A Loving Gaze towards the Crucifix

A Loving Gaze towards the Crucifix

After she had devoutly touched a crucifix St. Gertrude learned a holy truth. 

“ … If anyone only looks at the image of the Cross of Jesus Christ with a holy intention, God rewards him with such goodness and mercy that he receives in his soul, as in a spotless mirror, an image which is so agreeable that the whole court of Heaven delights therein; and this serves to increase his eternal glory in the life to come in proportion as he has practiced this act of devotion in this life.”

Saint Gertrude the Great

Image taken from Wikimedia Commons

The Five Holy Wounds

The Five Holy Wounds

Repeat any one of the following ejaculations five times in honor of the Five Holy Wounds of Our Lord:

Jesus, Saviour of the world, have mercy on me. You to Whom nothing is impossible, bestow mercy to the wretched.

O Christ, Who by Your Cross has redeemed the world, hear us.

Hail, Jesus, my loving Spouse. I salute You in the ineffable joys of Your divinity; I embrace You with the affection of all creatures, and I kiss the sacred wound of Your love.

The Lord is my strength and my glory; He is my salvation.

Our Lord made known to St. Gertrude that if any one of the above ejaculations is repeated five times in honor of the Five Wounds of the Lord, spiritually kissing the wounds devoutly, adding some prayers or good works, and offering them through the Heart of Jesus, they will be as acceptable to God as the most difficult devotion.

Image taken from Wikimedia Commons

Prayers Before and After Work

 

Prayers Before and After Work

Prayer before Work

Our Lord directed St. Gertrude to tell a certain person to form the following inten tion before beginning any work: O LORD Jesus; in union with Thy most perfect actions I commend to Thee this my work; to be directed according to Thine adorable will; for the salvation of all mankind. Amen. 

Prayer After Work

O LORD Jesus; in union with Thy most perfect actions I offer Thee this my work; to be amended and cleansed; and presented as is fit to God the Father; to His eternal praise. Amen.

An Efficacious Method of Offering Our Actions

O Lord, I offer Thee this work through Thine Only Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the praise of Thine eternal Majesty; it was revealed to her that whatever action was thus offered would acquire a worth and acceptableness to God beyond all human comprehension. For as all things appear to be green when seen through a green glass, so whatever is offered to God through His Only-begotten Son cannot be otherwise than most precious and pleasing in His sight. 

That you may understand how useful it is to offer all your works to God, listen to what our Lord said on one occasion to St. Gertrude: All thy works are most perfectly pleasing to Me. And as she could not believe this, He added: If you held in your hand some object which you had the means and the skill to render perfectly pleasing to everyone, and if you tenderly loved that object, would you neglect to adorn it? Even thus, because you are accustomed to offer all your works to Me, I hold them in My hand; and as I have both the power and the skill, My love rejoiceth to cleanse and perfect them all, that they may be most perfectly pleasing in My sight.

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Prayers Before and After Meals

Prayers Before and After Meals

Grace before Meals

Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Our Father)

Grace after Meals

We give Thee thanks, O Lord, for all Thy gifts which we have received from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Hail Mary)

Offering of Corporal Necessities
‘Whoever offers Me the satisfaction of his corporal necessities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, etc, saying in his heart or with his lips, ‘Lord, I take this food’ (or whatever it may be) in union with the love with which You performed the like actions when on earth, for the glory of Your Father and the salvation of men’…. Each time he makes his offering in union with My divine Love, he presents Me with a strong shield to protect Me against the insults and outrages of sinners.” – St. Gertrude

Image Credit Wikimedia Commons

Flower Prayers of St. Gertrude

Flower Prayers of St. Gertrude

To Jesus

Hail! Vivifying Gem of Divine Nobility! 
Hail, Most Loving Jesus, Unfading 
Flower of Human Dignity! 
Thou art my Sovereign and only Good.

Promise: After reciting this prayer, St. Gertrude was visited by Our Lord, who told her: "Whosover salutes Me, as you have done, in reparation for the blasphemies and outrages which are poured forth on me throughout the world, when he is tempted at the hour of his death and accused by the demon, will be consoled by me.

To Mary

HAIL, White Lily, of the ever-peaceful and glorious Trinity! 
Hail, Vermilion Rose, the delight of Heaven, of whom the King 
of Heaven was born and by whose milk He was nourished! 
Do thou feed our souls with the effusions of your divine influences.

Version taken from Herald of Divine Love

Hail O radiant Lily of the ever-peaceful Trinity! O resplendent rose of Heavenly Charm! Hail paradise of delights, O most beautiful habitation of God! 

