Salutation to the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Saint
Francis of Assisi
Salutation to the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Hail, holy Lady, most holy
Queen,
Mary, Mother of God,
ever-virgin;
Chosen by the most holy
Father in Heaven,
consecrated by Him
with His most holy and
beloved Son
and the Holy Spirit, the
Comforter.
On you descended
and in you still remains
all the fullness of grace
and every good.
Hail, His palace.
Hail, His tabernacle.
Hail, His robe.
Hail, His handmaid.
Hail, His mother.
And hail, all holy
virtues,
who by the grace
and inspiration of the
Holy Spirit
are poured into the hearts
of the faithful so that,
faithless no longer,
they may be faithful
servants of God through you.
Amen.
Gaelic Litany to Our Lady (8th Century)
Translated by Eugene O'Curry
O Great Mary, pray for us.
O Mary, greatest of
Maries, pray for us.
O Greatest of women, pray
for us.
O Queen of angels, pray
for us.
O Mistress of the heavens,
pray for us.
O Woman full and replete
with the grace of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
O Blessed and most
blessed, pray for us.
O Mother of Eternal Glory,
pray for us.
O Mother of the heavenly
and earthly Church, pray for us.
O Mother of Love and
Indulgence, pray for us.
O Mother of the Golden
Heights, pray for us.
O Honor of the sky, pray
for us.
O Sign of tranquillity,
pray for us.
O Gate of Heaven, pray for
us.
O Golden Vessel, pray for
us.
O Couch of Love and Mercy,
pray for us.
O Temple of Divinity, pray
for us.
O Beauty of virgins, pray
for us.
O Mistress of the tribes,
pray for us.
O Fountain of gardens,
pray for us.
O Cleansing of sins, pray
for us.
O Purifying of souls, pray
for us.
O Mother of orphans, pray
for us.
O Breast of infants, pray
for us.
O Solace of the wretched,
pray for us.
O Star of the sea, pray
for us.
O Handmaid of the Lord,
pray for us.
O Mother of Christ, pray
for us.
O Resort of the Lord, pray
for us.
O Graceful like the dove,
pray for us.
O Serene like the moon,
pray for us.
O Resplendent like the
sun, pray for us.
O Cancelling Eve's
disgrace, pray for us.
O Regeneration of life,
pray for us.
O Beauty of women, pray
for us.
O Leader of virgins, pray
for us.
O Garden Enclosed, pray
for us.
O Fountain sealed up, pray
for us.
O Mother of God, pray for
us.
O Perpetual Virgin, pray
for us.
O Holy Virgin, pray for
us.
O Prudent Virgin, pray for
us.
O Serene Virgin, pray for
us.
O Chaste Virgin, pray for
us.
O Temple of the Living
God, pray for us.
O Royal Throne of the
Eternal King, pray for us.
O Sanctuary of the Holy
Spirit, pray for us.
O Virgin of the Root of
Jesse, pray for us.
O Cedar of Mount Lebanon,
pray for us.
O Cypress of Mount Sion,
pray for us.
O Crimson Rose of the Land
of Jacob, pray for us.
O Blooming like the palm
tree, pray for us.
O Fruitful like the olive
tree, pray for us.
O Glorious Son-bearer,
pray for us.
O Light of Nazareth, pray
for us.
O Glory of Jerusalem, pray
for us.
O Beauty of the world,
pray for us.
O Noblest-Born of the
Christian flock, pray for us.
O Queen of Life, pray for
us.
O Ladder of Heaven, pray
for us.
Prayer to Our
Lady Comforter of the Afflicted
Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and our most
compassionate Mother,
we present ourselves in
thy sight in all humility,
and with full confidence
we implore thee for thy
maternal patronage.
Thou hast been proclaimed
by Holy Church
the Comforter of the
Afflicted,
and to thee constant
recourse is had
by the sorrowful in their
afflictions,
the sick in their
maladies,
the dying in their agony,
the poor in their
straitened circumstances,
those who stand in all
manner of need
in both public and private
calamities;
and from thee they all
receive consolation and strength.
