Cor Mariae – Novena
Maria's heart
Novena for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
August 6
“How I wish that everywhere and in all languages the joy for the Assumption of Mary!… May every man and woman become aware of being called, through different paths, to participate in the heavenly glory of their true Mother and Queen,” said Saint John Paul II in 1995.
Close to this great Solemnity, which the Church celebrates every August 15, here is a novena in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
First day: How will that be, since I don't know a man?
introductory verse
V. The Lord chose her.
R. And he predestined her.
Introduction: On November 1, 1950, Pius She was assumed body and soul into heavenly Glory” (DS 3903).
It was obvious that the Mother of God received a home in heaven before anyone else and was glorified so that from there she could continue to watch over her children.
In important, difficult moments in life or on memorable dates, our first thought should go to the “mother”: her thinking, her feelings, her actions… with the affection of children, remembering her words, her advice. Also the Virgin Mary, before her transition to heaven, left us a few words, few, but they are the key to revealing her human-spiritual appearance, as she passed through this world.
Reading
Luke 1:26-34 “How will that be, since I do not know a man?”
Comment
Mary, the young maiden of Nazareth, to whom God offers divine motherhood, is surprised by the angel's announcement, asks for clarification and receives a mysterious answer: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” (Lk 1:35).
Mary does not understand, but she believes and trusts; She doesn't raise any objections, she doesn't stop to think about herself: if she is prepared, if she has the capabilities...; She knows that with God everything is possible and she puts her life at the disposal of his divine plan, being Mother and Virgin at the same time.
“This choice of the virginal state on the part of Mary, which in God's plan disposed her to the mystery of the Incarnation... constituted a courageous choice, carried out to consecrate herself totally to the love of God” (MC 37).
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, comfort and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Lord, we ask you to remain faithful to the mission of “being” with the sick and being for them a sign of the maternal love of the Virgin Mary. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 7th
Theme of the second day: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me, according to your word.”
introductory verse
V. Here is the handmaid of the Lord.
R. May it be done to me according to your will.
Reading
Luke 1:35-38: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”
Comment
“Being a slave of the Lord”, that is Mary's secret, the key to her holiness. Mary declares with these words that she does not belong to herself, that she is the property of the Lord, in whom she has placed all her trust.
Mary believes, surrenders and walks in the dark, in an irreversible fiat, but in a fiat that is a joyful yes to the Father, testimony of her inner freedom, her trust and serenity. She does not understand, she does not know how her service will be carried out, but she, free and totally available, responds: Fiat. Since then, “The will of the Lord will be the light of your life, your peace in suffering and the source of your joy” (Paul VI).
“Let it be done to me…” is the “listener of Mary” attitude, who accepts the divine Word with faith, becoming the Mother of God for having engendered the Word in her womb. It is an attitude of “acceptance and service to the divine plan in the total donation of oneself… it is the attitude that we must all have… following the example of Mary of Nazareth” (Cf. VC 18).
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Holy Father, you who wanted your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant us, through her intercession, to serve you with a pure heart like her, to always be open to your divine will and obedient to your Word so that we may joyfully dedicate ourselves to the sick. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 8
Theme of the third day: “My soul proclaims the great things of the Lord…”
introductory verse
V. Blessed are you, Holy Mary.
R. And worthy of all praise.
Reading
Lk 1:46-55: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”
Comment
“Mary in her visit to the Mother of the Precursor, appears as the praying Virgin; His spirit opens in expressions of glorification of God, of humility, of faith, of hope, such is the Magnificat” (MC 18).
After the greeting on both sides, Mary breaks into a song of joy, of praise to God the Savior, a song of gratitude to God, faithful and almighty Father, who works wonders for the poor. With this poem, Mary expresses her greatness of soul, her joy, the greatest that has invaded the human heart – Christ lives in her – it is a joy united with the deepest humility and thanksgiving because the Lord has looked at the littleness of his slave
With the “Magnificat” prayer, the Virgin Mary opens paths of hope for us, of greater living of faith; It opens paths of joy for us because he who can do everything is faithful and merciful from generation to generation.
