Virgo Potens

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 12th 12th DAY And whence is this to me that the Mother of My Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43 THE VISITATION As we picture the meeting of St. Elizabeth and our Blessed Lady we must be deeply impressed with the unselfish charity of our Mother Mary! The most unique gift granted by God to mortal woman was now possessed by Mary, the most sublime of all dignity is hers. After a thanksgiving of unparalleled fervor Mary promptly sets out on a visit of charity and felicitation to the expectant mother of John the Baptist. Not Mary, but Heaven reveals to St. Elizabeth the truth that Mary is the Mother of God! Mary had come to diffuse her kindly aid and sweet benediction upon Elizabeth, not to parade her own unapproachable excellence. Her humility shrank from the latter, her charity prompted the former. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 12th DAY And whence is this to me that the Mother of My Lord should come to me? Luke 1:43

Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians MARY, Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, thou seest how the Catholic Faith, in which we propose by the help of God to live and die, and so attain to eternal glory, is everywhere assailed by the devil and the world. Do thou, Help of Christians, renew thy victories as of old, for the salvation of thy children. To thee we entrust our firm purpose of never joining assemblies of heretics or sectaries. Do thou, all holy, offer to thy divine Son our resolutions, and obtain from him the graces necessary to enable us to remain steadfast in them to the end. Bring consolation to the visible head of the Church; support the Catholic Episcopate; protect the Clergy and the people who proclaim thee Queen ; hasten by the power of thy prayers the day when all nations shall be gathered together around the Supreme Pastor. Amen. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us. 300 Days, once a day. Leo XIII, December 20, 1890 ~ The Raccolta (1910)

HYMN What mortal tongue can sing thy praise, Dear Mother of the Lord? To Angels only it belongs Thy glory to record. Who born of man can penetrate Thy soul's majestic shrine? Who can thy mighty gifts unfold, Or rightly them divine? Say, Virgin, what sweet force was that Which from the Father's breast, Drew forth His co-eternal Son, To be thy bosom's guest? 'Twas not thy guileless faith alone That lifted thee so high, 'Twas not thy pure seraphic love Nor peerless chastity. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 11th 11th DAY And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the Virgin was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27 THE ANNUNCIATION It requires but a slight effort of the imagination to picture this beautiful scene. The Angel sent from God stands before Mary who is kneeling in prayer. Their eyes meet, the message is delivered, and the holy rapture of both messenger and recipient glows on the countenance of each. The redemption of fallen man is secured and sealed by the reply of Mary:—"Be it done unto me according to thy word." With this scene clearly visualized in our minds how can we ever tire of repeating over and over again the ever refreshing inspiration expressed in the divinely thrilling phrases of the Hail Mary! ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 11th DAY And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the Virgin was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27

HYMN Mother dear, O! pray for me, Whilst far from heaven and thee I wander in a fragile bark, O'er life's tempestuous sea; O Virgin Mother, from thy throne, So bright in bliss above, Protect thy child and cheer my path With thy sweet smile of love. Chorus Mother dear, remember me And never cease thy care 'Till in heaven eternally, Thy love and bliss I share. Mother dear, O! pray for me Should pleasure's siren lay E'er tempt thy child to wander far From Virtue's path away; When thorns beset life's devious way And darkling waters flow, Then Mary, aid thy weeping child, Thyself a mother show. ~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 10th 10th DAY And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35 THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES While reciting the first five decades of the rosary our Holy Mother the Church asks us to contemplate in succession the gladness and joy that thrilled Mary as she realized the privilege of her marvelous and sacred motherhood of the Holy One, promised of old as the Redeemer of mankind! The holy rapture and sacred ecstacy that accompanied every episode from the Annunciation to the Finding in the Temple prepared and strengthened Mary for the desolation and “sword of grief" that later was to pierce her soul. Contemplation of these sacred mysteries strengthens our trust in Mary and secures us against the danger of presumption when we are blessed with spiritual joy and consolation. Mary accepted her joys with serenity, ours should be accepted with gratitude and humility. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 10th DAY And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

