Day 3, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, July 1, Feast of the Precious Blood

Pope St.Clement I (c.96 A.D.): "Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world."

To understand the meaning of the Precious Blood we must get some comprehension of the gravity of sin, of the awfulness of offending God, because it required the Blood of the Son of God to forgive that sin. We are living in an age in which to sin has become fashionable.

This veneration of the Precious Blood, which is the first element in our devotion to the Precious Blood means that we have a deep sensitivity to the awfulness of sin. Sin must be terrible. It must be awful. It must be the most dreadful thing in the universe. Why? Because it cost the living God in human form the shedding of His Blood. ~ Fr. John Hardon, SJ

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

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

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, Save us.

Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, Save us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, Save us.

Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, Save us.

Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, Save us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation, Save us.

Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, Save us.

Blood of Christ, river of mercy, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Victor over demons, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors, Save us.

Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Consolation of the dying, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts, Save us.

Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life, Save us.

Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory, Save us.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, Save us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, OLord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood, And made of us a kingdom for our God.

Let Us Pray:

Almighty and Eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by His Blood. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily adore this Price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of this present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in Heaven. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Day Two, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Commemoration of St. Paul, June 30

Martyrdom of St. Paul ~ Dom Gueranger

It was in the year 65 that St. Paul returned to Rome; once more signalizing his presence there by the manifold works of his apostolate. From the time of his first labors there, he had made converts even in the very palace of the Caesars: being now returned to this former theater of his zeal, he again found entrance into the imperial abode. A woman who was living in criminal intercourse with Nero, as likewise a cup-bearer of his, were both caught in the apostolic net, for it was hard indeed to resist the power of that mighty word. Nero, enraged at "this foreigner's" influence in his very household, was bent on St. Paul's destruction. Being first of all cast into prison, his zeal cooled not, but he persisted the more in preaching Jesus Christ. The two converts of the imperial palace having abjured, together with paganism, the manner of life they had been leading, this twofold conversion of theirs only hastened St. Paul's martyrdom. He was well aware that it would be so, as can be seen in these lines addressed to St. Timothy: "I labor even unto bonds as an evil-doer; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed, like a victim already sprinkled with the lustral water, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the Just Judge, will render to me in that day." (2 Tim.)

On the 29th day of June, in the year 67, while St. Peter, having crossed the Tiber by the Triumphal bridge, was drawing nigh to the cross prepared for him on the Vatican plain, another martyrdom was being consummated on the left bank of the same river. St. Paul, as he was led along the Ostian Way, was also followed by a group of the faithful who mingled with the escort of the condemned. His sentence was that he should be beheaded at the Salvian Waters. A march of two miles brought the soldiers to a path leading eastwards, by which they led their prisoner to the place fixed upon for the martyrdom of this, the Doctor of the Gentiles. St. Paul fell on his knees, addressing his last prayer to God; then having bandaged his eyes, he awaited the death-stroke. A soldier brandished his sword, and the Apostle's head, as it was severed from the trunk, made three bounds along the ground; three fountains immediately sprang up on these spots. Such is the local tradition; and to this day, three fountains are to be seen on the site of his martyrdom, over each of which an altar is raised.

Day One, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Monday June 29, Sts. Peter and Paul

Adapted from The Liturgical Year by Dom Gueranger

Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

After the great solemnities of Easter and Pentecost and the Feast of St. John the Baptist, none is more ancient, nor more universal in the Church, than that of the two Princes of the Apostles. From the beginning Rome celebrated their triumph on the day which saw them go up from earth to Heaven, June 29. We must not forget, on so great a day, those other messengers sent forth by the divine householder, who watered earth's highways with their sweat and with their blood while they hastened the triumph and the gathering in of the guests invited to the marriage feast (Matt. 22: 8-10). It is due to them that the law of grace is now definitely promulgated throughout all nations, and that in every language and upon every shore the good tidings have been sounded (Ps. 18: 4, 5). Thus the festival of St. Peter, completed by the more special memory of St. Paul, his comrade in death, has been from earliest times regarded as the festival likewise of the whole apostolic college. In primitive times it seemed impossible to dream of separating from their glorious leader any of those whom Our Lord had so intimately joined together in the responsibility of one common work. In course of time, however, particular solemnities were successively consecrated to each one of the Apostles, and so the Feast of June 29 was more exclusively attributed to the two Princes whose martyrdom rendered this day illustrious. The Roman Church, thinking it impossible fittingly to honor both of these on the same day, deferred till the morrow her more explicit praises of the Doctor of the Gentiles.

