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Prayers
Praying could be described as man’s attempt to become aware of and
open his mind to God and to live from the experienced presence of God. In
their prayers, Christians connect with Jesus Christ who is to them: the Son
of God. It is his Spirit and that of the Father praying in us. Close to Jesus
is Mary, the first of the believers and mother of the Church. Through Jesus
Christ she can help us to experience the connection with God. The most
important prayer is the “Lord’s Prayer”. This prayer can be said on various
occasions. Before meals, in church etc.:
Our Father
Our Father in the
Heavens;
Your Name is being Hallowed;
Your Kingdom is being restored;
Your Will is being done both in Heaven and upon Earth;
Give us to-day our to-morrow’s bread;
And forgive us our faults,
As we forgive those offending us;
For You would not bring us into temptation,
But deliver us from its evil.
Amen.
This prayer can be
followed by the “Hail Mary”:
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Full of grace
The Lord be with you.
Thou art blessed among women
And blessed is Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.
Holy Mary
Mother of God.
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
In this last prayer we greet Mary with the word “Hail”. This is the
word that the angel Gabriel said in Nazareth when he came to tell her of whom
she would become pregnant: Jesus (Gospel of Luke 1, 26-38).
Saying the rosary is like “making a wreath of
roses around Mary’s head” and mainly consists of the continual repetition of
the same texts, especially the “Hail”. This form of prayer probably arose as
a simple alternative for praying the 150 biblical psalms. The rosary is a bit
like reciting mantras (holy formulas) in Hinduism and Buddhism.
The Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, give us audience.
Christ, hear us.
God, heavenly Father, have mercy on us.
God, Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of Divine Grace,
Purest Mother,
Most virginal Mother,
Immaculate Mother,
Lovable Mother,
Admirable Mother,
Mother of good advice,
Mother of The Creator,
Mother of The Saviour
Most prudent Virgin,
Honourable Virgin,
Laudable Virgin,
Mighty Virgin,
Merciful Virgin,
Faithful Virgin,
Mirror of Justice,
Throne of Wisdom,
Cause of our joy
Spiritual vessel
Reverend vessel,
Glorious vessel of Piety,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Ivory Tower,
Golden house,
Ark of the Covenant,
Door of heaven,
Morning star,
Salvation of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the sad,
Help of the Christians,
Queen of angels,
Queen of patriarchs,
Queen of prophets,
Queen of apostles,
Queen of martyrs,
Queen of professors
Queen of virgins,
Queen of saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed,
Queen of the holy Rosary,
Queen of peace.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, save us Lord.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, hear us Lord.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Another Marian prayer...
Another Marian prayer…
Hail, queen, mother of mercifulness;
Our lives, our joy and our hope, hail.
Unto you we call, exiles, children of Eve;
We beg you, sighing and weeping in this vale of tears.
Therefore, our mediator,
Behold us with your merciful eyes;
And show us, after this exile,
Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.
With you we find life, joy and hope.
We call upon you on our pilgrimage.
Be close to suffering mankind.
Remember us, look down on us mercifully
And lead us through life to Jesus, your Son.
Mother full of goodness and love, holy virgin Mary;
With thee we take refuge;
Be our protection, holy mother of Jesus,
Do not reject our prayers when we are in distress,
But save us from all dangers,
Thy glorious and blessed virgin.
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