is placed on the
moon. Her eyes are raised toward heaven; her hands are either joined in prayer,
or she holds a lily in her right, and places the left on her breast. Her dress
is white; her ample mantle is of blue color. A crown of twelve stars encircles
her head. These emblems typify in a most striking manner Mary’s power and
glory. “And a great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun, and
the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Apoc. xii.
1).
PRACTICE
The
representation of the Immaculate Conception is very instructive. (1) Mary
appears standing on the globe. This signifies that being human, she belongs to
the earth, and yet is exalted above the world and sin; also, that she trampled
underfoot earthly possessions, vanities, and joys. (2) A serpent is coiled
about the globe, bearing an apple in its mouth. This reminds us of the fall of
our first parents, and of the consequences of their sin. (3) Mary’s foot rests
on the serpent, indicating that she never was under Satan’s dominion, but was
preserved from sin in the first moment of her existence. (4) Mary stands on the
moon. The moon, on account of its changes, is an emblem of inconstancy. We see
it at Mary’s feet, to be reminded that we ought to be constant in faith and
virtue. (5) Mary wears a crown, to indicate that she is a queen. The crown is
composed of twelve stars: she is the queen of heaven. (6) Mary’s dress is
white, to denote her spotless purity and innocence. (7) She folds her hands in
prayer, reminding us to imitate her example. (8) Or she holds a lily in her
right hand, to indicate her virginity and chastity, and the sweet odor of her
virtues. (9) Mary’s mantle is blue, which color is emblematic of humility. Its
folds are ample, to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure
refuge in all dangers and necessities.
Therefore
let us invoke her intercession in the words of Holy Church: “We fly to thy
patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions, and deliver us from
all danger, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin!”
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O
God, who through the immaculate conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy
dwelling-place for Thy divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son Thou didst
preserve her from all taint, so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us that cleansed
from all sin by her intercession we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin
Mary
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 Redeemer, 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.
Mirror
of justice, pray for us.
Seat
of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause
of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual
vessel, 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
of the most holy rosary, 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, O Lord.
V.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God:
R.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Pour
forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the
incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by
His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the
same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray
for us, O holy Mother of God.
That
we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer
Behold,
Virgin immaculate, at thy sacred feet I bow, while my heart overflows with joy
in union with thine own, because from eternity thou wast the Mother-elect of
the eternal Word, and was preserved stainless from the taint of Adam’s sin.
Forever praised, forever blessed be the Most Holy Trinity, who in thy
conception poured out upon thy soul the riches of that matchless privilege. I
humbly pray thee, most gracious Mother, obtain for me the grace to overcome the
bitter results of original sin. Make me victorious over them, that I may never
cease to love my God.
O
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
No comments:
Post a Comment