SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

FEAST OF OUR LADY’S ASSUMPTION INTO HEAVEN

Double of the First Class with a common Octave

                  White Vestments

          Missa ‘Signum magnum’

 

INTROIT – Apocalypse 12: 1

Signum magnum appáruit in cælo: múlier amícta sole, et luna sub pédibus ejus, et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim. Ps. 97. 1. Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: quia mirabília fecit. V. Gloria Patri.

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. Ps. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. V. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

Omnipotens sempitérne Deus, qui Immaculátam Virginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genitrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti: concéde, quǽsumus; ut ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Thy Son, with body and soul    into heavenly glory: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may always, intent on higher things, deserve to be partakers of her glory. Through the same our Lord.

EPISTLE Judith 13: 22-25; 15. 10

Benedíxit te Dóminus in virtúte sua, quia per te ad níhilum redégit inimícos nostros. Benedícta es tu, fília, a Dómino Deo excélso, præ ómnibus muliéribus super terram. Benedíctus Dóminus, qui creávit cælum et terram, qui te diréxit in vúlnera cápitis príncipis inimicórum nostrórum; quia hódie nomen tuum ita magnificávit, ut non recédat laus tua de ore hóminum, qui mémores fúerint virtútis Dómini in ætérnum, pro quibus non pepercísti ánimæ tuæ propter angústias et tribulatiónem géneris tui, sed subvenísti ruínæ ante conspéctum Dei nostri.  Tu glória Jerúsalem, tu lætítia Israël, tu honorificéntia pópuli nostri.

The Lord hath blessed thee by His power, because by thee He hath brought our enemies to nought. Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. Blessed be the Lord, who made heaven and earth, who hath directed thee to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies; because He hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord, for ever: for that thou   hast not spared thy life, by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people; but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honour of our people.

GRADUAL – Psalm  44: 11-12, 14

Audi, fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam, et concupíscet rex pulchritúdinem tuam. V. Tota decóra ingréditur fília regis, textúræ áureæ sunt amíctus ejus.

Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty. V. The daughter of the King comes in, all beautiful: her robes are of golden cloth.

ALLELUIA

Allelúia, allelúia. V. Assúmpta est María in cælum: gaudet exércitus  Angelórum.  Alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Mary has been taken up into heaven: the choirs of angels rejoice. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 1: 41-50

In illo témpore: Repléta est Spíritu Sancto Elísabeth et exclamávit voce magna, et dixit: Benedícta tu inter mulíeres, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui. Et unde hoc mihi ut véniat mater Dómini mei ad me? Ecce enim ut facta est vox salutatiónis tuæ in áuribus meis, exsultávit in gáudio infans in útero meo. Et beáta, quæ credidísti, quóniam perficiéntur ea, quæ dicta sunt tibi a Dómino. Et ait María: Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum: et exsultávit spíritus meus in Deo salutári meo; quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ, ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, et misericórdia ejus a progénie in progénies timéntibus eum.

At that time, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name, and His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.

OFFERTORY Genesis 3: 15

Inimicitias ponam inter te et Mulíerem et semen tuum et Semen illíus.

I will put enmities between thee and the Woman, and between thy seed and her Seed.

SECRET

Ascéndat ad te, Dómine, nostræ devotiónis oblátio, et, beatíssima Vírgine María in cælum assúmpta intercedénte, corda nostra, caritátis igne succénsa, ad te júgiter adspírent. Per Dóminum nostrum.

May the offering of our devotion ascend to Thee, O Lord; and through the intercession of the most blessed Virgin Mary, who was taken up into heaven, may our hearts be inflamed with the fire of love, and continually long for Thee.  Through our Lord.

PREFACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Vere dignum et justum est, aéquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnipotens, ætérne Deus: Et te in Assumptióne beátae Maríæ semper Vírginis collaudáre, benedícere et prædicáre. Quæ et Unigénitum tuum Sancti Spíritus obumbratióne concépit: et virginitátis gloria permanénte, lumen ætérnum mundo effúdit, Jesum Christum Dóminum nostrum. Per quem majestátem tu am laudant Angeli, adórant Dominatiónes, tremunt Potestátes. Cæli, cælorúmque Virtútes, ac beáta Séraphim, sócia exsultatióne concélebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admítti júbeas, deprecámur, súpplici confessióne dicéntes:

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and eternal God: and that we should praise, bless and proclaim Thee in the Assumption of the blessed Mary ever virgin: who conceived Thine only begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost; and losing not the glory of her virginity, gave forth to the world the eternal Light, Jesus Christ our Lord through Whom the angels praise Thy majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe: the Heavens and the hosts of heaven, with blessed Seraphim unite, exult, and celebrate; and we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices also to be heard with theirs, singing in lowly praise:

COMMUNION Luke 1: 48-49

Beatam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est.