Promise: During an apparition of the Blessed Mother, St. Gertrude noted that the Holy Trinity was depicted under the form of a white lily with three petals. The Blessed Mother made it known that she would exert her influence with the Holy Trinity on behalf of those who saluted her as the White Lily of the Trinity and the Vermilion Rose of Heaven. She then added: "I will appear at the hour of death to those who salute me thus, in such glory that they will anticipate the very joys of Heaven."

Image from Waiting for the Word

The Litany of St. Gertrude the Great

Antiphon : Lord Jesus! In union with that love which drew Thee down upon earth and caused Thee to fulfill the work of our Redemption, I offer Thee this prayer. 

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, 
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, 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.

Holy, Mary, pray for us. 
All ye holy choirs of Angels, pray for us. 
All ye Saints and Elect of God,  pray for us

Saint Gertrude, pray for us
Thou chaste virgin, pray for us
Thou beloved daughter of the Heavenly Father, pray for us
Thou chosen bride of Jesus Christ, pray for us
Thou temple of the Holy Ghost, pray for us
Thou joy of the Holy Trinity, pray for us
Thou fragrant flower in the hand of Jesus Christ, pray for us
Thou ever-blooming spring flower, Thou rose without thorns, pray for us
Thou chaste dove without the stain of sin, pray for us
Thou earthly seraph, pray for us
Thou living sanctuary, pray for us
Thou strong protection of all who venerate thee, pray for us

Jesus Christ, Spouse of Saint Gertrude, have mercy on us. 
Through her humility, have mercy on us. 

Through her charity, have mercy on us
Through her untiring patience, have mercy on us
Through the ardent love she bore Thee, have mercy on us
Through the delight with which Thou didst dwell in her heart, have mercy on us
Through the love which Thou hast for her, have mercy on us
Through the love with which Thou hast chosen her from eternity, have mercy on us

R./ Have Mercy on Us

Through the love with which Thou didst so sweetly attract her to Thyself, 

Through the love with which Thou so delightfully didst unite her to Thyself, 

Through the love with which Thou so complacently dwelt in her heart, 

Through the love with which Thou didst end her life with a happy death, 

Through the love with which Thou hast conferred on her eternal life, 

Through the love with which Thou lovest and rejoicest all the blessed, 

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. 

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

V. Pray for us, O holy virgin Saint Gertrude, 
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray
O Lord Jesus, by the love Thou didst bear to the virginal heart of Saint Gertrude and by which Thou hast promised that no sinner who would honor and love her should die a sudden and unprovided death, grant me, I beseech Thee, this grace, and let me so love Thee and repent of my sins that with faith and confidence I may expect a happy death. R. Amen. 

O God, Who in the heart of the holy virgin Gertrude didst provide for Thyself a pleasing abode, through her merits do Thou cleanse from our hearts every stain of sin and grant that we may enjoy fellowship with her for evermore, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. R. Amen. 

Revelations on Holy Communion

Revelations on Holy Communion

Each time we receive Holy Communion our venial sins are forgiven.

Christ revealed to St. Gertrude the Great that each time 1 person receives Holy Communion, something good happens to every being in heaven on earth and in purgatory.

The Curate of Ars said that a Communion well received is worth more than 20,000 NFF given to the poor.

Each time we receive Communion our place in Heaven is raised forever, our stay in Purgatory shortened.

WE SHOULD NEVER LET A DAY PASS
WITHOUT GOING TO HOLY COMMUNION

From the Pieta Prayer Booklet
Image Credit Waitingfor the Word

Salutations of the Wounds of Jesus Christ

Salutations of the Wounds of Jesus Christ

When St. Gertrude had recited this prayer 5,466 times, in honor of all the Wounds of our Lord Jesus, He appeared to her in vision, having on each Wound a rose flashing with a golden splendor, and greeted her tenderly, saying: "Behold, I will appear to thee, in this refulgent form at the hour of thy death, and I will cover all thy sins, and adorn thee with a glory, like that with which thou hast adorned My Wounds by thy salutations; and all who use this or any similar devotion shall receive the like favor." In order to make up this number, and become a partaker of this promise of Christ, you may say the following prayer five times a day for three years, adding the oblation, which our Lord directed to Saint Mechtilde to repeat after each division of five. 

SALUTATIONS

Glory be to Thee, most gracious, sweetest, most benign, sovereign, transcending, effulgent, and ever peaceful Trinity, for the roseate Wounds of Jesus Christ, my chosen and only love. 