St. Clement, an eye-witness of St. Peter's martyrdom, says in a letter to the Corinthians that rivalries and jealousies contributed largely to bring about his condemnation by the authorities, whose suspicions concerning "this Jew" had been steadily increasing.  The filial devotedness of the Christians of Rome took alarm, and they implored St. Peter to elude the danger for a while by instant flight. Although he would have much preferred to suffer, says St. Ambrose (Contra Auxent.), St. Peter set out along the Appian Way. Just as he reached the Capuan gate, Christ suddenly appeared to him as if about to enter the city. "Lord, whither goest Thou (Domine, quo vadis)?" cried out the Apostle. "To Rome," Christ replied, "there to be crucified again." The Disciple understood his Master; he at once retraced his steps, having now no thought but to await his hour of martyrdom. This Gospel-like scene expresses the sequel of Our Lord's designs upon the venerable old man. With a view to founding the Christian Church in unity, He had extended to his Disciple his own prophetic name of the rock or stone—Petrus; now he was about to make him His participator even unto the cross itself. Rome, having replaced Jerusalem, must likewise have her Calvary.

In his flight St. Peter dropped from his leg a bandlet, which a disciple picked up with much respect. A monument was afterwards raised on the spot where the incident occurred: it is now the Church of Ss. Nereus and Achilles, anciently called Titulus Fasciolae, the Title of the Bandlet. According to the designs of Providence, the humble Fasciola was to recall the memory of that momentous meeting at the gates of Rome, where Christ in person stood face to face with His Apostle, the visible Head of His Church, and announced that the hour of his sacrifice on the cross was at hand. (There is also a small church called "Domine quo vadis" erected near the spot where the apparition is believed to have taken place.)

From that moment St. Peter set everything in order, with a view to his approaching end. It was at this time he wrote his Second Epistle, which is his last testament and loving farewell to the Church. Therein he declares that the close of his life is near, and compares his body to a temporary shelter, a tent which one takes down to journey farther on. "The laying away of this my tabernacle is at hand, according as Our Lord Jesus Christ also hath signified to me" (2 Peter 1: 14). These words are evidently an allusion to the apparition on the Appian Way. But before quitting this world St. Peter provided for the transmission of his pastoral charge and for the needs of Holy Church, now about to be widowed of Her visible Head. To this he refers in these words: "And I will do my endeavor, that after my decease, you may also often have whereby you may keep a memory of these things" (Ibid. 15).

The best historical evidence confirms that it was into the hands of St. Linus that the keys were passed, which St. Peter had received from Christ as a sign of his dominion over the whole flock. St. Linus had been for more than ten years the auxiliary of the Holy Apostle in the midst of the Christians of Rome. The quality of Bishop of Rome entailed that of universal pastor; and St. Peter must needs leave the heritage of the divine keys to him who should next occupy the See which he held at the moment of death. So had Christ ordained; and a heavenly inspiration had led St. Peter to choose Rome for his last station, that long before had been prepared by Providence for universal empire. Hence, at the moment when the supremacy of Peter passed to one of his disciples, no astonishment was manifested in the Church. It was well known that the Primacy was and must necessarily be a local heritage, and none ignored the fact that Rome herself was that spot chosen by St. Peter long years before. Nor after Peter's death did it ever occur to the mind of any of the Christians to seek the center of Holy Church either at Jerusalem, or at Alexandria, or at Antioch, or elsewhere.

