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DECEMBER DEVOTION: THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Since the 16th century
Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions.
The month of December is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate
Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her
conception, by a singular privilege of Almighty God, and in view
of the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior and hers, was preserved
from all stain of original sin. This age-old belief of the Church
was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 as an article of revealed truth.
Mary was in need of redemption
and she was indeed f redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
The manner of Mary's redemption, however, was unique. Instead of
being freed from original sin after having contracted it, she was
preserved from contracting it. This was a most fitting favor for
the Mother of the Redeemer.
Invocation
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee.
To the Virgin
Immaculate
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime
height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in
thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to
extend to. me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is
so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be
the slave of the devil through sin, , but may ever live with my
heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate
my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine
Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished;
may I too be saved. Amen.
Prayer of Praise
O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless
Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art
inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful,
we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou
who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke
thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, 0 holy and inviolate Virgin,
from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations
of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death
and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished
and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy
Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our
only hope, most sure and sacred in God's sight, to whom be honor
and glory, majesty and dominion for ever and ever world without
end. Amen.
Saint Ephrem the Syrian
Prayer of Pope Pius XII
This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by the
Pope for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953-December 8, 1954), which
was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma
of the Immaculate Conception.
Enraptured by the splendor
of your heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world,
we cast ourselves into your arms, 0 Immacuate Mother of Jesus and
our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in your most loving heart
appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests
which beset us on every side.
Though degraded by our
faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise
the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled
you, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of your
conception until the day on which, after your assumption into heaven,
He crowned you Queen of the Universe.
O crystal fountain of
faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily
of all holiness, captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume!
0 Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin,
which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell!
O well-beloved of God,
hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly
over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the
afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds,
sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect
the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness.
In your name, resounding harmoniously in heaven, may they recognize
that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one
family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal
and sincere peace.
Receive,
O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain
for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your
throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars:
You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, you are the joy,
you are the honor of our people! Amen.
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“Jesus’
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