OBLATION 

(To be said alter each five repetitions.) 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, accept this prayer, with that surpassing love, with which Thou didst endure all the Wounds of Thy most Holy Body. Have mercy on me, and on all sinners, and on all the Faithful, living and departed. Grant them grace and mercy, remission of sins and everlasting life. Amen. 

Image Credit Waiting for the Word

Uniformity to God's Holy Will

Uniformity to God's Holy Will

Kiss the feet of your Crucifix and lay it upon your pillow, after you have made your bed, saying:

I freely and joyfully pick up the Cross which Thou hast given me to carry today, O Merciful God. Permit me to carry it today for Thy Greater Honor and Glory so that by this, my Cross, Thy Most Holy Will may be done fully in me and by me. Let not prosperity lift me up nor adversity cast me down.  – St. Gertrude

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

PRAYER TO JESUS

PRAYER TO JESUS

(Our Lord promised St. Gertrude, that if anyone should praise God for her, and give Him thanks for the love wherewith He had chosen her from eternity, He would assuredly grant him whatever he asked, provided that it tended to his salvation.)

O most compassionate Jesus, Giver of all good and all grace, may all that are in the round world, and the depth of the sea and the compass of Heaven, give thanks to Thee, and praise Thee with that infinite, everlasting, and unchanging praise, which floweth forth from Thee, and floweth back unceasingly upon Thee! again, for the exceeding love wherewith Thou didst shed into the heart and soul of Thy beloved Spouse Gertrude, so great a flood of graces, and of loving kindnesses, and didst reveal to the world the mysteries of Thy tender compassion through her, Thine Own chosen and peculiar instrument. Wherefore, from my inmost heart, I render Thee utmost thanks; and I beseech Thee, on behalf of all in Heaven, on earth or in Purgatory, through that ineffable Divine love, wherewith Thou didst from all eternity, elect to special grace Thy loving and most faithful servant, and didst in Thine own appointed time, draw her so sweetly to Thee, and unite her so intimately to Thyself, and dwell with such delight in her heart, and crown her life with an end so blessed, that Thou wouldst condescend graciously to hear and answer my petition. I recall to Thy mind now, O most Compassionate Jesus, the promise Thou didst make to Thy beloved spouse, in Thy great and superabounding goodness, that Thou wouldst most assuredly grant the prayers; of all who come to Thee, through her merits and intercession, in all matters concerning their salvation, binding Thyself, moreover, if Thou didst not at once grant their petition, to bestow on them threefold in Thine Own good time, from the omnipotence, the wisdom, and the tender kindness, of the Adorable Trinity. Calling thus to Thy mind, this, Thy faithful promise, I beseech Thee, leave me not desolate, but bestow on me the salutary effect of my petition. Amen.

Taken from the Precious Blood and Mother Prayer book
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons

Spiritual Exercises and Heavenly Promises

Spiritual Exercises and Heavenly Promises

September 8 – The Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity

Gertrude once asked what reward those would receive who celebrated this feast with fervor.

Mary Answered: “They will merit a special share in the joys which I possess in heaven, and in the virtues with which the most glorious Trinity adorns me!

Uniting our Sufferings to Christ

St. Gertrude suffered during the greater part of her life.  Once when she was confined to bed by illness, this consoling revelation was imparted to her:

“Whoever in his trials and adversities unites himself with My sufferings, and strives to imitate My patience and resignation, will truly repose on My Heart and participate in all the merits of My life.”

Bodily and spiritual afflictions are the surest sign of Divine predilection, yea, even a mark of the espousal of the soul with God.  Gratitude for suffering is a precious jewel for our heavenly crown.

Looking at the Crucifix

After she had devoutly touched a crucifix St. Gertrude learned a holy truth. “ … If anyone only looks at the image of the Cross of Jesus Christ with a holy intention, God rewards him with such goodness and mercy that he receives in his soul, as in a spotless mirror, an image which is so agreeable that the whole court of Heaven delights therein; and this serves to increase his eternal glory in the life to come in proportion as he has practiced this act of devotion in this life.”

Jesus once said to St. Gertrude: 

“It is very agreeable to Me to see thee thus honoring the Crucifix.  It is always an effect of Divine grace when men’s eyes meet the Image on the Cross, and never once do they rest upon it, but their soul is benefited.

