Novena Prayers

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY NOVENA – DAY 4

August 8, 2021

6 min read

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

OPENING PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION

O Most Holy Mary, as we celebrate your Assumption in body and soul to the glory of Heaven, we implore you to help us to live with faith and hope in this world, seeking always and in all things the Kingdom of God.

O Lady assumed to Heaven, help us to open ourselves to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that creates and renews, capable of transforming our hearts.

O Lady of the Assumption, enlighten our minds about the destiny that awaits us – the eternal joy in the heavenly homeland – of the dignity of each one of us and the nobility of our bodies and of our souls, who may one day be with you in the glory of Heaven.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, raised to Heaven, show yourself to us all as Mother of faith, hope, and love!

A SHORT MEDITATION ON THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BY FR. CHINAKA, OSJ (PART IV)

Being the Ark of the New Covenant, the Blessed Virgin Mary has some similarities with the Ark of the Old Covenant (containing the Law written on Tablets of Stones). When the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he said “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will “overshadow” you (cover you with its shadow – cf. Luke 1:35). The verb “to cover” or “to overshadow” and the metaphor of a cloud are used in the Bible to represent the presence and the shekinah glory of God. Similarly, when the Ark of the Old Covenant was completed, the cloud of the Lord (the Shekinah Glory) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (cf. Exd. 40:34-35; NM. 9:18, 22). Also, when David received the Ark of the Old Covenant, he danced for joy in the presence of the Ark; he said: “How can the Ark of God come to me?” He also left it in the hill country of Judaea for 3 months (cf. 1Sam 6:1-2; 2Sam 6:9-14). Similarly, in Luke 1:39-56, when Elizabeth received Mary (the Ark of the New Covenant), She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the baby in her womb danced/leapt for joy; She exclaimed: “Blessed are thou among women…Why is it granted to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” (This is similar to the statement of David as stated above); and Mary stayed with her for 3 months (in the hill country of Judaea) – the same case with the Old Testament Ark as stated above. (To be continued…)

Silent Prayer and Reflection…

DAY 4 PRAYER

O Immaculate Mother, the entire nature was altered by the original fall; and yet, you were not touched by sin by the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. And so, the Church sings: You are all beautiful, Mary, and there is no stain of original sin in you. Mother most pure, may what happened to you bodily be fulfilled spiritually in the Church. We well know that we sinners are not worthy to possess you in this valley of tears. But we also know that in the midst of your greatness and humility, you cannot forget us and that, because you were raised to such glory, you did not lose your compassion for the poor children of Adam. Before your majesty, I present the following intentions for your maternal care (state your requests)

Recite 3 Hail Marys for the favour you seek to obtain.
O Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION (SHORT INVOCATIONS)

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

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Novena - text and Mp3 downloads

O sovereign queen of the Angels, we well know that as miserable sinners, we were not worthy to possess you in this vale of tears, and we know that your greatness does not make you forget our misery. In the midst of so much glory, your compassion, far from diminishing, increases more and more for us. From the height of that throne where you reign over all the angels and saints, turn your merciful gaze upon us; see how many storms and a thousand dangers encircle us in these turbulent times. Our queen and mother, obtain for us the increase in faith, confidence, and holy perseverance in friendship with God, so that we can, one day, go kiss your feet and unite our voices with those of the heavenly spirits,
to praise and sing your glories eternally in heaven – Ave Maria! Amen.

Concluding Anthem