Be

Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou King also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and refuse not Thou to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.

Issued with the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness, Leo XIII, dated May 25, 1899, on the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

ACTS TO BE made at A VISIT TO THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

(By St. Alphonsus.)

Most Holy Immaculate Virgin and my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the Advocate, the Hope, and the Refuge of sinners, I have recourse today, I who am the most miserable of all. I render thee my most humble homages, O great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces thou hast conferred on me until now; particularly for having delivered me from Hell, which I have so often deserved. I love thee, O most amiable Lady; and for the love which I bear thee, I promise to serve thee always, and to do all in my power to make others love thee also. I place in thee all my hopes, I confide my salvation to thy care. Accept me for thy servant, and receive me under thy mantle, O Mother of Mercy!

And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations; or rather obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death. Of thee I ask a perfect

love for Jesus Christ. From thee I hope to die a good death. O my Mother, by the love which thou bearest to God, I beseech thee to help me at all times, but especially at the last moment of my life. Leave me not, I beseech thee, until thou seest me safe in Heaven, blessing thee and singing thy mercies for all eternity. Amen. So I hope. So may it be.

An Indulgence of 300 days as often as this prayer is recited with contrition for one's sins before a picture or image of the Blessed Virgin.

A Plenary Indulgence once a month, if said daily. The usual conditions are to be fulfilled. Pius IX, Sept. 7, 1854. (Raccolta, 1903, p. 307.)

THE MAGNIFICAT; OR, CANTICLE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

My soul doth magnify the Lord; And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty hath done great things unto me: and holy is His name.

And His mercy is from generation to generation, and unto them that fear Him.

He hath shown strength in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel His servant; being mindful of his mercy.

As He spoke to our fathers; to Abraham and to his seed forever.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, by a rescript of the S. Cong. of Ind., Sept. 20, 1879, granted to all the faithful who, with at least contrite heart and devotion, shall recite the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an indulgence of one hundred days, once a day, and an indulgence of seven years and seven times forty days, once on every Saturday of the year. (Raccolta, 1903, p. 346.)

LITANY OF THE BLESSED

VIRGIN MARY.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy

on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother in violate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,

Pray for us.