Mary

Patron ofAll Humanity, Mothers, Virgins, The Church

SituationsGrief, Motherhood, Pregnancy, Purity

ProfessionsMothers, Religious

Why this patronage

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of all humanity, and in a special way of mothers and of virgins, because in her these two states meet as in no other creature: she is at once the Virgin who said “yes” to the angel and the Mother who bore the Son of God, so that virgins look to her purity and mothers to her motherhood. She is patroness of the whole Church because from the Cross her Son gave her to the beloved disciple, and through him to all the faithful, as their mother (John 19:26-27). Mothers in pregnancy and the grieving turn to her especially — to her who carried Christ in her womb and stood beneath his Cross. Under her countless titles she is invoked across the whole world.

Life

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, is the most venerated saint in the Catholic Church. Chosen by God to bear His Son Jesus Christ, she said “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation. Her life of faith, humility, and obedience is the model for all Christians. She is honored under many titles and her intercession is sought throughout the world.

Prayer

Salve Regina

Salve Regína,

Hail holy Queen,

mater misericórdiæ;

mother of mercy,

vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve.

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

Ad te clamámus

To thee do we cry,

éxsules fílii Evæ,

poor banished children of Eve,

ad te suspirámus,

to thee do we send up our sighs,

geméntes et flentes

mourning and weeping

in hac lacrimárum valle.

in this valley of tears.

Eia ergo, advocáta nostra,

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

illos tuos misericórdes óculos

thine eyes of mercy

ad nos convérte:

toward us,

et Iesum,

and after this our exile

benedíctum fructum ventris tui,

show unto us

nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.

the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix.

V. Pray for us Holy Mother of God.

R. Ut digni efficiamur

R. That we may be made worthy

promissiónibus Christi.

of the promises of Christ.