All generations shall call me blessed, because He that is mighty hath done great things to me.

POSTCOMMUNION

Sumptis, Dómine, salutáribus sacraméntis, da quǽsumus: ut, méritis et intercessióne beátæ Vírginis Maríæ in cælum assúmptæ, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur.  Per Dóminum.

Now that we have received, O Lord, the Sacrament of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the merits and the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, who was taken up into heaven, we may be brought to the glory of the resurrection. Through our Lord.

Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mass Propers

AUGUST 14  

Vigil of the Assumption of Our Lady Into Heaven

Blessed Mary lived, cared for by St. John, for twelve years after Our Lord‘s Resurrection. Her life was spent in helping the Apostles and in praying for the conversion of the world. On the third day after Mary’s death, when the Apostles gathered around her tomb, they found it empty. The sacred body had been carried up to the celestial paradise. Jesus Himself came to conduct her thither the whole court of heaven came to welcome with songs of triumph the Mother of the Divine Word. Why was Mary’s body received into heaven instead of remaining in the earth, like the rest of mankind? The grave had no power over one who was immaculate. Her flesh could not see corruption. Her body had been over shadowed by the Holy Ghost. It had been the sacred temple in which had dwelt God Incarnate, and so it had a claim to ascend whither the Body of her Son had already gone before. But the chief reason was that as she had shared in each detail in the sorrows and agony of her Son, so it was right that she should take part in His triumph. Let us ask of God, through Mary’s intercession, the grace of a happy death.

St Eusebius, Confessor

Eusebius of Vercelli (c. March 2, 283 – August 1, 371) was a bishop and saint in Italy. Along with Athanasius, he affirmed the divinity of Jesus against Arianism. Born in Sardinia, he was a lector in Rome before he became the first bishop in Vercelli (in northern Italy), probably sometime in the early- to mid-340s. According to a letter of Ambrose to the congregation in Vercelli two decades after Eusebius’ death, the local leaders recognized his piety and thus elected him rather than local candidates (Epistola lxiii, Ad Vercellenses). At some point he led his clergy to form a monastic community modelled on that of the Eastern cenobites (Ambrose, Ep. lxxxi and Serm. lxxxix). For this reason the Canons Regular of St. Augustine honor him along with Augustine as their founder (Proprium Canon. Reg., 16 December).

In 354, Pope Liberius asked Eusebius to join Bishop Lucifer of Cagliari in carrying a request to the Emperor Constantius II at Milan, pleading for the emperor to convoke a council to end the dissentions over the status of Athanasius of Alexandria and the matter of Arianism. The synod was held in Milan in 355. Eusebius attended part of the council, but refused to condemn Athanasius and so was exiled, first to Scythopolis in Syria, under the watchful eye of the Arian bishop Patrophilus, whom Eusebius calls his jailer, then to Cappadocia, and lastly to the Thebaid, in Upper Egypt. Several letters surrounding the council written to or by Eusebius still survive, as do two letters written by him during his exile.

On the accession of Julian, the exiled bishops were free to return to their sees, in 362. Eusebius passed through Alexandria and there attended Athanasius’ synod of 362 which confirmed the divinity of the Holy Ghost and the orthodox doctrine concerning the Incarnation. The synod also agreed both to deal mildly with the repentant bishops who had signed Arianizing creeds under pressure and to impose severe penalties upon the leaders of several of the Arianizing factions. While still on his way home, Eusebius took the synod’s decisions to Antioch and hoped to reconcile the schism there. The church was divided between adherents of Eustathius of Antioch, who had been deposed and exiled by the Arians in 331, and those of the Meletians. Since Meletius’ election in 361 was brought about chiefly by the Arians, the Eustathians would not recognize him, although he solemnly proclaimed his orthodox faith after his episcopal consecration. The Alexandrian synod had desired that Eusebius should reconcile the Eustathians with Bishop Meletius, by purging his election of whatever might have been irregular in it, but Eusebius found that Lucifer of Cagliari had also passed that way, and had unilaterally consecrated Paulinus, the leader of the Eustathians, as Bishop of Antioch.