The praying Virgin – of the Visitation – encourages us to “know how to respond to the needs of others in order to help them, but above all so that we bring Jesus… and proclaim the wonders that the Lord does in the world…” ( Cf. VC 112)
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Oh God, Savior of men, who, through the Virgin Mary, brought salvation and joy to the house of Elizabeth, grant us to proclaim your greatness with the sanctity of our customs and that we go joyfully to meet those who suffer proclaiming the Word of salvation so that they recognize Christ as the Savior. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 9
Theme of the fourth day: “Son, why have you done this to us?”
introductory verse
V. Mary kept all these things.
R. Meditating them in your heart.
Reading
Lk 2:41-52 Jesus among the doctors
Comment
Mary's question, grieving for the loss of her son, becomes a language of love, of complete docility, at the same time that she expresses her poverty, her intimate humiliation, her pain, her dedication to divine plans.
“However, it is consoling for us to know that the Virgin also asked Jesus “why” in a circumstance of intense suffering... showing us in this Gospel scene that the Virgin did not always, nor immediately understand the behavior of her Son... but despite This Mary believed, trusted and “kept all this in her heart” (Lk 2, 51) (John Paul).
Faced with this episode that Saint Luke tells us, Mary teaches us a double attitude: her silence in the face of the Son's response and her serenity and balance, virtues so necessary in our constant search for God, through all prosperous or adverse events, whether throughout life, both in moments of joy and in painful and sometimes humanly incomprehensible circumstances. Mary shows us the way: silence, faith and prayer.
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Lord, Holy Father, who wanted Jesus to remain in the temple and be at your full disposal, grant us, through the intercession of Holy Mary, to delve deeper into the mystery of your will and make us true disciples of your Son by preserving and meditating on our heart your divine Word. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 10
Theme of the fifth day: “They have no wine”
introductory verse
V. Blessed is the Virgin Mary.
R. Because he feels sorry for those in need.
Reading
Jn 2:1-4 Jesus invited to the wedding in Cana
Comment
Jesus and Mary are present at a wedding in the city of Cana. During the banquet, Mary realizes that the wine is missing and with maternal delicacy, she approaches her Son to tell him: “they have no wine.” They are words of supplication and intercession, which reveal the greatness and importance of the prayer of petition. Mary teaches us that prayer is not for God to fulfill our desires, but for him to change us to make us fit instruments in his hands, capable of receiving his gifts.
“They don't have wine”, María knows that wine is something that cannot be missing at a party. Therefore, intercede before Jesus and collaborate in God's plans. Thus, Jesus performs the first miracle through the intercession of Mary his Mother.
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Holy Father, at the wedding of Cana the Virgin Mary exercised her maternal function as a mediator, we ask you, through her intercession, to continue to exercise her mediation between your Son and us so that she may help the afflicted, console the sad, strengthen the wavers and give the sick hope. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 11
Theme of the sixth day: “Do what He tells you”
introductory verse
V. Blessed are you Virgin Mary.
R. Because you interceded before your Son Jesus.
Reading
Jn 2:5-11 The first miracle of Jesus
Comment
With these words, María reveals her extraordinary personality to us. With a firm and determined spirit, in harmony with his goodness, he knows how to face the situation with serenity, he does not give up in the face of Jesus' apparent rejection and with a certain audacity he somehow forces Jesus to act and perform the miracle of turning water into wine. .
“Do what He tells you” is the consequence of the great love that Mary professes for her Son, of her deep faith, of full acceptance of the mission entrusted by God, a mission that leads to self-denial, to the renunciation of all complacency. , a mission that involves pain and that makes all things new in Jesus. That is why Mary, fully trusting in Him, intervenes as a caring Mother, as a Woman associated with the saving work of Christ.
“Do whatever He tells you” are his last words in the Gospel.
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Lord, who in your providence wanted the Virgin Mary to be present in the first miracle of your Son, grant us to do what He has commanded us in the Gospel and let us announce the hour of present salvation in the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 12
Theme of the seventh day: Epilogue of the life of Mary
introductory verse
V. Rejoice, Mary, full of grace.
R. Because you have heard the divine Word.
Reading
Luke 8:19-21 “My mother and my brothers are those who do the will of God.”
Comment
The six words of the Virgin have revealed to us the true human-spiritual profile of Mary, through the specific stages of her life through which She walked in faith, hope and love, in availability and acceptance of the mission to Her. confident, progressively conforming to Christ.
Mary shows herself to us – said Paul VI – as the listening, praying and offering Virgin; like the faithful Virgin, coherent from the “let it be at the Annunciation” to the “let it be silent at the foot of the cross”, offering herself to the Father with Christ and in Christ for the Salvation of the world.