The Christians in Rome made great account of the paternal devotedness he had lavished on their city. Hence their alarms, to which the Apostle once consented to yield. St. Peter's Epistles, so redolent of affection, bear witness to the tenderness of soul with which he was gifted to a very high degree. He is ever the shepherd devoted to his sheep, fearing, above all else, a domineering tone; he is ever a Vicar offering himself, so that nothing may transpire save the dignity and rights of Him Whom he represents. This exquisite modesty was further increased in St. Peter, by the remembrance which haunts his whole life, as ancient writers say, of the sin he once committed, and which he continued to deplore up to the closing days of extreme old age. Faithful ever to that transcending love of which his Divine Master had required him to make a triple affirmation before confiding to him the care of His flock, he endured unflinchingly the immense labors of his office of fisher of men. One circumstance of his life, which relates to this its closing period, reveals most touchingly the devotedness wherewith he clung to Him who had vouchsafed both to call him to follow Him and to pardon his inconstancy. Clement of Alexandria has preserved the details as follows.

Before being called to the apostolate, St. Peter had lived in the conjugal state: from that time forth his wife became his "sister;" she nevertheless continued in his company, following him about from place to place, in his various journeys, in order to render him service (1 Cor. 9). She was in Rome while Nero's persecution was raging, and the honor of martyrdom thus sought her out. St. Peter watched her as she stepped forth on her way to triumph, and at that moment his solicitude broke out in this one exclamation: "Oh, think of the Lord!" These two Galileans had seen the Lord, had received Him into their house, had made Him their guest at table. Since then the Divine Pastor had suffered on the Cross, had risen again, had ascended into Heaven, leaving the care of His flock to the fisherman of Lake Genesareth. What else, then, would St. Peter have his wife do at this moment but recall such sweet memories, and run forward to Him Whom she had known here below in His human features, and Who was now about to crown her hidden life with immortal glory!

The moment for entering into this same glory came at last for St. Peter himself. "When thou shalt be old," his Master had mysteriously said to him, "thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall bind thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not" (John 20). So St. Peter was to attain an advanced age; like his Master, he must stretch forth his arms upon a cross; he must know captivity and the weight of chains with which a foreigner's hand will load him; he must be subjected to death, in its violent form, from which nature recoils, and drink the chalice from which even his Divine Master Himself prayed to be spared. But like his Master also, he will arise strong in the divine aid, and will press forward to the cross.

On the day fixed by God's decree, pagan power gave orders for the Apostle's arrest. Details are wanting as to the judicial procedure which followed, but the constant tradition of the Roman Church is that he was incarcerated in the Mamertine prison. By this name is known the dungeon constructed at the foot of the Capitoline hill by Ancus Martius, and afterwards completed by Servius Tullius, whence it is also called Carcer Tullianus. Two outer staircases, called "the steps of sighs," led to the frightful den. An upper dungeon gave immediate entrance to that which was to receive the prisoner and never to deliver him up alive, unless he was destined to a public execution. To be put into this horrible place, he had to be let down by cords, through an opening above, and by the same was he finally drawn up again, whether dead or alive. The vaulting of this lower dungeon was high, and its darkness was utter and horrible, so that it was an easy task to guard a captive detained there, especially if he were laden with chains.

On the 29th of June, in the year 67, St. Peter was at length drawn up to be led to death. According to Roman law, he must first be subjected to the scourge, the usual prelude to capital punishment. An escort of soldiers conducted the Apostle to his place of martyrdom, outside the city walls, as the laws required. St. Peter was marched to execution, followed by a large number of the faithful, drawn by affection along his path, and for his sake defying every peril.

There is something supremely grand in the taking possession of these places by the Vicar of the Man-God. The Apostle, having reached the spot and come up to the instrument of death, implored of his executioners to set him thereon, not in the usual way, but head downwards, in order, said he, that the servant be not seen in the position once taken by the Master. His request was granted; and Christian tradition, in all ages, renders testimony to this fact which adds further evidence to the deep humility of so great an Apostle. St. Peter, with outstretched arms, prayed for the city, prayed for the whole world, while his blood flowed down upon that Roman soil, the conquest of which he had just achieved. At this moment Rome became forever the new Jerusalem. When the Apostle had gone through the whole round of his sufferings, he expired; but he was to live again in each of his successors to the end of time.