Our dearest Mother,
turn upon us also,
wretched sinners that we
are,
thy merciful eyes,
and graciously accept our
humble and confident prayers.
Aid us in all our
spiritual and temporal necessities,
deliver us from all evil
and especially from sin,
which is the greatest
evil,
and from all danger of
falling into it;
obtain for us from thy Son
Jesus
every blessing of which
thou seest we stand in need
both in soul and body,
and especially the
greatest blessing of all,
which is Divine grace.
Comfort our spirits,
troubled and afflicted in
the midst of the many dangers that threaten us,
and the countless miseries
and misfortunes that beset us on every side.
This we ask through that
immense joy
which filled thy pure soul
in the glorious
Resurrection of thy Divine Son.
Obtain tranquillity for
Holy Church,
help and comfort for her
visible Head,
the Sovereign Pontiff,
peace for Christian
princes,
refreshment in their pains
for the Holy Souls in Purgatory;
for sinners, the
forgiveness of their sins,
and for the just,
perseverance in well-doing.
Receive us all, our most
tender Mother,
under thy loving and
mighty protection,
that we may be enabled to
live virtuously,
die holily and attain to
everlasting happiness in Heaven.
Amen.
Mother of Grace
Saint
Albertus Magnus
Mother of Grace
"Do not be afraid,
Mary,
for you have found favour
with God."
For note, Mary,
for you have found grace,
not taken it as Lucifer
tried to so.
You have found grace,
not lost it as Adam did.
You have found favour with
God
because you desired and
sought it.
You have found uncreated
Grace,
that is, God himself
became your Son,
and with the Grace
you have found and
obtained every uncreated good.
The Akathist Hymn
Having secretly received
the command,
the Archangel hastened into Joseph's abode
and
spoke to the Holy Virgin.
He Who bowed the Heavens with His
descending,
is wholly contained, yet unchanged in You.
And
seeing Him taking the likeness of a servant in your womb,
I stand
in amazement and cry unto you:
Rejoice, O
Unwedded Bride [3
times]
Kontakion 1
Unto you, O Theotokos, invincible
Champion,
your City [or "we your people"],
in
thanksgiving ascribes the victory for the deliverance from
sufferings.
And having your might unassailable,
free us from
all dangers,
so that we may cry unto you:
Rejoice, O
Unwedded Bride.
Eikos 1
The Archangel was sent from
Heaven to cry 'Rejoice!' to the Theotokos.
And beholding You, O
Lord,
taking bodily form,
he stood in awe,
and with his
bodiless voice he cried aloud to her such things as these:
Rejoice,
you through whom joy shall shine forth.
Rejoice, you through whom
the curse will vanish.
Rejoice, the Restoration of fallen
Adam.
Rejoice, the Redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice, O
Height beyond human logic.
Rejoice, O depth invisible even to the
eyes of Angels.
Rejoice, for you are the King's throne.
Rejoice,
you bear Him, Who bears the universe.
Rejoice, O Star revealing
the Sun.
Rejoice, O Womb of divine Incarnation.
Rejoice, you
through whom creation is renewed.
Rejoice, you through whom the
Creator is born a Babe.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion
2
Beholding herself in purity,
the holy one courageously
said to Gabriel:
Your strange voice seems almost unbelievable to
my soul;
for how do you speak of birth-giving without
seed?
And
she cried aloud:
Alleluia.
Eikos 2
Seeking to
know the incomprehensible knowledge,
the Virgin cried to him who
ministered to her:
How may a Son be born from a virginal
womb?
Tell me! To her he answered in fear, yet crying
thus:
Rejoice, O seer of the ineffable Will.
Rejoice, O
surety of those praying in silence.
Rejoice, you the Preface of
Christ's miracles.
Rejoice, you the Pinnacle of His
commandments.
Rejoice, O heavenly Ladder, by which God
descended.
Rejoice, O Bridge leading those from earth to
Heaven.
Rejoice, O Miracle, much marveled of Angels.
Rejoice, O
trauma, much dirged of demons.
Rejoice, you who ineffably gave
birth to the Light.
