NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (From 29th November to 7th December; Feast day: December 8th)
Outline of Novena
i. Opening Hymn
ii. Invocation to the Holy Spirit
iii. Rosary
iv. Litany
v. Novena Prayer
vi. Talk and Meditation (Optional)
vii. Concluding Prayer
viii. Closing Hymn
(i) Opening Hymn:
Ave Maria, O Maiden, O Mother or Teach, O Teach Us Holy Mother
(ii) Invocation to the Holy Spirit
(iii) Rosary (5 decades)
(iv) Litany of the Blessed Virgin
(v) Novena Prayer:
Almighty Father, we offer this Novena to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, She occupies a place in the church which is highest after Christ and yet very close to us for you chose Her to give to the world that very life which renews all things, Jesus Christ Your Son and Our Lord.
And so we praise you Mary, Virgin and Mother. After the Saviour Himself You alone are all holy, free from all stain of sin gifted by God from the first instance of your conception with a unique holiness.
V: All fair are thee O Mary!
R: The original stain is not in thee.
V: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem
R: Thou art the joy of Israel.
V: Thou art the honour of our people.
R: Thou are advocate of sinners, O Mary!
V: Virgin most prudent: mother most tender
R: In thy conception, Virgin, Immaculate,
Pray for us to the Father whose Son was born of thee
V: Let us pray:
O Lord Jesus Christ, who has been pleased to glorify by countless miracles, the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary thy mother grant that always imploring Her necessities, we may attain to everlasting life. Amen (Here mention your petition for the novena silently )
V. O Mary conceived without sin, (thrice)
R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee (thrice)
(vi) Talk and Meditation (Optional)
(vii) Concluding prayer:
Blessed Holy Virgin, who was chosen to be the Mother of the Incarnate Wisdom and who thus didst become the Seat of Wisdom and the Mother of Good Counsel, and the faithful dispenser of heavenly gifts to us, thy adopted children, we supplicate thee to enlighten our understanding, to direct our steps, to console us by thy maternal protection, so that, exempted from all errors, sheltered from all dangers, strengthened against our enemies, we may with ardour and invincible courage walk in the path traced out for us by thee and thy divine son. We do not deserve so great a favour, but we know that thou art our mother, and dost not measure thy gifts to our merits, but according to the extent of thy power and the generosity of thy maternal heart. Filled with this confidence, we are assured that thy protection will never fail us, and we hope to thank thee in heaven singing thy praises forever. Amen.
V. O Mary conceived without sin,
R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee
The Memorare....
We fly to thy patronage...
(viii) Closing Hymns
Daily, Daily Sing to Mary/O Purest of Creatures.