NEW NOVENA, June 29, Monday Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

Today, Monday June 29 is the Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul, and is the beginning of our 54 Day Novena of Rosaries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the intention of the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Holy Father and the Catholic bishops of the World, as requested by Our Lady at Fatima Portugal.  The Novena ends on August 21, Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Therefore, we place our pleadings under the powerful patronage of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, defenders of Holy Mother Church, and place ourselves under the mantle of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and make reparation to her Immaculate Heart. There are several things you should know if you are considering joining the group, and making the Novena.

• This Novena IS a lot of work. However, it is efficacious, and the amount of labor involved in it is so worth it. What is anything we do in time, compared to the eternal benefits we receive from it.? I have found that the easiest way for me to remain faithful to the Novena is to resolve to pray a full 15 decades of the Rosary daily.  Then I simply pray five of the decades for the intention in the novena, the Consecration of Russia, which Our Lady asked us to pray for.
• The 54 Day Rosary Novena is composed of SIX individual novenas of nine days. Three of PETITION, and three of THANKSGIVING.  IF, for some reason, you are not able to do 54 Days, please consider making one novena with us, and keeping the intention of the novena in your daily prayers.

• If you miss a day, keep going.  Some people find the 54 days a daunting task. If you do not complete the 54 days, then 53 days of Rosaries are powerful before God.  Even ONE Rosary said for this intention will hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please consider joining us and doing what you can.
• The Rosary Novena here is said exactly as Our Lady gave it to Fortuna Agrelli, as recounted below. Thus, we do not use the Luminous Mysteries, nor do we follow the normal plan of Joyful on Monday and Wednesday, Sorrowful on Tuesdays and Friday, and Glorious on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  We pray the Mysteries on consecutive days: Joyful on Day One, Sorrowful on Day Two, Glorious on Day Three, repeating with Joyful on Day Four and so on.  We do not wish to tell people how to pray it, we merely follow Our Lady’s plan as she gave it. Feel free to use your own judgment.

In addition to praying for the Consecration of Russia this time, we wish to unite with the Fatima Center this time in praying for the following intentions:

o   The repose of the soul of Fr. Nicholas Gruner, the “Fatima Priest” who died late last April; and

o   The successful founder of a new chaplain for the Fatima Center, a priest after Our Lady’s own heart who will continue Fr. Gruner’s good work in spreading her message.

•  Feel free to add your own intentions to your novena.

The following account of the 54 Day Rosary Novena from Fatima.org should help with any questions you may have, though you may feel free with contacting me on Facebook or through a comment below.

God bless you, and may Our Lady keep you close to her Immaculate Heart, now and forever!

54-Day Rosary Novena

"For 13 months Fortuna Agrelli, the daughter of Commander Agrelli, had endured dreadful sufferings and torturous cramps; she had been given up by the most celebrated physicians. On February 16, 1884, the afflicted girl and her relatives commenced a novena of Rosaries. At Naples, in the Commander’s house, the Queen of the Holy Rosary favored her with an apparition on March 3. The Blessed Virgin Mary, sitting upon the high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, held the Divine Child on Her lap, and in Her hand a Rosary.

"Mary looked upon the sufferer with maternal tenderness, and the patient saluted Her with the words: ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me, restore me to health! I have already prayed to Thee in a novena, O Mary, but have not yet experienced Thy aid. I am so anxious to be cured!’

"‘Child,’ responded the Blessed Virgin, ‘you have invoked Me by various titles and have always obtained favors from Me. Now, since you have called Me by that title so pleasing to Me, ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary’, I can no longer refuse the favor you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to Me. Make three novenas, and you shall obtain all.’

"Once more the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to her and said, ‘Whoever desires to obtain favors from Me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.’

