THE HOLY ROSARY
Pray one of the most beautiful and powerful devotions of all time, brimming with inspiring sacred art!
Interior of the cupola of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
SACRED ART
I cannot even begin to describe just how helpful sacred art has been to my prayer life. What I have noticed is that gradually over time, sometimes even imperceptibly, sacred art has helped me develop a stronger relationship with Our Lord, with Our Lady, and even with the saints. Just as we like to have pictures of our loved ones at our office desk when we cannot see them in person, similarly having sacred art in front of us when we pray can be very consoling and comforting.
MEDITATING ON THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
For a long, long time — in fact, for decades — I rarely prayed the Holy Rosary at all. I honestly didn’t know how to do it well, so my prayer was extremely dry and empty. Before using sacred art, my meditations on the mysteries probably lasted a few seconds, if I meditated on them at all.
But, by the grace of God, my first real step forward was learning to incorporate classic sacred art into this prayer. Finally, I could really begin to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary. This helped a great deal, but my meditations still lacked focus.
For many years, I never fully understood St. Francis de Sales’ instructions on how to meditate effectively. Then, after perhaps 13 years of rereading his book, somehow it finally clicked. The key is what he refers to as “considerations” during the meditation. In other words, after we depict, for example, a particular mystery of the Rosary in our minds (again, sacred art can help immensely here), we need to reflect upon any considerations that can help us to grow spiritually.
So since I have a great love for the fruit of the Spirit that St. Paul mentions in Galatians 5: 22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), I decided to try using these as my considerations during meditation. In fact, I added in divine wisdom and divine mercy too, since they are so important to me.
The result has been indescribable. I cannot even begin to tell you just how much more alive the Holy Rosary is for me now. When I pray a mystery of the Rosary, this is essentially what each of the decades looks like for me:
Our Father — I focus on the words of this prayer while viewing the sacred art that represents the mystery Hail Mary #1 — I look for love while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #2 — I look for joy while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #3 — I look for peace while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #4 — I look for patience while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #5 — I look for kindness while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #6 — I look for generosity while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #7 — I look for faithfulness while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #8 — I look for gentleness while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #9 — I look for self-control while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Hail Mary #10 — I look for wisdom while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue Glory Be — I look for divine mercy while viewing the sacred art, then ask Our Lady’s prayers for this virtue O My Jesus — I focus on the words of this prayer while viewing the sacred art that represents the mystery
But good St. Francis is quick to point out that after our meditation is complete, we need to form a resolution or, as he calls it, a “little devotional bouquet.” This is how he describes it:
“People who have been walking about in a beautiful garden do not like to leave without gathering in their hands four or five flowers to smell and keep for the rest of the day. In the same way, when our soul has carefully considered by meditation a certain mystery we should select one, two, or three points we liked best and that are most adapted to our improvement, think frequently about them, and smell them spiritually during the rest of the day.”
So, for instance, after meditating upon a mystery of the Rosary, and after considering each of the fruits of the Spirit, perhaps I might feel especially drawn towards a couple of those fruits (for example, love and joy). Therefore, I can pray a brief resolution prayer in which I make a commitment to putting these virtues into practice. Then, every so often during the day, I can very briefly reflect upon these resolutions. If I haven’t done as well as I’d like, then I can pray for God’s assistance in practicing these virtues better. On the other hand, if by God’s grace I have done well so far, then I can render sincere thanks to Him for His goodness in helping me to grow in virtue and become more and more like Him.