Unable to reconcile the factions, he continued towards home, visiting other churches along the way in the interest of promulgating and enforcing the orthodox faith. Once back in Vercelli in 363, he continued to be a leader with Hilary of Poitiers in defeating Arianism in the Western Church, and was one of the chief opponents of the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan. He died in 370 or 371. Later legends of his martyrdom have no historical basis. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates his feast on August 2. His former feast day of December 16 roughly coincided with his elevation as bishop. His current feast day roughly coincides with the anniversary of his death. Vercelli Cathedral is dedicated to him.

Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/with a Commemoration of St Eusebius, Confessor – Friday in the Eleventh week after Pentecost within the Octave of St. Lawrence

Violet Vestments – Missa ‘Vultum Tuum’ 

INTROIT – Psalm 44: 13, 15-16

Vultum tuum deprecabúntur omnes dívites plebis: adducéntur regi vírgines post eam: próximæ ejus adducéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne. Ps. 44. 2. Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea regi. V. Gloria Patri.

All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. V. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

O God, Who didst deign to choose for Thy dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech Thee, that defended by her protection we may assist with joy at her festival. Who livest and reignest.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

O God, Who dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Eusebius, Thy confessor, mercifully grant on this day of his heavenly birth, that we may grow like him in deed. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE – Wisdom 24: 23-31

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger; and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that harkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL – Psalm 44: 11-12, 14

Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary: who, without spot, wast found the Mother of the Saviour. V. Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world containeth not, being made man, shut Himself in thy womb.

GOSPEL – Luke 11: 26-27

At that time: As Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

OFFERTORY – Genesis 3:15

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things: thou didst bring forth Him Who made thee, and remainest forever a virgin.

SECRET

May our offerings be commended to Thy mercy, O Lord, by the prayer of the mother of God, Whom Thou hast removed from this world that she may with confidence intercede for us with Thee. Through the same Lord.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

We offer these sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in memory of Your Saints, trusting that by them we may be delivered from both present and future evils.

COMMON PREFACE

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: through Christ our Lord. through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:

THE SANCTUS

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant Thine assistance, O merciful God, to our frailty, that we, who anticipate the festival of the holy Mother of God, may, by the aid of her intercession, rise from our iniquity. Through the same Lord.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

Refreshed by meat and drink from heaven, O God, we humbly entreat Thee, that we may be protected by the prayers of him in whose memory we have partaken. Through our Lord.

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA – NINTH DAY

Novena in Preparation for Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven

Day 9 – Final day

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, thou hast received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of thee, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under thy command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. Quis ut Deus? “Who is like unto God?” With firm confidence we present ourselves before thee, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg thee to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:

        (Mention your request)

Mary, our dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive our poor hearts with all their freedom and desires, all the love and all the virtues and graces with which they may be adorned. All we are and all we might be, all we have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, we have received from God through your loving intercession. Help us dear Mother to surrender to God all that we have, including our petitions.

O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach us how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven. Make us realize that death is the triumphant gate through which we shall pass to your Son and that someday our bodies shall rejoin our souls in the unending bliss of heaven. From this earth, which we tread as pilgrims, we look to you for help. In honor of your Assumption into Heaven, we ask for this favor:

(Mention your request)

At the hour of our death, lead us safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of God for all eternity together with you. Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA – EIGHTH DAY

Novena in Preparation for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  

Day 8

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, thou hast received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of thee, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under thy command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. Quis ut Deus? “Who is like unto God?” With firm confidence we present ourselves before thee, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg thee to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:

        (Mention your request)

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, we rejoice that you are the Queen of Heaven and Earth. You have given your holy fiat to God and became the Mother of our Savior. Obtain peace and salvation for us through your prayers, for you have given birth to Christ our Lord, the Savior of all mankind. Intercede for us and bring our petitions before the Throne of God.

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, thou hast at last been taken to the throne prepared for thee in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift my heart with thee in the glory of thy Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from Heaven. Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to thy Divine Son, and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of Heaven. From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to thee for help. I ask for this favor:

      (Mention your request again)

When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with thee.

