Achieving Weight Loss
through the Prayers of the
Divine Office of the Virgin Mary

Compiled and Edited by John P. Gross

Travel writer and co-author with wife, Donna, of
Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation

Author of

Rosary Meditations: A Bouquet of Roses for Our Lady

Remember me in your prayers!

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FREE DOWNLOAD

To read the book online, click here. To download the entire book (144 pages) to your computer as one file, right click on this link and save to to your desktop.

To read or download each day's prayers separately, click on the appropriate link:
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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We are fortunate to live near Emmitsburg, Maryland which is the home of the Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint Mary's Seminary, and the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes. The Grotto, known affectionately as "Mary's Mountain," is a replica of the shrine in Lourdes, France and draws thousands of visitors from around the world who come to pay homage annually to our Blessed Mother. They are in much need of funds to build a Visitors Welcome Center. If you feel that our prayer book has been of value to you and would like to show your appreciation, we invite you to make a donation to their wonderful cause securely online at https://www.msmary.edu/support-mount/givingform/giving_form. Choose "Grotto Fund" as your gift purpose. Thanks and may God bless you!

Disclaimer: Please seek professional medical advice before starting any weight loss or exercise program. We assume no legal responsibility for any information provided.

Copyright © 2009 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

+ This symbol in the text indicates that the reader should make the sign of the cross.

FRIDAY

Morning Prayer

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

HYMN

Sister of man, Queen of Angels,
Mother of a God dead on the cross,
Mary, to sing thy praises
Teach our timid voices.

Thou art the modest rose
Hidden from us by a protective veil,
But which, via its mystical perfume,
Deigns to reveal itself to us.

Sweet perfume that enlivens the soul,
Revives its languid spirit,
And cures all the wounds of the heart,
With its fragrant and mysterious scent.

Nothing has tarnished thy innocence
And thou purifies our longings;
Thou has known suffering
And thy hand wipes away our tears.

Yes, always, the one who prays to thee
Arises less burdoned;
Thy example fortifies him
And thy sorrows have consoled him.

When thy motherly worries
At the foot of the cross became great,
The angels, gathering thy tears,
To God's bosom carried them.

Of celestial mercies,
They enlarged the treasure,
Ah! For us, in these gloomy days,
Let them intercede for us again.

Of these holy and pure tears
Let a single one fall on our hearts,
It will wash away our sins,
It will inflame our tepidness.

And it will soften the voice
Of the daughters of Sion
Now more worthy of singing Mary
In the month which bears her name!

Cantiques a Marie
Pour Le Mois de Marie
Les Livres des Enfants de Marie, 1850.
Translated by John P. Gross, 2009.

.Antiphon 1
In thee, O Lady, have I hoped. I will take control of my appetite with thy assistance.

Psalm  118F

How have I loved thy law, O Lady: it is forever in my sight. The abundance of thy sweetnesses has drawn my heart out of me: and my flesh hath wonderfully rejoiced in thee. How sweet to sinners are thy words, O Lady: above all melody thy refection is sweet to my mouth. Thy word is a light to my steps: and an ineffable illumination to my paths. How often have sinners of hell exasperated me, because I would not stray from thy charity: but in thee, O Lady, have I hoped.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
In thee, O Lady, have I hoped. I will take control of my appetite with thy assistance.

Antiphon 2
I have loved thy way, O gracious Lady. Help me to eat less and live longer to praise and serve the Lord.

Psalm 118G

I have hated the unjust: and I have loved thy way, O gracious Lady. Help me, O Lady of the world, and I shall be saved: and I shall meditate the honor of thy commandments. Make me always stand in thy fear: and deliver me not up, O Virgin, to those who calumniate me. I am of thy own tongue: I am the least in thy family. Keep me, O Lady, from those who neglect the judgments of thy justice. Thou despisest all who depart from thy service: because their thought is unjust.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 2
I have loved thy way, O gracious Lady. Help me to eat less and live longer to praise and serve the Lord.