The oftener they do this here on earth with reverence and love, the greater will be their reward in heaven. “

Whenever you Kiss My image, I in turn kiss you; whenever you press My image to your heart, I in turn press you to My heart; whenever you think of me, I in turn think of you.  Indeed, you are always in My thoughts, but at these times I think of you with a special love and devotion.”

Sighs of Love and Tears of Devotion

With heartfelt grief, I sigh while considering Your Holy Passion, O Lord, and I beg You to wound my heart with the arrow of Your love.

“Whenever anyone sighs towards Me with love in meditating on My Passion, it is as though he gently touched My wounds with a fresh-budding rose, and I wound his heart in return with the arrow of My Love. Moreover, if he sheds tears of devotion over My Passion, I will accept them as though he had suffered for Me.”  - Our Lord to St. Mechtilde

“Ask My Father for as many souls as I shed drops of Blood during My Passion.” - Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter

The Hour of Great Mercy

Dear Jesus, this is the hour of grace for the whole world, in which mercy triumphed over justice, in virtue of your Passion I ask for the grace of…. (Intentions)

Promise:  During a vision of the Divine Mercy devotion, Our Lord said to Sr. Faustina, “At three o’clock implore My mercy especially for sinners; and if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in my Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony.  This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world…  In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.”

Later He added, “… as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul.   In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking: it was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice.” 

The Reception of Holy Communion

“It is a time honored custom that one who has twice held the office of governor excels in honor him who has filled the office him who has filled the office but once.  Likewise, they shall be more glorious in heaven who shall have received Me oftener on earth…  - Our Lord to St. Gertrude

The Blessed Virgin Mary

What would be most pleasing to Thee at this moment, O  Lord?  St. Gertrude once inquired.  “What does thou desire of me?”

“Place thyself before my mother who reigns at my side, and endeavor to praise her.”  Following this advice Gertrude greeted the heavenly Mother as the paradise of delights, the most beautiful habitation of God.

She also learned from the blessed Virgin that whenever anyone piously greets her with these words: “O radiant Lily of the ever-peaceful Trinity!  O resplendent rose of heavenly charm!”  Mary bestows favors upon him according to her power, through the omnipotence of the Father, the wisdom of the Son and the benignity of the Holy Spirit.

Offering Our Corporeal Necessities

‘Whoever offers Me the satisfaction of his corporal necessities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, etc, saying in his heart or with his lips, ‘Lord, I take this food’ (or whatever it may be) in union with the love with which You performed the like actions when on earth, for the glory of Your Father and the salvation of men’…. Each time he makes his offering in union with My divine Love, he presents Me with a strong shield to protect Me against the insults and outrages of sinners.” – St. Gertrude

Offering our Actions

‘From time to time during the day, repeat a little phrase such as: ‘This is for You, my Jesus’ It will warm your heart and bring balm to mine.’

Before ever act, before entering or leaving a room or before any activity, simply say Jesus’ and I will accept it as a dedication.” 

Simply say: Jesus’ when ever you make an error, or are cold.  I will accept the suffering as borne for My sake.”

Sacrifice Prayer

Our Lady of Fatima said: Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice:

O Jesus it is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

After Falling into Sin

St. Gertrude said to our Lord: Teach me, O best of Teachers, how to efface the stains of sin, which I contract from time to time. She received this answer: Never allow these stains to remain upon thy conscience; but as soon as thou feelest thyself defiled by any fault, say to Me with a devout heart: 

O CHRIST Jesus, my only Salvation and Hope, grant that all my transgressions may be blotted out by Thine most efficacious death. Amen. 

In Reparation for Blasphemy

“Oh, if you only knew what great merit you acquire by saying even once, “Admirable is the Name of God,” in the spirit of reparation for blasphemy!” – Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

When the Clock Strikes

When the Clock Strikes

O MOST sweet Jesus; I commend to Thy Divine Heart all that I have done in the hour (day) that is gone; to be cleansed and purified, and offered to God the Father for His eternal praise. And whatsoever I shall do in the hour (day) that is beginning; I resolve to do simply and purely for the glory of God and for the salvation of all mankind; in union with Thy Passion. Amen.