Rejoice, you who revealed the mystery to
none.
Rejoice, O knowledge superseding the wise.
Rejoice, You
who enlighten the minds of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Unwedded
Bride
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High then
overshadowed
the Virgin,
that she might conceive;
and her fruitful womb He
made a fertile meadow
for all those desiring to reap salvation, as
they chant:
Alleluia.
Eikos 3
Carrying God in her womb,
the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth,
whose unborn babe forthwith
recognizing Mary's salutation rejoiced,
and with leaps as it were
with songs, he cried out to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O branch
of the unwithering Vine.
Rejoice, O Land yielding the untainted
Fruit.
Rejoice, O Husbandry of the merciful Husbandman.
Rejoice,
O birthgiver to the Planter of our life.
Rejoice, O Field bearing
abundant compassion.
Rejoice, O Table laden with an abundance of
mercies.
Rejoice, for you make the meadow produce
contentment.
Rejoice, for you prepare a haven for souls.
Rejoice,
acceptable Incense of intercession.
Rejoice, Oblation for all the
world.
Rejoice, Favour of God to mortals.
Rejoice, Access of
mortals to God.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion
4
Having doubtful thoughts, the righteous Joseph
was
troubled;
for he suspected a secret union as he beheld you
unwed,
O blameless one;
but when he learned of your conception
through the Holy Spirit, he cried:
Alleluia.
Eikos
4
On hearing the Angels praising the incarnate
presence of
Christ,
the shepherds hastened as to a Shepherd,
and beholding
Him as a spotless Lamb pastured in Mary's womb, her they hymned and
said:
Rejoice, Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd.
Rejoice,
Fold of the rational sheep.
Rejoice, O Defense against invisible
foes.
Rejoice, Opener of the gates of Paradise.
Rejoice, for
the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth.
Rejoice, the things
of earth join chorus with the Heavens.
Rejoice, never-silent Voice
of the Apostles.
Rejoice, never-conquered Courage of the
Martyrs.
Rejoice, firm Support of the Faith.
Rejoice, shining
Token of grace.
Rejoice, you through whom Hades was laid
bare.
Rejoice, you through whom we are clothed with
glory.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion
5
Beholding the Godward-pointing Star,
the Magi followed
its radiance;
and holding it as a lantern,
they sought through
it the mighty King.
And having approached the Unreachable, they
rejoiced and cried to Him:
Alleluia.
Eikos 5
The
sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him
Who by His
hand fashioned man;
and sensing Him as Lord,
even though He had
taken the form of a servant,
they hastened with gifts to do
homage,
and they cried out to her who is blessed:
Rejoice,
Mother of the never-setting Star.
Rejoice, Dawn of the mystic
Day.
Rejoice, you who have quenched the fiery furnace
of
error.
Rejoice, you who enlighten the initiates of the
Trinity.
Rejoice, you who have removed the inhuman tyrant
from
power.
Rejoice, you who have shown Christ, the
man-befriending
Lord.
Rejoice, you who have redeemed us from the pagan
religion.
Rejoice, you who have rescued us from the works
of
mire.
Rejoice, you who ceased the worship of fire.
Rejoice, you
who saves us from the flames of passions.
Rejoice, Guide of the
faithful to chastity.
Rejoice, O Delight of all generations.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion 6
Having
become God-bearing heralds, the Magi returned to Babylon.
Fulfilling
Your prophecy,
and having preached You as the Christ to all,
they
left Herod as a trifler,
who knew not how to
chant:
Alleluia.
Eikos 6
Having shed the light
of truth in Egypt,
You expelled the darkness of falsehood;
and
unable to bear Your strength, O Saviour, her idols fell;
and they
that were set free from them cried to the Theotokos:
Rejoice,
Uplifting of men.
Rejoice, Downfall of demons.
Rejoice, you who
trampled upon the delusion of error.
Rejoice, you who censured the
deceit of the idols.
Rejoice, Sea which drowned the symbolic
Pharaoh.
Rejoice, Rock which refreshed those thirsting
for
life.
Rejoice, Pillar of fire, guiding those in
darkness.