If the Assumption of Mary is only explained through her divine Motherhood, it can also be said that the Assumption was the epilogue of Mary's story, the crowning of her entire mortal life and her mission on earth.
The Virgin, full of grace, who is the Tabernacle and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, transformed and vivified by Him, is assumed body and soul into heaven, is completely permeated and identified with Christ, and now, in glory, intercedes for all. so that the Father sends the Spirit upon his Church and configures men in his Son Jesus. Therefore, we can well say that the Assumption of Mary also evokes in us the power of her powerful intercession, hence our cult of praise to the Mediatrix of all graces.
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Lord, who has given us your Son, through the Virgin Mary and has associated her with the work of human redemption, we ask that, like Her, we listen to and meditate in our hearts your Word, persevere in prayer and our life be a permanent offering to your praise and glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 13
Theme of the eighth day: “Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven”
introductory verse
V. Blessed, your Mary, who carried Christ in your womb.
R. He has taken you to heaven in body and soul.
Reading
“We proclaim, declare and define to be divinely revealed dogma, that the Immaculate Mother of God, always Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into Heavenly Glory” Cf. DS 3903
Comment
Mary's glory in heaven consists of participating in the glory of God, already enjoying the total fullness of God. Mary continues in heaven the praise of glory, which she had begun on earth, that is, she praises and glorifies God. Now we can apply to Mary the words of Isaiah 61:10: “I overflow with joy with the Lord and rejoice with my God.”
Mary assumed into heaven, because she is the Mother of Jesus, she continues to be the Mother of all men, the Mother of the Church, “because by virtue of the Holy Spirit she continues to generate the Mystical Body of Christ that is the Church and each believer… this motherhood of Mary in the economy of grace it endures without ceasing…until the perpetual consummation of all ages” (LG 62).
Once associated with the glorification of her Son, Mary continues to intercede in heaven as Mediatrix to the Mediator and in this way, turning to Mary should lead us to an encounter with Christ and through Him reach the Father.
“Mary is the figure of a Woman who, quietly and in a spirit of service, watches over the Church and benignly protects it on its way to the Homeland until the glorious day of the Lord arrives” (Cf. Paul VI, 2-2- 1974)
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary…and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
Lord, you have wanted to elevate your humble servant Mary to the dignity of Mother of your Son and you have crowned her with glory in heaven, we ask you, through her intercession, that we imitate her example, walk the path of perfect charity, to that one day we can enjoy with her in heaven. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
August 14
Theme of the Ninth Day: “Mary, believed in the Word of the Lord and its fulfillment.”
introductory verse
V. Blessed are you, Mary, because you have believed.
R. Because what the Lord has told you will be fulfilled.
Reading
Lk 1, 46-55 – “Joy of the soul in the Lord.”
Comment
“Blessed are you for having believed” (Lk 1:45). Linking this expression of Elizabeth addressed to Mary with that of Jesus addressed to Thomas "blessed are those who believe" (Jn 20:29), we see how this beatitude, which interests all humanity, designates the culmination of human freedom: it is blessed and happy and fulfills the plan of God who reaches the fullness of his vocation. Human freedom is made for faith, in which it obtains its perfection and its culmination.
Man is saved, not simply by obeying an external law, but by loving, surrendering and believing in God. Mary, blessed for having believed, is an anthropological figure of the human vocation to happiness.
Requests
a) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Virgin listener, prayer and offerer, we ask that we also listen to and pray your divine Word and make our daily offering pleasing to you and dedication to those who suffer so that we may remain faithful to the gospel and the spirit of our Holy Mother Foundress.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
b) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who remained firm and strong next to her son's cross, we ask you so that we know how to be with the sick and be bearers of the gospel, consolation and peace.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
c) Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who was elevated to heaven and glorified above the choirs of angels and saints, we ask that She look at all with maternal love and direct our steps and encourage us to embody the spirit and charisma that Saint Mary lived so that, traveling the path of perfect charity, we may one day reach the glory of heaven.
Hail Mary… and Glory to the Father
closing prayer
O Lord, we ask that you protect us all by the prayer of the Mother of God, who, although we know that she left this world dying like the others, was resurrected to new life, taken to Heaven and crowned Queen of all. the created. We also beseech you that, since we cannot please you with our works alone, we may be saved through the intercession of the Virgin Mary herself. Amen.