"This miracle of the Rosary made a very deep impression on Pope Leo XIII, and greatly contributed to the fact that in so many Encyclicals he urged all Christians to love the Rosary and say it fervently."

The Novena consists of 5 decades of the Rosary each day for 27 days in petition; then immediately 5 decades each day for 27 days in thanksgiving, whether or not the request has been granted. 1st day meditate on the Joyful Mysteries; 2nd day the Sorrowful Mysteries; 3rd day the Glorious Mysteries; 4th day meditate again on the Joyful Mysteries; and so on.

J: Joyful Mysteries are recited on this day of your novena.

S: Sorrowful Mysteries are recited on this day.

G: Glorious Mysteries are recited on this day.

A laborious Novena, but a Novena of Love. You who are sincere will not find it too difficult, if you really wish to obtain your request.

Should you not obtain the favor you seek, be assured that the Rosary Queen, who knows what each one stands most in need of, has heard your prayer. You will not have prayed in vain. No prayer ever went unheard. And Our Blessed Lady has never been known to fail. Look upon each Hail Mary as a rare and beautiful rose which you lay at Mary’s feet.

Day 54, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Eve of Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 23

Eve of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

From the Gospel of the Day:
(Luke Chapter One)
... And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right of the altar of incense. And Zachary, seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zachary, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great before the Lord; he shall drink no wine or strong drink, and shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. And he shall bring back to the Lord their God many of the children of Israel, and he shall himself go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just; to prepare for the Lord a perfect people.

Day 53, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Monday June 22

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning Furnace of Charity and Abyss of all virtue, pray for us!

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love Thee, and I trust in Thee!

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

I (N.), give and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person, my life, my actions, my pains and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being save to honor, love, and glorify the Sacred Heart. It is my unchanging intention to be all His and to do all for love of Him. I renounce at the same time with all my heart whatever can displease Him.

I, therefore, take You, O Sacred Heart, for the only object of my love, the protector of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for the faults of my life, and the secure refuge at the hour of my death.

Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and turn away from me the punishment of His just anger. O Heart of love, I put my confidence in You, because I fear everything from my own sinfulness and weakness. I hope for all things from Your mercy and generosity.

Destroy in me all that can displease or resist Your holy Will. Let Your pure love impress You so deeply upon my heart that I may never forget You or be separated from You. May my name, by your loving kindness, be written In You, because in You I desire to place all my happiness and all my glory in living and dying in very bondage to you.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, 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 vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, 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.

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Day 52, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Sunday June 21

Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Gospel According to St. Luke, Chapter Two

[41] And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, [42] And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, [43] And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. [44] And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day' s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. [45] And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.

[46] And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. [47] And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. [48] And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. [49] And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father' s business? [50] And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.

[51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. [52] And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

Day 51, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Saturday June 20

Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Catena Legionis

[Antiphon]. Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon, bright as the Sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

My soul + doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid:
for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name.

And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might in His arm:
He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things:
He hath received Israel His servant: being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

[Antiphon]. Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

[R] O Mary conceived without sin.
[V] Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ our Mediator with the Father,
Who hast been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother,
to be our Mother also, and our Mediatrix with Thee,
mercifully grant that whosoever comes to Thee seeking Thy favours
may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen. 

Day 50, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Friday June 19

Novena 6, Day 5, THANKSGIVING

Psalm 22:3-20

O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins. O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me. But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.

They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him. For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.

I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother's womb thou art my God, Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me. Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me. They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring. I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet. They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defence.

Day 48, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Wednesday, June 17

Novena 6, Day 3, THANKSGIVING

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the sacrileges, outrages and indifference by which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of you the conversion of poor sinners. ~ Prayer of the Angel at Fatima 

Day 46, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Monday June 15

6th Novena, Day One, THANKSGIVING

The Angelus

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary.

V. And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray;

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Latin

Angelus Domini

Ángelus Dómini nuntiávit Maríæ.

Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.

Ave, María...

Ecce ancílla Dómini.

Fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.

Ave, María...

Et Verbum caro factum est.

Et habitávit in nobis.

Ave, María...

Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei génetrix.

Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

Orémus.

Grátiam tuam, quæsumus,

Dómine, méntibus nostris infúnde;

ut qui, Ángelo nuntiánte,

Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus,

per passiónem eius et crucem,

ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur.

Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Day 44, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Saturday June 13

Day 43, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Friday June 12

Novena 5, Day 7, THANKSGIVING

“Another time I was working in the laundry, and the Sister opposite, while washing handkerchiefs, repeatedly splashed me with dirty water. My first impulse was to draw back and wipe my face, to show the offender I should be glad if she would behave more quietly; but the next minute I thought how foolish it was to refuse the treasures God offered me so generously, and I refrained from betraying my annoyance. On the contrary, I made such efforts to welcome the shower of dirty water, that at the end of half an hour I had taken quite a fancy to this novel kind of aspersion, and I resolved to come as often as I could to the happy spot where such treasures were freely bestowed.” ~ St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Story of a Soul  

Day 42, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Thursday June 11

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

Let us now consider how our Saviour went forth from heaven to meet His Mother. On first meeting her, and to console her, He said: “Arise, make haste, My love, My dove, My beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past and gone."* Come, My own dear Mother, My pure and beautiful dove, leave that valley of tears, in which, for My love, thou hast suffered so much : " Come from Libanus, My Spouse, come from Libanus, come : thou shalt be crowned." Come in soul and body, to enjoy the recompense of thy holy life. If thy sufferings have been great on earth, far greater is the glory which I have pre pared for thee in heaven. Enter then that kingdom, and take thy seat near Me; come to receive that crown, which I will bestow upon thee, as Queen of the universe. ~ St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Second Discourse on the Assumption, Glories of Mary 

Day 41, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Wednesday June 10

Novena 5, Day 5, THANKSGIVING

On the Burial of Jesus ~ Fr. Frederick Faber

What can we know of the uttermost territories of possible sorrow? Only as a mysterious place where the Mother of God has been, and where she was when she knelt to make her last adoration of the Body in the tomb. We call it the seventh dolor, and we can call it nothing else.  But her seventh dolor is beyond our intelligence, both in kind and in degree, and therefore was her greatest in another sense. The circumstances which formed the material of the sorrow were without parallel on earth. They have happened only once, and the unassisted science of the wisest Angel would never have dreamed that such things could have happened at all in the bosom of God’s creation, rife as it is with unexpected wonders. Mary’s heart also was an instrument unparalleled on earth, now that the Sacred Heart was cold and motionless in the tomb. … Even when it lived and beat, its union with the Divine Person took it out of the parallel. Mary’s state at the close of this vast system of dolor, through which she had revolved, was also quite without parallel, both in respect of holiness, of powers of suffering, and of the miraculous holding together of her shattered life. Thus everything about this dolor is without parallel.

We can but shadow forth in our spirits some nameless immensity of grief, and say it was the seventh which our Mother bore.

.Faber, Fr. Frederick William (2015-02-14). The Foot of the Cross with Mary: or The Sorrows of Mary KIC. Kindle Edition.

Day 39, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Monday June 8

Novena 5, Day 3, THANKSGIVING

St. Louis de Montfort, St. Peter's Basilica

All for Jesus! All through Mary!

19. If we examine closely the rest of our Blessed Lord's life, we shall see that it was His will to begin His miracles by Mary. He sanctified St. John in the womb of his mother, St. Elizabeth, but it was by Mary's word. No sooner had she spoken than John was sanctified; and this was His first miracle of grace. At the marriage of Cana He changed the water into wine, but it was at Mary's humble prayer; and this was His first miracle of nature. He began and continued His miracles by Mary, and He will continue them to the end of ages by Mary.

St. Louis de Montfort, (2015-05-18). True Devotion to Mary:With Preparation for Total Consecration (Kindle Locations 476-480). KIC. KindleEdition.)