Rejoice,
Protection of the world, more spacious than a cloud.
Rejoice,
Nourishment, successor to manna.
Rejoice, Minister of holy
joy.
Rejoice, Land of promise.
Rejoice, you from whom flows
milk and honey.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion
7
When Symeon was prepared to leave from this age
of
deception,
You were presented to him as a newborn Babe,
but he
recognized You as perfect God.
Wherefore, he marveled at Your
ineffable wisdom, chanting:
Alleluia.
Eikos 7
New
was the Creation which the Creator showed to us His creatures
when
He sprang forth from the seedless womb;
and He preserved it
incorrupt, even as it was,
that we, seeing this Miracle, may
praise her and say:
Rejoice, Flower of incorruption.
Rejoice,
Crown of self-restraint.
Rejoice, O shining Token of
Resurrection.
Rejoice, you whom reflects the life of the
Angels.
Rejoice, Tree of delectable Fruit that nourishes
the
faithful.
Rejoice, well-shaded Tree under which many find
shelter.
Rejoice you who bears the Guide of those astray.
Rejoice,
you who gives birth to the Redeemer of captives.
Rejoice,
Intercession before the righteous Judge.
Rejoice, Forgiveness for
many transgressors.
Rejoice, Robe of confidence for those bare of
courage.
Rejoice, Tenderness conquering all desire.
Rejoice,
O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion 8
Seeing a strange
childbirth,
let us estrange ourselves from the world
by
transporting our minds to Heaven;
to this end the Most High God
appeared on earth a lowly man,
that He might draw to the heights
those who cry out to Him:
Alleluia.
Eikos 8
The
Infinite Word was wholly present with those on earth,
yet never
absent from those in Heaven;
for this was a divine condescension
and not a mere change of place;
and His birth was from a Virgin
chosen of God,
who heard such words as these:
Rejoice,
Land of the Uncontained God.
Rejoice, Gate of the sacred
mystery.
Rejoice, doubted Rumor of the faithless.
Rejoice,
undoubted Pride of the faithful.
Rejoice, all-holy Chariot of Him
Who is above the Cherubim.
Rejoice, most excellent Dwelling-place
of Him Who is above the Seraphim.
Rejoice, you who conducts the
opposites of unity.
Rejoice, you who has woven maidenhood into
motherhood.
Rejoice, you through whom transgression is
annulled.
Rejoice, you through whom Paradise is open.
Rejoice,
Key of the Kingdom of Christ.
Rejoice, Hope of eternal
blessings.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride
Kontakion 9
All
angel-kind was amazed by the great deed of Your Incarnation;
for
they saw the inaccessible God as Man accessible to all,
dwelling
among us and hearing from all:
Alleluia.
Eikos
9
Orators most eloquent do we behold mute as fish
before you,
O Theotokos;
for they are at loss to explain how you could
remain
a virgin and yet give birth.
But as for us, marveling at this
mystery, we cry with faith:
Rejoice, Vessel of the Wisdom of
God.
Rejoice, Treasury of His providence.
Rejoice, you who
prove the philosophers fools.
Rejoice, you who prove the logicians
illogical.
Rejoice, for the subtle debaters are
confounded.
Rejoice, for the inventors of myths are faded
away.
Rejoice, you who break the webs of the Athenians.
Rejoice,
you who fill the nets of the Fishermen.
Rejoice, you who draw us
from the depths of ignorance.
Rejoice, you who enlighten many with
knowledge.
Rejoice, Raft for those who desire to be
saved.
Rejoice, Haven for those who fare on the sea of
life.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion 10
Wishing
to save the world,
to this end did the Ruler of all come of His
own will;
and though as God He is the Shepherd,
for us He
appeared as a Man like us;
for by this likeness He called those of
like kind,
yet as God He hears:
Alleluia
Eikos
10
You are a fortress protecting all virgins,
O Theotokos
and Virgin;
for the Master of heaven and earth prepared you,
O
Immaculate One,
and dwelt in your womb,
and taught all to cry
out to you:
Rejoice, Pillar of virginity.
