Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer for Each Day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Mother, we fly to thy patronage. Thou art called by the Church “Our Lady of Fortitude” because thou art the model of that courage which is born of faith and love. In all the trials of thy life, from the prophecy of Simeon to the death of thy Son, thy soul was an impregnable fortress of virtue. We, thy weak and struggling children, come to thee to beg for a share in thy strength. Vouchsafe, O loving Mother, to hear our prayers during this novena, and obtain for us from thy Divine Son the grace to be strong in faith, patient in adversity, and persevering in love. Amen.
Jour 1 : Day 1: The Fortitude of the Annunciation
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the fortitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the moment of the Annunciation. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to her, she was troubled, yet she did not shrink from the sublime and formidable will of God. Her “fiat”—“Be it done unto me according to thy word”—was an act of supreme courage, an acceptance of a divine plan that would bring her immense joys and sorrows beyond all telling. She embraced the unknown with perfect trust and strength of soul, becoming the vessel of the Most High not through passive submission, but through a courageous and free act of faith. Her fortitude was rooted in her profound humility and her unwavering confidence in the power of God.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Virgin Most Prudent, whose courageous “yes” changed the course of history, we implore thy intercession. Grant us the fortitude to accept the will of God in our own lives, especially when it is difficult or unclear. Help us to put aside our fears and to trust in His divine providence, that we may become worthy instruments of His grace. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: The Fortitude in Persecution
Méditation
Let us consider the fortitude of Our Lady during the flight into Egypt. Warned in a dream that the wicked King Herod sought to slay the Christ Child, Saint Joseph arose and took the Child and His Mother into a foreign land. This sudden exile was fraught with peril, uncertainty, and hardship. Yet, Mary did not despair. Her strength was a quiet, resilient force, focused entirely on the protection of her divine Son. In the face of persecution, poverty, and the weariness of the journey, her heart remained a fortress of peace and trust, a silent testament to her unshakeable faith in God’s protection over her family.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Help of Christians, who didst endure the hardships of exile with unwavering strength, protect us in our own trials. When we are forced to flee from comfort and security, and when the world persecutes the good, grant us thy fortitude. Teach us to find our refuge in Jesus, and to bear all adversities for His sake. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: The Fortitude in Seeking Jesus
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the fortitude of the Sorrowful Mother when she sought her lost Son in Jerusalem. For three days, her heart was pierced with an anguish that only a mother can know. Yet, in this profound distress, she did not give way to frantic despair. With Saint Joseph, she searched with diligent perseverance and prayerful hope. Her strength was in her constant seeking, her refusal to abandon the search for Jesus. This trial prepared her heart for the greater sorrows to come, teaching her and us that even when God seems hidden, we must seek Him with a strong and persevering heart.
Prière du jour
O Mother of Sorrows, whose heart was filled with anguish, yet whose spirit never failed, aid us when we feel lost or abandoned. When we lose the sense of Jesus’ presence in our lives, grant us the fortitude to seek Him without ceasing in prayer, in the Sacraments, and in doing His will, until we find Him anew. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: The Fortitude of Intercession
Méditation
Let us consider the fortitude of Our Lady at the wedding feast of Cana. She perceived the need of the young couple and, with serene confidence, brought it to her Son. When He seemed to hesitate, her faith did not waver. She spoke to the servants with the simple but powerful strength of absolute certainty: “Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.” This was not a command of arrogance, but of profound faith. Her fortitude lay in her power of intercession, a strength that could hasten the hour of God’s miracles and manifest His glory to the world. She is the strong woman whose faith moves the heart of God.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces, whose faith at Cana obtained the first of thy Son’s miracles, strengthen our own weak faith. Grant us the fortitude to intercede for others with confidence and love. Teach us to trust in thy powerful prayers and to do whatever Jesus tells us, certain that He will provide for all our needs. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: The Fortitude at the Foot of the Cross
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the supreme fortitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she stood at the foot of the Cross. While the apostles fled, she remained. She did not faint, nor cry out in rage, but stood, sharing in the Passion of her Son with every fiber of her being. The sword of sorrow prophesied by Simeon pierced her soul completely. Her strength was not the absence of pain, but the courageous endurance of it, uniting her immaculate heart to the sacrifice of the Redeemer for the salvation of mankind. In this, she became the Queen of Martyrs and the unshakable pillar of our hope.
