feast of the Immaculate Conception

Mary, I love you. Mary, make me live in God, with God, and for God. Draw me after you, holy mother. O Mary, may your children persevere in loving you Mary, Mother of God and mother of mercy, pray for me and for the departed. Mary, holy Mother of God, be our helper. In every difficulty and distress, come to our aid, O Mary. O Queen of Heaven, lead us to eternal life with God. Mother of God, remember me, and ahelp me always to remember you. O Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to you.Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.
(St Philip Neri)

Most Holy Mary Virgin Mother of God, I am unworthy to be your servant. Yet moved by your motherly care for me and longing to serve you, I choose you this day to be my Queen, my Advocate, and my Mother. I firmly resolve ever to be devoted to you and to do what I can to encourage others to be devoted to you.My loving Mother, through the Precious Blood of your Son shed for me, I beg you to receive me as your servant forever. Aid me in my actions and beg for me the grace never by thought, word, or deed to be displesing in your sight and that of your most holy Son. Remember me, dearest Mother, and do not abandon me at the hour of death.
(St Francis de Sales)

My powerful Queen, you are all mine through your mercy,and I am all yours. Take away from me all that may displease God and cultivate in me all that is pleasing to him. May the light of your faith dispel the darkness of my mind, your deep humilitytake the place of my pride, your continual sight of God fill my memory with his presence. May the first of the love of your heart inflame the lukewarmness of my own heart. May your virtues take the place of my sins. May your merits be my enrichment and make up for all that is wanting in me before God. My beloved Mother, grant that I may have no other spirit but your spirit, to know Jesus Christ and his divine will and to praise and glorify the Lord,that I may love God with burning love like yours. Amen.
(St Louis de Montfort)

Virgin full of grace, I know that at Nazareth you lived modestly,without requesting anything more. Neither ecstasies, nor miracles, nor other extra ordinary deeds enhanced your life, O Queen of the elect. The number of the lowly, “the little ones,” is very great on earth. They can raise their eyes to your without any fear. You are the incomparable Mother who walks with them along the common way to guide them to heaven. Beloved Mother, in this harsh exile, I want to live always with youand follow you every day. I am enraptured by the contemplation of you and I discover the depths of the love of your heart. All my fears vanish under your motherly gaze, which teaches me to weep and to rejoice! Amen.
(St Therese of Lisieux)

Grant me, O Mary, that I may get to know the cross; not only Jesus’ cross, but whatever cross fits me best. (St Gemma Galgani)

Give us a heart as beautiful, pure, and spotless as yours. A heart like yours, so full of love and humility. May we be able to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life, to love him as you loved him, to serve him under the mistreated face of the poor. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Mother Teresa)

May the life of Blessed Mary be ever present to our awareness. In her, as in a mirror, the form of virtue and beauty of chastity shrine forth. She was virgin, not only in body, but in mind and spirit. She never sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of heart. She was serious in her conversations. She was prudent in her counsels. She was preferred to pray rather than to speak. She united in her heart the prayers of the poor And avoided the uncertainty of worldly riches. She was ever faithful to hr daily duties, Reserved in her conversations, and always accustomed to recognize God as the Witness of her thoughts. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Amen (St Ambrose)

We honor you, O Mary, Mother of God, treasure of the universe, inextinguishable flame, crown of virginity, scepter of the true faith, indestructible temple, Tabernacle of the one whom the world cannot contain, and Mother and Virgin. ...In your virginal wombyou enclosed the immense andincomprehensible One. Through you the Trinity is glorifiedand the cross is celebrated and adoredeverywhere on earth. Through youthe heavens exult with joy,the angels and archangels are glad, demons are put to flight, the demon tempter is cast out of heaven, and our fallen nature has againbeen assumed into heaven. ...It is through you that the only-begotten Son of God, who is the Light, shone amid the nationswho were seated in darkness and the shadow of death. What human voice can ever worthily celebrate the ineffable greatness of Mary? She is Mother and Virginat the same time. Through herpeace has been restored to the world.What peace?Our Lord Jesus Christ,whom Mary has brought forth! (St Cyril of Alexandria)

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,that never was it knownthat anyone who fled to your protection,implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgins of virgins, my Mother.To you I come, before you I stand, sinful an sorrowful.O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.