Antiphon 3
O Lady, defend me against those who would sabotage my new eating regimen. Help me to refuse the fattening foods they offer.

Psalm 118H

Wonderful are thy testimonies, O kind Mother: and by thy words my heart is enlightened. All the rich of the people shall entreat thy countenance: and the daughters of kings shall praise thy face. The word of thy lips is burning exceedingly: He who shall make haste to come to thee, shall share in it. I am as a trembling reed before thee: hold me, Lady, under thy yoke, and I shall not be confounded. The dragons of hell attack thy servants above all others: but do thou, O Lady, defend us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 3
O Lady, defend me against those who would sabotage my new eating regimen. Help me to refuse the fattening foods they offer.

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

RESPONSORY

O Lady, I eat to feel better. Help me to find ways to obtain comfort without food.
- O Lady, I eat to feel better. Help me to find ways to obtain comfort without food.
Mother Mary, I want to honor God in my body.
- Help me to find ways to obtain comfort without food.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
- O Lady, I eat to feel better. Help me to find ways to obtain comfort without food.

CANTICLE TO MARY

Antiphon+
O Lady, thou hast brought about our redemption so that we may serve God in peace. Free me from the anxiety that causes me to overeat.

Blessed be thou, O Lady and Mother of my God of Israel: who by thee hath quickened and hath wrought the redemption of His people. And hath raised up a horn of salvation of thy chastity: in the house of David, His servant. As he spoke by the mouth of Isaias: and others of his holy prophets. Give us salvation from our enemies, O Virgin of virgins: from the hand of those who hate us, give us peace. And do thy mercy for us and our relations: that thou mayest be mindful of the testament of the Almighty God, Which he hath sworn to our fathers: to Abraham and his seed forever; That thus, being delivered from the hand of our enemies: we may serve Him in peace. In sanctity and justice before thee: all our days.

And thou, O Mary, shalt be called the Prophet of God: for thou hast known that He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid. By whom He hath given the knowledge of salvation to His people: in the remission of their sins. By the bowels of the multitude of thy mercies: visit us, O Morning Star, the Orient from on high. Enlighten the darknesses of those who sit in the shadow of death, and deign to instill into them the light of thy most Beloved Son. Have mercy, O Mother of Mercies, on us miserable sinners, who neglect to do penance for our past sins: and daily commit so much that deserves penance.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Canticle in Honor of Mary
The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin

Antiphon
O Lady, thou hast brought about our redemption so that we may serve God in peace. Free me from the anxiety that causes me to overeat.

INTERCESSIONS

O Mother of Perpetual Help, whom I honor today with my prayers, grant the petitions I have humbly placed before thee:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us ask our Heavenly Father for our daily bread:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

CONCLUSION

O Lady, thou art our refuge in all our needs: and a most powerful force bruising and crushing our enemy. The world is full of thy benefits: they surpass the heavens and penetrate the depths. By the fullness of thy grace those who were in the abyss rejoice to find themselves liberated. By the power of thy virginal fecundity, those who were above this world: rejoice to find themselves freed. By the glorious Son of thy most holy virginity: men are made companions and fellow-citizens of the angels.

Psalm 45

+ May God have mercy on us and bless us. Let thy grace, O Lady, ever protect me: let thy presence give light to my end.
- Amen.

Psalm 66

FRIDAY

Midmorning Prayer

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

HYMN

God's Son is born, His mother is a maid
Both after and beforn, as the prophecy said,
With ay;
A wonder-thing it is to see,
How maiden and mother one may be;
Was there never none but she,
Maid mother Mary.

This great Lord of heaven our servant is become,
Through Gabriel's steven1, our kind hath taken on,
With ay;
A wonder-thing it is to see,
How lord and servant none but He,
Was there never none but He,
Born of maid Mary.

