OCTOBER DEVOTION: UNDERSTANDING THE MARIAN TITLES IN THE LITANY OF LORETO (PART 2) – DAY 5: “REFUGE OF SINNERS” (REFUGIUM PECCATORUM)

DAY 5 PRAYER INTENTION: Today, pray for all rebellious children and all those who have decided not to return home as a sign of their rebellion, may our Lady, the Refuge of Sinners instill in them the grace of repentance, and may they once again be reunited with their families, to the greater glory of God (Also add your own intention…)

Now, say the 20 decades of the Rosary…

At the end of the 20 decades, say the following Prayers:

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! St. Joseph, pray for us!

Litany of Loreto

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us (Repeat after each invocation)

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary,
pray for us (Repeat after each invocation)
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower if ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Solace of Migrants,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most Holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we, your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Prayer to Saint Joseph after the Rosary

To you, O Blessed Joseph, we come in our trials, and having asked the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently ask your patronage also. Through that sacred bond of charity which united you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the fatherly love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to look graciously upon the beloved inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by his blood, and to aid us in our necessities with your power and strength.

O most provident guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ. Most beloved father, dispel the evil of falsehood and sin. Our most mighty protector, graciously assist us from heaven in our struggle with the powers of darkness. And just as you once saved the Child Jesus from mortal danger, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your help, we may be able to live a virtuous life, die a holy death, and obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

DAY 5: REFLECTION

“REFUGE OF SINNERS” (REFUGIUM PECCATORUM)

We have just invoked Mary as “Health of the Sick” (yesterday); the consequent three invocations are: “Refuge of Sinners,” “Comforter of the afflicted,” and “Help of Christians.” At the heart of these invocations that recognize the powerful intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the members of the Pilgrim Church, we recognize that she is “Refuge for Sinners” (Latin, “Refugium Peccatorum”). In other words, one of the titles with which the holy Church tells her members to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and which encourages the poorest sinners the most, is the title of “Refuge of Sinners.” In what context could we understand the Blessed Virgin Mary in this very invocation?

To begin with, it is important to note that in ancient times, there were cities of refuge in Judea (Judah), where the delinquents would stop to be freed from the punishment they deserved. Now, there are not as many cities of refuge as there were then, but there is only one of which it is written: “Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, civitas Dei,” meaning: “Glorious things are told of you, O City of God” (cf. Psalm 87). The first three verses of this very psalm clearly express: “On the holy mountain is the city cherished by the Lord; the Lord prefers the gate of Zion to all of Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O City of God.” This is because Zion in the Old Testament is the easternmost of the two hills of ancient Jerusalem. It was the site of the Jebusite city captured by David, king of Israel and Judah, in the 10th century BC (cf. 2 Samuel 5:6–9) and established by him as his royal capital, which has been the fortress of the city. Put differently, Zion was magnificent in its buildings, it was the delight of nations, the joy of the whole earth; there was the royal residence of the kings of Judah; there were the temple, the Ark, and the glory of God; the King of heaven dwelling in the midst of her (cf. Ps. 46:5 –“God in the midst of its citadels, it cannot be shaken…”). Little wonder in Psalm 91, the psalmist sings: “he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, and abide in the shade of the Almighty, says to the Lord, my Refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust…He will conceal you with His wings….”) Now, if Zion was understood as the city of refuge for miscreants because of its fortress, temple; and above all, the Ark of the Covenant dwelling within it; how much more could be thought of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant, overshadowed by the power of the Most High, stronger than the fortresses of Zion, etc. because she bore in her womb, the living God in the flesh. Therefore, it becomes fitting that sinners (even the worst of all) could run to her – the temple/tabernacle of the Most High, the “Shelter of the Almighty,” – “Theotokos” (God-bearer), that they might find refuge and protection in the Almighty. Thus, as soon as someone enters this “mystical city,” (the Blessed Virgin Mary), they will recover divine grace.

From the antecedent, it follows then, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is the “city of refuge” to which all who wish to avoid death should flee. The refuge formerly provided in Zion could only save the lives of the murderers if they committed an involuntary homicide, and they were therefore not really guilty. God, in His infinite mercy, prepared for Mary a safe haven. As guilty as a sinner is, if they appeal to Mary’s protection, they would surely encounter God’s mercy and grace; therefore, the sinner will not have to make a long and dangerous journey to find this blessed refuge. As such, Mary always waits for the poor sinners, and her heart is constantly open to receive them.

The second part of the “Hail Mary’s” prayer captions this invocation (Refuge of Sinners): “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the time of our death. Amen!” Recognizing that you are a sinner in constant need of grace is not always so easy. But when we are before the one who is holy and immaculate, our stains and sins become more evident. St. Bernard affirms that Mary has no horror of any sinner, however filthy and abominable. As long as the sinner turns to Mary and seeks refuge in God, she will not hesitate to give them a godly hand in order to uproot them from the depths of sin and despair. Therefore, taking refuge in Mary is taking decisive steps towards heaven. Every child knows very well where to take refuge in time of danger – the mother! Can this be disputed? Children are fond of running to the one who generated and breastfed them. Some childhood “morning sicknesses” are only cured with a “mother’s lap” (loving care). Hence, running to the Blessed Virgin Mary (our Mother) for refuge that she might obtain divine graces for us is highly recommended.

Dear friends in Christ, as sinners drowning in the stream of sin, it is appropriate to utilize this special privilege of “October Devotion” to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary daily and seek refuge; this way, we shall enjoy the soothing protection of the Almighty who has made His tabernacle in her. Praying the holy rosary daily is one of the surest ways of entrusting our hearts to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “holy city” that shelters sinners – Refuge of Sinners.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus Christ, you made your home in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Refuge of Sinners, in order that sinners might seek refuge and protection from you through her. Grant, we pray, that by a faithful devotion to her and through her intercession, we may come to the full realization of the heavenly city where you dwell. You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Oh “Refuge of Sinners” (Refugium Peccatorum) pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Blessing
Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, may Almighty God bless + you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Great job reflecting on Day 5! Click here for Day 6 – “Comforter of the Afflicted”