Offering the Satisfaction of Our Corporal Necessities

Offering the Satisfaction of Our Corporal Necessities

‘Whoever offers Me the satisfaction of his corporal necessities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, etc, saying in his heart or with his lips, ‘Lord, I take this food’ (or whatever it may be) in union with the love with which You performed the like actions when on earth, for the glory of Your Father and the salvation of men’…. Each time he makes his offering in union with My divine Love, he presents Me with a strong shield to protect Me against the insults and outrages of sinners.” – St. Gertrude

Image taken from Wikimedia Commons

Covenant with God

Covenant with God

O ALMIGHTY God, I sanctify, dedicate, and consecrate to Thee every beating of my heart, and every pulsation of my blood; and I desire to make this compact with Thee, that their every beating will be a new act of love offered through the pure hands of Mary and that they shall say to Thee: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbath; and I beseech Thee to impute this meaning to them, so that they may be before Thy Divine Majesty as the unceasing echo of that heavenly canticle, which Seraphim’s sing without ceasing unto Thee. Amen. Amen. ~ Saint Gertrude 

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Prayer to Our Lady, Taught to Saint Gertrude

Prayer to Our Lady, Taught to Saint Gertrude

When St. Gertrude recited these three petitions, which she had learned of the Blessed Virgin, it seemed to her as though she were so clothed and adorned with her surpassing merits, that the Lord of Majesty took ineffable delight in her.

O most chaste Virgin Mary, I beseech thee by that unspotted purity wherewith thou didst prepare for the Son of God a dwelling of delight in thy virginal womb, that by thine intercession I may be cleansed by every stain of sin.

O most humble Virgin Mary, I beseech thee by that most profound humility whereby thou didst merit to be raised high above all the choirs of the angels and the saints, that by thine intercession all my negligence may be expiated.

O most loving Virgin Mary, I beseech thee by that ineffable love which united thee so closely and so inseparably to God, that by thine intercession I may obtain an abundance of all merits. Amen.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

AT THE ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI

AT THE ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI

Our blessed Lady said to St. Gertrude: Whoever shall devoutly recall to my mind the joy which I felt in uttering the words: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, I will most truly show him that I am his Mother, and will unfailingly succour him. 

O MOTHER of blessedness and most august Sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, I praise and greet thee, and with most devout intention of mind recall to thee that unspeakable joy which thou didst feel when with calmest trustfulness thou didst commend to the Divine Will thy whole unreserved self, and all that was to be done to thee and in thee, saying: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: beseeching thee that thou wouldst show thyself my Mother, and evermore succour me with the saving help of thy compassionate heart. Amen.

On another occasion, when the Mother of God herself appeared to St. Mechtilde, the Saint asked her how she could honor her, and Mary replied:  "Remind me of the joy which I experienced when the Son of God left the bosom of His Father in order to come into my womb. Rejoice with me again in the ineffable bliss with which I was filled when that same Son was born of me, and when I saw Him and pressed Him in my arms as a Mother."

Heavenly Mother, I remind you of the joy which you experienced when the Son of God left the bosom of His Father in order to come into your womb.  I rejoice with you again in the ineffable bliss with which you were filled when the same Son was born of Thee, and when you saw Him and pressed Him in your arms as a Mother!

Eternal Father, we humbly offer Thee our poor presence, and that of the whole of humanity, from the beginning to the end of the world at all the Masses that ever have or ever will be prayed.  We offer Thee all the pains, sufferings, prayers, sacrifices, joys, and relaxations of our lives, in union with those of our Lord Jesus here on earth.  May the most Precious Blood of Christ, all His Blood, Wounds, and Agony save us, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Amen

(This prayer should be recited daily and made known)

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great to the Blessed Virgin Mary

HAIL, MARY, queen of mercy, olive-branch of forgiveness, through whom we receive the medicine that heals our mortal sickness, the balsam of pardon; Virgin Mother of the divine offspring, through whom the grace of heavenly light has been shed upon us, the sweet-scented scion of Israel! 

Through thy Son, thy only Child who stooped to become the Brother of mankind, thou art become the true Mother of us all. For the sake of his love take me, all unworthy as I am, into thy motherly care. 

Sustain, preserve, and enlighten my conversion; be thou for all eternity my incomparable cherished mother, tenderly caring for me throughout my earthly life, and enfolding me in thy arms at the hour of my death. Amen.

Photo Credit Waiting for the Word

Most Pleasing to Jesus

Most Pleasing to Jesus

What would be most pleasing to Thee at this moment, O Lord?  St. Gertrude once inquired.  “What does thou desire of me?”

“Place thyself before my mother who reigns at my side, and endeavor to praise her.” 

Following this advice Gertrude greeted the heavenly Mother as the paradise of delights, the most beautiful habitation of God.

She also learned from the blessed Virgin that whenever anyone piously greets her with these words: “O radiant Lily of the ever-peaceful Trinity!  O resplendent rose of heavenly charm!”  Mary bestows favors upon him according to her power, through the omnipotence of the Father, the wisdom of the Son and the benignity of the Holy Spirit.

