Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate: Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Walsingham

One year ago, my family was in England on vacation. Our holiday included, among other things, a pilgrimmage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham on her feast day of 24 September. Our Lady of Walsingham is the patroness of the Anderson household.

Over the next 9 days, I will be praying the Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Walsingham, just as I did 1 year ago during my pilgrimmage. I invite you to pray with me during this time leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Day 3: The Birth of Our Lord

Intention: For the protection and sanctity of life, and for families

Thoughts: "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn. 1:14). For our sake and for our salvation He came down from Heaven, Emmanuel, God-with-us. His presence blessed and sanctified the life of an earthly home, and made of it His Heaven, so that the family becomes a place of security, love and peace. He humbled Himself to share our humanity that we might share His divinity.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, Creator of all, in history's moment when all was ready, you sent your Son to dwell among us, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel. Teach us to respect the dignity of marriage, and to uphold the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death, that our homes may reflect the love of the Holy Family, and of our eternal home.. Amen.

A selection of daily prayers for the Novena:

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary ...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.
Hail Mary ...
And the Word was made flesh,
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary ...
Pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, by the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Angelus)

All holy and ever-living God, in giving us Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Brother, you gave us Mary, His Mother, to be our Mother also; grant us, we pray you, that we may be worthy of so great a Brother and so dear a Mother. May we come at last to You the Father of us all through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. (Roman Catholic Pilgrim Handbook)

O God, our Father, through the Holy Spirit You prepared the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, to be a fit dwelling place for Your Son. As we recall with joy her appearing at Walsingham, grant that through her motherly intercession we may be preserved from evil and given health of soul and body. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your Divine Son, dying on the cross, confided us to your maternal care. You are our Mother, we desire ever to remain your devout children. Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ. make your name again glorious in the place once renowned throughout England by your visits, favours and many miracles. Pray O holy Mother of God for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed. O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. Amen. (Anglican Pilgrim Manual)

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy Dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee, it was that Jesus, our Savior and our hope, was given unto the world; and he has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother, intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works, we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home. Amen. (Prayer for England)

O gracious Lady, glory of Jerusalem, Cypress of Sion and Joy of Israel, Rose of Jericho and Star of Bethlehem, O gracious Lady, our asking do not repel, in mercy all women ever thou dost excel. Therefore, Blessed Lady, grant then thy great grace, to all that thee devoutly visit in this place. Amen. (15th century Prayer to Our Lady of Walsingham)

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.