Two suns together they ought to shinë bright;
So did that fair lady when Jesu in her light2,
With ay;
A wonder-thing doth befall:
The Lord that broughtë free and thrall,
Is found in an ass's stall,
By His mother Mary.

The shepherds in their region they lookëd into heaven,
They see an angel coming down, that said with mildë steven1,
With ay:
"Joy be to God Almight,
And peace in earth to man is dight3,
For God was born on Christmas night,
Of His mother Mary."

Three kings of great noblay4, when that Child was born,
To Him they took the ready way, and kneelëd Him beforn,
With ay;
These three kings came fro far,
Through leading of a star,
And offered Him gold, incense and myrrh,
And to His mother Mary.

1. Voice.
2. Alighted.
3. Prepared.
4. Rank.

Blessed be that lady bright
English Traditional, Fifteenth Century

Antiphon 1
O Lady, I have cried out to thee with my whole heart. Accept my prayers and acts of self-denial for all the intentions of thy Immaculate heart.

Psalm 118I

I have cried out to thee with my whole heart, O Lady: mercifully deliver me from my necessities. Hear the voice of my groaning, O my Lady: teach me what is acceptable to thee at all times. Salvation is far from those who know thee not: but he who perseveres in thy service is far from perdition. Thy mercy rules all things: O Lady, in thy salvation quicken me. The beginning of thy words is truth at all times: and I have not forgotten thine immaculate law.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
O Lady, I have cried out to thee with my whole heart. Accept my prayers and acts of self-denial for all the intentions of thy Immaculate heart.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, approach to Our Lord to pray for me. For He is my healer. (Exodus 15:26)

Psalm 119

I cried to Our Lady when I was in trouble: and she heard me. Lady, deliver us from all evil: all the days of our life. Crush the head of our enemies: with the insuperable power of thy foot. As thy spirit hath rejoiced in God thy Savior: so do thou deign to pour true joy into my heart. Approach to Our Lord to pray for us: that by thee our sins may be blotted out.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, approach to Our Lord to pray for me. For He is my healer. (Exodus 15:26)

Antiphon 3
To thee I have raised mine eyes, O Mother of Christ: by whom comfort cometh to all flesh. "The Lord directs me, and nothing will be lacking to me." (Psalm 22, Sacred Scripture)

Psalm 120

To thee I have raised mine eyes, O Mother of Christ: by whom comfort cometh to all flesh. Bestow on us thy help and thy grace: in all our tribulations. Keep us, O Lady: lest we be caught in the snare of sinners. The pupil of thine eye neither slumbers nor sleeps: that we may always be kept under thy protection. The tongues of men and angels praise thee: and before thee every knee shall bow.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 3
To thee I have raised mine eyes, O Mother of Christ: by whom comfort cometh to all flesh. "The Lord directs me, and nothing will be lacking to me." (Psalm 22, Sacred Scripture)

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

+ Let us embrace the footprints of Mary
- and cast ourselves at her blessed feet.

Psalm 14

FRIDAY

Midday Prayer

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

HYMN

Like the dawning of the morning,
On the mountains golden heights,
Like the breaking of the moonbeams
On the gloom of cloudy nights,
Like a secret told by angels
Getting known upon the earth,
Is the Mother's expectation
Of Messiah's speedy birth.

Thou wert happy, blessed Mother,
With the very bliss of heaven,
Since the angel's salutation
In thy raptured ear was given;
Since the Ave of that midnight
When thou wert anointed Queen,
Like a river over-flowing
Hath the grace within thee been.

On the mountains of Judea,
Like the chariot of the Lord,
Thou wert lifted in thy spirit
By the uncreated Word;
Gifts and graces flowed upon thee
In a sweet celestial strife
And the growing of thy Burden
Was the lightening of thy life.

And what wonders have been in thee
All the day and all the night,
While the angels fell before thee,
To adore the Light of Light.
While the glory of the Father
Hath been in thee as a home,
And the sceptre of creation
Hath been wielded in thy womb.