Rejoice, Gate of
salvation.
Rejoice, Leader of spiritual restoration.
Rejoice,
Bestower of divine goodness.
Rejoice, for you regenerated those
conceived in shame.
Rejoice, for you gave guidance to the
thoughtless.
Rejoice, you who abolished the corrupter of
hearts.
Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of
chastity.
Rejoice, bridal Chamber of a seedless marriage.
Rejoice,
you who joined the faithful to the Lord.
Rejoice, fair
Nursing-mother of virgins.
Rejoice, bridal Escort of holy souls.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion 11
Defeated
is every hymn that strives to pay homage
to the multitude of Your
many compassions;
for even should we offer You, O holy King,
odes
of praise numberless as the sands,
we should still have done
nothing worthy
of what You have given to us who cry to
You:
Alleluia.
Eikos 11
As a brilliant
beacon-light shining to those in darkness
do we behold the holy
Virgin;
for she kindles the celestial Light
and leads all to
divine knowledge;
she illuminates our minds with radiance
and
is honoured by these our cries:
Rejoice, Ray of the spiritual
Sun.
Rejoice, Beam of the innermost Splendour.
Rejoice,
Lightning, enlightening our souls.
Rejoice, Thunder, striking down
the enemy.
Rejoice, for you caused the many-starred Light
to
dawn.
Rejoice, for you caused the ever-flowing River
to gush
forth.
Rejoice, you who depict the image of the Font.
Rejoice,
you who wash away the stain of sin.
Rejoice, Laver purifying
conscience.
Rejoice, Wine-bowl over-filled with joy.
Rejoice,
sweet-scented Fragrance of Christ.
Rejoice, Life of mystic
festival.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride
Kontakion
12
Wishing to bestow His grace,
He that forgives the
ancient debts of all mankind came of His own will
to dwell among
those who departed from His favour;
and tearing up writ of
indebtedness, He hears from all:
Alleluia.
Eikos
12
Whilst praising your Offspring,
we all praise you, O
Theotokos, as a living temple;
for the Lord, Who holds all things
in His hand,
dwelt in your womb,
and He sanctified and
glorified you,
and taught all to cry to you:
Rejoice,
Tabernacle of God the Word.
Rejoice, Holy one, holier than the
Holies.
Rejoice, Ark made golden by the Spirit.
Rejoice,
inexhaustible Treasury of Life.
Rejoice, precious Diadem of godly
kings.
Rejoice, venerable Boast of faithful priests.
Rejoice,
unshakeable Tower of the Church.
Rejoice, impregnable fortress of
the Kingdom.
Rejoice, you through whom trophies are raised
up.
Rejoice, you whom enemies are cast down.
Rejoice, Healing
of my flesh.
Rejoice, Salvation of my soul.
Rejoice, O
Unwedded Bride.
Kontakion 13
[3 times]
O all-hymned
Mother, worthy of all praise,
who brought forth the Word,
the
Holiest of all Saints,
as you receive this our offering,
rescue
us all from every calamity,
and deliver from future torment those
who cry with one voice:
Alleluia.
Eikos 1
Repeated
The
Archangel was sent from Heaven to cry:
Rejoice! to the
Theotokos.
And beholding You, O Lord,
taking bodily form, he
stood in awe,
and with his bodiless voice he cried aloud to
her
such things as these:
Rejoice, you through whom joy shall
shine.
Rejoice, you the Redemption of the tears of Eve.
Rejoice,
Height hard to climb for human thought.
Rejoice, Depth hard to
explore even for the eyes of Angels.
Rejoice, for you are the
Throne of the King.
Rejoice, for you sustained the Sustainer of
all.
Rejoice, Star that causes the Sun to appear.
Rejoice, Womb
of the divine Incarnation.
Rejoice, you through whom creation is
renewed.
Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is born a
Babe.
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride
Kontakion 1
Repeated
Unto
you, O Theotokos, invincible Champion, your City,
in thanksgiving
ascribes the victory for the deliverance from sufferings.
And
having your might unassailable,
free us from all dangers,
so
that we may cry unto you:
