SACRED ART: "The Sistine Madonna" by Raphael
(Left-click twice on the picture to see the painting at closer range)
PRAYER: Litany of Loreto ***OPTIONAL***
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Most honored of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother of chaste love, pray for us.
Mother and virgin, pray for us.
Sinless mother, pray for us.
Dearest of mothers, pray for us.
Model of motherhood, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most wise, pray for us.
Virgin rightly praised, pray for us.
Virgin rightly renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin gentle in mercy, pray for us.
Faithful Virgin, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Throne of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Shrine of the Spirit, pray for us.
Glory of Israel, pray for us.
Vessel of selfless devotion, pray for us.
Mystical Rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning Star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the troubled, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs and prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles and martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors and virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Eternal God,
Let your people enjoy constant health in mind and body.
Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary,
Free us from the sorrows of this life,
And lead us to happiness in the life to come.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SACRED ART: "The Baptism of Christ" by Antoine Coypel
(Left-click the white slider bar in the mini picture, then drag the white slider bar left or right to find your preferred size — you might have to play with it because it’s a little tricky)
PRAYER: Invocation of the Holy Spirit ***REQUIRED***
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
And enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
And you will renew the face of the earth.
O God,
Who instructs the hearts of your faithful
With the light of your Holy Spirit,
Make us responsive to his inspirations
So that we may be truly wise and
Ever rejoice in his consolations,
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SACRED ART: "Le Grand Saint Michel" by Raphael
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 3: 14-15 ***REQUIRED***
Then the LORD God said to the snake: Because you have done this, cursed are you among all the animals, tame or wild; On your belly you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.
SACRED ART: "Founder Statue of St. Louis de Montfort" by Giacomo Parsini
(Left-click once or twice on the picture to get a closer view)
REFLECTION BY ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT: True Devotion to Mary (#52) ***REQUIRED***
God has established only one enmity — but it is an irreconcilable one which will last and even go on increasing to the end of time. That enmity is between Mary, his worthy Mother, and the devil, between the children and the servants of the Blessed Virgin and the children and followers of Lucifer. The most fearful enemy that God has set up against the devil is Mary, his holy Mother. From the time of the earthly paradise, although she existed then only in his mind, he gave her such a hatred for his accursed enemy , such ingenuity in exposing the wickedness of the ancient serpent and such power to defeat, overthrow and crush this proud rebel, that Satan fears her not only more than angels or men but in a certain sense more than God himself. This does not mean that the anger, hatred and power of God are not infinitely greater than the Blessed Virgin’s, since her attributes are limited. It simply means that Satan, being proud, suffers infinitely more in being vanquished and punished by a lowly and humble servant of God, for her humility humiliates him more than the power of God.
QUESTION ***REQUIRED***
What do you find to be the most difficult temptation to struggle against? What is your most persistent temptation?
RESOLUTION ***REQUIRED***
In your prayer tonight, place your struggle against this temptation into the hands of the Blessed Virgin and ask her to help in overcoming this inclination to sin. Continue to pray in this manner each night.
SACRED ART: "The Visitation" by Raphael and Giulio Romano or Giovanni Francesco Penni
(Either leave the picture as it is, or you may left-click on the minus sign once or twice in order to get a farther view)
PRAYER: Jesus Living in Mary ***REQUIRED***
O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in your servant,
In the Spirit of your holiness,
In the fullness of your gifts,
In the perfection of your ways,
In the truth of your virtues,
In the communion of your mysteries.
Subdue within me
The power of flesh and demon
By your Holy Spirit,
For the glory of God the father.
Amen.
SACRED ART: "The Annunciation" by Giovanni Lanfranco
(Left-click once or twice on the picture to get a closer view)
PRAYER: St. Louis de Montfort’s Rosary Prayer ***REQUIRED***
Hail Mary,
Beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father,
Admirable Mother of the Son,
Faithful Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
August Temple of the most Holy Trinity,
Hail, Sovereign Princess,
To whom all owe subjection
In Heaven and on earth!
Hail, sure refuge of sinners,
Our Lady of Mercy,
Who has never refused any request.
All sinful though I am,
I cast myself at your feet
And beseech you to obtain from Jesus,
Your Beloved Son,
Contrition and pardon for all my sins,
As well as the gift of divine wisdom.
I consecrate myself entirely to you
With all that I have.
I choose you today
For my Mother and Mistress.
Treat me, then, as the least of your children,
And the most obedient of your servants.
Listen, my princess,
Listen to the sighs of a heart
That desires to love and serve you faithfully.
Let it never be said
That of all those who have had recourse to you,
I was the first to be abandoned.
O my hope, O my life,
O my faithful and Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Defend me, nourish me,
Hear me, teach me, and save me.
Amen.
PRAYER: Five Decades of the Holy Rosary ***OPTIONAL***