And the sweet strains of the Psalmist
Were a joy beyond control,
And the visions of the prophets
Burnt like transports in thy soul;
But the Burden that was growing,
And was felt so tenderly,
It was Heaven, it was Heaven,
Come before its time to thee.

Oh the feeling of thy Burden,
It was touch and taste and sight;
It was newer still and newer,
All those nine months, day and night.
Like a treasure unexhausted,
Like a vision uconfess’d,
Like a rapture unforgotten,
It lay ever at thy breast.

Every moment did that Burden
Press upon thee with new grace;
Happy Mother! Thou art longing
To behold the Saviour’s Face!
Oh his Human face and features
Must be passing sweet to see
Thou hast seen them, happy Mother!
Ah then, show them now to me.

Thou hast waited, Child of David,
And thy waiting now is o’er;
Thou hast seen Him, Blessed Mother,
And wilt see Him evermore!
O His Human Face and Features,
They were passing sweet to see;
Thou beholdest them this moment,
Mother, show them now to me.

"Our Lady's Expectation" by Fr Faber, 1849

Antiphon 1
O Lady, under thy leadership we shall go into the house of the Lord. Whoever comes to Him shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Him shall never thirst. (John: 6:35)

Psalm 121

I rejoiced in thee, O Queen of Heaven: because under thy leadership we shall go into the house of the Lord. Jerusalem the heavenly city: may we attain to the rewards of Mary. Obtain for us, O Lady, peace and pardon: and the victory over our enemies, and triumph. Strengthen and console our hearts: by the sweetness of thy piety. So, Lady, pour into us thy mercy: that we may devoutly die in the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
O Lady, under thy leadership we shall go into the house of the Lord. Whoever comes to Him shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Him shall never thirst. (John: 6:35)

Antiphon 2
O Lady, let all our works be directed by thee. "I am prepared for anything, anywhere: either to be full or to be hungry, either to have abundance or to endure scarcity. Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me." (Philippians 4:12-13)

Psalm 122

To thee have I raised up mine eyes, O Queen: who reignest in Heaven. Let our help be in the power of thy name: let all our works be directed by thee. Blessed be thou in Heaven and on earth: in the sea and in all abysses. Blessed be thy fecundity: blessed be thy virginity and purity. Blessed be thy holy body: blessed be thy most holy soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, let all our works be directed by thee. "I am prepared for anything, anywhere: either to be full or to be hungry, either to have abundance or to endure scarcity. Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me." (Philippians 4:12-13)

Antiphon 3
O Lady, be our defender and advocate before God. He loves the sojourner and gives him food as well as clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)

Psalm 123

Unless our Lady was in us: many dangers would have overtaken us. O Virgin, be our defender: and a propitious advocate before God. Show us, O Lady, thy mercy: and strengthen us in thy holy service. Let the holy angels bless thee in Heaven: let all men bless thee upon earth. Give not up to the beasts the souls of them that trust in thee: let not the mouths of them that sing to thee be closed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 3
O Lady, be our defender and advocate before God. He loves the sojourner and gives him food as well as clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

+ Shining orbs adorn thy throne
- the morning stars glorify thee forever.

Psalm 23

FRIDAY

Midafternoon

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

HYMN

Look down, O Mother Mary,
From thy bright throne above;
Cast down upon thy children
One only glance of love;
And if a heart so tender
With pity flows not o'er,
Then turn away, O Mother,
And look on us no more.

Chorus:
Look down, O Mother Mary,
From thy bright throne above;
Cast down upon thy children
One only glance of love.

