Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer for Each Day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, we prostrate ourselves before thee with the most profound reverence. We believe that thou art the Mediatrix of all graces, and we come to thee with hearts full of confidence to implore thy maternal intercession. We are unworthy of thy favors, but thou art the Mother of Mercy and the Refuge of Sinners. Look upon us with thy compassionate eyes, and deign to hear the prayers we offer in this novena, for the glory of God, thine own honor, and the salvation of our souls.
Jour 1 : Day 1: Mary, Full of Grace
Méditation
Let us consider how the Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of God. The Archangel Gabriel, sent from Heaven, saluted her with the sublime words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” She, who was to be the channel of all graces to mankind, was herself so filled with grace that the Angel declared her blessed among women. Her whole being was perfectly pleasing to God, a sanctuary worthy of the Incarnate Word. Let us admire this fullness of grace and resolve to shun all sin, which is the enemy of grace.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thine Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life; all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families, our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee, and may share in the benefits of thy motherly benediction. And that this act of consecration may be truly efficacious and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism; we pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics who are obedient to all the directions of the Pope and the Bishops in communion with him.
Jour 2 : Day 2: Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces
Méditation
Let us consider that Our Lady, having received the plenitude of grace for herself, was constituted by God as the Mediatrix of all graces for us. As no grace proceeds from Heaven without passing through her hands, she is rightly called the treasurer of the Lord’s gifts. From her hands, ever open to bestow favors, flow the streams of divine mercy upon the world. It was through her that we received Jesus Christ, the Author of all grace; it is through her that we receive all the particular graces necessary for our salvation and sanctification. Let us approach her, therefore, with great confidence.
Prière du jour
O Immaculate Virgin, who wast chosen to be the Mother of God and the dispenser of His graces, turn thine eyes of mercy towards us. We are poor and needy, but we know that thou art rich and powerful. We beseech thee, open thy generous hands and bestow upon us the particular grace for which we now pray (mention your request), and all the virtues we need to serve thy Son faithfully in this life, and to be united with Him for ever in the next.
Jour 3 : Day 3: The Power of Her Intercession
Méditation
Let us consider the immense power of Our Lady’s intercession. At the wedding feast of Cana, she spoke but a single word to her Son on behalf of the troubled hosts: “They have no wine.” And at her request, Jesus worked His first public miracle. If her prayer was so powerful on earth, how much more so now that she is glorified in Heaven, seated at the right hand of her Son? The saints teach that no one who has ever had recourse to her with confidence has been left unaided. Her motherly heart cannot refuse to help her children who are in need.
Prière du jour
O Mother of Perpetual Help, whose very name inspires confidence, we fly to thee for aid. Thou seest our miseries and our struggles. As thou didst intercede at Cana for the temporal needs of the bride and groom, so we implore thee to intercede for us now in our spiritual and temporal necessities. Speak a word for us to thy Divine Son, and we know that our prayers will be heard. Show thyself a mother to us, and grant the favors we so earnestly seek in this novena.
Jour 4 : Day 4: The Graces She Pours Forth
Méditation
Let us consider the apparition of Our Lady of Graces to Saint Catherine Labouré, where she appeared standing upon a globe, with rays of light streaming from her hands. She explained that these rays symbolize the graces she bestows upon those who ask for them. She also lamented that many graces are lost because no one asks for them. This vision is a tender invitation from our Heavenly Mother to have recourse to her in all our needs, with the assurance that she is eager to pour out upon us the treasures of divine grace which her Son has placed in her hands.
Prière du jour
O Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, who didst manifest thy desire to bestow graces upon the world, we come to thee with childlike trust. We see the rays of light flowing from thy hands, and we desire to receive them. Pour forth upon us, we beseech thee, the graces we need to overcome our faults, to practice virtue, and to bear our crosses with patience. Above all, grant us the grace of a fervent love for thy Son, Jesus Christ, and for thee, our sweet Mother.