Day 36, GLORIOUS MYSTERIES, Friday June 5

Novena 4, Day 9, THANKSGIVING

Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 “If the mind of man,' says Saint Bernard, ' can never comprehend the immense glory prepared in heaven by God, for those who on earth have loved Him, as the Apostle tells us, who can ever comprehend the glory He has prepared for His beloved Mother, who, more than all men, loved Him on earth; nay, even from the very first moment of her creation, loved Him more than all men and angels united?' Rightly, then, does the Church sing, that Mary having loved God more than all the angels, ' the Mother of God has been exalted above them all in the heavenly kingdom.'  ~  St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Glories of Mary

Day 35, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, Feast of Corpus Christi,Thursday June 4

Novena 4, Day 8, THANKSGIVING

……Now the closer we want to draw to God and the more we want to practice virtue, the more struggles we must expect. Consequently, we ought to store up more strength so as not to be overcome. Well, the Eucharist alone will supply you with the needed strength for all these struggles of the Christian life. ~ St. Peter Julian Eymard

Day 34, JOYFUL MYSTERIES, Wednesday June 3

Novena 4, Day 7, THANKSGIVING

Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart

Pope Leo XIII

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof; call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism; refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and Honor forever. Amen.

Day 32, SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, June 1, MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Novena 4, Day 5, THANKSGIVING

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us!

from Haurietis Aquas (On Devotion To The Sacred Heart) ~ Pope Pius XII

122. It is likewise Our most fervent desire that all who profess themselves Christians and are seriously engaged in the effort to establish the kingdom of Christ on earth will consider the practice of devotion to the Heart of Jesus as the source and symbol of unity, salvation and peace. Let no one think, however, that by such a practice anything is taken from the other forms of piety with which Christian people, under the guidance of the Church, have honored the divine Redeemer. Quite the opposite. Fervent devotional practice towards the Heart of Jesus will beyond all doubt foster and advance devotion to the Holy Cross in particular, and love for the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. We can even assert -- as the revelations made by Jesus Christ to St. Gertrude and to St. Margaret Mary clearly show -- that no one really ever has a proper understanding of Christ crucified to whom the inner mysteries of His Heart have not been made known. Nor will it be easy to understand the strength of the love which moved Christ to give Himself to us as our spiritual food save by fostering in a special way the devotion to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, the purpose of which is -- to use the words of Our predecessor of happy memory, Leo XIII -- "to call to mind the act of supreme love whereby our Redeemer, pouring forth all the treasures of His Heart in order to remain with us till the end of time, instituted the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist."[122] For "not the least part of the revelation of that Heart is the Eucharist, which He gave to us out of the great charity of His own Heart."[123]

123. Finally, moved by an earnest desire to set strong bulwarks against the wicked designs of those who hate God and the Church and, at the same time, to lead men back again, in their private and public life, to a love of God and their neighbor, We do not hesitate to declare that devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the most effective school of the love of God; the love of God, We say, which must be the foundation on which to build the kingdom of God in the hearts of individuals, families, and nations, as that same predecessor of pious memory wisely reminds us: "The reign of Jesus Christ takes its strength and form from divine love: to love with holiness and order is its foundation and its perfection. From it these must flow: to perform duties without blame; to take away nothing of another's right; to guide the lower human affairs by heavenly principles; to give the love of God precedence over all other creatures."[124]

124. In order that favors in greater abundance may flow on all Christians, nay, on the whole human race, from the devotion to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let the faithful see to it that to this devotion the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God is closely joined. For, by God's Will, in carrying out the work of human Redemption the Blessed Virgin Mary was inseparably linked with Christ in such a manner that our salvation sprang from the love and the sufferings of Jesus Christ to which the love and sorrows of His Mother were intimately united. It is, then, entirely fitting that the Christian people -- who received the divine life from Christ through Mary -- after they have paid their debt of honor to the Sacred Heart of Jesus should also offer to the most loving Heart of their heavenly Mother the corresponding acts of piety affection, gratitude and expiation. Entirely in keeping with this most sweet and wise disposition of divine Providence is the memorable act of consecration by which We Ourselves solemnly dedicated Holy Church and the whole world to the spotless Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[125]