THE HOLY ROSARY: A DIVINE DRAMA
Now let me share with you another way to pray the Rosary. It serves as a wonderful alternative for people like me that have less free time in their lives. As St. Francis de Sales points out, “Devotion must be exercised in different ways by the gentleman, the worker, the servant, the prince….” And, among other things, people in the world have a different amount of time available to pray, depending upon the vocation to which God has called them. So here is a shorter alternative. I like to think of it as The Holy Rosary: A Divine Drama, because it is broken down into sections, much like a five-act play. This is what it looks like:
Prologue — Introductory Prayers of the Holy Rosary (Sunday) Act I — The First Mystery of the Holy Rosary (Monday) Act II — The Second Mystery of the Holy Rosary (Tuesday) Act III — The Third Mystery of the Holy Rosary (Wednesday) Act IV — The Fourth Mystery of the Holy Rosary (Thursday) Act V — The Fifth Mystery of the Holy Rosary (Friday) Epilogue — The Concluding Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Saturday)
It’s nice because it is spread out over the course of a week, and each day the prayer time is roughly the equivalent of praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. So if I recite the Joyful Mysteries in the first week, and then follow it with the Luminous Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, and Glorious Mysteries in the next few weeks, then I will pray the full Rosary over the course of about a month. It allows me to pray freely from the heart and “get into my prayers,” instead of “getting my prayers in.” And I can spend more quality time meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, without being rushed. As St. Francis de Sales so wisely said, “A single Our Father said with feeling has greater value than many said quickly and hurriedly.”
Let me just share one last thing. Below you will find the method that St. Louis de Montfort used when praying the Rosary. It really is quite wonderful, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. The closing prayer, which St. Louis himself composed, is breathtakingly beautiful.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
sunDAY — introductory prayers of the holy rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
I unite with all the saints in Heaven, with all the just on earth and with all the faithful here present. I unite with you, O my Jésus, in order to praise worthily your Holy Mother and to praise you in her and through her. I renounce all the distractions I may have during this Rosary, which I wish to say with modesty, attention, and devotion, just as if it were to be the last of my life. We offer you, O most Holy Trinity, this Creed in honor of all the mysteries of our Faith, this Our Father and these three Hail Marys in honor of the unity of your essence and the Trinity of your persons. We ask of you a lively faith, a firm hope, and an ardent charity. Amen.
Pray an OUR FATHER, three HAIL MARYS, and a GLORY BE
SACRED ART: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Pedro de Calabria
monDAY — first decade: the annunciation
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this first decade in honor of your Incarnation in Marie’s womb, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, a profound humility. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Annunciation” by Giovanni Lanfranco
(For optimal viewing, click once or twice on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Annunciation come down into our souls. Amen.
tuesDAY — second decade: the visitation
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this second decade in honor of the Visitation of your Holy Mother to her cousin St. Elizabeth and the sanctification of St. John the Baptist, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, charity toward our neighbor. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Visitation” by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael)
May the grace of the mystery of the Visitation come down into our souls. Amen.
wednesDAY — third decade: the nativity
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this third decade in honor of your Nativity in the stable at Bethlehem, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, detachment from the things of the world, contempt of riches, and love of poverty. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Adoration of the Shepherds” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
https://www.wikiart.org/en/bartolome-esteban-murillo/adoration-of-the-shepherds-1
(Click once on the painting, in order to make it more viewable)
May the grace of the mystery of the Nativity come down into our souls. Amen.
thursDAY — fourth decade: the presentation at the temple
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fourth decade in honor of your Presentation in the Temple and the purification of Marie, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, purity in body and soul. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Presentation in the Temple” by Franz Borgias Mayer
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Presentation in the Temple come down into our souls. Amen.
friDAY — fifth decade: THE finding of OUR LORD in the temple
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fifth decade in honor of Marie’s finding you in the Temple, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the gift of true wisdom. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Jesus in the Temple” by Heinrich Hofmann
https://mariateresadebracamonte.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/2jesus_in_the_temple_hofmann.jpg
May the grace of the mystery of the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple come down into our souls. Amen.
saturDAY — concluding prayer OF THE holy ROSARY
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
Hail, Marie, 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 Jésus, 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 Marie, defend me, nourish me, hear me, teach me, and save me. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Madonna of the Magnificat” by Sandro Botticelli
https://www.wikiart.org/en/sandro-botticelli/madonna-of-the-magnificat-1481
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
Michelangelo’s Pietà inside St. Peter’s Basilica
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
sunDAY — introductory prayers of the holy rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
I unite with all the saints in Heaven, with all the just on earth and with all the faithful here present. I unite with you, O my Jésus, in order to praise worthily your Holy Mother and to praise you in her and through her. I renounce all the distractions I may have during this Rosary, which I wish to say with modesty, attention, and devotion, just as if it were to be the last of my life. We offer you, O most Holy Trinity, this Creed in honor of all the mysteries of our Faith, this Our Father and these three Hail Marys in honor of the unity of your essence and the Trinity of your persons. We ask of you a lively faith, a firm hope, and an ardent charity. Amen.
