The Glories Of Mary by ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI VARIOUS PRAYERS TO MARY

PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM TO MARY, ABBREVIATED.

OH immaculate and wholly pure Virgin Mary, mother of God, queen of the world, hope of the despairing; thou art the joy of the saints, thou art the reconciler of sinners to God, thou art the advocate of the abandoned, the secure haven of the shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the comforter of the afflicted, the salvation of the world. Oh great queen, we take refuge in thy protection. We confide in none but thee, oh most pure Virgin: Non nobis est alia quam in te fiducia, O Virgo Bincerissirna. Oh Lady, after God we have no other hope but in thee. We bear the name of thy servants, do not permit the enemy to bear us away to hell. Hail, best mediatrix of God and men: Ave, Dei et hominum mediatrix optima. I salute thee, oh great mediatrix of peace between man and God; Oh mother of Jesus our Lord, the love of all men and of God; to thee be honor and blessing with the Father and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS OF AQUIN.

OH most blessed and sweet Virgin Mary, full of compassion, I recommend to thy mercy my soul and my body, my thoughts, my works, my life, and my death. Oh my Lady, help me and make me strong against the snares of the devil ; obtain for me a true and perfect love, with which I may love with all my heart thy most beloved Son, and my Lord Jesus Christ ; and after him may I love thee above all things. Oh my queen and mother, with thy most powerful intercession make this love to remain with me until death, after which may I be conducted by thee to the country of the blessed.

PRAYER OF ST. BLOSIUS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

HAIL, Mary, hope of the despairing, help of the destitute, to whom thy Son pays so great honor that whatever thou dost ask thou dost at once obtain, whatever thou dost wish is at once done. To thee are committed the treasures of the celestial kingdom. Grant, oh Lady, that amid the storms of this life, I may always turn my eyes to thee. To thy mercy I commend my soul and my body. Direct and protect me at every hour and every moment, oh my sweet protectress.

ANOTHER PRAYER.

HAIL most compassionate mother of mercy ; hail consolation and pardon, Mary most desired. Who shall not love thee ? Thou our light in doubt, our consolation in sorrow, our relief in distress, our refuge in perils and temptations, thou, after thy only-begotten Son, art our secure ealvation. Blessed are those who love thee, ob Lady. Incline, I pray thee, thy ear of mercy to the prayers of this thy servant, this miserable sinner, and dissipate the darkness of my vices by the rays of thy sanctity, that I may please thee.