OCTOBER DEVOTION: UNDERSTANDING THE MARIAN TITLES IN THE LITANY OF LORETO (PART 2) – DAY 22: “MOTHER OF HOPE” (MATER SPEI)

DAY 22 PRAYER INTENTION: Today, pray for all those participating in this rosary exercise and other devotees of our Blessed Mother in dire need of hope. May Our Lady, Mother of Hope visit them all at the darkest moment of their lives, comfort and strengthen them, and enable them to achieve (above all) that eternal hope promised to all God’s children,  to the greater glory of God. Amen (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 of 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 22 REFLECTION: “MOTHER OF HOPE” (MATER SPEI)

Having contemplated the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Mother of Mercy,” (the first of the recent additional titles by Pope Francis in the Litany), we shall now contemplate on the second added title: “Mother of Hope” (Latin, Mater Spei), today being the twenty-second day of our October devotion. How is the Blessed Virgin Mary “Mother of Hope” invoked after “Mother of Divine Grace” (Mater Divinae Gratiae)?

First, the Scripture gives us a clue on Mary’s own words: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). The phrase “be it done to me…” is not only an acceptance but also a confident opening to the future. Therefore, ” be it done to me…” is hope in all its concreteness. Thus, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life is a set of attitudes of hope, based on the “YES” given at the time of the Annunciation. Mary did not know how she could become a Mother, but she fully entrusted herself to the mystery that was about to be fulfilled, and she became the Woman of Hope.

In the face of all difficulties and challenges surrounding the birth and the upbringing of the Child Jesus as depicted in Scripture, the Blessed Virgin’s hope never wavered. This tells us that hope is nourished by listening, contemplation, patience, so that the Lord’s time may mature.

At the wedding at Cana, we see Mary, the “Mother of Hope,” always attentive to situations and things and offering hope in the face of despair – “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:5). At the foot of the Cross, she is the Woman of pain and, at the same time, of the “watchful waiting” (hope) for a mystery greater than pain, that is to be fulfilled. Everything seems really over; we could say that it appeared that all hope was lost. However, she remained hopeful for a “greater tomorrow” – the dawn of the resurrection, for a redeemed humanity.

Above all, to invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Mother of Hope” is to revive in us one of the theological virtues – hope. Although, at first, “hope” comes from the verb “to wait,” the best interpretation, in this case, would be “to trust.” As for us, “we hope in the Lord: he is our help and our shield” (Ps 33:20). In this way, Mary, “Mother of Hope,” points to the heavens. In the face of sickness, chaos, unemployment, corruption, bad governance, injustice, hunger, violence, and all forms of human maltreatment, we hope for better times and, finally, eternity with God by imitating Mary’s hope. Again, helped by Our Lady, we hope because we believe.

Let Us Pray:
Almighty and Eternal God, fill us with your grace through a humble devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the glorious Mother of your Son, may we be helped and defended as we call upon her in hope and trust, and strengthened by her intercession, may we be strong in faith, steady in hope, and persevere in your love. Grant this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Great job reflecting on Day 22! Click here for Day 23 – “Comfort of Migrants”