Pray an OUR FATHER, three HAIL MARYS, and a GLORY BE
SACRED ART: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Pedro de Calabria
monDAY — first decade: the BAPTISM OF JESUS
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this first decade in honor of the Baptism of Jesus, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the holy love and joy of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Baptism of Christ” by Antoine Coypel
(For optimal viewing, click and hold the white tab on the slider bar in the mini picture, then drag it left or right to adjust the size; afterwards, click and hold the rectangle in the mini picture, then drag it up or down to adjust the perspective)
May the grace of the mystery of the Baptism of Jésus come down into our souls. Amen.
TUESDAY — SECOND decade: the WEDDING FEAST AT CANA
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this second decade in honor of the Wedding Feast at Cana, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the holy peace and heroic patience of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Marriage Feast at Cana” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/The_Barber_Institute_of_Fine_Arts_-_Bartolom%C3%A9_Esteban_Murillo_-_The_Marriage_Feast_at_Cana.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Wedding Feast at Cana come down into our souls. Amen.
WEDNESDAY — THIRD decade: the PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this third decade in honor of the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the holy kindness and generosity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Sermon on the Mount” by Carl Bloch
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God come down into our souls. Amen.
THURSDAY — fOURTH decade: the TRANSFIGURATION
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fourth decade in honor of the Transfiguration, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the holy faithfulness and gentleness of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Transfiguration” by Peter Paul Rubens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_(Rubens)#/media/File:Transfiguration-Rubens.JPG
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Transfiguration come down into our souls. Amen.
FRIDAY — fiFTH decade: the INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fifth decade in honor of the Institution of the Eucharist, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, self-control, holy courage, and great trust in The Divine Mercy. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Last Supper” by Juan de Juanes
May the grace of the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist come down into our souls. Amen.
SATURDAY — CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THE holy ROSARY
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
Hail, Marie, 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 Jésus, 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 Marie, defend me, nourish me, hear me, teach me, and save me. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Madonna of the Magnificat” by Sandro Botticelli
https://www.wikiart.org/en/sandro-botticelli/madonna-of-the-magnificat-1481
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
Michelangelo’s Pietà inside St. Peter’s Basilica
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
sunDAY — introductory prayers of the holy rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
I unite with all the saints in Heaven, with all the just on earth and with all the faithful here present. I unite with you, O my Jésus, in order to praise worthily your Holy Mother and to praise you in her and through her. I renounce all the distractions I may have during this Rosary, which I wish to say with modesty, attention, and devotion, just as if it were to be the last of my life. We offer you, O most Holy Trinity, this Creed in honor of all the mysteries of our Faith, this Our Father and these three Hail Marys in honor of the unity of your essence and the Trinity of your persons. We ask of you a lively faith, a firm hope, and an ardent charity. Amen.
Pray an OUR FATHER, three HAIL MARYS, and a GLORY BE
SACRED ART: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Pedro de Calabria
monDAY — first decade: THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this first decade in honor of your Agony in the Garden of Olives, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, contrition for our sins. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Gethsemane” by Carl Bloch
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Gethsemane_Carl_Bloch.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Agony in the Garden come down into our souls. Amen.
TUESDAY — SECOND decade: THE SCOURGING
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this second decade in honor of your bloody Scourging, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the grace of mortifying our senses. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Flagellation” by Lodovico Carracci
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Douai_chartreuse_carracci_flagellation.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Scourging come down into our souls. Amen.
WEDNESDAY — THIRD decade: the CROWNING WITH THORNS
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this third decade in honor of your being crowned with thorns, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, contempt of the world. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Ecce Homo” by Antonio Ciseri
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Ecce_homo_by_Antonio_Ciseri_%281%29.jpg
May the grace of the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns come down into our souls. Amen.