Jour 5 : Day 5: The Grace of Conversion
Méditation
Let us consider Mary as the Refuge of Sinners. She is the Mother of the Redeemer, and her heart is a sanctuary of mercy for all who have gone astray. She does not despise the sinner, but rather seeks him out, as a good shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Her greatest joy is to lead a soul back to the font of mercy, which is the Sacred Heart of her Son. No matter how great our sins, let us never despair, but fly to the protection of Mary, who can obtain for us the grace of true contrition and a sincere conversion.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Refuge of Sinners, look with compassion upon us and upon all poor sinners. We acknowledge our faults and we detest them from the bottom of our hearts. By thy powerful intercession, obtain for us a perfect sorrow for our sins and the firm purpose of amendment. Protect us from the snares of the devil, and do not permit us to fall again. We place our conversion and the conversion of all sinners under thy special protection. Lead us back to the arms of thy merciful Son.
Jour 6 : Day 6: The Grace of Healing
Méditation
Let us consider Mary under the title Health of the Sick. She is the tenderest of mothers, and she feels deeply for her children who suffer in body or in soul. How many cures have been wrought at her shrines! How many souls, afflicted with the sickness of sin or despair, have found peace and healing through her intercession! She is the comforter of the afflicted, who soothes our pains and gives us strength to bear our trials with a supernatural spirit, uniting them to the sufferings of her Son for the salvation of souls.
Prière du jour
O most loving Mother Mary, Health of the Sick and Comforter of the Afflicted, we commend to thee all who are suffering. We pray for the sick in body, that thou mayest obtain for them healing, if it be God’s will, or the grace to bear their illness with patience and for His glory. We pray also for the sick in soul, those afflicted with doubt, anxiety, or despair. Pour into their hearts the balm of thy consolation and restore them to spiritual health. Be thou the physician of our bodies and our souls.
Jour 7 : Day 7: The Grace of Perseverance
Méditation
Let us consider Mary as the Help of Christians. The life of a Christian is a continual warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. We are weak, and without divine grace, we cannot persevere in the good. Our Lady is the valiant woman who crushed the serpent’s head. She is the tower of David, from which hang a thousand bucklers. In all our temptations and struggles, let us invoke her holy name with confidence, and she will be our strength, our shield, and our sure defense, leading us to victory.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Help of Christians, whose name alone puts the demons to flight, we implore thy assistance in our spiritual combat. Protect us in temptation, strengthen us in our weakness, and encourage us when we are tempted to despair. Grant that, under thy protection, we may fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish our course. Be thou our guide and our guard all the days of our life, that we may one day rejoice with thee in the triumph of heaven.
Jour 8 : Day 8: The Grace of a Holy Death
Méditation
Let us consider the most important grace of all: the grace of a holy death. It is at the final moment of our lives that our eternal destiny is decided. The devil then makes his last and most furious assault. How great, then, is our need for a special protection! The Church teaches us to pray daily: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” She who stood at the foot of the Cross will not abandon her children in their final agony. She will be there to defend them and to present their souls to her Son.
Prière du jour
O sweet Mother Mary, who didst assist at the death of thy Son on Calvary, and at the death of thy faithful spouse, Saint Joseph, we beseech thee to assist us in our final hour. When our senses fail, when our soul is about to depart from this world, do not abandon us. Be thou our advocate with thy Son, protect us from the final attacks of the enemy, and obtain for us the grace to die in the love of God. We ask this grace for ourselves and for all the dying.
Jour 9 : Day 9: Mary, Queen of Heaven
Méditation
Let us consider Mary, crowned in Heaven as Queen of all Angels and Saints. After her life of humility and service on earth, she was assumed into Heaven and exalted above all creatures. From her throne of glory, she does not forget her children still struggling in this valley of tears. Her love and her power are now greater than ever. With hearts full of gratitude for the graces received during this novena, let us resolve to live as her true children, ever honoring her, loving her, and invoking her, that we may one day be united with her in paradise.
Prière du jour
O Queen of Heaven and Earth, glorious and blessed Virgin Mary, we rejoice in thy triumph. We thank thee for all the graces and favors thou hast obtained for us during this novena and throughout our lives. We renew our consecration to thee and promise to be thy devoted children. Continue to pour forth thy graces upon us, upon the Holy Church, and upon the whole world. Reign in our hearts, reign in our homes, and lead us safely to the eternal kingdom of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer for Each Day
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (Recite three times)
Then say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father.
O Our Lady of Graces, Mediatrix of all graces, we place our trust in thee. Through thy powerful intercession, we hope to obtain the favor we ask in this novena (mention your request), if it be for the glory of God and the good of our souls. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.