See how, ungrateful sinners,
We stand before thy Son;
His loving heart upbraids us
The evil we have done.
But if thou wilt appease Him,
Speak for us but one word;
For thus thou canst obtain us
The pardon of our Lord. Chorus

O Mary, dearest Mother,
If thou wouldst have us live,
Say that we are thy children,
And Jesus will forgive.
Our sins make us unworthy
That title still to bear,
But thou art still our Mother;
Then show a mother's care. Chorus

Unfold to us thy mantle,
There stay we without fear;
What evil can befall us
If, Mother, thou art near?
O kindest, dearest Mother,
Thy sinful children save;
Look down on us with pity,
Who thy protection crave. Chorus

Alfonso M. de Liguori, 1913

Antiphon 1
Our Lady will help thee in the day of thy trouble. She will nourish thee with the food of angels. (Wisdom 16:20)

Psalm 124

Those who trust in thee, O Mother of God: shall not fear at the face of the enemy. Rejoice and exult, all ye who love her: because she will help thee in the day of thy trouble. Be mindful of thy tender mercies, O Lady: and relieve us in the pilgrimage of our sojourning. Turn thine amiable countenance towards us: confound and destroy all our enemies. Blessed be all the works of thy hands, O Lady: blessed be all thy holy miracles.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
Our Lady will help thee in the day of thy trouble. She will nourish thee with the food of angels. (Wisdom 16:20)

Antiphon 2
O Lady, those who love thee will be blessed by God. "Do not be anxious about thy life, as to what thou will eat, nor about thy body, as to what thou will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)

Psalm  125

When thou shalt turn thy most serene countenance upon us: thou shalt rejoice us, O virginal Mother of God. Blessed be thou, O treasury of Christ: above all women upon earth. Blessed be thy glorious name: which the mouth of the Lord hath wonderfully named. Let not thy praise fail from our lips: nor thy charity from our hearts. Those who love thee will be blessed by God: and those who wish to love thee, will not be defrauded of their confidence.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, those who love thee will be blessed by God. "Do not be anxious about thy life, as to what thou will eat, nor about thy body, as to what thou will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)

Antiphon 3
O Lady, build us up by thy grace and thy power: that we may remain firm forever. Strengthen my willpower to resist food when I am not hungry.

Psalm 126

Unless, O Lady, thou shalt build the house of our heart: its edifice shall not remain. Build us up by thy grace and thy power: that we may remain firm forever. Blessed be thy word: and blessed be all the words of thy lips. Let them be blessed by God, who shall bless thee: and let them be reckoned in the number of the just. Bless, O Lady, them that bless thee: and never turn thy gracious countenance away from them.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 3
O Lady, build us up by thy grace and thy power: that we may remain firm forever. Strengthen my willpower to resist food when I am not hungry.

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

+ Blessed be thou, O Lady
- to the uttermost ends of the earth.

Psalm 27

FRIDAY

Evening Prayer

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

HYMN

Gabriel to Mary went
A mighty message bare he;
Deep in awe the Maiden bent
To hear the first Hail
Mary. He spoke as soft as summer air;
'Hail first among the pure and fair!
Thou undefiled
Shall bear a Child
All glorious
Salvation is thro' Him
By thee He comes victorious
O queen of Seraphim.'

'How shall this befall?' she quoth,
'For man hath never known me.
Can I break my plighted troth
That none but God shall own me?'
The Angel said: 'O Maid believe,
The Holy Ghost shall this achieve.
So be not sad,
But wholly glad,
For surely
Thy maidenhood so white
Shall shine for ever purely
By God's especial might!

Here the Maid of David's blood
Spoke out in answer lowly:
'I am but the slave of God
Omnipotent and holy.
To thee O high ambassador,
On whom such secrets He doth pour,
I do consent,
Right well content
To hold me
For ever by His word.
O Gabriel! behold me
The handmaid of the Lord!'

Maiden Mother of us all,
Who by thy Son sublimely
Brought the peace that Adam's fall
Once banished untimely:
Implore that Strong and Holy One
That until this our day is done,
His gentleness
To our excess
Indulgent,
May check us when we roam,
And in thy name effulgent
From exile call us home!