St. Luke, pray for us. Novena to St. Luke, Evangelist October 9th - October 17th Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

PRAYER Queen of the most Holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God’s justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, the while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most Holy Rosary: Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. An indulgence of 500 days (Leo XIII, Audience July 3, 1886; S. P. Ap., April 29, 1933). ~ The Raccolta (1943)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 9th 9th DAY My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47 THE MYSTERIES Each decade of the rosary commemorates a particular event called a mystery in Mary's existence. And while saying the rosary we should devoutly meditate upon the event suggested by these mysteries. The Joyful Mysteries cluster about the happy motherhood of Mary; the Sorrowful Mysteries present her to us as the Co-Redemptrix of our fallen race; while the Glorious Mysteries relate the reward and triumph that is hers for all eternity. Hers was the privilege to bring the Savior of mankind into the world; to share with Him by sympathy and by suffering His sacred passion and death; and finally to be placed by Him on the exalted throne in heaven where for all eternity she reigns Queen of Angels and of men. With the contemplation of these mysteries before us the recitation of the rosary must ever grow dearer and sweeter and more and more sublime. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 9th DAY My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47

HYMN Ave Maria, Gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Benedicta tu In mulieribus Et benedictus Fructus ventris Tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria Mater DEI Ora pro nobis Peccatoribus, Nunc, et in hora Mortis nostræ. (Gounod) Amen.

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 8th 8th DAY Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42 THE HAIL MARY The Hail Mary consists of the utterances of the Angel, of St. Elizabeth, and of the Church. By the Angel, Mary is told that she possesses the plenitude of grace and is to be the mother of the Redeemer; by St. Elizabeth, the prophesy is made that Mary shall be blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of her womb; and the Church adds the petition to Mary to pray for us. Thus did Angel, Prophetess and Church unite in formulating for us this most simple, and most familiar of all prayers—the Hail Mary. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 8th 8th DAY Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42 THE HAIL MARY The Hail Mary consists of the utterances of the Angel, of St. Elizabeth, and of the Church. By the Angel, Mary is told that she possesses the plenitude of grace and is to be the mother of the Redeemer; by St. Elizabeth, the prophesy is made that Mary shall be blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of her womb; and the Church adds the petition to Mary to pray for us. Thus did Angel, Prophetess and Church unite in formulating for us this most simple, and most familiar of all prayers—the Hail Mary. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

2 of 2 The Month of the Holy Rosary October 8th 8th DAY Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42 THE HAIL MARY The Hail Mary consists of the utterances of the Angel, of St. Elizabeth, and of the Church. By the Angel, Mary is told that she possesses the plenitude of grace and is to be the mother of the Redeemer; by St. Elizabeth, the prophesy is made that Mary shall be blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of her womb; and the Church adds the petition to Mary to pray for us. Thus did Angel, Prophetess and Church unite in formulating for us this most simple, and most familiar of all prayers—the Hail Mary. ~ The Rev. .Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)

1 of 2 8th DAY Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42

2 of 2 TO THEE, O BLESSED JOSEPH (continued from above) O most watchful Guardian of the Divine Family, defend the chosen children of JESUS CHRIST; O most loving Father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from Heaven assist us in this our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once thou didst rescue the Child JESUS from deadly peril, so now protect God's holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity: shield, too, each one of us by thy constant protection, so that, supported by thine example and thine aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in Heaven. Amen. i. Seven Years and Seven Quarantines, if said after the Rosary in October. ii. 300 Days, once a day, at other times (and in this case the words in italics are omitted). ~ The Raccolta (1910)

TO THEE, O BLESSED JOSEPH TO thee, O blessed Joseph, do we fly in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy most holy spouse, we confidently crave thy patronage also. Through that charity which bound thee to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and through the paternal love with which thou didst embrace the Child JESUS, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which JESUS CHRIST hath purchased by his Blood, and with thy power and strength to aid us in our necessities. (continued)