A prayer to Mary of thanksgiving and hope, Mary, Day: 130

A prayer to Mary of thanksgiving and hope, Mary, Day: 130 November 28, 2015

year_with_mary_alphonsus_3A prayer to Mary of thanksgiving and hope

St. Alphonsus is always careful to include praise and thanksgiving along with his petitions to Our Lady.

O my soul, see what a sure hope of salvation and eternal life our Lord has given you, by having in his mercy inspired you with confidence in the patron- age of his mother! And he has done this despite the many times when, by your sins, you have merited his displeasure and hell. Thank your God, and thank your protector Mary, who has condescended to take you under her mantle.

O yes, I do thank you, my most loving mother, for all you have done for me—I who am deserving of hell. And from how many dangers have you delivered me, O Queen! How many inspirations and mercies have you obtained for me from God! What service, what honor, have I ever rendered you, that you should do so much for me?

I know that it is only your goodness that has compelled you. Even if I were to shed my blood and give my life for you, it would be too little in comparison with all that I owe you. For you have delivered me from eternal death. You have enabled me, as I hope, to recover divine grace. To you, in short, I owe all I have.

My most amiable Lady, poor wretch that I am, I can make you no return but that of always loving and praising you. Don’t disdain to accept the tender affection of a poor sinner, who is enflamed with love for your goodness. If my heart is unworthy to love you, because it is impure and filled with earthly affections, it is you who must change it. Change it, then. Bind me to my God, and bind me so that I may never more have it in my power to separate myself from his love. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
When I approach Mary in prayer, do I spend all my time asking for favors? Or do I also take the time to thank and praise her for her kindness to me?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Bonaventure: O Mary, may my heart never cease to love you, and my tongue never cease to praise you.

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