Photo Credit Waiting for the Word

Act of Reparation

Act of Reparation

Most Pleasing to the Blessed Virgin

While St. Gertrude was bewailing her negligence in that she had never served the Mother of Jesus with due reverence, and was beseeching our Lord to supply her lack of service, she seemed to see the King of Glory arise and present his deific Heart to His Mother, and therewith to make amends for all her negligence. To obtain a like grace, recite the following prayer:

O SWEETEST Jesus, by that love wherewith Thou didst deign to take our flesh of the most pure Virgin and of her to be born, that Thou mightest satisfy the desires of the poor and the wants of the needy, I beseech Thee that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to make amends to Thy ever-virgin Mother, with Thine Own sweetest Heart, for all the manifold defects which through my own negligence and ingratitude have tainted and marred my service and honour of so gentle and loving a Mother, whose gracious succour has never failed me in any danger or necessity. Do thou, O most tender Jesus, present to her Thy sweetest Heart, overflowing with ineffable blessedness, in reparation of this my neglect. Let her see therein all the Divine love whereby Thou didst from all eternity freely elect her to be Thy Mother, didst preserve her from all taint of Original Sin, and incomparably adorn her with all graces and all virtues. Let her see therein all the tenderness wherewith Thou didst cling to her when she cherished Thee, her Child, in her bosom; all the constant unfailing love with which, during the whole time of Thy sojourn on earth, Thou, Who art the Ruler of Heaven and of earth, didst obey her as a son his mother and especially in the hour of Thy death, when, as though forgetting Thine Own intolerable anguish, and touched to the heart by her desolation, Thou didst provide for her a guardian and a son. Let her see therein that love beyond thought with which Thou didst show her how precious she is in Thy sight, when on the day of her most joyous Assumption Thou didst exalt her high above all the choirs of Angels, and crown her Lady and Queen of Heaven and earth. And thus, O good Jesus, may she be still to me a loving and long-suffering Mother, and both in life and in death my compassionate advocate and most gracious patroness.  Amen.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Aspirations of a Sinner to Mary

Aspirations of a Sinner to Mary

REMEMBER, O most compassionate Mother, that from the beginning it has never been heard that any who have fled unto thee for protection, or implored thy intercession, have been forsaken by thee. For to this end hath the Fountain of forgiveness been given to thee as thy Son, that thou mightest obtain grace for all who need, and that thine abundant charity might cover the multitude of our sins and our many defects. Wherefore, encouraged by this assurance, I have recourse to thee, and stand before thee in my misery and my defilement. Oh, despise me not for my innumerable and grievous sins, nor cast me away because of the exceeding loathsomeness and hardness of my heart. Thou knowest, O Mary, how deeply I am sunk in sins and vices, and how justly I have deserved all the most dreadful anger of thy Son. Cast me not away from thy favour, O most compassionate Mother, for thou art, after God, my surest confidence, and the, chief, the only ground of my hope. For such is the trust I have in thee, that I shall never believe that I can perish, as long as I love thee and serve thee. 

O most holy Mother of God and of man, thou joy of all Saints, thou solace of the wretched and refuge of the poor, I beseech thee, by that ineffable joy and sweetness thou didst feel when the incomprehensible Divinity took flesh of thee, and thus deigned to unite human nature to Himself forever in thy virginal womb, vouchsafe to undertake my cause, and to render me well-pleasing to the same thy well-beloved Son. Show him, O Mother, the breasts which nursed Him and the arms with which thou didst embrace Him; set now before Him all the toils and all the dolours thou didst suffer for His sake; show Him that heart of thine, sweeter than the honeycomb, all glowing with the fire of His love; and so render Him propitious unto me. 

O my most faithful advocate, turn on me, thy most unworthy servant, those pitying eyes of thine; and by the fragrance of that unimaginable delight thou didst feel as thou wentest up from this world to the royal court of Heaven, leaning blissfully on thy Beloved, vouchsafe to be with me in the hour of my death; and in that dread hour offer for me to the most Holy Trinity the merits of that tranquil and consummate perfection which raised thee, on the day of thine Assumption, far above all human and angelic dignity, and made thee the object of His supreme and everlasting complacency. Amen.

Our Lord Himself taught St. Gertrude to invoke His blessed Mother daily with the words: O thou our advocate, turn on us those pitying eyes of thine; assuring her that she would thus receive great consolation in her last hour.