Prière du jour
O Queen of Martyrs, who stood by the Cross of Jesus, grant us a share of thy strength. When we are called to face our own crosses of suffering, sickness, or loss, help us to stand with faith and love. Unite our small pains to the great sacrifice of thy Son, that we may complete what is lacking in His afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the Church. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: The Fortitude in Grief
Méditation
Let us consider the fortitude of Our Lady as she received into her arms the lifeless body of her Son. In that moment of utter desolation, depicted in the Pietà, her faith did not die. She held the broken body of the Author of Life, and her heart was a sea of sorrow. Yet, even then, her hope in the Resurrection, promised by her Son, remained steadfast. Her strength was to love, to grieve, and to hope, all at once, in the darkest hour of the world. She is the strong rock of faith upon which we can lean in our moments of deepest grief.
Prière du jour
O Mother of Mercy, who didst hold the dead body of thy Son, be our comfort in times of mourning. Grant us the fortitude to face the death of those we love, not with despair, but with a firm hope in the resurrection. Teach us to find strength in thy sorrow and to trust that God’s love is stronger than death. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: The Fortitude in Prayerful Waiting
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the fortitude of Mary in the Upper Room, awaiting the descent of the Holy Ghost. After her Son’s Ascension into Heaven, she became the heart of the nascent Church. She gathered the fearful apostles around her, strengthening them with her presence and her constant prayer. Her fortitude was the anchor of the early disciples. She did not retire in her grief but remained as a pillar of strength and a model of persevering prayer, teaching them to wait with patience and confidence for the promised Paraclete who would empower them to preach the Gospel to all nations.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Queen of the Apostles, who didst sustain the early Church with thy prayers, grant us the fortitude of perseverance. In times of waiting, confusion, or fear, help us to remain united in prayer. Obtain for us a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost, that we may be strengthened to be bold witnesses of the Faith. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: Mary, the Valiant Woman
Méditation
Let us consider Mary as Our Lady of Fortitude, the title which encompasses all her virtues. She is the “valiant woman” of the Scriptures. Her strength was not of this world; it was a grace from God, cultivated through a life of perfect humility, obedience, and love. She crushed the head of the serpent not with physical might, but with the power of her purity and her unwavering “yes” to God. She is the terror of demons and the sure defense of the faithful. To call upon her under this title is to seek refuge in the one whose soul is the masterpiece of God’s strength.
Prière du jour
O Our Lady of Fortitude, valiant Woman and terror of the evil one, defend us in our spiritual battles. Clothe us with the armor of God and strengthen our wills to resist temptation and to choose the good. Be our fortress in times of trial and our champion against all the powers of darkness, that we may fight the good fight and win the crown of eternal life. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: The Fortitude of Hope in Glory
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the fortitude of Our Lady rewarded in her glorious Assumption and Coronation. The strength she exhibited on earth was crowned with glory in Heaven. Because she stood faithfully by the Cross, she now reigns as Queen at her Son’s right hand. Her fortitude gives us the certain hope that our own struggles, if borne with patience and united to Christ, will lead not to defeat, but to eternal victory. She is the sign of sure hope and solace to the pilgrim people of God, showing us the glorious end that awaits those who persevere in faith and love.
Prière du jour
O Queen of Heaven, who now reignest in glory, we rejoice in thy triumph. Grant us the fortitude of final perseverance. As we run the race of this life, keep our eyes fixed on the promise of Heaven. May thy example of strength inspire us to the very end, that we may one day join thee in praising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer for Each Day
O Mary, Seat of Wisdom and Cause of our Joy, we thank thee for the graces obtained through this meditation. We place our petitions into thy hands, confident in thy motherly intercession.
(Here, state your specific intention for this novena.)
We pray for the virtue of fortitude, for ourselves and for the whole Church.
Recite three Hail Marys.
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. (3x)
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.
Our Lady of Fortitude, pray for us.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.