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY – Devotion to our Blessed Lady is necessary to attain salvation

TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY

By St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

SEVENTH DAY

Mary is the Queen of heaven and earth by grace as Jesus is king by nature and by conquest. But as the kingdom of Jesus Christ exists primarily in the heart or interior of man, according to the words of the Gospel, “The kingdom of God is within you”, so the kingdom of the Blessed Virgin is principally in the interior of man, that is, in his soul. It is principally in souls that she is glorified with her Son more than in any visible creature. So we may call her, as the saints do, Queen of our hearts.

The pious and learned Jesuit, Suarez, Justus Lipsius, a devout and erudite theologian of Louvain, and many others have proved incontestably that devotion to our Blessed Lady is necessary to attain salvation. This they show from the teaching of the Fathers, notably St. Augustine, St. Ephrem, deacon of Edessa, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Germanus of Constantinople, St. John Damascene, St. Anselm, St. Bernard, St. Bernadine, St. Thomas and St. Bonaventure. Even according to Oecolampadius and other heretics, lack of esteem and love for the Virgin Mary is an infallible sign of God’s disapproval. On the other hand, to be entirely and genuinely devoted to her is a sure sign of God’s approval.

Marian Prayer Of Saint Gregory

Mary, you are the vessel

and tabernacle containing all Mysteries.

You know what the Patriarchs did not know;

you experienced what was not revealed to the Angels;

you heard what the Prophets did not hear.

In short, everything that was hidden

from preceding generations

was made known to you;

even more,

most of these wonders depended on you.

Four doctors of the Church St. Augustine, St. Gregory the Great, St. Hieronymus, St. Ambrosius

Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary

Day 7 of 33 

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 18, cont. 

On the examples of the Holy Fathers.

Outwardly they suffered want, but within they were refreshed with grace and Divine consolation. They were aliens to the world; they seemed as nothing and the world despised them; but they were precious and beloved in the sight of God. They persevered in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in charity and patience, and so every day they advanced in spirit and gained great favor with God. They were given for example to all religious, and ought more to excite us to advance in good, than the number of lukewarm to induce us to grow remiss. Oh! how great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institute! Oh, how great was their devotion in prayer, how great was their zeal for virtue! How vigorous the discipline that was kept up, what reverence and obedience, under the rule of the superior, flourished in all! Their traces that remain still bear witness, that they were truly holy and perfect men who did battle so stoutly, and trampled the world under their feet. Now, he is thought great who is not a transgressor; and who can, with patience, endure what he has undertaken. Ah, the lukewarmness and negligence of our state! that we soon fall away from our first fervor, and are even now tired with life, from slothfulness and tepidity. Oh that advancement in virtue be not quite asleep in thee, who has so often seen the manifold examples of the devout!

Recite: Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Glory Be

Veni Creator

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. 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.

Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Novena for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Seventh day

Novena in Preparation for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Seventh day

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, thou hast received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of thee, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under thy command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. Quis ut Deus? “Who is like unto God?” With firm confidence we present ourselves before thee, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg thee to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:

(Mention your request)

Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that we are and bind us to Jesus with the bonds of love so that we may be yours forever and may be able to say in all truth: “I belong to Jesus through Mary”. Our Mother, Assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe, ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain for us what we ask, if it be for the glory of God and the good of our souls.

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, thou hast at last been taken to the throne prepared for thee in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift my heart with thee in the glory of thy Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from Heaven. Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to thy Divine Son, and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of Heaven. From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to thee for help. I ask for this favor:

(Mention your request again)

When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with thee.

 

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY – When Mary has taken root in a soul

A Salutation To The Immaculate Heart

O Immaculate Virgin Mary,

Mother of God and Our Mother:

Queen of Heaven and Earth,

Mediatrix of every grace!

Thou through whom dost shine the whole splendor

and magnificence of the Trinity!

O Fount of Light!

O Light of all lights!

O shining Brightness of the Eternal Light!

O spotless Mirror of the Divine Majesty!

O Window upon the Divine Nature!

O Portal opening unto Eternity!

O blessed Gate of Heaven!

O Doorway thru which has shone the Light of men!

O Door of the Most High King!

O Horizon out of which is arisen the Sun of Justice!

O Promontory above the Ocean of Divinity!

O Watchtower before the blazing Majesty of God!

O Star of the Sea!

O Star of Heaven, who alone has crushed all the Stars

fallen from Heaven!

O Morning Star, who has merited to usurp the name of the first fallen Star!

