Today, I am sharing a prayer from the last portion of St. Alphonsus Liguori‘s Glories of Mary. St. Alphonsus (b. 1696- d. 1787) was the sort who did not shy away from recognizing the fact that while we are alive, we are in a battle: good vs. evil; and we need heavenly advocates to assist us to make it to heaven. The advocate most heartily recommended by St. Alphonsus is the advocate that Our Lord gave to us in the final minutes of His holy life: His Mother. At that moment, the Mother of Christ became Our Mother, and her name is Mary.
When Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in France in 1830, she stated that she had innumerable graces to shed on those who call upon her; and she, politely, lamented the fact that many graces were essentially wasted as there was a lack of persons supplicating for them. Let us be the ones who call upon her, and win the graces needed for our sanctification; the sanctification of our friends and families, and for the world.
But, for today, the following is a prayer specifically intended for our families. From the pen of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus Liguori, the following is a prayer of dedication of a family to Mary:
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Queen and Mother, the refuge and consolation of all troubled souls! I kneel here before thee with my family and choose thee for my Lady, Mother, and Advocate with God. I dedicate myself and all who belong to me to thy service forever. I beg thee, O Mother of God, to receive us into the company of thy servants. Take us under thy protection. Help us in life and at the hour of our death. Mother of Mercy, I name thee Lady and Queen of my family and relatives, my interests and all my undertakings. Take charge of them; dispose of everything as it pleases thee. Bless me and all my family. Never let any of us offend thy Son. In every temptation defend us; protect us in every danger; provide for us in the necessities of life; counsel us in doubt; comfort us in every sorrow, in every sickness, and especially in the final sorrow of death. Never let the powers of Hell boast that they have enslaved any of those who here consecrate themselves to thee. Grant that we may all enter into Heaven to thank thee and, in thy company, to praise and love Jesus our Redeemer for all eternity. Amen. Thus, may it be.
Amen.
So be it.
May you have a good day.
~SCF
~Image: this picture of Our Mother was snapped this week by R. Anne in Italy. ♥