THURSDAY — FOURTH decade: the CARRYING OF THE CROSS
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fourth decade in honor of your carrying of the Cross, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, patience in bearing our crosses. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Christ Carrying the Cross” by El Greco
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross come down into our souls. Amen.
FRIDAY — fiFTH decade: the CRUCIFIXION
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fifth decade in honor of your Crucifixion and ignominious death on Calvary, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the conversion of sinners, the perseverance of the just, and the relief of the souls in Purgatory. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Christ Crucified” by Diego Velazquez
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Crucified_(Vel%C3%A1zquez)#/media/File:Cristo_crucificado.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Crucifixion come down into our souls. Amen.
sAturdAY — concluding prayer of the holy rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
Hail, Marie, 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 Jésus, 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 Marie, defend me, nourish me, hear me, teach me, and save me. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Madonna of the Magnificat” by Sandro Botticelli
https://www.wikiart.org/en/sandro-botticelli/madonna-of-the-magnificat-1481
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
Michelangelo’s Pietà inside St. Peter’s Basilica
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
sunDAY — introductory prayers of the HOLY rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
I unite with all the saints in Heaven, with all the just on earth and with all the faithful here present. I unite with you, O my Jésus, in order to praise worthily your Holy Mother and to praise you in her and through her. I renounce all the distractions I may have during this Rosary, which I wish to say with modesty, attention, and devotion, just as if it were to be the last of my life. We offer you, O most Holy Trinity, this Creed in honor of all the mysteries of our Faith, this Our Father and these three Hail Marys in honor of the unity of your essence and the Trinity of your persons. We ask of you a lively faith, a firm hope, and an ardent charity. Amen.
Pray an OUR FATHER, three HAIL MARYS, and a GLORY BE
SACRED ART: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Pedro de Calabria
monDAY — first decade: THE resurrection
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this first decade in honor of your glorious Resurrection, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, love of God and fervor in your service. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Supper at Emmaus” by Peter Paul Rubens
(For optimal viewing, click once on the minus sign to the right, and then once on the plus sign)
May the grace of the mystery of the Resurrection come down into our souls. Amen.
tuesDAY — second decade: THE Ascension
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this second decade in honor of your triumphant ascension, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, an ardent desire for Heaven, our true. home. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Ascension” by Benjamin West
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/The_Ascension%29_by_Benjamin_West%2C_PRA.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of the Ascension come down into our souls. Amen.
wednesDAY — third decade: THE descent of the holy spirit
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this third decade in honor of the mystery of Pentecost, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, the coming of the Holy Spirit into our souls. Amen.
SACRED ART: “Pentecost” by Jean Restout
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_II_Restout#/media/File:Jean_II_Restout_-_Pentecôte.jpg
(For optimal viewing, click once on the painting)
May the grace of the mystery of Pentecost come down into our souls. Amen.
thursDAY — fourth decade: THE Assumption
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fourth decade in honor of the resurrection and triumphant Assumption of your Holy Mother into Heaven, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, a tender devotion for so good a mother. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Assumption of the Virgin” by Mariano Salvador Maella
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the minus sign to the right, and then once on the plus sign, then left-click and hold as you drag the painting higher or lower to suit your taste)
May the grace of the mystery of the Assumption come down into our souls. Amen.
friDAY — fifth decade: THE coronation of the blessed virgin
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
We offer you, O Lord Jésus, this fifth decade in honor of the Coronation of your Holy Mother, and we ask of you, through this mystery and through the intercession of your Holy Mother, perseverance in grace and a crown of glory hereafter. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Coronation of the Virgin” by Pedro de Calabria
May the grace of the mystery of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin come down into our souls. Amen.
saturDAY — concluding prayer of the holy rosary
OFFER PRAYER INTENTIONS…
Hail, Marie, 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 Jésus, 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 Marie, defend me, nourish me, hear me, teach me, and save me. Amen.
SACRED ART: “The Madonna of the Magnificat” by Sandro Botticelli
https://www.wikiart.org/en/sandro-botticelli/madonna-of-the-magnificat-1481
(For optimal viewing, click twice on the painting)
Pope St. John Paul II: “Totus Tuus” (“I am all yours”)