Thou who dost now gaze upon the wondrous abundance of the Divine Vision,

as the One closer to the Face of God than all creatures!

Rejoice O Thou, who has borne the Clarity of the Eternal Light!

Rejoice, O glorious and mystical City of God!

Rejoice, O Thou, who art more glorious than the Sun,

more beautiful than the Moon,

who dost shine more golden than the dawn,

more brightly than the stars.

Rejoice O Mother of the Lamb, the Light of the City of

God, who has made Thee shine forever with His own incomparable Light!

Rejoice, O Immaculate Virgin,

who dost hold the Light of God in the palms of Thy hands,

who dost behold the Child Jesus,

the Eternal Light,

in wondrous glory for all eternity!

Rejoice O Most Blessed Virgin,

for it is through Thee that all the Angels of Heaven

and all the Choirs of the Elect

art enlightened and filled with the Incomparable Radiance!

O Immaculate Mother,

lead us to Heaven,

inflame us with the Divine Love,

let shine upon us that same light of glory

which Thou dost behold forever!

Let us see What Thou dost see and gaze upon Him in Trinity,

that we may share the fullness of Thy Heart’s joy forever!

Let it be!

Let it be!

Amen.

 

TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY

By St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

When Mary has taken root in a soul she produces in it wonders of grace which only she can produce; for she alone is the fruitful virgin who never had and never will have her equal in purity and fruitfulness. Together with the Holy Spirit Mary produced the greatest thing that ever was or ever will be: a God-man. She will consequently produce the marvels, which will be seen in the latter times. The formation and the education of the great saints who will come at the end of the world are reserved to her, for only this singular and wondrous virgin can produce in union with the Holy Spirit singular and wondrous things.

When the Holy Spirit, her spouse, finds Mary in a soul, he hastens there and enters fully into it. He gives himself generously to that soul according to the place it has given to his spouse. One of the main reasons why the Holy Spirit does not work striking wonders in souls is that he fails to find in them a sufficiently close union with his faithful and inseparable spouse. I say “inseparable spouse”, for from the moment the substantial love of the Father and the Son espoused Mary to form Jesus, the head of the elect, and Jesus in the elect, he has never disowned her, for she has always been faithful and fruitful.

Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary

 Day 6 of 33

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 18

On the examples of the Holy Fathers.

Look upon the lively examples of the holy Fathers in whom shone real perfection and the religious life, and you will see how little it is, and almost nothing that we do. Alas, what is our life when we compare it with theirs? Saints and friends of Christ, they served our Lord in hunger and in thirst, in cold, in nakedness, in labor and in weariness, in watching, in fasting, prayers and holy meditations, and in frequent persecutions and reproaches. Oh, how many grievous tribulations did the Apostles suffer and the Martyrs and Confessors and Virgins, and all the rest who resolved to follow the steps of Christ! For they hated their lives in this world, that they might keep them in life everlasting. Oh what a strict and self-renouncing life the holy Fathers of the desert led! What long and grievous temptations did they bear! How often were they harassed by the enemy, what frequent and fervent prayers did they offer up to God, what rigorous abstinence did they practice!

What a valiant contest waged they to subdue their imperfections! What purity and straightforwardness of purpose kept they towards God! By day they labored, and much of the night they spent in prayer; though while they labored, they were far from leaving off mental prayer. They spent all their time profitably. Every hour seemed short to spend with God; and even their necessary bodily refreshment was forgotten in the great sweetness of contemplation. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors and kindred; they hardly took what was necessary for life. It grieved them to serve the body even in its necessity. Accordingly, they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues.

Veni Creator

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. 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.

Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA – SIXTH DAY

Novena in Preparation for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sixth day

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, thou hast received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of thee, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under thy command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. Quis ut Deus? “Who is like unto God?” With firm confidence we present ourselves before thee, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg thee to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:

     (Mention your request)

Mary, our dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive our poor hearts with all their freedom and desires, all the love and all the virtues and graces with which they may be adorned. All we are and all we might be, all we have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, we have received from God through your loving intercession. Help us dear Mother to surrender to God all that we have, including our petitions.

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, thou hast at last been taken to the throne prepared for thee in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift my heart with thee in the glory of thy Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from Heaven. Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to thy Divine Son, and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of Heaven. From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to thee for help. I ask for this favor:

(Mention your request again)

When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with thee.

Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Mary’s part in the sanctification of souls

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei ora pro nobis!

TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY

By St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

Mary’s part in the sanctification of souls

Mary has authority over the angels and the blessed in heaven. As a reward for her great humility, God gave her the power and the mission of assigning to saints the thrones made vacant by the apostate angels who fell away through pride.

Such is the will of almighty God who exalts the humble, that the powers of heaven, earth and hell, willingly or unwillingly, must obey the commands of the humble Virgin Mary.  For God has made her queen of heaven and earth, leader of his armies, keeper of his treasures, dispenser of his graces, worker of his wonders, restorer of the human race, mediatrix on behalf of men, destroyer of his enemies, and faithful associate in his great works and triumphs.

God the Father wishes Mary to be the mother of his children until the end of time and so he says to her, “Dwell in Jacob”, that is to say, take up your abode permanently in my children, in my holy ones represented by Jacob, and not in the children of the devil and sinners represented by Esau.

Just as in natural and bodily generation there is a father and a mother, so in the supernatural and spiritual generation there is a father who is God and a mother who is Mary. All true children of God have God for their father and Mary for their mother; anyone who does not have Mary for his mother, does not have God for his father. This is why the reprobate, such as heretics and schismatics, who hate, despise or ignore the Blessed Virgin, do not have God for their father though they arrogantly claim they have, because they do not have Mary for their mother. Indeed if they had her for their mother they would love and honor her as good and true children naturally love and honor the mother who gave them life.

An infallible and unmistakable sign by which we can distinguish a heretic, a man of false doctrine, an enemy of God, from one of God’s true friends is that the heretic and the hardened sinner show nothing but contempt and indifference for our Lady. He endeavors by word and example, openly or insidiously sometimes under specious pretexts to belittle the love and veneration shown to her. God the Father has not told Mary to dwell in them because they are, alas, other Esau’s.

God the Son wishes to form himself, and, in a manner of speaking, become incarnate every day in his members through his dear Mother. To her he said: “Take Israel for your inheritance.” It is as if he said God the Father has given me as heritage all the nations of the earth, all men good and evil, predestinate and reprobate. To the good I shall be father and advocate, to the bad a just avenger, but to all I shall be a judge. But you, my dear Mother, will have for your heritage and possession only the predestinate represented by Israel. As their loving mother, you will give them birth, feed them and rear them. As their queen, you will lead, govern and defend them.

Consecration to Jesus through Mary – Fifth day

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 40

Wherefore, but I did know well, how to cast from me all human comfort, either for the sake of devotion, or through the necessity by which I am compelled to seek Thee, because there is no man that can comfort me. Then might I deservedly hope in Thy favor, and rejoice in the gift of a new consolation. Thanks be to Thee from Whom all things proceed, as often as it happens to me. I, indeed, am but vanity, and nothing in Thy sight , an inconstant and weak man. Where, therefore, can I glory, or for what do I desire to be thought of highly?

Forsooth of my very nothingness; and this is most vain. Truly vainglory is an evil plague, because it draws away from true glory, and robs us of heavenly grace. For, while a man takes complacency in himself, he displeases Thee; while he wants for human applause, he is deprived of true virtues. But true, glory and holy exultation is to glory in Thee, and not in one’s self; to rejoice in Thy Name, but not in one’s own strength. To find pleasure in no creature, save only for Thy sake. Let Thy Name be praised, not mine; let Thy work be magnified, not mine; let Thy Holy Name be blessed, but let nothing be attributed to me of the praise of men. Thou art my glory; Thou art the exultation of my heart; in Thee, will I glory and rejoice all the day; but for myself, I will glory in nothing but in my infirmities.

Recite: Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Glory Be 

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA – FIFTH DAY

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA

Day Five – August 10

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, thou hast received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of thee, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under thy command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. Quis ut Deus? “Who is like unto God?” With firm confidence we present ourselves before thee, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg thee to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:

         (Mention your request)

O Mother, Assumed into Heaven, because you shared in all the mysteries of our Redemption here below, Jesus has crowned you with glory. With your most glorious and powerful intercession, help us O loving Mother and present to Jesus our request.

Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, thou hast at last been taken to the throne prepared for thee in Heaven by the Holy Trinity. Lift my heart with thee in the glory of thy Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from Heaven. Make me realize that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to thy Divine Son, and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of Heaven. From this earth, over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to thee for help. I ask for this favor:

     (Mention your request again)

When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with thee.