Anonymous 13th or 14th Century Latin

Antiphon 1
O Lady, turn thou thy mercy toward us: and be gracious to thy servants. Help me to replace negative feelings of failure with positive thoughts of success.

Psalm 127

Blessed are all they who fear our Lady: and blessed are all they who know how to do thy will and thy good pleasure. Blessed are the father and mother who have begotten thee: whose memory shall abide forever. Blessed is the womb that bore thee: and blessed are the breasts that nourished thee. Turn thou thy mercy toward us: and be gracious to thy servants. Look upon us and behold our shame: take away from us all our iniquities.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
O Lady, turn thou thy mercy toward us: and be gracious to thy servants. Help me to replace negative feelings of failure with positive thoughts of success.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, obtain for us pardon for our sins: let it be given to us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but rather justice and peace and joy, in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17)

Psalm 128

My enemies have often troubled me from my youth up: deliver me, O Lady, and vindicate my cause from them. Give them not power over my soul: keep my interior and my exterior. Obtain for us pardon for our sins: let it be given to us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Make us do penance worthily and praiseworthily: that we may come to God by a blessed end. Show us then with a gracious and serene countenance: the glorious fruit of thy womb.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 2
O Lady, obtain for us pardon for our sins: let it be given to us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but rather justice and peace and joy, in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17)

Antiphon 3
O Lady, I will win the weight loss battle because thou art with me.

Psalm 129

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lady: Lady, hear my prayer. Let thine ears be attentive: to the voice of praise and of thy glorification. Deliver me from the hand of my adversaries: confound their plans and their attempts against me. Deliver me in the evil day: and in the day of death forget not my soul. Lead me unto the harbor of salvation: may my name be written among the just.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 3
O Lady, I will win the weight loss battle because thou art with me.

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

RESPONSORY

O Lady, help me to accept temporary setbacks and reapply myself with renewed vigor.
- O Lady, help me to accept temporary setbacks and reapply myself with renewed vigor.
Mother Mary, I want to honor God in my body.
- help me to reapply myself with renewed vigor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
- O Lady, help me to accept temporary setbacks and reapply myself with renewed vigor.


CANTICLE TO MARY

Antiphon+
He who is mighty has done great things to me: by Mary His Mother. She refreshes my soul and restores my body.

My heart has rejoiced in the Lord: and my heart has exalted in my Lady. For He who is mighty has done great things to me: by Mary His Mother. There is no one holy as is Our Lady: who alone has surpassed all. Let the old things depart from our mouth: and let us speak with new tongues. Exalt and praise Mary, O Sion and Jerusalem: for she is great amongst the ladies of Israel. She makes poor and she enriches: she humbles and she exalts. She is higher than the heavens: she is wider than the earth: is this Lady of ours.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Canticle in Honor of Mary
The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin

Antiphon
He who is mighty has done great things to me: by Mary His Mother. She refreshes my soul and restores my body.

INTERCESSIONS

O Mother of Perpetual Help, whom I honor today with my prayers, grant the petitions I have humbly placed before thee:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us ask our Heavenly Father for our daily bread:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

CONCLUSION

Hear my prayer, O Lady, and my supplication: and let mine enemies pine away. Have mercy on me from Heaven and from the height of thy throne: and permit me not to be troubled in the valley of misery. Keep my foot, lest it should be injured: and may thy grace be with my end.

Psalm 38

I ask this through Jesus Christ, thy Son, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

+ May God have mercy on us and bless us. Let thy grace, O Lady, ever protect me: let thy presence give light to my end.
- Amen.

Psalm 66

FRIDAY

Night Prayer

+ O Lady, come to my assistance: and by the light of thy mercy enlighten me.

Psalm 69

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Examination of Conscience
Followed by an Act of Contrition:

O Lady, let not the Lord rebuke me in His anger: obtain for us pardon for our sins. Let all our desire be in thy sight: our hope and our confidence. My heart is troubled within me: light departs from my interior. Enlighten with thy brightness my blindness: sweeten with thy sweetness my contrite heart. Forsake us not, O Lady, Mother of God: let thy grace and thy power be at my right hand.

