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Mariology: Prayers / Devotions

Roman Catholic Mariology deals with the life and role of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as her veneration, throughout the ages, in theology, prayer, hymns, art, music, and architecture.

Oldest Known Prayer to Mary - 250 CE

Sub Tuum

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

The Magnificat

The Magnificat, taken from Luke's Gospel (1:46-55), is the Blessed Virgin Mary's hymn of praise to the Lord. It is also known as the Canticle of Mary in the Liturgy.

The Hail Mary

The Hail Mary Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

The Rosary

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) 

 "Blessed are you among women,
 and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42). 

From the 16th to the early 20th century, the structure of the rosary remained essentially unchanged. There were 15 mysteries, one for each of the 15 decades. In the 20th century the addition of the Fatima Prayer to the end of each decade became more common. There were no other changes until 2002 when John Paul II instituted five optional new Luminous Mysteries.

The Angelus

The Angelus (Latin for "angel") is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ ("... the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary ...") and is practiced by reciting as versicle and response three Biblical verses describing the mystery; alternating with the salutation "Hail Mary!" The Angelus exemplifies a species of prayers called the prayer of the devotee. The devotion was traditionally recited in Roman Catholic churches, convents, and monasteries three times daily: 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm (many churches still follow the devotion, and some practice it at home). The Angelus is usually accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell, which is a call to prayer and to spread good-will to everyone on Earth. The angel referred to in the prayer is Gabriel, a messenger of God who revealed to Mary that she would conceive a child to be born the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38).

Intercession and Veneration

From earliest times Mary's intercession was believed to be especially efficacious on behalf of humankind and the church; since the Middle Ages, recitation of the rosary has been among the most popular expressions of Marian devotion. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the mediatrix of all graces.
 
[From "Mary, the Mother of Jesus". In The Columbia Encyclopedia, Columbia University and Paul Lagasse. New York: Columbia University Press, 2015.]

Principal Feasts Honoring Mary

...are the Assumption (Aug. 15), the Birthday of Our Lady (Sept. 8), the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), the Purification (Feb. 2: see Candlemas), and the Annunciation or Lady Day (Mar. 25).

[From "Mary, the Mother of Jesus". In The Columbia Encyclopedia, Columbia University and Paul Lagasse. New York: Columbia University Press, 2015.]

Marian Prayers

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Angelus 

Ave Maria 

Ave Maris Stella 

Ave Regina Caelorum 

Fatima Prayer 

Magnificat 

Memorare 

Regina Coeli 

Rosary 

Salve Regina 

Sub Tuum Praesidium

Three Hail Marys

Pope Francis' Favorite Marian Devotion: Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Above: Pamphlet from Steubenville Press available at Amazon.com.

Mother Teresa prayed to emulate Mary’s devotion to Christ.

"Mary, Mother of Jesus, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate, so full of love and humility that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him as You loved Him and serve Him as You served Him in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor. Amen."

Litany of Loreto

May Coronation of the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Library of Congress Subject Headings