THE MIRACULOUS IMMACULATE CONCEPTION NOVENA: DAY 1 – FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God our intentions “for all expectant mothers…” (In addition, state your private intention here…) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Daily Meditation (A lecture on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Part 1

Many a time, we (Catholics) often invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary as “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” While it is a prayer, it is also an expression of faith and belief in our Lady’s Immaculate Conception. Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception is said to be one of her dogmas. It is necessary to recall the four dogmas that refer to Mary: 1. Perpetual Virginity; 2. Divine Motherhood; 3. Immaculate Conception; 4. Assumption into Heaven. The first two dogmas are defined in the Bible and recognized by the Church Tradition throughout the first millennium. The latter two are recent definitions of the Church, also having their roots in both Scripture and  Tradition as well. Interestingly, none of these dogmas is concerned with defining Mary’s identity or merits. All Marian dogmas, in fact, are Christological, that is, they defend the nature of Jesus Christ as the Incarnate Word, truly human and divine. Therefore, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is more of our Lord Jesus Christ and less of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Having said this, what does the dogma of the “Immaculate Conception” entail? Or what does it mean to invoke our lady as “Queen Conceived without Original Sin?” Here, we simply mean that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain. Thus, by affirming that Mary was conceived without Original sin, it follows then, that she did not commit any sin during her lifetime on earth. However, how can we understand this reality in the light of the Pauline “All have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God?” (Rm. 3:23).

To be continued…

(Pause and Reflect)

THE CHAPLET OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: Using the ordinary rosary chaplet

• The Creed, Our Father and the first three Hail Marys…
• On the large bead, pray the Memorare Prayer (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. Amen.) On the 10 small beads say “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”, after which you pray the Memorare Prayer again on the large bead and “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee” on the small beads…
• Repeat the process till the end of the chaplet. At the end, say the Hail Holy Queen…

SHORT INVOCATIONS TO OUR LADY

Great Mary (Pray for us)
Greatest of Marys
Greatest of Women
Mother of Eternal Glory
Mother of the Golden Light
Honour of the Sky
Temple of the Divinity
Fountain of the Gardens
Serene as the Moon
Bright as the Sun
Garden Enclosed
Temple of the Living God
Light of Nazareth
Beauty of the World
Queen of Life
Ladder of Heaven
Mother of God
Immaculate Conception.

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

May the Divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.

Concluding Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.

Immaculate Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of your conception in the womb of your mother, St. Anne. You were chosen to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe the teaching of Holy Mother Church, that in the first instant of your conception, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race and beloved Son, you were preserved from all stain of original sin. I thank God for this wonderful privilege and grace He bestowed upon you as I honour your Immaculate Conception. Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from your throne in heaven turn your eyes of pity upon me. Filled with confidence in your goodness and power, I beg you to help me in this journey of life which is so full of dangers for my soul. I entrust myself entirely to you, that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may always live a humble and pure life. I consecrate myself to you forever, for my only desire is to love your divine Son Jesus. Mary, since none of your devout servants has perished, May I too be saved. Amen.

Blessing: Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the Immaculate Conception, may the Lord bless us + protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Final Anthem to the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Heart! we kneel
To consecrate all to thee:
The present, its pain and joy
The future, all it may be.

Refrain:

O Lady of Fatima, hail!
Immaculate Mother of grace;
O, pray for us, help us today,
Thou hope of the human race!

👏🏼👏🏼 Great job praying Day 1! 👏🏼👏🏼 Click here for Day 2 Prayers

Shalom!
Compiled by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora Immaculada Conceição, Paulo Ramos, Maranhão, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?