Psalm 37

HYMN

Mary, that Mother mild,
Sped, with her heav’nly Child,
To-day from Bethlehem
Unto Hierusalem:
She to the temple there
Babe Jesus needs must bear;

Would at the Law’s behest,
Present her first-born blest,
And to the priest full fain
There offer turtles twain,
And thus redeem thereby
The world’s Redeemer high.

Hard by, at God’s command,
Good Symëon did stand
The old man fondly press’d
The Infant to his breast,—
The Christ expected long,
The burthen of his song.

“Lord, suffer now thy thrall
To fare in peace withal,
For why mine eyes have seen
My Saviour Christ,— I mean,
The Gentiles’ candle bright,
And Israel’s delight.

Set is this Child divine
A stumbling-block and sign,
For fall and rise again
Of many a Jew, certain:
And, Mother, for thy part,
A sword shall pierce thine heart.”

A prophetess then came,
And Anna was her name:
Of Mary’s gentle Boy,
Spake she with holy joy;—
E’en so, Christ-child, draw near,
Our souls in such-wise cheer.

Köln Gesangbuch, 1623

Antiphon 1
Bless us, O Lady, and strengthen us in thy grace: that by thee we may be presented before the sight of the Lord. He has food to eat which we do not know. (Matthew 4:32)

Psalm  130

Lady, my heart hath not been exalted: nor have mine eyes been lifted up. The Lord hath blessed thee in His power: who by thee hath reduced to naught our enemies. Blessed be He who hath sanctified thee: and who hath brought thee forth pure from thy mother's womb. Blessed be He who hath overshadowed thee: and by His grace hath given thee fecundity. Bless us, O Lady, and strengthen us in thy grace: that by thee we may be presented before the sight of the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon 1
Bless us, O Lady, and strengthen us in thy grace: that by thee we may be presented before the sight of the Lord. He has food to eat which we do not know. (Matthew 4:32)

FIRST READING  
Christ-oriented texts

SECOND READING
Mary-oriented texts

RESPONSORY

When my spirit shall go forth, Lady, let it be commended to thee.
 - When my spirit shall go forth, Lady, let it be commended to thee.

Lead it to the harbor of salvation: there let it await securely the coming of the Redeemer.
 - When my spirit shall go forth, Lady, let it be commended to thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
 - When my spirit shall go forth, Lady, let it be commended to thee.

Psalm 145

Antiphon
+ I will praise thee, O Lady, because by thee the Lord has been rendered favorable unto me. He will satisfy my hunger with good things.

I will praise thee, O Lady, because by thee the Lord has been rendered favorable unto me: and has consoled me. Behold, Lady, thou art my savior: I will deal confidently in thee, and will not be confounded. For thou art my strength and my praise in the Lord: and thou hast become salvation unto me. I will draw waters in joy from the rivulet: and I will always invoke thy name. Make known among the peoples the virtues of Our Lady: for her name is exceedingly sublime. Exalt her and praise her, all the human race: because the Lord my God has given to thee such a mediatrix.

Canticle in Honor of Mary
The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Antiphon
I will praise thee, O Lady, because by thee the Lord has been rendered favorable unto me. He will satisfy my hunger with good things.

CONCLUSION

Lady of the angels, Queen of the world: purify my heart with the fire of love and of thy charity. Thou art the mother of the illumination of my heart: thou art the nurse who refreshes my mind. My mouth longs to praise thee: my mind devoutly aspires to venerate thee with ardent affection. My soul longs to pray to thee: because the whole of my being commends itself to thy guidance and teaching.

Psalm 40

I ask this through Jesus Christ, thy Son, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

+ Intercede for me, O Lady, with thy Christ: neither do thou forsake me in death or in life.
- Amen.

Psalms 83

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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Copyright © 2009 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

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